A small fire might not cause much physical damage, but the smoke generated by even the smallest fire could seriously compromise the safety and condition of your building. Having a functional smoke control system in place is vital to the protection of your property.

Many smoke control systems rely on a series of ducts that help funnel smoke safely out a building in the event of a fire. Maintaining these ducts is essential to the performance of your smoke control system as a whole.

Check for leaks

The purpose of the ducts connected to your smoke control system is to funnel smoke from one area of your building to vents that disperse this smoke outdoors. As the smoke passes through the ducts, it doesn't come into contact with the surrounding structure, helping to minimize the amount of smoke damage caused by a fire.

Ducts can begin to deteriorate and leak over time. Deterioration can compromise the effectiveness of your smoke control system, so you should regularly test your ducts for leaks. This can be done by sending pressurized air through the ducts and monitoring for reductions in pressure or loss of airflow. Repair any damaged ducts immediately to ensure your building's smoke control system is up to code.

Examine support joints

Another critical aspect of your smoke control system's ducts that should be examined on a regular basis is the support joints holding the ducts in place. These joints should be connected to the fire-resistant structural elements used to construct your building.

By attaching smoke ducts to structural steel or concrete, you eliminate the risk of the ducts falling as a result of fire damage. Check to ensure that all joints are welded firmly in place and that your ducts are being supported properly.

Check exhaust connections

The smoke ducts in your building are connected to exhaust fans that help to move dangerous smoke safely out of your property. For the smoke control system installed in your building to function efficiently, these exhaust fans need to be seamlessly connected to the smoke ducts.

Check exhaust connections for signs of deterioration or fatigue. Replace rubber seals on a regular basis to maintain an airtight connection so that your exhaust and smoke ducts will be ready to perform in the event of a fire.

Maintaining your building's smoke control system is critical to the safety of the property. Be sure that you are taking the time to regularly inspect your smoke ducts for signs of damage to keep your smoke control system working properly. Contact a company like Zari Consulting Group for more information and assistance.