New smoke control damper supports UK Building Safety Act compliance

by ConstructionFeatured NewsPassiveProductsSafety

TROX launches EKA2-EU damper for Building Safety Act compliance

TROX has introduced a new smoke control damper designed to support compliance with the UK’s Building Safety Act 2022.

According to TROX, the EKA2-EU is engineered for use in single and multi-compartment smoke extract ducts and air shafts, and has been launched following extensive testing.

The company said smoke control dampers are intended to remove smoke gases and provide supply air to fire compartments, with two safe positions – open or closed – depending on the location and direction of smoke movement.

TROX stated that the EKA2-EU meets the latest UK and European classification standards, and is suitable for both mechanical smoke extract systems and heating, ventilation or mixed systems where automatic activation is required.

It added that the product’s design is intended to assist customers in demonstrating system-level compliance with legislation in new and existing buildings across the UK.

Compliance standards and system integration

The manufacturer explained that the EKA2-EU complies with BS EN 12101-8 and is classified to BS EN 13501-4, offering classification levels of EI 90/120 (vedw,how i<->o) S 1000/1500 Cmod AA multi.

The damper includes a single blade for room separation and features a casing and damper tightness rating of at least 3C under BS EN 1751.

TROX said the product’s performance includes pressure levels ranging from -1000 to -1500 Pa and up to +500 Pa, depending on the application.

It stated that the smoke control damper includes a silicone-free design, no stop bars, and a large free cross-sectional area to support airflow requirements, even in fire conditions.

The company also noted that the EKA2-EU can be connected with TROXNETCOM and various control bus systems, supporting integration into building management and safety platforms.

Testing and certification in Europe

TROX confirmed that the EKA2-EU has undergone testing at its International Centre for Fire Protection Technology in Germany, with additional third-party accreditation by IBS in Linz, Austria.

The company explained that testing covered a wide range of installation types, including thermally insulated ducts, steel board systems, and various wall and floor constructions.

According to TROX, the damper has been certified across more than 400 individual installations, with compliance confirmed against BS EN 1366-10, 1366-2, and BS EN 13501-4.

It added that the EKA2-EU joins three other smoke control damper variants in the TROX portfolio, including the EK-JS, EK-JZ, and BVDAX models.

The company stated that these units are all tested to the harmonised BS EN 12101-8 product standard.

Technical features and performance specifications

TROX said the EKA2-EU is available in nominal sizes from 200 × 200 mm to 1250 × 1000 mm, with casing lengths of 305 or 500 mm.

It reported a volume flow rate range up to 12000 l/s or 45000 m³/h depending on velocity, and an operating temperature range of -20 to 50 °C.

The company stated that the differential pressure range is ±1500 Pa, and that upstream air velocity should not exceed 15 m/s.

TROX said the damper is suitable for restricting air volume flows where the throttle position is not changed during smoke extraction.

The manufacturer added that full product documentation is supplied to support correct installation and to help dutyholders and accountable persons demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Exhibition and public availability

TROX confirmed that the EKA2-EU will be exhibited at LondonBuild Expo on 19 and 20 November 2025.

The company said the product will be displayed at Stand N24.

TROX stated that the launch supports wider efforts to develop fire protection products aligned with building regulation changes in the UK.

According to the manufacturer, investment in testing and documentation aims to support those responsible for demonstrating safety under the Building Safety Act.

TROX added that the EKA2-EU is now available for specification and procurement across the UK market.

New smoke control damper supports UK Building Safety Act compliance: Summary

TROX has launched a new smoke control damper named EKA2-EU.

The product is designed for UK and European building safety compliance.

It is intended for use in smoke extract and HVAC systems.

The damper is classified to BS EN 13501-4 and BS EN 12101-8.

Pressure ratings range between -1500 Pa and +500 Pa.

The damper features a single-blade design with 3C casing tightness.

Testing took place at TROX’s facility in Germany and with IBS in Austria.

Over 400 installation types were tested for certification.

TROX supplies four damper models including the EKA2-EU.

Documentation is provided for installation and compliance support.

The product will be displayed at LondonBuild Expo 2025.

Smoke Control Association calls for compliance in smoke control systems in UK buildings

by ConstructionFeatured News

Compliance with EN12101 standards

According to the Smoke Control Association, smoke control systems are vital in ensuring safety in buildings during fire emergencies.

