D+H UK were specified to supply and install mechanical smoke ventilation systems for a set of apartment blocks and underground car parks within the Local Blackfriars community.

Local Blackfriars is a gated community in Salford, providing 380 apartments and is home to a Grade II listed Black Friar pub which is merged into the development.

D+H UK worked closely with Fire Design Solutions and Domis Construction over the course of the project to provide a successful outcome.

Mechanical smoke ventilation
When a floor goes into fire, the dampers in both shafts on the affected floor open. The chain drive on the AOV window on the affected floor opens to provide fresh inlet air. The vent at the head of the stairwell will also open. Both sets of fans work to extract the smoke and poisonous gases.

Day-to-day natural ventilation
On activation of a thermostat on a single floor, both the dampers on the affected floor will open. One set of fans will extract on trickle mode and the other shaft will provide fresh inlet air for the system. The vent at the head of the stair will also partly open.

If the rain sensor is activated this will override and close the roof vent.

If more than one thermostat operates, the dampers on the affected floors will open and be balanced to provide an equal air flow on each floor.

Smoke detection in any zone will override the natural ventilation system and smoke extract will take priority.

Car park ventilation
D+H UK provided an eco-park® mechanical ventilation system. Advanced components and control systems allows for efficient energy usage.