SE Controls have 30 years experience in providing turnkey solutions to the construction industry and pride themselves as being one of the most influential smoke and natural ventilation companies in the UK. To deliver a total solution for the construction industry, whether for adaptive natural ventilation or smoke ventilation, companies at the top of their field must be able to provide these eight core competencies:
Design
Early consultation with an experienced smoke and natural ventilation specialist is vital to ensure that automatic opening vents are in the right place, and are of the right size, to offer optimum performance with either natural ventilation or smoke control requirements. Specialists must be competent in the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics software and use this to effectively model proposed designs and show optimal design solutions.
Manufacture
To use the latest methods of manufacture, the latest materials, and the most up to date technology. In a rapidly changing world, this is the only way to produce products that are fit for todays advanced buildings. Products that use less power in operation are more efficient and as a result more sustainable. Pushing the technology to its current known limits ensures that products continue to evolve. Above all quality control and rigorous testing of all products before they go into service is crucial to keeping maintenance costs at a minimum.
Distribution - Stock management
A ‘state of the art product’ is no benefit if it is not available, so stock control and keeping the ‘right’ stock is important to meet demand. Also important is product availability at short notice, when products need to be replaced through damage or misuse. Detailed order tracking further improves service by keeping customers fully informed of an orders progress and when it is due to be delivered. Ultimately product availability is a crucial element in achieving customer satisfaction.
Project Management
Early involvement from a smoke and natural ventilation specialist in a project has shown to save considerable time and costs further down the building project timeline. A single Project Manager must always be nominated to control all aspects of the project as the coordination of an efficient and effective ventilation solution involves many building specialists. This will ensure that the right products, of the right specification, are delivered at the right time and are in the right place.
Installation
Skill and experience is required to ensure that a window actuators are fitted correctly and offers a long and trouble free life. But to ensure that the automation provides the very best in natural ventilation or smoke control provision, experienced on-site engineers are required to complete and commission the installation to meet the specification.
Commissioning
To ensure designed systems meet with the specification laid down at the design stages, all systems must be commissioned. Not just switching on and ensuring everything is linked together properly, but by running scenarios through the designed system to imitate climatic changes and possible requirements for smoke evacuation. A specialist team must ensure that the system is fit for purpose and sign it off for handover to the client of main contractor.
Maintenance
Whilst a well-designed product will last a long time, in the real world there are times product will last a long time, in the real world there are times products and systems can be abused. This causes failure and regular maintenance of systems will ensure that buildings continue to perform for many years. In the case of smoke control, preventative maintenance is crucial to offering safe places to work, live and play. Preference should always be given to the manufacturer and designer of the system to provide maintenance.
Training
People Matter - so important in any business, but initial and on-going training of staff
Visit the SE Controls website for more information on Eight Core Competencies to Successful Smoke and Natural Ventilation Solutions’