Cart is empty In 2013, the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) mandated the CE marking of all products used within the construction industry are covered by a European standard. For smoke ventilation systems, the product standards used in the UK and Europe is grouped under the EN12101 family.
These include;
EN12101-2: Smoke and heat exhaust ventilators
EN12101-8: Smoke control dampers
EN12101-10: Power supplies
In order to comply, these products must pass a series of rigorous tests.
Specifically regarding EN12101-2, these tests can include performance evaluation over many thousands of cycles, and must maintain integrity and function during high and low temperature conditions with no more than a 10% reduction in opening area. Where relevant, units are also tested under snow and wind loads. Also, the unit must open to fire position using mains power, and battery power (in standby mode), in under 60 seconds.
A key element of EN12101-2 dictates that a window and actuator must be tested together, as a functioning system. If an actuator is fitted to a window without testing the system it will not be compliant, and will fail to meet the CPR’s requirement. In order to be compliant it must be installed under an audited process to ensure the solution is identical to how it was tested.
System (vent and actuator) tests must be conducted by a facility or manufacturer able to provide a Certificate of Conformity supplied by a UKAS accredited body. Details of loadings and temperature ranges the system has been subjected to during testing, should be supplied as a Declaration of Performance (DoP).
The DoP references the Notified Approved Body that underwrites the process and the test references. It also contains the performance criteria against the test annexes in the form of declared essential characteristics and is signed by a Director of the company placing the system on the market.
When a system installation is carried out by a qualified engineer, a Notified Approved Body will have already underwritten the process.
One common misunderstanding is the assumption that the Approved Inspector takes responsibility for certification – this is not the case. The responsibility lies with the person bringing the product to market.
If proof of compliance cannot be provided to Approved Inspectors and Building Control Officers, building sign-off will be affected resulting in delays and possible compensation claims. More importantly, were a non-compliant unit to fail during a fire incident, the impact could be far more serious to the building occupants – and also to the company that failed to meet the required standards.
The smoke control industry is responsible for ensuring the highest possible standards are met and maintained for life safety systems. However, for product manufacturers and building owners – with regards to smoke ventilations systems, if a DoP cannot be produced, the system is not compliant.