SCS Group has designed and installed a bespoke smoke ventilation system in a new academy primary school in Wembley, north west London. 

Smoke ventilation by SCS Group

The new academy, which is opposite Wembley stadium, is sponsored by charity Ark and will welcome just over 400 students.  

SCS, which was required to work with specifications from architects Studio E, fitted 12 rectangular glazed casement ventilators, two glazed roof louvers and two combined smoke damper weather louvers in the library, atrium and two head of stair cores.

Windows were used in the atrium instead of louvers to allow more light into the building, in keeping with the design of the build. The ventilators and fire doors were interfaced to the fire alarm and door entry system.

Project engineer at SCS, Matthew Thompson, said:

“This project highlights our expertise in being able to offer bespoke systems for smoke ventilation. Smoke control had not been specified in the original designs so we were tasked with coming up with a solution that would work within the architectural structure of the building while providing maximum comfort and safety conditions for building users.”

Ark Schools were created to work with the government's academies programme to raise standards in inner-city schools.