The role of the building surveyor in checking smoke control systems

Presented by Jeff Froster

3 Key TopicsI. Why do we have smoke control in buildings?

Why we are responsible?

II. How do we provide smoke control? How do we ensure smoke control systems are installed and operating correctly?

III. What are the expected results? What is our role? Things to look out for? And key discussion points on the industry…

* Note the Circle of Influence and Ignorance Grows Larger. Not everyone knows everything and leaves gaps. Be Mindful of this.

Start with Who? Lots of contributors to a design

team

Who is responsible?

Coordinate with?? Everyone!!

Have a strong understanding of each discipline’s design intent

Be aware of the circle of influence and ignorance (inclusive of the client / developer)

More people involved, the greater the risk key details fall through the cracks

Building Surveyor’s Role Defined? The combination of experience, tertiary qualifications and

professional liability insurance means that the building surveyor is comparable to other building professionals, such as architects and engineers.

High degree of professionalism and integrity required in order to protect the public.

Ensure consistency with planning permits and design documentation

Conduct ‘critical stage’ inspections of building work as it progresses. The role of the building surveyor is to inspect whether the building work complies with the Act, Regulations and the NCC.

Role continues to evolve and our responsibilities increase via private certification

Photo taken from the UK (Building Surveying), note here the building surveyor must be registered with the Building Commission to provide certification services.

Building Surveyor’s Role Defined? Australia• In Australia, a Building Surveyor is a professional who is tasked with

understanding the building control process. A Building Surveyor has the authority to assess building plans to ensure that they comply with the Building Code of Australia, the Australian Standards referenced within it and any other relevant Building Acts or other legislation or requirements of the jurisdiction the building is in. Building Surveyors are either private or municipal.

• Building Surveyors have an impact on the design, planning and functionality of buildings as part of their responsibility to ensure that buildings are safe, accessible and energy efficient. A Building Surveyor is involved for the length of a building project, from the start until the end, and conduct inspections in order to sign off on every stage of the construction. Only one Building Surveyor can be appointed to a building project, and at the end of the building work it is the responsibility of the Building Surveyor to issue the occupancy permit or certificate of final inspection.

• In addition, a Building Surveyor can also conduct inspections for a variety of reasons, such as compliance audits for insurance or dilapidation reports.

Get the Design Right from the Beginning Design fire size

Stack and wind effects

Temperature effect of fire

HVAC and ventilation systems

Climate

Expansion of ducts

Compartmentalization Strategy to NCC

Liaise with the Fire Engineer, Architect and Mechanical Engineer to ensure a strategy in compliance with NCC / AS1668 and practicality for the building under consideration

I. Why smoke control??

Protect End user – life safety

Safe Evacuation

For Fire Fighter access

Reduce Property Loss

To clear smoke after a fire – smoking purging

Our Right to Live and Work Safely in the Buildings we occupy

We all have family, friends and colleagues we care about.

Our professional duty of care & integrity

Perspectives on Smoke Control: Grenfell, UK

London Fire article

Narrow stairwell was sole escape path and was inundated with black smoke

Smoke poured into the stairwell via the ‘stack’ effect which forms strong currents of air, both upward and downward, in chimney like internal spaces

Majority of Residents did not want the disruption of fire sprinkler retrofit. Is it their decision… what was in the best interest of ALL??

Coanda effect also at play where hot gases from fires tend to be attracted to nearby surfaces (external view)

Why no stair pressurization, smoke control system?? Better use of $$ in the building upgrade. Article here doesn’t mention this http://bit.ly/2rlIhWt

I. Why smoke control??

Perspectives on Smoke Control: Little Time!

Fires Spread Quickly: Christmas Tree

• 00.00 Household is asleep

• 00.30 Fire ignites and grows in downstairs

• 1.04 Fire spreads and smoke begins to fill In the room.

• 1.35 Smoke layer descends rapidly and temperature exceeds 88 deg

• 1.50 Smoke detector sounds an alarm.

