SE Controls publishes new ‘white paper’

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

SE controls publishes new whit paperSE Controls publishes new ‘white paper’ on smoke control in apartment buildings

A new ‘white paper’ exploring the effective design and installation of smoke ventilation systems in apartments has been developed by leading smoke and natural ventilation specialist, SE Controls, which builds on the recent guidance published the Smoke Control Association (SCA).

The comprehensive SCA report entitled ‘Guidance on smoke control to common escape routes in apartment buildings, flats and maisonettes’ was created to not only highlight the objectives and performance criteria of residential systems, but also identify system options, testing and the integration of smoke control with other fire systems.

By publishing its white paper, SE Controls sets out to communicate a number of key critical aspects covered in the SCA report into a more condensed guidance document focusing on smoke ventilation system design, particularly where a standard ‘Approved Document ‘B’ compliant solution may not be possible.

The white paper also recognises the changing legislation and legal obligations on property owners to ensure adequate smoke control and escape provision is made and it is kept well maintained. It also goes beyond the need for safe means of escape and deals with the need for fire fighting teams to access the building safely to attend possible victims and extinguish the fire.

Will Perkins, SE Controls’ Managing Director was part of the SCA group that compiled the original guidance document and is committed to ensuring that effective smoke control is firmly on the building safety agenda. He said: “It’s a well documented fact that asphyxiation from smoke accounts for 80% of all deaths in the event of a fire, yet in multi storey apartments, where escape routes could be inaccessible due to ineffective smoke control, this figure could be disproportionately high. Ultimately the single primary objective of our white paper and the original SCA guidance is to help save lives through understanding the risks and implementing effective solutions to control smoke and aid escape.”

SE Controls (www.secontrols.com) specialises in the design, project management and installation of advanced smoke ventilation and natural ventilation solutions to meet the needs of architects, contractors, building services engineers and facilities managers.

Filed Under: Smoke Control, Smoke Ventilation Tagged With:

Bilco offers reliable, quality & durable products

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Bilco Roof VentFormed 23 years ago, Bilco UK has forged a formidable reputation amongst architects, engineers and specifiers. Renowned for quality and durability throughout its range of roof hatches, smoke vents, floor doors and safety products, Bilco is committed to the long term benefits it can provide its customers.
• Roof access hatches
All Bilco aluminum hatches come with a 10 year guarantee, indicative of the company’s commitment to high quality standards. Whether the application is for interior ladders, ship stairs, service stairs, and security access or for larger sized hatches, Bilco hatches can be installed quickly and with reduced costs. Also, Bilco has specifically manufactured the hatches for the requirements of buildings in the UK and Europe. Fully insulated, gasketed and fitted with heavy duty slam latches, Bilco roof hatches are a perfect addition to a modern, secure and energy efficient building.

To add an extra degree of safety, Bilco offers a comprehensive range of fixed and retractable ladders for all its access products. Both Bilco’s fixed and retractable ladders are designed with optimum safety in mind, taking into consideration the harsh treatment they are often subjected to in the commercial/industrial environment.

• Smoke Vents
For Bilco, safety is paramount in all its products. 95% of all fire related deaths result from smoke inhalation so increasing evacuation time and decreasing the risk of smoke inhalation, is vital. Bilco leads the way in thermally enhanced, high performance smoke vents. The company’s range of smoke vents is designed to satisfy Building Regulations, meet Approved Document B, BS 9999 and European Standards enshrined in EN 12101.

For example, the Bilco 140° Type REM smoke vent is designed to fully open in 60 seconds, allowing noxious and potentially explosive fumes to escape from a building. Its design reduces the chances of smoke blowing back into the premises as well as providing access for fire-fighters. Across the range, Bilco smoke vents are available in single and double leaf designs and can be produced to be either automatically or remotely opened. Bilco insists on robust manufacturing standards and these smoke vents come with a 10 year warranty – keeping buildings safe for years to come.

• Control Options
Bilco offers an array of controls which work effectively with its range of smoke vents and roof hatches. Bilco controls and accessories, such as the OS2 control unit, are specifically designed to work as a stand-alone management system or as an integrated component of a fully networked system. In the event of a fire, the OS2 offers a failsafe option, powered by a battery backup, if the mains electrical supply is cut.

In non-emergency situations, Bilco provides a wide range of control accessories to independently open and close access equipment for roof inspection and maintenance.

• Floor Doors
Bilco can provide a solution for any sized pit or floor door configuration. Bilco’s floor doors range from small interior floor doors complete with insets for carpets and tiles to reinforced doors for areas of heavy traffic or high security. Compression springs ensure smooth, easy, single person operation, regardless of door size, while an automatic hold-open arm locks the cover open for safety.

