Smoke Control Systems are for the first time included in the new RIPCI

Actualizado a fecha: 2 December, 2018

The new Regulation for Fire Protection Facilities, RIPCI, (RD 513/2017) was finally published on June 12, and it contains interesting updates.

For the first time, the new RIPCI includes the Temperature Control and Smoke Evacuation Systems (SCTEH). This is a fundamental issue for users, as systems will now be subjected to the same installation, maintenance and liability conditions as other active fire protection systems.

In particular, for new installations of SCTEH, the new RIPCI establishes that its design must be carried out in accordance with the standard UNE 23585, and its installation and maintenance in accordance with the standard UNE 23584.

Installers of these systems will be subjected to the same requirements as any fire protection installer. This includes not only the technical means, personnel, quality, etc., but of course includes the issuance, at start-up, of an installation certificate signed by a competent technician, to ensure compliance with the Regulations. Undoubtedly, this is an additional guarantee for customers and users.

An additional level of responsibility is also established for the installers, who will have the obligation to communicate to the project author and the owner possible deviations from the project in front of what is established in the Regulation.

The new facilities of SCTEH must have a signed maintenance contract, as a requirement for the commissioning.

The installations prior to the Regulation will be subjected to the same maintenance requirements as the new installations.

The responsibility of the maintainers also grows, as the authorized maintainer should reflect in their reports not only the deficiencies or breakdowns of the equipment, but also possible deviations or lack of adaptation of the systems to the risk.

As a particular note, among the activities marked as mandatory for the maintenance of the SCTEH, it is required to check the operation of the systems by manually activating them every 6 months.