Smoke And Heat Evacuation Systems

The smoke and heat evacuation and disposal systems (SEFC) are designed to avoid the accumulation of the products of fire combustion within the rooms. They are defined by Chapter S.8 of the Fire Prevention Code D.M. 18 October 2019 (ex D.M. 3 August 2015) and regulated by the technical standard UNI 9494-1 & 2.

Esseci S.r.l. supplies, installs and maintains all types of heat smoke evacuators.

Types
Among the Heat Smoke Evacuation Systems (SEFC) and Heat Smoke Disposal Systems we find:

The SEFCs meet performance level III and have the function of maintaining a smoke-free layer of air in the lower part of the protected environment, facilitating the exodus of occupants, delaying the flashover and limiting damage to property. The evacuators require the calculation of the Useful Evacuation Surface (SUE) and typically require either large openings in the case of natural evacuation systems (SENFC) or ventilating equipment in the case of forced-type systems (SEFFC). Among the various types of natural systems we find those with slats, hinged doors, vasistas, retractable sheds, which can be positioned on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Among those of the forced type we have instead the Jet-fans and the evacuation towers.

Smoke-heat disposal systems, on the other hand, meet performance level II and have the sole purpose of removing the products of combustion during fire extinguishing operations by the Fire Brigade. In this case, windows, doors and skylights already installed in the environment are generally sufficient for normal lighting / ventilation, always if installed in adequate numbers. It is also possible to use forced type systems for the disposal of fumes.

How do they work
In the event of an alarm from the detection system or from a remote manual control, a signal is sent to an actuator (pyrotechnic or electrical) which activates the opening mechanism of the natural evacuators. Alternatively, the evacuators can be equipped with a thermosensitive element which will activate the opening mechanism in the fully automatic mode.

Also part of the evacuation systems are the openings for the inflow of clean air, any smoke barriers to create adequate smoke tanks, the command and control system, and any fire dampers.