The smoke ventilation system at Johannesburg’s Mall of the South shopping centre is using SE Controls’ window automation, vents and control panel solutions to ensure it operates perfectly in the event of a fire, allowing smoke-free escape routes to be maintained for shoppers and staff.
Designed by Vivid Architects, the 1.8 billion Rand development provides more than 150 stores and restaurants, covering fashion, jewellery and electronics, as well as a wide range of other luxury goods within the 65,000sq.mtr complex, which also has car parking for 3,000.
Due to the large open plan areas within the mall and the high volumes of people, effective smoke ventilation is essential to ensure escape routes are kept clear if a fire should occur. As a result, the system uses 62 SE Controls’ vents and 20 of the company’s SECO N 24 40 twin chain actuators, as well as twelve 24 Volt dc OS2 controls panels and eight manual control point (MCP) switches.
Working closely with smoke control specialist, Curvent international, the system, which also uses roof mounted fans to help vent smoke from the mall, is controlled centrally by a repeater panel located in the main security office to provide additional safety and peace of mind.
In the event of a fire, the mall’s smoke sensors trigger SE Controls’ EN12101-2:2003 compliant control panels and chain actuators to automatically open the window and ventilators, allowing smoke to be vented to assist escape. Manual Controls Point (MCP) switches are also incorporated within the design to allow manual actuation of the system.
