Buildings are growing taller and more complex – in function, engineering, and architectural form. The demands on fire safety systems are evolving, particularly those responsible for escape route protection. In buildings over 25 metres, pressure differential systems are now the accepted standard.

As modern buildings increase in height, the demands on their fire safety also grow, and traditional protection methods are increasingly proving insufficient. To effectively secure vertical escape routes, an approach based on precise airflow control and dynamic response to changing fire conditions is essential.

The design process is the foundation of every construction project, but it is also a major source of costly mistakes. Lack of experience, time pressure, the erosion of mentoring culture, and insufficient training in new software tools all contribute to design errors that increase construction costs and the risk of delays. How can they be minimized?

You walk into an office. The air feels heavy, stuffy, and within an hour you start to feel tired—even though you haven’t done anything yet. Sound familiar? Now imagine a different place: fresh air, pleasant temperature, no drafts. Work flows better, thoughts come quicker, and breathing feels easier.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a numerical technique that enables the analysis of liquid and gas flows by solving the Navier–Stokes equations. This method makes it possible to reproduce physical phenomena occurring in flow environments without the need for costly and time-consuming experimental tests.

It is hard to sell something you cannot see. Safe ventilation and good air quality are invisible, yet they are essential in every building. In the pages of Forbes magazine, Marzena and Michał Maj shared their journey to success and the power of family values. Sometimes, one decision can change everything. In Forbes, you can read about what made SMAY the European leader in safe ventilation.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a critical role in ensuring the comfort, health, and psychological well-being of building occupants. Parameters such as relative humidity, CO₂ concentration, and the presence of airborne contaminants are key factors in determining respiratory comfort. But is natural ventilation alone sufficient? In environments where people spend a significant portion of their time, implementing effective air purification strategies is essential.

Time – it is in short supply for designers, contractors, installers, and investors alike. Effective solutions that can optimize installation work are now worth their weight in gold. After all, no one likes construction delays. That’s why at SMAY, we have created the KTQ-O fire damper, which has a significantly shorter installation time compared to other dampers.

Did you know that noise pollution can be just as harmful as air pollution? It not only damages hearing but also affects the nervous system and heart. Learn the key concepts related to acoustics and discover how to effectively mitigate the negative effects of noise.

Polish scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs unite to conquer the world. The global technical expertise that drives the daily operations of many Polish companies deserves worldwide recognition. The Polish Innovation Hub supports the development of innovative Polish enterprises—how exactly?

Discover the innovative KTB-O fire damper, designed for residential ventilation systems. This cutting-edge product stands out with its cost-efficiency, affordability, and advanced design. With the potential to become a leader in its category, the KTB-O is now available for purchase. Want to know why it's the best choice?

On September 13, 2024, a conference dedicated to improving air quality in schools and other educational institutions took place at the Senate of the Republic of Poland. Scientists from the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) and public health experts presented the latest research on indoor air quality and its impact on public health. At SMAY, we have the solutions to address these concerns.

The awareness of the importance of air purification increased significantly during the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This trend is reflected in the initiative by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) called "Ventilation for Schools and Homes," inspired by the European Green Deal strategy.

Everyone knows what air is. Not everyone sees what the air is like. But… what kind of air are we breathing? Only a few really know. It’s difficult to accurately diagnose what air truly is and the enormous role it plays in our lives. Fortunately, professionals who deal with this know well “what’s in the air.” SMAY expert Jarosław Jądrzyk, who has been working in decontamination and electrostatic air purification for many years, presents us with an advanced method of electrofiltration. It uses SMAY® iNAC® technology, which is revolutionizing the way we care for air cleanliness in our surroundings.

It's time to debunk the myths about the pressure differential system. When should industry professionals consider implementing a pressure differential system? How should they implement one? Why should they take a systems approach? These are just some of the many questions we asked David Fitzpatrick, General Manager UK at SMAY.

In an era of increasing awareness about air quality, ventilation grilles have become crucial for a healthy environment. The choice you make has an effect on the removal of pollutants and the regulation of humidity. How do you choose ventilation grilles for your property to support the functioning of the building while ensuring constant air circulation?

We will discuss a situation where evacuating individuals opens several doors simultaneously. How does the pressure differential system operate in such cases? What functions must it have to respond effectively? Let's find out.

The incorrect installation of actuators and fire dampers often leads to defects that are not covered by service warranties. Improper positioning of the products or installing them in unsuitable locations can lead to device failures, which are not a result of poor manufacturing but installation errors. How should the correct installation of fire dampers be carried out? Discover the mistakes to avoid.

