The Extract Issue 1 - Spring 2026 - Newspaper - Page 13
Speci昀椀cation Corner
INSIGHTS FOR SPECIFIERS & CONSULTANTS
When should smoke ventilation be
speci昀椀ed?
Key criteria:
Smoke ventilation is still often left until
later design stages – increasing
programme and compliance risk.
y Smoke leakage (minimum S1000)
Late-stage decisions can lead to
redesigns, delays and Gateway challenges.
Embedding smoke ventilation earlier –
ideally from Stage 2–3 – allows
coordination with structure and MEP,
ensuring systems are compliant,
buildable and ready for approval.
Getting smoke control damper
speci昀椀cation right
y Fire resistance (e.g. EI120)
y Reliability (C10,000 cycles)
y Bidirectional 昀椀re performance (i↔o)
Aligning shaft construction and
damper selection
Shaft construction directly in昀氀uences
how dampers are speci昀椀ed, tested and
approved.
Missing or unclear classi昀椀cations can
create risk at Gateway submissions and
compliance checks.
Where performance cannot be proven
through certi昀椀cation, additional testing
may be required, increasing risk.
Smoke shaft design – getting it right early
Considering shaft and damper together
ensures the system performs as intended –
and avoids compliance gaps.
Early shaft decisions directly affect
performance, buildability and compliance.
BS 9991:2024 sets clearer, more
demanding expectations for damper
performance.
Builder’s work shafts can introduce
variability and often require on-site
testing, while EN 1366-8 certi昀椀ed duct
systems provide predictable, proven
performance.
“Fire rated” is no longer su昀케cient –
dampers must demonstrate tested,
classi昀椀ed performance aligned with
the full system.
Early manufacturer engagement helps
ensure solutions are tested, suitable
and spatially coordinated – avoiding
redesign later.
“The biggest risks in smoke
ventilation design come
from decisions made too
late – or without full visibility
of how systems, shafts and
components interact.”
Brad Crisp
Commercial &
Speci昀椀cation
Manager, Sertus
You said. We did.
IMPROVEMENTS SHAPED BY CUSTOMER FEEDBACK OVER THE PAST QUARTER
Clearer communication
Flexible delivery and storage options
You said: It’s not always easy to reach the right person quickly.
You said: Site schedules change – deliveries don’t always align.
We did: Introduced a new telephone system to route
enquiries directly to the right team – faster.
We did: Introduced 昀氀exible delivery and storage options
to help you keep projects moving.
Better delivery visibility
You said: More clarity needed around delivery timing.
We did: Introduced order con昀椀rmations and delivery
noti昀椀cations as standard, so you know what’s arriving on site
and when – with live tracking currently in development.
If your delivery needs to be postponed, we can support with:
y Delivery to an alternative location
y Short-term storage solutions
y Secure in-house storage where required
Our team will work with you to 昀椀nd the most practical option
based on your programme and site requirements.
Easier ways to share feedback
Ongoing improvements
You said: You want a simple way to give feedback.
We did: Launched our brand-new Trustpilot page – you may
receive an invite after delivery, and we’d really value your input.
We’re continually reviewing how we support our customers from
communication and delivery through to technical support and
product development.
Tell us what you think: If you have feedback or suggestions, we’d be pleased to hear from you
hello@sertus.uk
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