Safety Way – Pressure Differential System

Safety Way – Pressure Differential System

The future of high-rise evacuation:
pressure differential systems

The SafetyWay pressurisation system protects exit routes and staircases against smoke. Certification for the complete devices kit (incl.10,000 cycle reliability tests) and self-testing, with expert design advice, guarantee confidence in operation. Features like machine learning and a braking resistor for the fastest response time without oscillation, operation in small spaces, and adaptability to changing conditions help prevent tragedies like Grenfell Tower from happening again.

DISCUSS THE PROJECT WITH THE DESIGNER, WE REPLY WITHIN 24H

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What fire safety problems in buildings does SafetyWay solve?

You can learn more about the challenges that Safety Way faced by reading below. You can also watch a simulation of the evacuation process during a fire, which includes an explanation of the stack effect in high-rise buildings and the effectiveness of escape routes.

Natural

Wind blowing against the building affects the pressure inside. By dynamically adapting on the basis of the current pressure measurement, iSWAY continuously adjusts to the current conditions.

Temperature-driven differences in air density create air movement in high spaces causing uneven pressure. The Reversible Flow System evens out this pressure across the entire height of the stairwell in both summer and winter, guaranteeing the best pressure distribution.

Technical

Reliability is not only being failure-free but also the rapid detection and diagnosis of potential errors. Our system has been tested as a whole (all components) after 10,000 cycles of operation, but also monitors all components and runs automatic damper and fan tests every 24 hours. In the event of a failure, it will immediately inform the operator.

Over time, the airtightness of a building degrades. Passive mechanical systems require manual recalibration. Our system is auto-adaptive, meaning that it always achieves the right pressure, but also significantly reduces commissioning and acceptance times.

Design

Flexibility in shaping the space is key to remaining competitive in the construction market. Rearrangement affects fire scenarios and the hydraulic properties of the building. The flexibility of our system and its self-adaptability makes it easier to make changes.

Air volume calculations, equipment selection, location of devices and shafts, unusual scenarios or architecture, consideration of the stack effect or efficiency proof via CFD simulations – it’s all much simpler with the right partner! We at SMAY have worked on hundreds of pressurisation projects and want to assist you with yours!

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What is the Flow System and how was developed?

What do we learn from research conducted in a 23-story (62 m) building about evacuation by stairwell and the effectiveness of smoke extraction systems? Conclusions reveal critical insights into the fire system’s functionality.

See research results >>

Smoke Exaust Systems vs Pressure Differential Systems

  Smoke Exhaust Systems  Pressure Differential Systems 
Operation  Extract volatile products of combustion (smoke and gases) created during a fire out of a building  Prevent volatile products of combustion (smoke and gases) created during a fire from getting into designated safe evacuation zones 
Application  Low and mid-rise buildings, some tall buildings  All types and categories of multi-storey buildings with designated safe evacuation zones 
Escape and Rescue Routes  Evacuation impossible or significant difficulties in safe evacuation  Protect escape routes, it is possible to leave a building safely 
Rescue and Firefighting Action  Access for rescue teams protected below the source of fire, sometimes smoke extraction after the fire  Easy and safe access for fire-fighting crews to the source of the fire 

Your Next Step: Engage, Learn, and Elevate

– Contact us and reserve a training spot. Be a leader of positive changes in fire safety practices. –

System Applications:

check the most popular using cases

The most frequently protected spaces are vertical evacuation routes. Securing stairwells ensures safe evacuation of building residents, enables firefighting teams to reach the source of the fire, and prevents the spread of fire to other floors. In the case of tall buildings, it is important to take into account the stack effect on the pressure distribution in the stairwell.

Vestibules reduce the risk of smoke entering the stairwell, facilitate simultaneous evacuation, and enable firefighting operations. Due to different air volumes for different criteria and small cubic capacity, fast, accurate, and reliable automation and a wide range of equipment operation are extremely important.

Lifts are used for the evacuation of disabled persons and allow rescue teams to approach the fire. Lifts are also secured to eliminate the risk of smoke and fire spreading to other floors.

Due to evacuation scenarios or other requirements (e.g. the presence of unshielded windows or windowed areas before smoke appears), overpressure protection of corridors is sometimes used. Our units can also be used to compensate for the exhaust air when the vestibule doors are closed and there is no possibility of using transfer dampers or natural air inflow.

The pressure difference system can serve any space, such as shelter areas or fire control rooms, as well as rooms where maintaining a specific pressure is necessary (server rooms, medical facilities).

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How will it look in your scenario? Talk to SMAY design experts and use their practical experience.

Radek Sikorski
International Business Development Manager

e-mail: design@smay.eu
phone: +48 502 163 302

How will it look in your scenario? Talk to SMAY design experts and use their practical experience.

