What does BS EN 12101-10 cover?

BS EN 12101-10 specifies requirements for power supplies used in smoke control systems: primarily the control panels and battery backup units that power and operate AOV actuators, dampers, and smoke extract fans during a fire. It sets requirements for electrical performance, battery autonomy, monitoring, and fault reporting.

What battery backup duration is required under BS EN 12101-10?

BS EN 12101-10 requires smoke control power supplies to maintain full system operation for a minimum of 72 hours on battery backup following mains failure. This ensures the smoke ventilation system continues to function in the extended aftermath of a fire when building power may not be restored.

How does BS EN 12101-10 relate to BS 7273-4?

BS EN 12101-10 covers the power supply and control aspects of smoke ventilation, while BS 7273-4 addresses the actuation of smoke control systems using fire alarm interfaces. Both standards are relevant when specifying a complete smoke control panel: BS EN 12101-10 governs the panel's electrical performance; BS 7273-4 governs how it responds to fire alarm signals.

Do smoke control panels need to be certified to BS EN 12101-10?

Yes. Smoke control panels used in life-safety smoke ventilation systems must be certified to BS EN 12101-10. This ensures the power supply and control electronics meet the minimum reliability, battery backup, and monitoring requirements set out in the standard. Vent Trade stocks O Range panels certified to BS EN 12101-10.

BS EN 12101-10: Control Panel Compliance

BS EN 12101-10 specifies the electrical power supply requirements for smoke control systems, including emergency power provision to ensure that smoke control functions remain operational during a mains power failure.

Part of the BS EN 12101 standard family.

Why Emergency Power Matters

A smoke control system is worthless if it loses power at the moment a fire breaks out. BS EN 12101-10 mandates that every critical smoke control function - opening of AOVs, starting of extract fans, closing of smoke dampers - must be backed by a reliable emergency power supply capable of operating for the full evacuation period.

Key Requirements

Mains Power

The primary power supply to the smoke control panel must be derived from a reliable, stable source. Voltage fluctuations and transients that might trigger nuisance alarms or false operation must be controlled through suitable stabilisation and filtering.

Emergency Power

When mains power is lost, the system must switch automatically to an emergency source. The standard requires:

Sufficient Capacity - The battery or alternative supply must power all critical smoke control functions for a defined period - typically 60 minutes - to allow occupant evacuation and fire service arrival
Automatic Switchover - Changeover from mains to emergency power must occur automatically and without delay
Self-Testing - The emergency power system must periodically test battery voltage and charger function, alerting building operators if the battery is degraded or the charger has failed

Emergency Power Technologies

Battery-Backed Inverter (UPS)

The most common approach in the UK. A high-capacity lead-acid or lithium battery is continuously charged from the mains supply. When mains power is lost, an inverter converts DC power to AC to power the control panel and all connected devices. Capacity is calculated from the total connected load of all smoke control devices - fans, actuators, control panel, and solenoids - and must provide sufficient autonomy for the full evacuation period declared in the fire safety strategy, typically a minimum of 60 minutes.

Emergency Generator

For larger buildings, a dedicated generator may be more cost-effective than batteries. The generator starts automatically when mains fails and supplies the smoke control panel (and other life-safety loads) within seconds. Generators are typically sized to run for several hours, powered by an on-site fuel tank.

Hybrid Systems

Some installations combine battery UPS for immediate power in the first few minutes with a standby generator for sustained power over subsequent hours.

Design Checklist for Specifiers

Calculate total power consumption of all smoke control devices - fans, actuators, control panel, solenoids
Determine the required autonomy period in line with building regulations and fire safety strategy
Select a battery or generator system of appropriate capacity
Design charging and monitoring circuitry to BS EN 12101-10
Ensure emergency power supply is accessible for routine testing without affecting primary supply

Building control expects to see power calculations, specifications of the battery or generator system, and proof of capacity testing as part of commissioning documentation.

Relevant to All Other Parts

BS EN 12101-10 underpins the entire standard family - every system component depends on it:

BS EN 12101-2 - Electrically-activated AOV windows and roof vents
BS EN 12101-3 - Extract fans requiring emergency power to continue running
BS EN 12101-6 - Pressure differential system fans and controls
BS EN 12101-8 - Damper actuators requiring power to operate

Approved Document B & Building Safety Act - UK regulatory context

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BS EN 12101-10: Smoke and heat control systems. Power supplies