Smoke Extractors, a Review of the Current Regulations

Smoke extractors are a real necessity for the health of industrial environments and also at home. While we have systems like extractor hoods in kitchens in our homes, it is necessary to have systems in work areas and especially in factories and workshops that send the smoke outside of enclosed spaces.

Since they are pollutants for the outside and at the same time harmful substances for health, there is a current regulation on smoke extraction. It must be determined what type of commercial or industrial activity is being conducted to confirm whether it is mandatory to install a smoke extractor system. In cases where necessary, an extraction system will ensure the air quality inside. The regulation related to the elimination of this contaminant must classify the extraction air quality when mixed with smoke, in the place where it is required. From an industrial kitchen in a restaurant to a factory that operates chemical processes, different solutions are required for smoke extraction.

In Spain, the current regulation on extraction in service establishments stipulates that it must be a minimum of 2 dm3/s per m2 of surface area on the ground. Above all, in spaces considered as extraction air with a very high level of contamination. Technically, the category in the regulation is AE 4, and this typology includes closed parking areas, smoking rooms, high-volume restaurant kitchens, or chemical centers, among others.

Mechanical Ventilation in Smoke Extractors

In industrial and commercial environments, the smoke extractors that truly offer solutions are those that utilize mechanical ventilation. The current regulation on smoke extraction by mechanical ventilation governing the use of these systems is UNE-EN 1366-1:2016 from Aenor. It states that:

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• The ventilation systems and smoke extractors must be fire-resistant according to criteria of Integrity, Insulation, and Time specified in minutes.
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• It establishes that the smoke extraction systems must withstand a fire resistance of one hour. In the case of ventilation, the resistance must be identical to that of the compartmentalization element that passes through the contaminated smoke air.
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• These systems must continue to function in the event of a fire, evacuating the contaminated air resulting from combustion gases.
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• Industrial systems must be as sealed as possible so that they expel less smoke to the outside. Thus, the smoke extractors will need to eliminate less contaminated air.
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• There is also a regulation from Regulation 305/2011 of the European Parliament, which requires all ventilation systems for smoke extraction to meet the necessary conditions to bear the CE mark.
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On the other hand, at the same time, this smoke extraction installation must be enclosed as much as possible so that the amount of contaminated air that needs to be aspirated is smaller. The forces of inertia will also be utilized to facilitate the capture of the fumes.

For all this, it is essential that the operation of the smoke extractors and the mechanical ventilation systems are positioned based on a study of the working conditions that optimizes the ventilation systems.