Investors, contractors, manufacturers – everyone is pondering how to create a building that not only meets technical, legal, and energy requirements but also fulfills user expectations and ensures comfort. Fresh air in enclosed spaces significantly affects well-being. iFlow from SMAY guarantees fresh air and energy efficiency.

Working in the role of an HVAC designer is far from easy. What are the primary challenges in this demanding profession? We posed this question to participants in SMAY's ventilation training. How did they respond? Here, we present the top 5 significant challenges facing HVAC designers in 2024.

A stairwell serves as a critical evacuation route for individuals and firefighters during a fire emergency. Consequently, maintaining smoke-free environments in such spaces becomes imperative. SMAY expert Izabela Tekielak-Skałka evaluates the protection of stairwells from smoke ingress and deliberates on the most effective ventilation solution.

From feedback, during webinars, as well as in phone consultations or on the Teams calls, we are often asked questions regarding pressure differential systems that you have been struggling to find an answer to through online searches. We have compiled these in this text. Here, you will find information on CE marking, the relation to second stairwells in residential buildings, CFD simulation, oxygen supply and more.

Smoke control systems are, along with education, compartmentation and suppression, one of the key components of fire safety in buildings, allowing smoke and heat to be removed during a fire. Pressure differential systems protect spaces such as lobbies or stairwells from smoke inflow, allowing people to evacuate in safe conditions. How to implement the appropriate pressure differentiation system for a given investment?

How to minimise the demand for electricity in ventilation systems? How to reduce installation costs and material consumption? These are questions that keep ventilation experts all over the world up at night. In the race to reduce energy consumption and in striving for low-carbon construction, efficient airflow management is a challenge that the entire industry must tackle.

How does the Safety Way differential pressure system from SMAY ensure safe evacuation in the event of a fire? How does the system found in the tallest buildings in Poland and in the European Union work? We have prepared some simulations of the Safety Way pressure differential system. See for yourself this innovative solution from SMAY in the field of safe ventilation.

SMAY Expert Radek Sikorski examines two different, and not mutually exclusive, methods of enabling safe exit routes from high-rise buildings. How does the Safety Way - Pressure Differential System ensure a safe evacuation?

The frequency converter controls the fan speed by adjusting its value to the current airflow demand. This solution makes a dynamic system and offers electricity savings. How does the frequency converter ensure that the design parameters are achieved?

The HVAC system was modernized during the overhaul works at the Municipal Stadium in Kraków. SMAY high-efficiency fans were applied to upgrade the smoke exhaust systems at the facility. Among other works, 35 CHGT F400 smoke extraction fans were replaced. How did the modernization change the performance of the system?

The ventilation system inside a building or room can be terminated by two types of elements. These are diffusers and ventilation grilles. Their task is to supply and exhaust air in the room. How to correctly choose the element that ends the ventilation system? Just 4 simple steps!

The Safety Way pressure differential system is a guarantee of safe evacuation in the event of a fire. Why is it worth installing it in your investment? An innovative fire protection solution, user comfort, a sense of certainty and security... There are plenty of reasons, we list the most important ones.

Business relationship development requires time, patience, and an honest will to meet the expectations of demanding customers. At SMAY, we have been betting on partnerships for more than three decades, and the projects carried out – one by one in cooperation with other parties – prove this. What is the secret? The best solutions for ventilation and... the power of live meetings.

The HVAC industry is facing changes. They concern the efficiency class of motors used in high-power fans. Although the EU Regulation includes 75-200 kW motors, at SMAY, we also offer an IE4 motor for SFL/M household appliances. How did we create a system with the highest overall efficiency and lowest power demand?   

How to include regulators in a ventilation system project? Szymon Płonczyński, CAV and VAV system specialist at SMAY, writes about the installation of differential pressure regulators and the installation of CAV and VAV regulators in series or in parallel within a project.

Is it possible to use constant air volume (CAV) regulators with air dampers? How is the performance of CAV regulators affected by installation? Those are only some of the issues that matter to designers of ventilation systems that are discussed in this article by Szymon Płonczyński, our expert in CAV and VAV systems here at SMAY.

VAV regulators are responsible for the automatic airflow regulation within ventilation systems. Their function is to regulate variable airflow depending on the demand. Do you design ventilation systems? Our expert answers the questions connected with using VAV regulators in various projects.

Designing and engineering a ventilation system depends on many complex factors that challenge the designer at every stage of the project. The use of ventilation products that can be flexibly adjusted to different types of systems minimises the risk of error during installation and optimises the entire design process.

