Substantial space saving benefits creating more saleable space

The standard states that mechanical smoke shaft systems can be used, provided they offer equivalent performance to their 1.5m² natural counterparts. Due to the greater efficiency of mechanical systems, shafts can be as small as 0.6m in most circumstances, although as buildings increase in height, the cross-sectional area of the shaft may need to increase up to 1m2. Consequently this can provide substantial space saving benefits over natural systems, creating more saleable space within a property.

Suitable where common corridor travel distances extend over 7.5m

Protecting the building’s staircase, these systems can also be implemented in buildings that contain travel distances in the common corridor that extend over the code recommended 7.5m in an un-sprinklered building and over 15m in a sprinklered building. This is because they offer greater performance for means of escape, assisting in clearing smoke from the building’s common corridors, mitigating this non-compliance.