The first guidance document – ‘Smoke extract fan maintenance; Best practice guide ensuring that your life safety equipment is fit for purpose’ – was produced in collaboration with the Fan Manufacturers’ Association (FMA) and emphasises the need to ensure that any powered smoke extract fans which are selected, manufactured and installed in accordance with EN 12101-3:2015 must then be correctly maintained to ensure that they continue to offer building occupants the highest degree of smoke protection.

The second guide is titled ‘Guidance on Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators. Applications and the use of Actuators and Ventilators’ and provides information on natural smoke and heat exhaust vents (NSHEVs) usage, methodology and, importantly, compliance/certification requirements.

David Mowatt, SCA chairman, commented: “These new documents will be important industry reference points for those involved in the maintenance of smoke extract fans or anyone looking for guidance relating to the use of smoke and heat exhaust ventilators. The SCA, in conjunction with other experts from the fire industry, are committed to raising standards of fire protection aligned to the Golden Thread initiative.”

Both industry guides are available as free downloads from www.smokecontrol.org.uk/resources