Case Study

LIV Student Accommodation

Designing, manufacturing, and supplying mechanical smoke ventilation products for a high-rise student living complex – delivering safety, comfort, and installation efficiency at scale.
Client
Advanced Integrated Security Systems (AISS)
Sector
Student Accommodation
Location
North
Mechanical
The Challenge

Delivering a fully compliant smoke ventilation solution across seven high-rise student accommodation blocks.

Advanced Integrated Security Systems (AISS) were responsible for the design and installation of smoke ventilation systems on behalf of the project’s main contractor. The development comprised seven high-rise blocks, each requiring a robust, high-performance mechanical smoke control system that could be installed quickly and perform reliably long-term. 

The challenge lay in balancing safety, efficiency, and comfort – ensuring compliance with fire safety standards while maintaining low noise levels, environmental ventilation capability, and minimal on-site disruption. Sertus was engaged to design, manufacture, and supply a full suite of products to achieve these outcomes. 

AISS are specialists in fire, life-safety, and smoke ventilation systems, delivering complex M&E packages for large-scale residential and student accommodation developments across the UK. Their experience in compliance-driven installations made them an ideal delivery partner for this project.

The Sertus Pod™ Original drastically cut our installation time from 3–4 days to just one hour. This streamlined process eliminated the need to juggle multiple suppliers, providing us with a seamless, efficient solution that fully met our safety and performance requirements.

Derek McLaren
Senior Project Manager, AISS
The Solution
A complete mechanical smoke ventilation package – engineered for high-rise student living.

Sertus Pod™ Original

A modular, pre-fabricated, and pre-commissioned mechanical extract Pod™ certified to BS EN 12101-3:2015. Delivered ready to lift and connect, each Pod™ reduced installation time from 3–4 days to just one hour per unit. Its integrated duty/standby fans and optional environmental ventilation ensured optimal performance and comfort. 

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Smoke Control Dampers

Installed across multiple cores to enable multi-zone smoke ventilation. Certified to BS EN 12101-8:2011, fire resistance Class EIS 120, and tested for 10,000 operational cycles. These dampers provided both smoke and day-to-day ventilation functionality for improved air quality.

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Single Leaf Vent | Poly

Deployed at the head of stairwells and corridors for rapid smoke and heat clearance. Certified to BS EN 12101-2 and EN 13501-1, opening to 160° within 60 seconds. Optional integration with roof access and natural ventilation systems enhanced usability for the building’s design.

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Together, these Sertus-supplied products formed a robust, compliant, and efficient smoke ventilation solution across all seven towers – ensuring safety, comfort, and simplicity in installation. 

The Results
Rapid installation, reliable performance, and enhanced comfort across all seven towers.
0‎ Hour
Pod™ installation per unit vs. 3–4 days for traditional systems
0‎ Blocks
Fully protected with mechanical smoke ventilation
EIS0
Fire-resistance classification (Smoke Control Dampers)
Key Benefits

Rapid installation

Prefabricated and pre-commissioned Pods™ reduced installation time from days to hours, keeping the project on schedule. 

Enhanced fire safety

Combined use of Pod™, damper, and vent products ensured controlled smoke extraction and safe evacuation routes. 

Improved resident comfort

Integrated environmental ventilation enhanced internal air quality across shared spaces and corridors. 

Sustainable efficiency

All units designed for low energy consumption, supporting the project’s wider environmental goals. 

Simplified coordination

Single-source supply from Sertus reduced supplier complexity and guaranteed product compatibility. 

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Next Case Study
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Training Academy
Designing, manufacturing, and supplying smoke ventilation products that enable safe, realistic fire training environments at a £15m national centre of excellence.
Sector
Public
System Type
Natural, Mechanical
Client
Maclec Ltd
Products
Pod™ Mini, SLD, RSL-R

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