Merseyside Fire & Rescue Training Academy

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Training Academy, a flagship project by Maclec, required a state-of-the-art smoke ventilation system capable of creating diverse fire simulation environments. The challenge for Maclec Ltd was to implement both natural and mechanical smoke ventilation systems that would support a wide range of training exercises while ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards. Sertus was tasked with providing products that would enable realistic fire scenarios while being sustainable, energy-efficient, and easy to integrate into the facility’s design. 

Sertus delivered a comprehensive suite of smoke ventilation products tailored to meet the academy's unique requirements: 

• Pod Mini: Prefabricated and pre-wired for easy rooftop installation, providing mechanical smoke extraction with guaranteed extract rates. 
• Façade Louvre Blades (FLB-RG): Installed to facilitate natural smoke ventilation through vertical facades, crucial for simulating smaller fire incidents. 
• Shaft Louvre Dampers (SLD): Integrated into the mechanical system for effective smoke extraction and environmental ventilation during more complex scenarios. 
• Roof Single Leaf (RSL-R): Provided rapid smoke extraction from protected stairwells and corridors, enhancing both safety and realism in training exercises. 

This unique and integrated approach enabled the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Training Academy to recreate a variety of fire scenarios within their training facility, ensuring their firefighters are prepared for a wide range of emergency situations. Sertus' ability to deliver both natural and mechanical smoke ventilation solutions in one project ensured that all aspects of safety and realism were fully addressed. 

• Efficient Installation: Prefabricated and pre-wired products like the Pod Mini significantly reduced installation time, minimising disruption and ensuring the project remained on schedule. 
• Improved Safety: The Roof Single Leaf units provided rapid smoke extraction, particularly in stairwells and corridors, enhancing overall safety during both training exercises and in potential real-life applications. 
• Compliance and Certification: All products supplied by Sertus were fully certified to relevant standards (e.g., BS EN 12101-2 for smoke ventilation), ensuring the highest levels of safety and regulatory compliance. 
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: The combination of natural and mechanical smoke ventilation not only met the academy's functional requirements but also contributed to sustainability goals by optimising energy use during both daily operations and training exercises. 
• Durability and Weather Resistance: All products, including the Façade Louvre Blades and Roof Single Leaf units, were designed with high resistance to weather and wind loads, ensuring longevity and reliability in the exposed rooftop environment of the academy.