Without having thorough routine maintenance done a building structure and its occupants are being put at risk. It’s usually the building operator or owner’s responsibility to have fire safety systems correctly maintained in their building. A building owner/manager should understand the regulations around these procedures for fire safety.
Throughout a building’s ongoing use it is crucial to have all fire and smoke control systems routinely serviced and maintained. These systems should be designed, installed and kept in orderly and ongoing procedures. Making sure that they are functioning as efficiently as intended.
Here are some suggestions on how these maintenance routines should be carried out to keep your system compliant. They should also be serviced on a regular basis, and your maintenance provider should be aware of what to look for.
Ducts
Much like any system ducts can become damaged over long periods of its operating life.
They often start having performance issues Due to the fact that they are usually installed hidden from sight in commercial and residential buildings. This causes that some performance difficulties remain undetected for longer periods of time.
Whatever quality of the installed ductwork design, without regular maintenance routine you will be endangering lives as well as not getting the most out of your duct system.
Common problems that affect air ducts are:
• Poor insulation.
• Noise.
• Air leaks.
• Vibration.
• Contamination (un-kept dirty ducts)
Make sure to;
• Check for obstructions in the vents and return-vents.
• Have ductwork insulated.
• Seal any air leaks in ducts.
• Hire a certified air duct cleaning professional.
Experts advise to have your ductwork professionally inspected, checked, cleaned and tested every 2-3 years.
Without regular maintenance, smoke ducts can get clogged and corroded.
Dampers
Dampers are part of the smoke control systems. Preventing the further spread of fire within the ductwork by the use of fire-resistance rated walls.
You should have the dampers operationally checked and set a regular maintenance schedule to ensure for the dampers to perform when necessary.
Here are some guidelines on a proper maintenance regime, along with how often your dampers would need to be inspected and serviced. If any dampers were found to be defective, they would need to be replaced immediately.
Inspection;
How often? It’s recommended that each fire damper has to be tested and inspected a year after installation under normal, fully operational conditions. Along with a full service and testing at least once a year. It is also suggested that when fire dampers are in areas exposed to dust then inspections should take place on a more regular basis.
Fire and smoke dampers need to be visually inspected to look for any signs of corrosion, dust or dirt. Then the damper can be cleaned, lubricated and tested according to the instructions of the manufacturer. All fire dampers should also meet the criteria of fire resistance for a pre-determined period of time.
For electro-mechanical fire and smoke dampers, the latching mechanism should be checked, the remote controller and operating cable (including the indicator lamp). The damper guide channels, springs and area around the units should be kept completely clean. The shutter mechanism should be checked to make sure it’s operating correctly. All access doors and gaskets have to be inspected and any possible air leakage reported. All steps being taken record of during installation, inspection and any damage repairs.
Smoke vents
This is yet another fire protection system that needs comprehensive and regular maintenance done. Playing a crucial role in smoke control for fire escape as an active fire
protection measure. If this system fails in an emergency, there is the potential for loss of life.
To ensure the systems functioning properly when necessary, this requires a high standard of regular ongoing service and maintenance. These vents have many moving parts and need to be ensured of functionality. When not used for long periods of time, it can develop a seal around the vent, preventing it from opening.
This maintenance regime involves the testing of all parts of the ventilation system, even the fire alarm. To be sure to meet regulations and secure best performance of these vents, annual testing and maintenance is recommended.
Buildings may have maintenance staff that can check on these systems, though it’s always advisable to have a professional regularly maintain your smoke ventilation systems for a full check-up of the smoke vent equipment at least once a year.
Routine maintenance will actually be able to save costs significantly. Systems can be made to run more efficiently and for longer periods of time. Saving largely on any damage costs in the case of a fire emergency. Regular inspections can prevent costly system failure by spotting and identifying system issues before they become hazardous.
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