So maybe you might have a new Costco or Home Depot going up in your area or maybe your a mutual aid department that does not have these types of stores in your first-in. But you do have the potential for responding mutual aid to cover a station... That's when the alarm comes in for a fire at the Home Depot and you have to have an understanding of how to
ALL the built in fire protection features, including Smoke Vents.
SMOKE VENTS
Large retail store roof top showing both HVAC Units as well as several Plastic Domed Smoke Vents.
PLASTIC DOMED SMOKE VENTS
Domed smoke vents are commonly found in large warehouses, retail stores and production facilities as they satisfy concerns for both fire safety and energy efficiency in one unit.
All smoke vent doors open automatically when heat activates the UL listed fusible link, thus releasing smoke through the roof and making fire-fighting more effective.
Automatic venting of smoke and noxious gases is essential in effective fire safety concerns.
This aids firefighters in locating and more efficiently fighting the fire.
The release of smoke also aids in the safe evacuation of building occupants by improving visibility.
At the same time, domed smoke vents permits daylight to enter the building through the roof, thereby reducing if not eliminating the need for electric lighting during daylight hours.
Smoke vents in the closed position.
To open the Heat Smoke Vents, firefighters must pull a release cable.
A warning tag is attached to the Release Cable Pull Handle stating:
"
WARNING! DO NOT PULL THIS RELEASE CABLE if you are not an authorized fire department employee. This equipment is an emergency fire safety device and should not be operated for any other purpose."
The lids will remain in the full open position until manually closed and hydraulic shock absorbers assure smooth operation, preventing damage to the unit. A manual cover release permits inside operation (outside operation optional) without disturbing the fusible link assembly and the latch automatically resets as the covers are closed manually. Once the cable has been pulled, both doors will remain opened until reset.
Caution labels warn firefighters that the smoke vent opens automatically once temperatures melt the fusible link.
The fusible link is located in line with the cable release system.
Tension is maintained on the fusible link with the use of a heavy duty spring.
View of the Smoke Heat Vent from the ground level.
To close the smoke heat vent, two people are needed to unlock the safety and compress the spring loaded vent doors.
The Spring Loaded Locking-Channel On Shock Absorber must be disengaged before closing the doors.
Both ends of the door have a locking mechanism that must be engaged using considerable force to put a load on the system.
Acceptance: Any required smoke control design that requires operation of mechanical equipment shall be functionally tested until proper operation of all required mechanical equipment and controls is demonstrated.
Examples of Other Equipment...
• fire protective signaling systems
• energy and building management systems
• HVAC equipment: dedicated and non dedicated to smoke control
• electrical equipment
• temperature control
• power sources and stand by power
• automatic suppression systems
• automatic door operations
• stair pressurization
• emergency elevator operations
Having an understanding of this type of mechanical ventilation will help you better prepare for incidents should you have one of these box type stores in your first in.
TCSS,
CBz
"Train as if your life depends on it... because it does!"
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