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Ever since the 2012 Building Code, all fire protection systems, including Smoke Control Systems (RBS), must have a valid inspection certificate issued under the CCV Inspection Schedule for Smoke Control Systems. Meeting this requirement, however, is not always easy in practice. Especially in the case of existing RBS systems, information as to why the installation in question was designed is often lacking. Furthermore, design documents and starting points sometimes cannot be traced, the technology is not up to date, or the use or layout of the object in question no longer corresponds to the original starting points.
In addition to unambiguously and structurally defining the starting points and explicitly describing the purpose of the installation, certification must be carried out by an ISO 17020 type A accredited inspection body (II). "In addition to an inspection on the principles, an initial inspection of the installation must also take place," says Stan Veldpaus, project consultant smoke control systems on behalf of Colt. "This certification requirement usually also applies to fire protection systems provided in an infrastructural environment, such as a tunnel. After certifying the installation, the certificate issued is valid for one year. Within that year, adequate management and maintenance must be carried out. For smoke control systems, this must be done in accordance with NEN2654-3."
In an inspection based on the CCV regulation, the inspection body (II) must check the whole for efficiency. Only an efficient installation results in a certificate. "Any deviations from the standard or assumptions regarding the expected fire scenario can be challenged by the inspection body," Veldpaus explains. "This is why it is important to involve the II as early as possible in the process."
An inspectorate is quite often considered "troublesome" by many parties. Unjustified according to Veldpaus. "An inspection body also strives to achieve safe and effective fire protection systems. Based on the expertise available, they will make every effort to achieve this goal with all parties involved. Even in existing situations and when, for whatever reason, there has been a substantiated deviation from current standards, an inspection body is often prepared to think along within the limits of the CCV regulations about a possibility of still being able to issue the certificate."
Complete concept for tunnel ventilation
When it comes to tunnel safety, the design of a smoke control system for rail, metro and road tunnels puts the safety of people first. So too around the installation of a smoke control system in fourteen of the RET's total of fifteen underground metro stations. "The priority of such systems is to provide the people present with a safe escape route in the event of fire or other calamities in a short period of time," Veldpaus said. "It is also a matter of creating the best conditions for emergency services so that they can carry out their work effectively and as safely as possible."
Benefits of certifying fire protection systems:
- Everyone knows what to expect from the installation in question
- There is effective installation
- There is optimization
- The cooperation between the different plants is thoroughly tested
- The plant will remain in operation longer