It’s here already! Of course, we are talking about the revision of the European standard PN-EN 12101-6 for the design of pressure differential systems, which since 16 October 2022, has been replaced with the following two standards: PN-EN 12101-6:2022 and PN-EN 12101-13:2022. What will change in the design of pressure differential systems?

How do I adjust airflow in a ventilation system properly? When should you use CAV regulators? Quite a few mechanical system designers think about the most optimal solution. Airflow control may be approached in several ways and we list those most effective below.

We invite you to a SMAY webinar with our expert Radoslaw Sikorski. The purpose of this webinar is to take a close look at the new PDS design standard EN 12101-13. So, we would be glad if you could join us and participate. See you on Thursday, 3rd November at 11:00? We are ready, are you?

Can the pressure distribution in the stairshaft be predicted before the system is built and before field tests? Yes, it can! However, is it a simple task? Theoretically yes - the required patterns can be found in the literature, but as always, the devil’s in the detail.

Success requires focus, and focus requires silence. However, as appears from the ‘Leesman® Review’ report (issue 17 of 2015) [1], only 30% people working in offices are satisfied with the noise level in their workplace. The data come as a surprise and make us aware of how important acoustics are.

Both in new and modernised buildings, ventilation installations should meet many requirements set by current regulations, standards and principles of technical knowledge, and at the same time include modern solutions that meet the expectations of investors and provide comfort to future users. Nowadays, designers also pay special attention to the high energy efficiency of a building and to reducing investment and operating costs.

Air intakes and their water rejection performance. Air intakes are designed to collect external air. Depending on the mounting location it is possible to single out wall, roof air intakes and air inlet towers..

Can a breathtaking structure combine exclusiveness, usefulness, quality and safety? Sure! Merging all these components is not only possible, but necessary to create a fully functional building that meets the requirements of both the investor and the end user. You have to combine all these elements to take care of the climate inside and outside of the premises

It is required that proper air purity is maintained in hospital rooms. Such rooms are classified by allowable impurities level. Appropriate cleanliness class is maintained by the use of filters in air handling units, ducts or even air supply diffusers themselves, as well as by pressure gradient relative to adjacent rooms.

Stairways – escape route and smoke exhaust systems. Most of us assume that fires do not concern us, and will not happen during our work or in our office. We believe that the only time we’ll have to deal with a fire in an office building or in the workplace is during OHS training.

The ability to supply air in the direction and place desired is an important asset of SMAY air flow diffusers. The NS8 and NS9 model diffusers are an excellent solution for office spaces, hotels, various types of public buildings and other facilities.

People have less and less time to carry out their tasks, both in their private life and their professional life. Developers are building faster than ever, and designers have less and less time to create a project. To perform the same work, but maintain quality, it’s essential to have properly-prepared work materials. In our industry, these are not only product data sheets for use on the project or in the building, but also selection programs.

The effectiveness of fire ventilation systems is proportional to the degree to which the laws of physics are considered in their design. The proportion is particularly evident when looking at pressure differential installations that are commonly used to protect vertical escape routes in high and high-rise buildings.

A concern for safety, health and lives of people using public buildings has led to the development and standardization of fire ventilation systems. As ventilation systems providing comfort and safety must be characterized by high quality and durability, fire dampers must meet various legal requirements in the form of standards.

The study was conducted in four main stages: 1) Prepare study principles (scientific consultations). 2) Built a test site in the Treimorfa building in Krakow. 3) Conduct on-site tests on a real scale. 4) Conduct a result analysis and draw up a final report, including a qualifying rating.

Devices intended for extracting fire gases in fire ventilation systems should have suitable fire resistance rating. Detailed requirements in this regard are specified in the Technical Conditions that the buildings and their location shall conform to [1]. The requirement to maintain the given fire resistance rating applies to, among other things, ventilation ducts, smoke and fire dampers, as well as smoke exhaust fans.

A modern office does not only require a state-of-the-art building and stylish furnishings, but also the right indoor environment that suits employee expectations, who increasingly recognize its importance.

BIM (Building Information Modelling) makes the design process easier, providing the capability of testing various versions and designs in virtual reality. All libraries we share are based on a common standard, which makes it possible to prepare lists of elements by means of Shared Parameters.

Every year, all over the world, modern tall buildings of various purposes are being constructed. For each of them — according to strict regulations — it is necessary to ensure the safety of users in case of fire. In order to achieve this goal some reliable and highly effective systems may be used. The systems make it possible to control the spread of smoke and heat appropriately. It is worth noticing that in most cases the most dangerous mortal threat for people during fire in such buildings is not the fire itself but the smoke and toxic gases being created during combustion process.

