Smoke vents used as normal air circulation

[Mar62]

Client of mine has just contacted me. He's visited one of his residential care homes today and has found that the staff have opened (using the manual controls) all the smoke vent windows and smoke shaft doors to get some air circulation!! He is looking for an official reason (as per RRO etc) that this cannot be done and not just a moral one. I know about oxygen into a developinf fire etc and I know my own view but cannot seem to find anything to say that it cannot be done. Does anyone know where (if) this can be found?

[SamFIRT]

Why would you consider it to be a problem?

[nearlythere]

Is it not like opening a few windows?

[wee brian]

Depends on the design.

In blocks of flats the smoke control can be more effective if the vent only on the fire floor is open.

For most situations it won't make any difference.

If it isn't clear how the system is designed - then its time to find out!!!!!

[Mar62]

Ok thanks for your views guys. I had other opinions but maybe its me being pedantic.

Thanks