• 2.30 Temperature becomes 205 deg

• 2.48 Smoke pours into other rooms

• 3.03 Temperature in the room becomes more than 260 deg

• 3.20 Upstairs,corridors,all the rooms are filled with smoke

• 3.41 Flashover occurs , temperature becomes 760 deg

• 3.50 Two minutes after the alarm sound, only the second exit will be the way out

• 4.33 Flames will be apparent from the outside , the first evidence of fire visible from outside.

I. Why smoke control??

Perspectives on Smoke Control: Success

Successful Test

Important to Visualise how the systems will be tested during design and construction

Keep it simple

FIP makes clear which zones are actively removing smoke

Proven successful results via smoke test

I. Why smoke control??

II. How do we provide reliable smoke control systems in buildings?? Refer NCC Section E2

Refer AS1668.1 - 2015

Design Team Communication and Briefing / Understanding

Compile Design Certifications - Keep the strategy practical

Confirm Commissioning and Testing of Systems which encompass ‘Smoke Control’

Ensure accountability for ALL is shared

Building Surveyor: Ensure you have a clear understanding to ensure you have performed a due diligence check on the design team, don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek design verification throughout the design process, i.e. don’t wait until the end.

NCC – Section E2 AS1668.1 – Fire and smoke control in buildings

II. How do we control smoke??

Where are the Smoke Pathways?

Air and service ducts connecting floors

HVAC / Ventilation Systems

Extract Duct systems

Gaps between wall and floor constructions

Stairwells

Lift Shafts

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Air Handling Systems / Ductwork

Stability, Integrity, Insulation

Maintain FRL

Mechanical Fire Dampers, Motorized, Intumescent, Smoke, Air Dampers to suit smoke control strategy

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Fire Protect Openings To maintain the integrity of

building elements compromised by mechanical ventilation

Protection of Ducts, openings and equipment

Breakaway joint at damper if duct supports fail

Separation of dampers – meat in structure

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: General Requirements

Location of openings

Direction of Smoke Exhaust

Location of Make-Up Air

Noise

Fire Door Pressure Differential

Control / Indication

Documentation

Testing & Commissioning

Baseline Data, Test Results & Documentation!

Fire Rated Essential Power Supply

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Kitchen Exhaust Keep running on fire signal

Flame and Spark Arrestance Systems required for Hood Filter. Check with Supplier

Ensure kitchen exhaust ductwork passes through to discharge point within fire rated shaft

Suitable access to be provided every 3m or at any change in direction for kitchen exhaust duct (to allow cleaning for grease build up thus to minimize the risk of fire within the duct in future)

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: System Shut down

System Shut Down

Don’t spread the flame / smoke

FIP to provide signal to Fan Equipment to shut down on Fire Signal

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Zone Pressurization

Pressurize floors that are non-fire affected

Exhaust floors that are fire affected

Provide <100N force on a door to open the escape path from a fire affected compartment to an escape path

Provide suitable airflow (confirmed via velocity confirmation) across the escape door from a fire affected floor.

Confirm fire and volume control dampers are scheduled as “Open” or “Closed” in a schedule to be provided by the mechanical contractor in compliance with the zone pressurization strategy. Again, ask to witness this.

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Hot Layer Smoke

Exhaust smoke from the hot smoke layer to maintain the smoke layer above egress paths

Based on a single axisymmetric plume, which is confined to one reservoir

Smoke plumes spilling across multiple reservoirs are not considered

Single fan permitted for multiple compartments

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Protection of Exits

Stairwell (Vertical)

Escape Corridor (Horizontal)

Ensure to avoid over pressurisation

Noise to not exceed 80+ dBA

Relief path or fan speed control

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Air Purge Systems

Fire duct must be constructed to resist water impingement from any sprinkler system

Provide sprinkler system fitted in the area of mechanical extraction

Provide 10ACH minimum

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Lift Shaft Pressurization

Provide when required to aid in smoke control

Lift shafts are a possible path for smoke travel between floors thus risk mitigation via pressurizing

Provide relief at high level or VSD control of fan to avoid over pressurizing the shaft

II. How do we control smoke??

How to control Smoke: Car Park Systems

Fire Brigade to have manual option to isolate off exhaust fan systems serving car parks

Provide min 10ACH in a fire condition. Fan to drive VSD to 100% on fire.

