Smoke ventilation contractor, Fire Design Solutions (FDS), has been appointed to provide its systems for a substantial new residential development in Nine Elms, London.
The Embassy Gardens project, which FDS was appointed to by the project’s M&E contractor, Cilantro Engineering, represents part of a wider regeneration programme in the area.
The development includes 1,750 new homes, a 215,000 sq ft office building, stunning landscaped gardens, vibrant new bars and restaurants and 130,000 ft² of shopping space.
Phase two is being delivered by EcoWorld Ballymore and phase one, which is now complete and occupied, was delivered by Ballymore Group. The project will see FDS supply, install and commission its mechanical smoke ventilation system including its open protocol FireSmart control system and corridor environmental systems
Based on the building’s Fire Strategy and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling FDS will install six 0.6m2 mechanical smoke shafts in three of the block’s cores, connected to powered fans mounted at roof level.
This engineered approach, which is an alternative to Approved Document B (ADB) recommendations uses the superior efficiency of mechanical smoke ventilation systems, rather than passive, natural systems, to allow the use of shafts substantially smaller than the ADB-recommended 1.5m2, providing additional saleable space in the building.
In addition, FDS’ systems will enhance residents’ comfort. Its corridor environmental systems will operate day-to-day, making use of the mechanical smoke ventilation system to automatically remove stale, warm air from common corridors, replacing it with fresh air from outside. In the event of a fire the system will revert to fire-safety mode to remove smoke from the affected area.
Finally, the open-protocol FireSmart panel, being installed in the building’s reception area, will allow these systems to be controlled and monitored, while also producing in-depth status reports.
