Tamperproof Manual Control Point
There is growing evidence that misuse of smoke ventilation systems in residential buildings can lead to incorrect operation with potentially fatal consequences.
Recent examples have pinpointed occupants use of manual override switches (typically yellow, 'breakglass' style switches) to open vents to provide fresh air to common spaces or even access essential smoke shafts to store bikes and leave rubbish.
Nuisance operation, especially in student accommodation, is becoming a concern for facility managers, building owners, occupiers and fire brigades.
Inappropriate operation of the manual control points (MCP) can not only cause activation of a system, if a fire does occur once an MCP has been operated, initiation of vents on fire floors can be locked out and fail to operate as a direct result. Most residential smoke ventilation systems are designed to be fully automatic, opening specific automatic opening vents (AOVs) when smoke is detected and generally only on the floor of fire origin.
MCPs are frequently the highest priority in a smoke ventilation system and, as such, are designed to disable the smoke detection system. Therefore, the need for a tamper resistant manual control point has never been greater.
The company's Tamperproof MCP is said to be the only product available on the market, which can deliver the full functionality required of an MCP, whilst complying with the imminent EN12101-9 product standard.
The orange (RAL 2011) MCP displays system and vent status both audibly and visibly through three LEDs, “power, fault and activated” (all requirements of the EN standard).
The company claims its feature-rich product has been designed to go further than simply providing the basics. When incorporated into SE Controls' SHEVTEC OSLoop control system, the MCP promises a fully intelligent zone control panel, monitoring smoke detector inputs, monitoring cable outputs and position of the smoke vents. This information can be displayed on an elegant repeater panel, located in the designated fire fighters entrance, as well as being logged in the system to provide post event evidence of causes of alarms.
The MCP allows for the rigours of first-fix installation by coming in two parts. The base is suitable for first-fix, whilst the surface-mounted element, which also contains the electronics and housing, clips into position as part of the second-fix or commissioning process.
It is also suitable for retro fitting into existing sites, in particular, onto the company's OS2 control system. According to the company, this means that the MCP is a cost-effective solution for building managers who are regularly faced with nuisance activation of the smoke ventilation systems. Furthermore the MCP allows for building managers to utilise the system for day-to-day ventilation of common areas in a controlled manner.
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