All components of the system shall have a min melting point of 800 Deg C

Fire Dampers shall not be used in any car park extraction system

Ductwork to retain at least 75% of it’s cross sectional area, both in the fire compartment and in adjacent compartments

II. How do we control smoke??

III. What to look out for as a surveyor?

Is the design team engaged to see the project though to completion of construction and testing?

Is the mechanical contractor qualified?

Has the design team coordinated well?

Are there any inconsistencies.

O&M… show me proof!

Design Coordination

Example where an architect shows a fire wall however where it’s not a fire wall. Can lead to confusion…

…Based on above do we have confidence the architect understands the smoke control strategy?? No

If builder were to install to the architectural drawings they may then include for fire dampers in ductwork leaving the plantroom. This would compromise the mechanical design and smoke control system to AS1668.1-2015.

Design correctly and ensure all parties understand the design.

III. What to look out for??

Design Brief Understanding Ensure the mechanical consultant brief

describes the smoke control strategy in compliance with NCC / AS1668

Ensure you have an air schematic to review which aligns with the smoke control brief description

Ensure the architect and design team have also read and understood the design elements for smoke control.

Would recommend extracting elements of the mechanical brief, schematics for your BCA reports to confirm for yourself a clear understanding and to provide integrity in your reports.

III. What to look out for??

Design to AS1851 – Access for Maintenance

Can you get to the damper with relative ease for testing and maintenance? If you can’t on paper than you have to rethink the arrangement.

May be a checklist item worth providing to the design team to ensure they have looked at “accessibility and compliance to AS 1851”

III. What to look out for??

Suitable Access for Reliable Maintenance

Can you get to the damper?

If you can’t get to the damper how are you going to maintain it?

Integrity is already lost.

This is a design and constructability matter where architect, consultants, surveyor, structural engineer are all responsible

AS1682 – Fire Damper Install

III. What to look out for??

Integrity of Fire Damper Installation

What’s the point of having a fire or smoke damper if it’s compromised at install?? No more gaps….??

Electrical, control cabling fire stop seal?

Fire Wall Integrity / Builder workmanship…

III. What to look out for??

Have dampers met wall type?

Does it suit correct wall construction, i.e. masonry or gyp rock?

Does the FRL match?

Is it tested to AS1530 - Fire test to Building Material

III. What to look out for??

Will your damper compromise smoke control?

Intumescent dampers can be used to provide fire isolation however note they are not motorized.

A smoke control strategy may require a damper to open.

Understanding the strategy is key to ensuring an intumescent is not improperly applied to a project.

Typically used for toilet exhaust into fire rated risers.

III. What to look out for??

Site Coordination Mechanical Contractor requests 320x320mm slab builder’s work

penetration

Builder provided 380x380mm thinking “here you go, plenty to be safe”

Mechanical contractor has a duct / damper which slots in at 310x310mm with then gaps to be fire sealed.

Note Fire Dampers are ordered and ductwork fabricated.

Note we have a larger gap than required thus putting a risk on the integrity of the fire damper installation.

Does the builder have an understanding of the smoke control strategy?? No (Design integrity and understanding is a direct reflection of what will happen on site)

Hole to be constructed properly

III. What to look out for??

Are they installed to manufacturer requirements?

Duct to Duct

Grille to Duct

Duct to Grille

Ensure ductwork has suitable access panel to get to fire damper

III. What to look out for??

Let’s review installation instructions in detail. Curtain Blade Fire Damper in Slab

It’s not your job to install to this detail however if familiar with you may be able to spot a correct or incorrect install on site.

Ensure fire mastic seal surround

Size of damper impacts upon clamping method.

Smaller dampers are more difficult given lack of space, access thus are a higher risk to get right.

III. What to look out for??

Vertical Fusible Link Fire Damper Masonry Wall with Metal Expansion Gap

Seals

Fire Dampers must have a clear label with a ‘TOP’ to confirm correct orientation of the weighted damper upon activation

Important: All fire dampers shall be accessible and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1851

AS 1851 (stands for Australian Standards 1851) is a set of rules and regulations that ensure building owners are compliant in meeting the safety standards imposed on fire protection systems.