Diffusers are ones of the most important elements of any ventilation and air-conditioning system. Regardless of the type of a system they have a decisive influence on the distribution of airflow velocity and air temperature in a room.

The research shows that concentration of microbiological air pollution inside rooms can be two to five times higher than outside.

In the last several years, the construction industry – as the main CO2 emitter – has introduced new tools that are to accelerate changes in the green building sector.

The Unity Centre will be remembered forever – its creators and investors were struggling with its difficult system for a long time. The desire to complete the tower was losing to decisions made by local authorities and changing expectations towards that piece of land. The Unity Centre was supposed to be the Polish Manhattan, the business centre of Krakow.

Fire dampers play an important role in ensuring the fire safety of a building. They stop the expansion of smoke and fire in fire-engulfed areas. Since a damper is activated when fire is initiated, it is especially important to install it correctly – it will enable the damper to properly serve its purpose.

Along with industrial facilities created for a wide range of technical activities, there often comes the need for meeting the three following requirements in the area of ventilation...

Dampers are mainly responsible for shutting off and controlling the air flow in ventilation ducts. Ventilation dampers are an integral part of a ventilation system that, along with ducts, forms a ventilation pipeline.

Smoke prevention systems, also known as pressure differential systems, are the most effective method of escape route protection in multi-storey buildings. However, such a system has to be made of certified elements with the highest reliability. So, how does the air transfer system operate?

Smoke dampers are multifunctional devices that can improve safety in case of fire. But this is not their only role. Manufacturers offer smoke dampers in various shapes and sizes. Among them there are square, rectangular, and round dampers. Lately, louvre-like devices have also become more and more popular. The latter option has two main advantages: it is easy to open and offers low resistance against the air stream.

In recent years, many large and innovative office buildings have been built in Krakow. The city is the country’s largest modern business services sector centre. No wonder then that office buildings are in demand. State-of-the-art buildings must meet many technical requirements, as well as ensure the safety of people and their property. One of such projects is the Tischnera Office in Krakow.

Allowing more light to penetrate through buildings by using openings in roofs — or skylights, as they are called nowadays — is by no means a new concept.

Design Solutions for Overpressure Systems. Some time ago we analysed different design solutions for overpressure systems with a rate criterion of 2 m/s, in accordance with the PN-EN 12101-6 standard.

Staircase fire protection systems are designed to save human life by exhausting smoke in the event of a fire. This is a popular solution as it is relatively cost-effective compared to more complex pressure differential systems. It is worth to know how these systems operate in real fires.

The highest residential skyscrapers in Podkarpacie and eye-catching architecture. SMAY designed a fire protection system ensuring the highest level of safety for the Bulwary Park project. The complex was built at the corner of ul. Hetmanska and al. Powstancow Warszawy with quick access to the city centre.

There are many advantages to using smoke extraction systems: they limit the spread of smoke, reduce temperature under the ceiling and extend time available for evacuation. Storage facility smoke extraction — when should a smoke extraction system in large-area buildings be used, and what requirements should the system meet? We are going to answer these questions hereunder.

All data in the BIM system, no matter who and how many times changes it, remains coherent and fully accessible. As a result, all project teams get a fully integrated 3D model. This model makes it possible to work faster and more efficiently, at the same time increasing the ability to make quicker decisions.

SMAY’s offer includes the best commercially available devices. This is possible, inter alia, thanks to a number of thorough tests that we perform both in authorized units and in our own laboratory. For years we have been investing in stations that allow us to verify and develop features of our products. We carry out ventilation tests in order to check whether it operates properly, and whether its parameters connected with the air volume meet Polish standards.

Effective communication during the construction process is one of the major factors affecting the final outcome of a task, i.e. the completion of a construction project. It applies to every area of implementation: the earthworks, construction of a building structure and system assembly.

Mennica Legacy Tower in the Wola district is one of the most anticipated skyscrapers in Warsaw. It is yet another project in the centre of Warsaw, where SMAY delivered its fire protection systems.

The Ibis Santorini hotel is located near the picturesque Zalew Nowohucki Reservoir. The surrounding area is perfect for hiking and spending quality time outdoors. Inside the building there are two staircases, located at five separate floors. They include 63 rooms. Its convenient location makes it possible to quickly reach the Kraków city centre. It’s great for the visitors.