These systems maintain smoke-free escape routes and facilitate fire-fighting operations.

Since the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) were introduced in 2013, all smoke ventilation products and systems used in the UK must conform to the EN12101 standards.

Non-compliant products cannot receive the CE or UKCA marks, which are essential for legitimacy.

The association points out that EN12101-2, a key standard within the suite, applies to natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators (NSHEV).

These systems maintain a smoke-free layer by removing smoke and hot gases during a fire.

The standard requires that the vent and actuator are tested together at an accredited facility to ensure reliable operation during emergencies.

Compliance is certified through a stringent process, verifying that products meet the necessary specifications.

The role of the SDI 19 certification scheme

The CPR has led to advancements in ensuring the use of compliant products in smoke control systems, bolstered by the IFC Certification SDI 19 scheme.

This scheme ensures competency in fire strategy verification, system design, installation, and commissioning of smoke control systems.

As the association explains, the scheme is mandatory for Smoke Control Association members involved in the installation of smoke ventilation systems.

The SDI 19 installer scheme has various classifications:

  • Category 1: Companies that perform small refurbishments, remedials, and replacement projects, and install EN12101 compliant products and controls.
  • Category 2: Companies installing code-compliant staircase AOV systems, corridor smoke ventilation systems, and simple natural smoke ventilation systems without significant design input.
  • Category 3: Companies installing natural smoke shafts, smoke damper installations, and natural smoke ventilation for various building types.
  • Category 4: Companies installing complex smoke control systems, including mechanical smoke shafts, pressurisation systems, and car park smoke control systems.

Ongoing challenges and the importance of compliance

The Smoke Control Association notes that while the CPR and SDI 19 installer scheme have brought positive changes, there are still areas requiring improvement.

Individual nations and regions must emphasize that standards apply throughout the UK.

Proof of compliance in the form of a Declaration of Performance (DoP) is essential to ensure that any life safety product or system is fully compliant with UK law.

The DoP can be requested by clients, contractors, or approved inspectors.

Reputable manufacturers should provide a DoP to prove independent testing and certification.

Products lacking a valid DoP are not compliant and should not be on the market.

A full audit of the supply chain by a third party adds confidence that all elements comply with relevant laws and industry standards.

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety recommended clearer, more transparent, and more effective product specification and testing regimes.

The Smoke Control Association stresses the need for organisations across the country to understand their safety obligations when bringing life-critical products to market.

Non-compliance may be monitored by Approved Inspectors, Building Control Officers, and the Office of Product Safety Standards, but overall responsibility lies with the company bringing the product to market.

Report highlights challenges of smoke control in tall buildings due to stack effect

by Featured NewsPassive

Overview of the stack effect in fire safety

A recent report, identified as Report ID 1250 and published on 20 November 2023 by CROSS-UK, sheds light on the significant impact of the stack effect on fire safety and smoke spread in tall buildings.

The report underscores that real-world tests have revealed shortcomings in existing smoke control systems, which are designed based on standard industry guidelines and ideal conditions, but fail to adequately address typical winter stack effect scenarios​​.

Key findings for designers and installers

The report highlights two critical recommendations for designers and installers of smoke control systems.

Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of modelling smoke control systems, like smoke extract shafts, under realistic building and environmental conditions to ensure they can effectively counter the powerful air flows driven by the stack effect.

Secondly, it stresses that testing and commissioning of these systems should not be conducted in isolation but under conditions that realistically represent building environments, capturing the impacts of the stack effect​​.

Understanding the stack effect

The stack effect is a natural phenomenon, predominantly occurring in tall buildings, where differences in air temperature create pressure variations between the inside and outside of a building, leading to air movement through vertical spaces.

During a fire, this effect can cause smoke and hot gases to rise and accumulate in upper floors, drawing fresh air from lower floors.

This results in hazardous conditions in stairwells, crucial for both occupant escape and fire rescue service intervention​​.

Challenges in design and commissioning

The report identifies issues in current design approaches, especially in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based fire modelling, like the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS).

These approaches often do not accurately represent pre-fire temperature distributions and gradients.

