LIV Student Accommodation

Ventro Group, tasked with developing a state-of-the-art student accommodation complex in Sheffield, faced the challenge of implementing a robust smoke ventilation system across seven high-rise blocks. The key requirement was to install a system that would not only meet rigorous safety standards but also integrate seamlessly with the building’s design, all while ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing construction activities. The project demanded a solution that provided reliable smoke extraction, effective environmental ventilation, and could withstand the demands of a densely populated living environment.

Sertus worked closely with Ventro Group and the project team to design and manufacture a comprehensive smoke ventilation solution tailored to the unique needs of the LIV Student Accommodation complex. The system incorporated several advanced products: 

• Sertus Pod Original: A modular smoke extraction pod, the Sertus Pod Original was selected for its versatility and ease of installation. Prefabricated, pre-wired, and pre-commissioned, it offered a ready-to-install solution that ensured quick and efficient setup. The Pod provided guaranteed extract rates and static pressures, making it ideal for the high-rise blocks. Additionally, its environmental ventilation capability contributed to the overall comfort within the building. 
• Shaft Louvre Dampers: The Shaft Louvre Dampers were installed to provide multi-zone smoke control. Certified to BS EN 12101-8:2011, these dampers ensured that smoke could be effectively extracted from corridors, maintaining clear escape routes in the event of a fire. The dampers’ high reliability, tested up to 10,000 cycles, and their suitability for environmental ventilation made them an essential component of the system. 
• Roof Single Leaf Vents: To ensure effective smoke and heat ventilation from protected stairwells and corridors, Roof Single Leaf Vents were deployed. These units, certified to BS EN12101-2, were chosen for their ability to open to 160 degrees within 60 seconds, ensuring rapid smoke clearance. The option to integrate these vents with natural ventilation and roof access features further enhanced their utility in the student accommodation context. 

• Rapid Installation: The prefabricated and pre-commissioned Sertus Pod Original allowed for a rapid installation process, ensuring the project stayed on schedule. 
• Enhanced Safety: The combination of Shaft Louvre Dampers and Roof Single Leaf Vents provided robust smoke control, ensuring safe escape routes in the event of a fire, and meeting all relevant safety standards. 
• Improved Comfort: The environmental ventilation capabilities of the Sertus Pod Original and the natural ventilation option of the Roof Single Leaf Vents contributed to a comfortable living environment for the students. 
• Energy Efficiency: All components were designed to operate with minimal energy consumption, aligning with the project’s sustainability goals. 
• Durability and Reliability: The products’ high resistance to weather, wind load, and impact, combined with their compliance with rigorous certification standards, ensured a long-lasting and reliable smoke ventilation system.