Smoke Shaft Testing

Smoke Shaft Airtightness Testing

Smoke shafts form an important part of a building’s smoke-control system, helping remove smoke from corridors, lobbies and escape routes during a fire. Excessive leakage from the shaft can reduce the effectiveness of the system, making it harder to achieve the required airflow and pressure performance.

Why Smoke-Shaft Airtightness Matters

A smoke shaft must be sufficiently airtight to operate as designed. Air can escape through construction joints, access panels, service penetrations, door frames, dampers and poorly sealed interfaces, reducing the performance of the smoke-control system.

Airtightness testing helps confirm whether the completed shaft meets the project specification and identifies areas that may require sealing before final commissioning and handover.

How the Test Is Carried Out

The shaft is prepared in the agreed test condition and a calibrated fan system is used to create a controlled pressure difference. Airflow measurements are then recorded to calculate the shaft’s leakage performance.

Where excessive leakage is identified, smoke testing and visual inspection can be used to locate likely leakage paths. This gives contractors clear, practical information so defects can be sealed efficiently before the shaft is retested.

When Should Testing Take Place?

Testing should ideally be completed once the shaft construction, doors, access panels, dampers and service penetrations are installed, but before areas become difficult to access or final finishes are completed.

Early testing can help prevent delays during final smoke-control commissioning and reduce the risk of extensive remedial work close to handover.

Clear Reporting and Practical Support

Following the test, Airtightness UK provides clear results and supporting documentation for the project team. We work with contractors, developers, smoke-control specialists and commissioning engineers to help confirm performance and resolve leakage issues efficiently.

If your project requires smoke-shaft airtightness testing, contact Airtightness UK to discuss the shaft construction, required test pressure, project specification and site programme.