Additionally, the prevalent use of default inert wall thermal boundary conditions in FDS can significantly influence the preservation of temperature gradients, impacting the effectiveness of smoke control systems​​.

Real-world observations and tests

Recent investigations in several tall buildings during winter and spring have brought to light various faults in fire systems.

Observation tests conducted in different types of buildings, including residential and office buildings, demonstrated how smoke control systems failed to counter the stack effect, leading to the need for retroactive amendments.

These tests highlighted the critical role of the stack effect in the performance of smoke control systems, especially in winter conditions​​​​.

Additional considerations

The report also notes that glazed stairs with high solar gain can exacerbate the stack effect, creating a larger temperature difference between the interior and exterior of a building.

This effect is particularly pronounced in tall buildings.

The failure of smoke control systems in these scenarios is often due to the design and guidance assumptions not considering the stack effect​​.

Recommendations for the industry

To address these challenges, the report recommends that stack effect considerations be integrated into the modelling, design, and testing of smoke control systems, particularly in medium-high rise and taller buildings.

The industry needs to focus on testing and commissioning under realistic conditions, as tests that ignore the stack effect are not suitably representative​​.

Expert panel insights

An expert panel from CROSS-UK echoed the concerns raised in the report, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating engineering rigour in designing smoke control systems.

They advocate for a thorough examination of factors that could lead to system failure and an analysis of the likelihood of such circumstances, as an integral part of the design process​​.

IFSJ Comment

The recent CROSS-UK report on the stack effect and its impact on smoke control in tall buildings highlights a critical gap in fire safety practices.

The findings demonstrate the need for change in the design, testing, and commissioning of smoke control systems, emphasising the importance of realistic and comprehensive approaches that account for environmental conditions, especially in tall structures.

This report is a crucial reminder for industry professionals to reassess and update their methodologies and a call to action for regulatory bodies to refine guidelines and standards to ensure enhanced safety in our urban landscapes.

New procurement rules set to reform public sector purchasing

by Featured NewsFire Detection

The landscape of public sector procurement in the UK has undergone a significant transformation with the royal assent of the Procurement Act.

This change enacts new rules that aim to streamline the procurement process, significantly impacting the way government contracts are awarded.

Procurement Act to benefit SMEs

The new regime is designed to make public sector procurement more effective, with a clear intent to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Procurement Act aims to unlock opportunities for SMEs, allowing them to compete for a portion of the approximate £300bn annual expenditure by the public sector.

By reducing complexities and considering the challenges faced by SMEs throughout the procurement lifecycle, the legislation is set to encourage greater inclusivity and participation from smaller businesses.

Enhanced accountability and transparency

A notable introduction under the new law is the power to create a public debarment list for high-risk suppliers.

These suppliers may be restricted from bidding for certain sensitive contracts, particularly those related to defence and national security.

However, they will retain the ability to compete for non-sensitive contracts.

Additionally, the Act stipulates conditions under which suppliers can be excluded from the bidding process, including poor performance on previous contracts and issues such as modern slavery or professional misconduct.

This reinforces the government’s stance on ethical practices and responsible business conduct.

In her statement, Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe expressed support for the reforms: “These new rules will help grow the economy and deliver better and simpler public sector procurement.

“I am particularly pleased to help small and medium sized businesses secure a greater share of nearly £300 billion worth of government contracts.”

The Act also imposes a new duty on Ministers to consider suppliers for debarment investigations proactively, enhancing the government’s oversight on potential procurement risks.

For further details on the new procurement legislation, visit the Smoke Control Association’s official update here.

IFSJ Comment

The introduction of the Procurement Act marks a pivotal shift in the government’s approach to procurement.

The legislation’s focus on simplifying the process, promoting innovation, and driving value for money aligns with the evolving needs of the public sector and the economic landscape.

By dismantling barriers for SMEs, the Act is not only fostering a more inclusive procurement environment but also signalling a robust commitment to ethical practices and accountability.

With SMEs playing a critical role in the economy, their increased participation in public contracts could stimulate competition, enhance service quality, and contribute to economic growth.

The proactive stance on potential debarment and the emphasis on ethical considerations reflect a transparent and responsible approach to public spending.

Overall, the Procurement Act is poised to reshape the procurement framework in a way that could reverberate through various sectors of the economy.