Smoke extract fans: Rules and regulations revised

The VDMA 24177 standard specifies the requirements and use of smoke extract fans and their accessories with regard to design, construction types, operation and installation of the mechanical and electrical installation. The draft VDMA 24177:2019-05 describes the different operating modes of smoke extract fans and specifies necessary requirements for dimensioning and selection of the electrical drive system. The requirements for safe power supply and electrical connection have been updated. In addition, important technical information from VDMA Information Sheets 5 and 6 of the VDMA Smoke Exhaust Working Group has been added.

Concrete instructions for maintenance

Just like the smoke extract fan itself, smoke extract fan accessories must be functionally reliable during smoke extract operation. Test experts, planners, system installers and manufacturers are therefore repeatedly confronted with the question of how a functional verification of accessories must be carried out. For this purpose, the functionally important accessories of smoke extract fans have been listed and requirements for functionally safe smoke extract operation have been defined on the basis of EN 12101-3:2015. An overview was also created with reference to the associated product and test standards for the components that must be verified in smoke extraction systems.

With regard to maintenance, the new draft of VDMA 24177 contains specific information on maintenance work and function checks. Information on the possible use of supportive maintenance and diagnostic systems has also been added, which will significantly simplify future maintenance work. Relevant topics in connection with the qualification of service and assembly personnel as well as the procedure after a fire have been added to the new version of the standard sheet.

The revised standard sheet can be obtained from the VDMA or via the Beuth-Verlag be obtained.

Source: VDMA