III. What to look out for??

Penetration Seals between Fire Compartments? Fire Stopping must be carried out

between 2 compartments

III. What to look out for??

AS1668.1-2015 Appendix E

System Commissioning Tests

Consultant Reviewed

Contractor Qualification

Certification of Dampers, Equipment

Witness Reports

Have you witnessed the test?

III. What to look out for??

Due Diligence Inspections, Checking Documentation Have you seen written

confirmation from the Mech / Controls contractor?

Have you reviewed the O&M Manual, i.e. spot check certification of dampers

Are as-built drawings in line with shop drawings, design drawings?

Have you witnessed a smoke test?

III. What to look out for??

Surveyor Checklist – Notice of Completion Date and time of inspection

Name, contact details and qualifications of the person conducting the test or inspection

Self certifying paper trail??

AS1668.1-2015 Appendix E – Smoke Control System Commissioning Tests Commissioning tests should be conducted after the construction of the building is

completed and air handling systems have been installed and checked

Repeatability of testing should be considered.

Additional tests to be performed after should emergency power have been used for the initial commissioning testing

Confirm that all essential power suppliers are connected to a dedicated main switch

Test documentation and baseline data – a smoke control diagram of the building should be drawn up including the location of all zone boundaries, all doors in those boundaries and all smoke control system detectors located within the zone. A test schedule and report form should be prepared.

Door sweep test to confirm through velocity through fire isolated exist pressurisation system doors

Check air velocity through each required exist door opening in the fire-affected compartment only.

Door opening force – Where a building Is equipped with a zone pressurisation system, check the door opening force to each exit door at each compartment in turn selected as the fire-affected compartment whilst the air conditioning system operating in the fire mode and the door to the exist on an adjacent compartment is fully open.

Check noise levels do not exceed 80 dBA in the escape path

Measure pressure differentials (+20 – 80 Pa) between fire affected and non-fire affected compartments

Further Items to look out for…

Diesel pump room ventilation – No fire dampers allowed on intake or discharge

Ensure Appropriate labelling for Fire Essential VSDs

Single Compartment AHU not required to shut down regardless of airflow volume, used to be 1000L/s

Ascertain risk in glazing systems and other building elements where leakage is prone

Be careful if you are asked to take over a Certification job from a fellow Surveyor. Sounds dodgy. There must be a reason. Noted risk in hand balling someone’s work.

Old buildings are inherently going to have risk. Do we bring up to standard?

D&C risk. Who’s responsible?

Design Brief on Life Safety accepted by ALL

Surveyor Checklist – Smoke Control (High Level)

Review mechanical consultant design brief & incorporate into your BCA report

Review design documentation for coordination

Confirm contractor qualifications

Witness Airside commissioning & witnessing of smoke control system testing

Check your insurances and risk exposure on the project

AS1668.1- 2015 Baseline Checklist

Design Documentation

Operating and maintenance instructions

Smoke Control Operating Instructions

Smoke Control Schematic Diagram

Results from Testing and Commissioning including procedure used

Fire and Smoke Damper Schedule

Insurance, Liability, PI• Have your broker review your

contracts BEFORE signing them• Risk review the project team, i.e.

are consultants engaged through construction and do their qualifications match the project (inclusive of the builder and sub-contractors)

• Weight up the risks you are taking on vs. the builder, client

• Plug: Contact Lee O’Connor for an informed discussion. 0431 433 505

• www.proactiveinsurance.com.au

New Ideas / Thoughts – Let’s Discuss

Impact re: effects of competitive markets and squeezing profit margins

Impact re: Climate Change?

Impact re: Terrorism and considerations of ‘worst case’ design scenarios….

Existing Buildings…is there a market to upgrade correctly?? Does the developer / owner have a duty of care for a building they bought 20 years ago??

Other thoughts…

Further Discussion Points

Thoughts / Ideas …

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To Discuss Offline Let’s arrange a coffee.