Client: St George’s Developments
Architect: Broadway Malyan
Type of works: design, installation and commissioning of a smoke ventilation system.

An exciting waterfront development in the heart of London is one of a string of new residential buildings in the capital utilising a bespoke smoke ventilation system from SE Controls, the UK’s leading provider of natural ventilation and smoke ventilation solutions.

Battersea Reach, designed by architects Broadway Malyan for St George’s Developments, is an elegantly, individually tiered waterfront development, offering panoramic views of the River Thames. Built on a 13-acre brownfield site on the south bank of the river next to Wandsworth Bridge, the development is set to create a distinctive and inspiring symbol to the rejuvenated Wandsworth area.

SE Controls’ brief was to design, install and commission a smoke ventilation system that would offer an efficient and effective method of dispersing smoke from the building in the event of fire.

Working with the M&E contractor, the installed system consisted of a series of AVDs (Automatic Opening Doors) and AOVs (Automatic Opening Vents) situated on each floor of the building. These are controlled by the company’s innovative OSO control system which is networked into the building’s fire alarm system.

On activation of the smoke detectors, the OSO system will automatically open the AVDs and AOVs local to the detected area and begin to disperse the smoke into the smoke shaft. Preventing the build up of toxic fumes and gases in these escape areas to create a smoke free layer, ensuring the safety of the residents and increases the escape time for the occupants leaving the building.

If the smoke moves to adjacent floors, detectors on those levels will open the corresponding vents. This method of natural smoke ventilation is consistently proving to be more cost effective and maintainable when compared to mechanical extract systems.

The OSO control system is supported with a battery backup providing integrity for up to 42 hours in the event that power to the building is cut. The system also includes an override allowing fire fighters to open and close the windows within the building at will. Offering total peace of mind, all of SE Controls’ smoke systems are scrutinised by the Fire and Research Centre at Warrington and are tested to the highest standard.