Smoke Vents 101

When it comes to safety, nothing is more important than ensuring your home or commercial building is secure and safe from any accidents. Whether you are housing your family, your employees or products, keeping the contents of your building safe in the event of a fire is imperative. While smoke alarms will notify you in the event of a fire, smoke vents can help to mitigate damages.

So what exactly is a smoke vent? Essentially it is a planned exit route for smoke. When a fire burns, smoke is created and builds as the fire burns. The smoke is extremely dangerous to people because it limits sight and the ability to breathe. When a smoke vent is opened it pulls the smoke out of the building, giving people more time to exit the building safely. Be aware – this is not the same as opening a window. Some people believe that opening windows during a fire will help to draw the smoke out. This is in fact very dangerous because the oxygen allowed in through the windows will feed the fire. Windows should only be opened if they are your escape route. The smoke vent is unlike a window in that it is a one-way corridor. It gets the smoke out without letting oxygen back in.

Now that we know what a smoke vent is, how exactly does it work? There are 3 different ways a smoke vent can be engaged – manually, through a fusible link, or electronically. The manual version is opened externally, meaning it does not get opened while inside the building while the fire is burning. It is opened at a designated spot outside by pulling the external release handles. Different buildings may have different methods to operate these handles, be sure to familiarize yourself with how your specific handles work. The fusible link vent is opened automatically in the event of a fire. The link burns when the fire heats it up. Once hot enough, the link breaks and the vent opens. Finally, there is an electronic version of the smoke vent. These are controlled remotely and can be a good option if you have several vents in your building. They can be opened simultaneously in a large scale fire instead of having to wait for links to burn or until someone can reach the manual vent. No matter the style you choose – smoke vents are a necessity and their operations should be taken seriously.

The benefits of smoke vents are also important factors when deciding to have them installed. Firstly, as earlier mentioned, smoke vents help the ease of evacuation. When smoke is vented, it can significantly reduce smoke inhalation for those trying to escape the burning building. Because there will be less smoke, the evacuees will also be able to find the exit more quickly, which could obviously reduce causalities and injuries. Secondly, the less smoke in the building makes it easier for fire fighters to do their work. While they are trained to work in smoke filled buildings the vented smoke will allow them to work faster and more efficiently. An added benefit is that the vents will give visual direction as to where the fire started, making it easier for the fire fighters to douse the heart of the flame. Finally, getting the smoke out can also reduce the damage to the building itself and the physical contents. Again, since the fire fighters can work faster they can save a greater number of your assets.

Smoke vents play a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of your business or home. While we all hope for the best, it's essential to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Ensuring that you have reliable smoke vents in place, that they are functioning properly, and that key personnel are trained in their operation is crucial to your overall safety plan. By taking a proactive approach to fire safety, you are prioritizing the protection of your business and the well-being of your personnel.

Whether you're a contractor working on a commercial project or a homeowner seeking to enhance the safety of your residence, installing a high-quality smoke vent like BA-ACDSV Acoustical Double-Leaf Smoke Vent is a wise decision. We invite you to explore our diverse product inventory, where you'll find an impressive selection of access panels that includes a variety of smoke vents tailored to meet your specific needs. From durable aluminum smoke vents to insulated access panels, Best Access Doors is committed to providing a comprehensive range of options to suit your requirements. Rest assured that whatever type of smoke vent you require, we are dedicated to keeping our inventory stocked with the products you need.