In any residential or commercial development, car parking areas are an important element to consider, commanding a premium in urban apartment buildings and providing access for potential customers in retail units.

Given the large amounts of people using these areas every day and the emissions created by vehicles, not to mention petrol or diesel residue or fumes, it’s vital to minimise risks to health and safety wherever possible.

Smoke venting plays a key role in maximising safety in the event of a fire, however it also plays an important role in dispersing pollutants and fumes in these areas. To tackle this, smoke venting systems can be adapted to run day-to-day, rather than only when a fire is detected.

At high levels, pollutants and exhaust fumes can cause health issues and may even pose a threat to the lives of those using the area. However, even at low levels this can be unpleasant, reducing the appeal of using the facility to potential residents or customers.

The type of system needed for a car park depends entirely on its design, with three main types being available.

Natural smoke venting systems are usually found in above ground car parks, and make use of air flow through the space to reduce the level of pollutants in the air to an acceptable level.

Due to the unassisted nature of natural systems, Approved Document B (ADB) and Part F (ADF) of the fire safety regulations require permanent wall openings equal to at least 5% of the floor area for the ventilation of everyday vehicle pollution and smoke, (or 2.5% for smoke clearance only where supplementary CO ventilation systems are installed) with at least half of these openings to be equally arranged between two opposing walls, providing ‘cross ventilation’.

Where natural smoke venting can’t be achieved, for instance for design reasons or where the car park is in a basement area, powered systems can be used to provide additional ventilation.

Hybrid systems are based around the use of impulse or induction fans, and are suggested under ADF as a way of clearing day-to-day carbon monoxide (CO) build-up. Enhanced Hybrid systems are also available, operating in the event of a fire as well as during general daily use.

Mechanical Smoke Venting Systems (MSVS) offer the greatest level of performance, for both CO clearance and to remove smoke in the event of a fire.

By using CO detectors, MSVS automatically activate when CO levels rise above 30 parts per million (ppm), returning air quality to a suitable level. The MSVS’ fan speeds are also dependent on the level of CO detected, running more quickly when levels rise above 50ppm, with assistance from the system’s induction fans.

As is widely reported, smoke inhalation poses the greatest threat to life in the event of a fire. Due to this, mechanical car park smoke venting systems must be designed to a number of British Standards. These systems provide a clear means of escape from the car park to a place of safety, as well as improving visibility and access for attending fire fighters.

To meet the required standards, mechanical systems must achieve at least ten air changes an hour by increasing induction and main extract fan speeds.

Car park venting systems are far more than just a means of maximising air quality, and can provide real, life-saving benefits in your residential or commercial development. For more information, including a quote, email email customerservices@besafedirect.com or call 0845 604 5653