SMOKE-CONTROL SYSTEMS | MAINTENANCE system failure of the type experienced at Grenfell. One of the most frequent, he says, is the availability of people on site to complete regular tests. This is recommended by the Regulatory (Fire Safety) Reform Order 2005 and safety operating instructions, which detail the requirement for smoke-control maintenance of lifesafety systems. However, Meek says these can often be overlooked or not fully understood. Often, he adds, the weekly and monthly checks will be carried out by general maintenance personnel, who have had basic hands-on training from the manufacturer/installer of the system. Tests can be problematic, particularly for high-rise residential buildings where there is no onsite maintenance presence and, as a result, checks are frequently overlooked. Guidance on smoke control in multi-occupancy residential buildings has been issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government1 and the SCA,2 and this stresses the importance of professional advice, and building owners understanding what type of smoke-control system they have. The guidance says smoke-control systems should be tested weekly by the building owner to ensure they are operating effectively, and a full system inspection and test should be carried out by a suitably qualified person at least annually. To ensure regular safety checks, Meek believes the specialist provider should offer training to site personnel and a logbook, so checks can be recorded and monitored. BS7346-8 Components for smoke-control systems. Code of practice for planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance gives detail of the maintenance requirements and templates for test records and service certificates. Meek says testing a smoke-control system is more involved than a regular fire-alarm test, particularly in a high-rise residential building, for which a test will involve visiting every floor. For residential buildings, there is rarely a permanent onsite maintenance presence, and it can be costly to employ someone to complete these tests, he adds. Unfortunately, this has led to them being ignored, says Annual service check on a local fan control panel Meek, who believes a culture change is required to ensure that building owners understand the importance of smoke-control systems and make sufficient provision for regular testing and reporting of faults. Without regular safety checks, faults may go undetected and systems could remain inoperable until the next scheduled maintenance visit. Even when smoke-control systems are equipped with visual and audible fault alarms, these are often ignored in residential buildings without onsite security personnel, says Meek. Under this regime, there is a very real risk of system failure in an emergency. Conor Logan, technical director at smoke-control systems specialist Colt Group, says the accountable person plays a vital role in ensuring that systems are maintained properly, as there are so many things that can go wrong as a result of smoke equipment being misused by tenants. He cites disconnected fire alarms; incorrect advice from unqualified maintenance contractors, and confusing a smoke test with a service. A successful smoke test will confirm that your system is working now. However, there may be elements within it that are not functioning properly, Logan adds. Smoke-control system maintenance Neither of the organisations responsible for the maintenance of the Grenfell Tower project were smoke-control specialists. This is not unusual, says Meek. A fire-alarm or mechanical and electrical Without regular safety checks, faults in smoke-control systems may go undetected Group SCSs Allan Meek (left) and Colt Groups Conor Logan A full smoke-control system inspection and test should be carried out by a suitably qualified person at least annually 38 July 2021 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE July 21 pp37-39 Smoke control.indd 38 25/06/2021 18:43