In the last article, we discussed the B class pressure differential system and the airflow rate criterion for the air supplied to a zone engulfed in fire, which is 2 m/s in case of the gravitational exhaust ventilation. Now, we will focus on a solution based on the mechanical exhaust ventilation, the purpose of which is extracting hot smoke from a zone engulfed in fire.

In the previous article we explained how the problem of unpleasant smells and the growing demand for ventilation was handled by the Egyptians, Romans and then by the Englishmen. Today, let's take a few steps forward and see who had a significant impact on the development of ventilation and what it had to go through to become what we know today.

The PN-EN 12101-6 standard defines six classes of pressure differential systems: A, B, C, D, E and F. A designer working with an expert should establish which class to use in a given building. Depending on the choice, certain system design criteria introduced by the standard must be met.

A properly set air handling unit contributes to the creation of intensive airflow and reducing the risk of infection inside buildings. What should we do with a ventilation system to support air purification?

Dampers are one of the main components of ventilation systems. When installed in the ducting, they make it possible to adjust and cut the airflow off. But how do we know the parameters of ventilation dampers?

In multi-storey buildings floors are divided into individual fire zones. One storey usually represents one fire zone.

The Smay Duct Systems (SDS for short) are used in mechanical smoke ventilation installations. They prove to be useful in various spaces within residential and office buildings, e.g. underground garages, escape routes, staircases, hallways, large-scale commercial buildings, shopping arcades and atria in shopping malls.

By now, everyone working in the industry should be familiar with the term Industry 4.0. Many, however, mistakenly associate it mostly or exclusively with industrial robotisation, i.e. eliminating people from production processes.

V-Offices building is being constructed in Krakow. This project achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating at design stage with a score of 90.57 %, to date the highest BREEAM certified score in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. Completion date is planned for the first quarter of 2019.

Our pressurization systems by default are subject to automatic 24-h tests of key components. Such tests are carried out without any manual intervention. Such functionality allows to reduce necessity for periodic inspections e.g. weekly, monthly etc. Scope and frequency of maintenance works are limited to the yearly inspection when all measurements are taken to confirm proper functioning of the system.

Errors in mounting regulators that should be avoided. Reliable ventilation system measurements and the result analysis are key to solving the problem Mistakes made during the preparation of measurement records for the installation most often result from the inability to perform the measurements, insufficient amount of time to prepare the reports, and at times from the mere dishonesty of people performing the measurements and their intent to quickly perform and hand over the system at the recipient’s expense.

How should the construction industry meet the ever-increasing needs for better indoor environment conditions and optimised energy consumption? Innovative mechanical ventilation solutions prove to be helpful.

People spend approx. 90% of their time indoors, i.e. in an artificially created climate. Therefore, buildings and their technical equipment should be designed and erected so that to ensure favourable thermal conditions for their inhabitants.

In the previous issue of “Brawo”, in an interview with Mr. Marek Maj, the founder of the company, we talked about the first days of SMAY and its history. In this issue you are invited to join us in a travel even further back in time - to the very beginning of ventilation.

We are experts in creating safe escape routes. Our solutions work perfectly not only in new multi-storey buildings, but also in older buildings under renovation, with installations being adapted to new, more strict safety requirements.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) revolutionized traditional building design. In the 1990s and early 2000s drawing boards were replaced by digital CAD-type tools. We are now looking at a similar breakthrough as we enter the BIM era.

Nowadays it is standard practice that the central heating is adjustable and every heater is fitted with a thermostatic valve for adjusting heating to the variable heat demand in a given room.

The aim of the presentation was to present the results of research of a fire development in a multi-storey residential building, without corridors. The research was carried out on a specially created test stand in a 9-storey building. The research space included an apartment and an adjacent staircase. The research included several fire tests.

How to properly design a pressure differential system (PDS) on a staircase? This task is relatively simple in simple buildings. However, it is difficult in complex buildings, e.g. high-rise buildings or power plants.

Limited space for investment has made constructing underground garages as part of buildings increasingly popular in our country. In particular, this is true for large city centres, where the number of parking spots in the streets is smaller than the number of drivers looking for a parking space. As a result underground and multi-storey car parks are becoming more popular.

This paper discusses an extensive programme of tests and numerical analyses on vertical escape route smoke ventilation in multi-story buildings described on the project ...

Many civil structures in which a fire ventilation system needs to be fitted are non-standard, complex, or simply so large that events, whose impact on performance in smaller structures is negligible, must be taken into account. One of such structures is the railway tunnel of Nowa Łódź Fabryczna railway station.

Our company collaborates with technical universities on various research projects. One of the projects involved road tunnel research by the Silesian University of Technology conducted in Laliki, Śląskie province.