For data centre and mission-critical M&E contractors
Smoke control that protects uptime
Data centres can't take smoke, water, or downtime near live IT. We supply the dampers, curtains, fans, and control panels that keep smoke out of the halls and clear it for firefighters.
Before you specify
Seven questions you ask. Seven straight answers from us.
The questions data centre contractors, M&E subcontractors and specifiers put to us before ordering smoke control for a live facility.
You ask
What standards does smoke control in a data centre have to meet?
Our answer
Approved Document B sets the functional requirement, with BS 7346 and the BS EN 12101 series covering the kit. Smoke dampers to BS EN 12101-8, powered extract fans to BS EN 12101-3, smoke curtains to BS EN 12101-1.
You ask
Can you lock out the extract while a gaseous suppression system is discharging?
Our answer
YesThe control logic holds the dampers and fans closed through the discharge so you don't dump the gas or feed the fire, then releases them once the agent has held its concentration.
You ask
Can you supply smoke curtains and dampers for containment between aisles and rooms?
Our answer
YesWe stock smoke curtains to BS EN 12101-1 and smoke dampers to BS EN 12101-8, sized for hot and cold aisle containment and compartment boundaries.
You ask
How do your control panels coordinate with our VESDA detection and suppression panels?
Our answer
The O Range panels take volt-free signals from the aspirating detection and suppression controls, so extract only runs on the right cause and effect and stays off during a discharge. We build to your fire strategy and cause-and-effect schedule.
You ask
Can the system clear smoke for firefighters once the incident is over?
Our answer
YesA separate post-incident purge mode runs the fans on a manual firefighter command to clear the space, kept independent of the suppression interlock so the two can't fight each other.
You ask
Where does the make-up air come from without pulling smoke across live racks?
Our answer
Make-up air is part of the design, not an afterthought. We position low-level inlet louvres or dampers to feed the extract rate and size the free inlet area so smoke isn't dragged through occupied or live areas.
You ask
Do you help with the design and commissioning, or just supply the kit?
Our answer
Both. We give design support up front, commission on site and maintain afterwards, backed by over £1m of stock and next-day despatch so a live facility isn't waiting on parts.
The challenge
Smoke control without the downtime
Data centres run to a different rule. The building has to protect life safety and firefighting access while keeping smoke, water, and disturbance away from racks that can't afford to go dark. Here's what that means on site.
Keep smoke out of the halls
Compartmentation does the heavy lifting. Fire and smoke dampers plus curtains hold smoke back so the data halls stay clean.
Coordinate with VESDA and suppression
Extract can't run during a gaseous discharge or it dilutes the agent. Detection, suppression, and ventilation have to fire in a set order.
Clear smoke for firefighter access
Once suppression has done its job, mechanical extract clears the space so crews can get in and check the risk.
Protect the live kit
Water and disturbance near powered racks often do more damage than the fire itself. The system has to keep both away from the equipment.
Prove compliance
Approved Document B, BS 7346, and BS EN 12101 all apply. Certified products and clear evidence keep sign-off moving.
The ventilation approach
Coordinated smoke control for data centres
The job splits three ways: hold smoke out of the data halls, stay clear during any suppression discharge, then clear the space for firefighters afterwards. Compartmentation and mechanical extract do the work, tied together by a control panel that runs everything in the right order. We supply the products and the coordinated logic to match.
Fire and smoke dampers
Certified dampers in the ductwork close on detection and keep smoke inside its compartment. Rated to BS EN 12101.
Fire and smoke curtains
Curtains drop to seal openings and channel smoke away from the halls and the routes crews need.
Mechanical smoke extract
Extract fans clear smoke once suppression has done its work, held off until the agent has finished.
O Range control panels
One panel coordinates detection, suppression interlocks, dampers, and extract so nothing operates out of sequence.
Who you are buying from
Since 1988. Stock on the shelf. Engineers on the phone.
Next step
Talk to our smoke ventilation team
Tell us the data hall layout, the detection and suppression setup, and the standards you're working to. We'll help spec the dampers, curtains, fans, and controls, then get a quote back to you.