Why Do We Need Smoke Hatches – Regulated by Law
It is known that deaths in a fire are mainly caused by smoke inhalation. 87% of people caught in a fire lose their lives due to smoke and hot gas.
Precisely for this reason, the installation of smoke hatches or smoke extraction systems for halls, commercial spaces, and even apartment buildings is necessary and regulated by law.
Depending on the specifics of each building, from the design phase, the installation of smoke hatches is required to help with:
- In case of ventilation needs, the same smoke hatch can be equipped with a system that will transform the smoke hatch into a smoke and daily ventilation hatch. Thus, we can achieve daily ventilation of the space efficiently.
- the protection of people and goods against smoke and hot gas produced by a fire (as the name suggests)
- a source of natural light, especially in the case of smoke hatches inserted in modular skylights. The domes are made of thermoformed white-opal cellular polycarbonate, a color that has the advantage of diffusing light, thus achieving very good zenithal lighting.
- Smoke hatches are systems for the natural evacuation of smoke and hot gas
- Geometric area of the smoke hatch opening ≠ Effective smoke extraction area
- Smoke hatches must be able to open by dual command: manual and automatic
Smoke hatches are defined by several technical characteristics, the most important being the effective smoke extraction area, which is calculated (according to current regulations) using the formula:
Aef = Ag x Cv
where:
Aef = effective smoke extraction area
Ag = geometric area of the smoke hatch opening
Cv = aerodynamic coefficient – specific to the hatch (certified by an authorized body)
Depending on the effective smoke extraction area, respecting current regulations and the specifics of the roof, the number of necessary smoke hatches can be optimized.
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