Ruskin Air Management Dampers in the Royal Albert Hall

Fire and Smoke Control Dampers from Ruskin Air Management are playing a vital role in behind-the-scenes safety at one of London's most famous landmarks. The South Steps' Redevelopment is a major extension to The Royal Albert Hall, creating a whole range of much needed modern facilities for the 130 year old building. Discreet invisibility is the keynote of the project. All four floors of the new extension are below ground in an 18 metre deep excavation. The new facilities will include dressing rooms for the artistes who come from all over the world to perform at The Royal Albert Hall, together with workshops, plantrooms, technical storage areas and loading bays.

A tunnel links the new four-storey facility to the main auditorium area. Temperatures in the new dressing rooms will be carefully controlled, while the remaining areas will be served by a tempered air supply without humidity control. Conditioned air is supplied by 4 air handling units to a distribution and extract ductwork system which has been treated with a special fire-resistant coating to achieve the required time/temperature rating. Some 60 Fire and Smoke Control Dampers have been specially developed to meet the requirements of this unique project. The Dampers are mounted in individual casings with stub duct sections. Both casings and stubs are coated with the same fire-resistant material as the ductwork, which fits neatly onto the stubs at either end - ensuring unbroken fire safety.

The Dampers are equipped with fusible links and interfaces for both the BMS and the independent fire safety control system. Mechanical and electrical consultants for the project were BDP London and the m and e contractors were MJN Colston Ltd.