Radek Sikorski
International Business Development Manager

e-mail: design@smay.eu
phone: +48 502 163 302

Key Advantages of SafetyWay

When it comes to choosing the right fire safety solution, Safety Way’s pressurization system stands out in the market. Get to know what makes this system unique compared to others.

Our system quickly adapts to changing conditions and is resistant to oscillation risks, thanks to our patented predictive algorithm based on neural networks.

The predictive algorithm allows us to expand the operating range of our units, which, depending on the model and with the use of a frequency converter and braking resistor, can reach up to 200 m3/h! Meanwhile, we can achieve a maximum of 75,000 m3/h.

Years of research work in a nearly 100-metre real-scale laboratory allowed us to develop the best response to the stack effect, which has significantly affected pressure distribution in high-rise buildings in extreme temperatures. Our flow system’s effectiveness has been confirmed in dozens of buildings above 100m and several above 200m.

The dynamically adjustable airflow enables us to maintain set parameters by reacting to the dynamically changing wind loads and resulting continuous pressure changes around and in the building. The Flow system also ensures that our system can maintain proper pressure regardless of the outside temperature immediately after starting.

Each of our devices conducts regular autotests. It opens the cutoff valve and runs the fan at low speeds for a few seconds. If there is a malfunction, FAS is alerted, allowing for quick repairs. Test data is stored in the device’s memory, and the report can be easily printed, making autotest a replacement for daily tests required by 12101-13. This increases safety and generates operational savings.

With decades of experience and hundreds of references, from low and medium-rise buildings to the tallest in Europe, industrial facilities, hospitals, railway stations, and tunnels, we have solutions for all types of spaces, all kinds of loads, different air transfer options, and various types of overpressure units.

Thanks to the ring topology, our system brings significant savings on cabling and ensures communication between devices even if the line is interrupted.

Our system is equipped with an infrared heater that prevents cutoff valves from freezing in extremely low temperatures, allowing our devices to operate even at -25°C.

We are happy to help with your construction project. We offer full project support, including preparing an installation concept on an ideational scheme, performing calculations according to 12101-6 or 12101-13, selecting devices, providing electrical guidelines, chimney effect elimination reports for high-rise buildings, and the possibility of performing CFD simulations. We also offer full Revit libraries.

Prioritize long-term partnership. Discuss your company development with SMAY’s innovative solutions.

Tomasz Majewski
Export Manager

e-mail: t.majewski@smay.eu
phone: +48 538 818 607

Prioritize long-term partnership. Discuss your company development with SMAY’s innovative solutions.

Tomasz Majewski
Export Manager

e-mail: t.majewski@smay.eu
phone: +48 538 818 607

The design of the pressure differential system SafetyWay

The system is built on the patented iSWAY® units and manufactured by SMAY itself. You can find all the information you need, including data sheets, maintenance and manual instructions, as well as BIM and Revit files on our product pages below.

Training and demonstrations

We prepare hands-on experience for your team: design training, case studies and thought project situations and in-person real-scale demonstrations of working systems. It can be organised at your location or our HQ near the historic city of Krakow (great idea for a team-building activity!). Online is possible too, but in a live setting we can use coffee breaks to get to know each other and share experiences and see that face to face is always better.

Express your interest by writing to hello@smay.eu, and we will contact you to discuss your team preferences and tailor your learning journey.

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What did participants say?

The training has practical application, particularly in understanding pressure differential systems and what is available in the marketplace. It’s important that proper systems and system design are available to address the challenges of designing a robust smoke protection system.

reeves

John Paul Reeves, Smoke Ventilation Consultancy Ltd.
Managing Director, Smoke protection, pressurisation and UK legislation expert

SMAY and R. Sikorski gave us an opportunity to educate Cyprus engineers and establish Arimec as a leader in the Cyprus market. The training focused on fire safety, addressing misconceptions and practical aspects of pressurization systems. We gained insights into several details regarding installation and the design process, greatly enhancing the understanding of the subject for the 50 engineers in attendance.

arimec

Angelos Mina, Arimec Trading ltd
Fire Protection Manager, Mechanical Engineer

Our support at each stage

We provide extensive support to your team. Our experienced team of engineers includes designers, product managers, and fire safety researchers who can offer valuable insights and expertise. We can assist with manufacturing, design, and provide ongoing support throughout the construction and commissioning of the project.

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The emergence of the investment idea / Architecture

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The choice and design of the ventilation installation

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On-site equipment installation

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Fire tests and taking over the building

Tomasz Majewski
Tomasz Majewski
Export Manager
Radek Sikorski
Radek Sikorski
International Business Development Manager
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Contacting us will provide you with an expert view of the ventilation in your project and help you decide. Let's talk.