Bilco delivers smoke vents for large mixed development in Wimbledon

(19/06/2009)

The Broadway House site in Wimbledon is being redeveloped by Durkan Group and launched under the name Chorus. It comprises 86 apartments, 26 of which are affordable housing, as well as retail, office and amenity space. Bilco UK Ltd has completed delivery of four smoke vents for this large mixed development.

The smoke vents, which have been installed on top of each stairway, are Bilco’s new single leaf REM-140 model. The covers open to 140 degrees – which should eliminate the possibility of wind blowing smoke back into the building – within 60 seconds using 24 volt DC linear actuators for positive and controlled operation. Bilco also supplied four battery-backed control panels and manual control points to power the ventilators.

The units measure 1,000 by 1,250 mm and provide a 1 m2 clear vent area. They satisfy Building Regulations and meet Approved Document B, BS9999 and European Standards enshrined in EN 12101.

They incorporate 50 mm of polyisocyanurate insulation to give excellent thermal performance and an EPDM gasket to give minimal air leakage, assisting architects and designers in achieving Part L compliance.

The ventilators were supplied to East West Electrical Limited, which installed them as part of its contract.

Noel O’Dowd, technical director of Durkan, said: “The Bilco smoke ventilators meet the key requirement of reliability in operation and offer long life with easy maintenance and testing.”

The vents reflect the growing attention being paid to this aspect of building design and safety by architects, building owners and regulatory authorities such as local council planning departments.

James Fisher, general manager at Bilco, said: “Fire safety in multi-storey buildings is becoming increasingly important and product development is being driven by the adoption of new legislation and design codes. Bilco’s new REM-140 vents allow designers and architects to meet the latest regulatory standards.”

Related categories:  Ventilation