Student accommodation might house some of the country’s brightest minds, but it’s unlikely to contain the best cooks! In 2015, over 5% of all indoor fires attended by London Fire Brigade were in halls of residence, accounting for more than ten call-outs a week. In fairness to students, some were false alarms put down to faulty or badly maintained systems – but many were due to careless cooks.
Of course, carelessness in the kitchen isn’t the only way a fire can start, and when you have predominantly young people often looking after themselves for the first time, accidents are sure to happen. As with so many things, the biggest issue isn’t necessarily the cause of the incident, but what happens next.
Student accommodation has a lot in common with a hotel. There are self-contained units and communal areas. There are residents and visitors coming and going at all hours. Many facilities even rent out rooms during the long holiday periods.
So how do you ensure that if a fire should start, it doesn’t spread through the entire building? It starts with building design.
Buildings are constructed in such a way that if a fire breaks out, it and the resulting smoke can be contained within a small area. The walls, floor and ceiling of each small area, or compartment, are constructed of fire-rated materials. This stops the fire from spreading and allows valuable time for people to evacuate the building. Where things get tricky is where those barriers have to be breached.
Services such as ventilation must pass between compartments, either through the walls or in loft voids or service voids, this also means flame and smoke is able to breach the barrier. The solution for fresh air ventilation systems is to install fire and/or smoke dampers within the ductwork at the point where the duct passes through the fire barrier.
A mechanical damper has either a fusible link or thermal spring, which activates at a set temperature which in most cases, unless specified, is 72 degrees. On activation, the damper is released and closes, maintaining the integrity of the barrier for a specified period time.
A motorised fire and smoke damper will operate when the sensor next to the damper detects smoke. Motorised dampers usually activate earlier than a mechanical damper, reducing the risk of smoke inhalation. This early activation, usually coupled with an audible smoke alarm, allows valuable time for the occupants to evacuate the area safely. This is especially important in areas such as a sleeping corridor.
When it comes to ways in which fire and smoke can spread, it’s important to remember that any channel that allows air to flow between compartments is a risk, so don’t forget things like recycling and refuse chutes – they should also be protected with fire and smoke dampers.
Once the necessary dampers have been installed, they need to be tested regularly to make sure they are fully functional and will operate as needed in the event of a fire. Where remedial works are required, they should be carried out promptly.
Remember that this is very much a closed system. Leaving even one damper untested or unrepaired means putting the entire building at risk. Safety is compromised and the system is uncompliant.
Here at Indepth we won’t just tell you where there’s a problem with your fire and smoke dampers; we’ll offer – and implement, if instructed – a solution, too. If it helps, we can carry out the work when the students go home. It’s a full package that gives you peace of mind.
Contact us today to see how we can help you maintain appropriate safety levels in your student accommodation.
