The importance of access hatches and ventilation systems for fire safety, and meeting the associated legislative requirements, is explained by Jon Fleet.
Fire safety has always been an important issue, but recent years have seen health and safety laws grow far stricter and more precise, with fire safety technologies constantly improving to meet the demand of legislation. Access hatches and ventilation systems have become central players among these technologies, not only offering a crucial escape route in the event of fire, but numerous ecological and economical benefits too.
An access hatch opens outward like a door on a roof surface, which can be used both as an escape route for occupants of a building, and to ventilate a building, which redirects smoke and heat in the event of a fire. This way, people within the building have more time and safer conditions in which to escape, while rescue services can perform their jobs in a quicker and more efficient manner.
Several styles
Access hatches are available in several styles, with the benefit of being installable in any sort of building. The es-hatch design is well-suited to industrial settings, such as factories, workshops and business units. They are robust and intended to provide quick, safe roof access in settings that require it, with roof safety being an integral matter for access hatches. With their industrial purpose in mind, they are quick and easy to install in existing upstands, so require little downtime for installation, and can have a host of occupational features added, such as hand-up posts and ladder stays.
They open with telescopic gas struts and can be operated either manually or remotely, with internal and external locking solutions available, depending on requirement. The polycarbonate panelling can be either clear or opaque, allowing for increased natural daylight ingress if needed.
The em-hatch, on the other hand, is designed more with a domestic setting in mind. They are less imposing to look at, with a lower profile from the outside and a wide range of upstands available for minimal appearance. This style is versatile enough to be installed into new or existing buildings, and can be combined with a smoke ventilation system, for maximum fire safety, if required. These, too, can be operated either manually with telescopic gas struts or by electronic actuators, and open with either telescopic gas struts or friction struts. For optimal placement in a domestic setting, the em-hatch design can be colour coated to better fit with the overall look and colour palette of a building.
Bespoke hatches
For the most aesthetically-pleasing result, bespoke hatches can be made to order, giving greater freedom in the overall look of the finished product. They are well-suited to any neat-looking environment, such as homes, places of hospitality and public leisure spaces, particularly considering their thermal and sound insulation efficiency and maximisation of natural light ingress to an indoor space.
They are available in hinged opening or sliding which makes it particularly well-suited to domestic and leisure settings, allowing an adjustable flow of fresh air into a building to suit weather and preference, and opening up to a 70° angle. Electronic operation enables the access hatch to be used to provide comfort ventilation controls automatically via a thermostat or by manual switch. Customers have the choice of selecting manual or electronic operation, as well as a choice of finishing colours to complete the look and make the installation one with the building.
Access hatches are multifunctional escape routes. Their standard window-like function that provides natural daylight and air ingress sees them decrease the need for air conditioning and electric lighting, as well as delivering thermal efficiency to keep heating costs down in colder weather conditions. In the event of a fire, they are an unquestionable lifesaver. In big cities where outdoor space is scarce for residents, access hatches can provide that freedom in the form of roof gardens. Studies have shown that residential spaces with roof access in various boroughs of London increase property value by up to 25%, making access hatches not only an enjoyable convenience for residents, but a worthwhile investment in property too.
Jon Fleet is sales manager at Whitesales and provide fire strategies, cause & effect data, detailed specifications, working drawings and wiring schematics for specific projects which may involve site visit and surveys. He also gives guidance on planning and design, installation and commissioning of smoke controls systems.
Fire Safety in 2023 eBook
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Hello, an ” escape hatch ” in a converted victorian house actually goes into someones flat, can you tell me if your expert opinion if this is legal ? kindest regards