Recognising Piotr Smardz for Leading Expertise in Hot Smoke Testing and Smoke Ventilation Verification
Concept Smoke Systems is proud to recognise the exceptional work of Piotr Smardz CEng MIEI, whose recent presentation at the Fire Safety Conference in Dublin provided a compelling overview of hot smoke testing as a critical tool for validating smoke ventilation systems.
As an experienced fire safety consultant with Inbepo, Piotr continues to be a driving force in promoting best practices for full-scale testing — particularly in high-risk environments like shopping centres, sports halls, underground car parks, and tunnels. His clear explanation of international standards, including AS 4391:1999 and CEN/TS 12101-11:2022, emphasised the real-world value of hot smoke tests in detecting airflow issues, validating activation sequences, and identifying potential failure points in complex ventilation systems.
Why Use Hot Smoke Tests?
Hot smoke testing offers a more realistic simulation of fire conditions compared to traditional cold smoke trials. It enables engineers and authorities to visually assess:
- Buoyant smoke layers and airflow paths
- Smoke leakage through construction gaps
- Activation of multiple detection zones
- The influence of wind and other airflow disturbances
By incorporating a controlled heat source and visible tracer smoke, these tests replicate the thermal lift and dynamic behaviour of real fire conditions, helping ensure that life-safety systems perform as expected.
Why the ViCount and Vulcan Smoke Systems?
Concept’s ViCount and Vulcan smoke generators are widely regarded as industry-leading solutions for hot smoke testing — and for good reason:
- High-output oil-based aerosol
- Extremely persistent, making it suitable for large volumes and long test durations
- Clean and residue-free, ensuring no contamination of sensitive structures
- Specially designed for thermal smoke production, combining both heat and smoke
- Suitable for creating a buoyant plume, closely mimicking real fire dynamics
- Fully compliant with safety standards for hot smoke testing
Together, these systems support the visual and functional validation of smoke ventilation strategies.
Piotr Smardz’s work shines a light on the practical value of hot smoke tests in modern fire safety design. His presentation combined technical clarity with real-world case studies, offering insights that will benefit engineers, fire services, and authorities alike.
At Concept Smoke Systems, we’re proud that our equipment continues to support such vital work — and we’re especially pleased to see our systems highlighted in Piotr’s expert analysis.
For more on hot smoke testing solutions, or to learn how ViCount and Vulcan systems can enhance your next validation exercise, visit www.conceptsmoke.com or INBEPO Sp. z o. o. www.inbepo.pl.
Office: Inbepo Sp. z o.o., ul. Krzycka 90F/1, 53-020 Wrocław, Tel. +48 71 7874900, Kom. +48 515 480 416, inbepo@inbepo.pl
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