As always, the Bilco commitment to quality and durability is reflected in the warranty; drainage doors have an exclusive 25-year warranty, while non-drainage and fire doors are covered for 10 years. Manufactured with a positive latching mechanism to prevent unauthorized access and to the highest corrosion resistant standard, Bilco floor doors can be relied upon for years of trouble-free, dependable service.

• Safety Products
Bilco is committed to helping its customers maintain high standard of safety. The LadderUp® Safety Post provides easier, safer ladder access through roof hatches, floor doors and manholes. Permanently mounting to the top two rungs of any fixed ladder, the specially designed telescopic post provides a safe and secure hand-hold, making it easier to enter and exit an access hatch. The LadderUp® post can be retrofitted to almost any application and is covered by Bilco’s exclusive 10-year warranty.

Bilco also offers a fall protection grating system, available for its J-AL and JD-AL floor doors. Made from tough fibreglass and secured with an automatic hold open arm, the grating system is engineered to prevent people falling through floor doors. Bilco’s fall protection grating system is offered with a 25-year warranty.

• Custom Applications
Bilco is renowned for its flexibility in meeting its customer’s requirements. Customised designs can be tailored to the client’s individual needs with a range of features from security options, motorised operations as well as various paint finishes and safety aids. Not only is Bilco flexible in the design and manufacture process, the company also offers fast service delivery. Standard items are delivered anywhere in the UK in three to four working days and special custom products can be made and delivered in five to eight weeks.

With a proven commitment to high quality standards and ensuring complete customer satisfaction, Bilco UK is a strong force for now and the future.

Filed Under: Access Panels, fire resistant doors, Roofing, Smoke Control, Smoke Ventilation Tagged With: , ,

BILCO’S STAR ROLE IN ICONIC THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Roof Hatch, Smoke Vent

BILCO’S STARRING ROLE IN ICONIC THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT

Quality roof hatch, smoke vent and access equipment supplier Bilco UK has played a leading role in the redevelopment of the iconic Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

Built on the site of the old theatre, the new Marlowe features a 1,200-seat state-of-the-art auditorium with vastly improved acoustics and sightlines, foyers and bars on three floors, a café and terrace and a piazza for outside performances.

When the opening curtain goes up in October the new Marlowe will be the leading theatre in the South East with the capacity to host some of the biggest touring shows, major operas and ballet.

An enormous automatic acoustic smoke ventilator supplied by Bilco has been installed in the new fly tower. Built in six sections with 24 covers over an area measuring 4,000mm x 11,000mm, it is the largest vent ever manufactured by the Bury St Edmunds-based company. It is also the first motorised acoustic ventilator to be made with a two-cover design.

Automatic smoke vents help firemen to bring a blaze under control quickly by removing smoke, heat and gases from a building when fire breaks out.

Acoustic ventilators are ideal for concert halls, theatres, cinemas, auditoriums and other indoor venues because, in addition to providing dependable automatic venting in the event of a fire, they also prevent noise intrusion and carry the highest sound rating on the market.

The ventilator can also be opened and closed remotely using internal switches to remove heat from the stage area. The control system will automatically close the covers in the event of rain or high wind conditions while in natural ventilation mode.
Fully-insulated and gasketed for weather-tightness and sound-resistance, the covers open up to 90° as required by BS EN 12101-2 to ensure the rapid dispersal of smoke and noxious fumes and to reduce the risk of them being blown back into the building.

A custom-made control panel opens all 24 covers simultaneously when a signal is received from any of the external controls. In the event of mains power failure the battery back-up will ensure that sufficient power is available to open and close the vents for a minimum period of 24 hours following loss of power.

James Fisher, Bilco UK/Europe general manager, said: “Safety, comfort and sound quality are crucial considerations not only to reduce noise pollution from outside but equally to reduce noise from the theatre affecting surrounding properties. The covers for this important installation are specially designed to reduce noise.

“The Marlowe Theatre project was a challenge but has demonstrated our ability to deliver a product that has met all the expectations of the original design.

“We are delighted that the biggest ventilator we have made and assembled should take centre stage in this iconic new theatre.

“The major benefit of this acoustic vent is that it provides natural ventilation throughout the auditorium and stage areas and offers the reassurance of automatic venting should fire ever break out inside the theatre.”

The theatre has been built on the site and adjoining land of the old Marlowe theatre, a converted 1930s cinema which was demolished to make way for the new development which has been designed by the award-winning architect Keith Williams.

Funding has been provided by Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) supported by private and public fundraising.

Bilco has a strong reputation among architects, building engineers, specifiers and the construction trades for product and service excellence in delivering building service and safety product solutions.

The company manufactures a range of standard off-the-shelf hatches, floor doors and smoke vents and also provides a design service to meet special individual requirements.

James Fisher added: “Our products are driven by customers’ expectations and often their needs are determined by health and safety requirements.”

Filed Under: Acoustics, Smoke Ventilation Tagged With: , , ,