Cape Town-based industrial fan design and manufacturing company CFW Industries has received certification for its 400 °C powered emergency smoke exhaust fans, which will add to its basket of solutions in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector.

The certification has been provided by European testing and certification specialist Applus+ Laboratories in Spain, says CFW engineering manager Alfonso Sauls. The last hurdle is to finalise the factory acceptance criteria.

“We should have this completed in three months”, he adds.

With this certification CFW will be able to provide smoke exhaust fans, rated to operate at a temperature of 400 °C for a minimum of 120 minutes to local and international markets. The inclusion of these fans in building ventilation design will assist with the safe evacuation of occupants and provide a clear window of opportunity for firefighters to gain control over the fire.

CFW research and development (R&D) director Eddie Raad has pre-empted the inevitable upgrade of the old South African standard (F300: ISO12103-3:2002, 300 °C for 30 minutes) by designing in accordance with the European and international Powered Smoke & Heat Ventilators F400 standard EN 12101-3:2015, which requires the fan to operate at 400 °C for two hours.

The design process involved erecting a high temperature test rig at CFW’s Cape Town R&D laboratory, in which temperature could be accurately controlled and recorded, and consultation with a specialist metallurgist on material selection.

Aerodynamic performance testing was carried out and electric motor manufacturer ZEST WEG provided input on the motor design specifications to ensure the highest efficiencies.

This cased axial fan range is available in sizes from 400 mm to 1 600 mm and includes all accessories such as attenuators, screens, inlet bells, flexible collars, mounting feet and anti-vibration mountings.

Regarding manufacturing capacity, Sauls notes that CFW is a vertically integrated company and, therefore, “increasing production is relatively simple”.