EP1076211B1 - Device for keeping the emergency exits of a building smoke free - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a compact unit, especially a single housing, containing a fan unit (2) and a control unit (3) with an output for driving the fan unit. The control unit generates a control signal from an input signal indicating a fire to drive the fan to start feeding smoke-free air into the escape route. An Independent claim is also included for the use of several devices in a multi-storey building.

Description

The present invention is a device for smoke-free escape routes in buildings, especially of internal staircases.

Out DE 94 09 176 U is a system for smoke evacuation of escape routes in buildings, in particular known from internal staircases, comprising the following components: A fan unit with a fan, which is intended to promote smoke-free air in an escape route of the building and a control unit, which provides an input for a supply voltage a first signal input for a first signal line from an alarm detector, such as a fire and / or smoke detector or a manual alarm button and a first control output for a first control line for controlling the fan unit, wherein the control unit is adapted to one of the first signal input adjacent signal, which signals a fire, to generate a control signal by means of which the fan unit is controlled via the first control line in such a way that it begins to promote smoke-free air in the rescue route.

From the DE 297 16 474 U1 is a system for stationary overpressure ventilation of a building known. The device consists of a high-performance fan, which is positioned in front of an opening in the outer wall of a building, and which promotes smoke-free fresh air in the event of fire through the opening in the outer wall into the building interior. Furthermore, it is provided to make the opening in the outer wall closable by means of fins, wherein the fins can be opened by the delivery pressure of the fan or by means of an adjusting device which responds to a fire signal. Finally, a ventilation device can be provided in the building, so that the positive pressure ventilation creates an air flow in rooms intended for ventilation. In particular, the high-performance fan and the ventilation device can be controlled via smoke sensors.

From the magazine " Fire Department ", issue 9/95, page 48 ff is described in their operation comparable overpressure ventilation system. In contrast to the aforementioned device fresh air is conveyed through a pipe into the building in the event of fire, in or at the end of a fan is arranged.

The underlying concept for smoke-free escape routes in buildings, which in the following referred to as overpressure ventilation, has proven itself in practice outstanding and is already widely used. However, the prior art devices have significant disadvantages in terms of their installation in new buildings or their retrofitting in existing buildings. In all previously known concepts, an opening in the building exterior wall for the fresh air supply must be created. In particular, in the latter device additional piping for fresh air supply must be laid. Furthermore, the previously known devices consist of a large number of individual components, which leads to a high outlay for the new installation or retrofitting of such devices. So space must be found for a fan unit including piping and a cabinet for receiving the necessary controls. The large number of individual components also requires an increased effort in the wiring of such a device.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for the smoke-free rescue routes in buildings, in particular of internal staircases, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned, in particular without increased structural measures in new buildings or existing buildings is to be integrated.

This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

The fan is preferably encapsulated. The fan unit in particular conveys air from the environment of the building in the rescue route. The first control line can also run completely within the compact device, so that the output for the first control line does not necessarily have to be accessible from outside the compact device.

The device according to the invention represents a minimal configuration, which reliably prevents smoke-free escape routes in buildings, in particular internal staircases, in case of fire by means of overpressure ventilation. The integration of fan unit and control unit in a compact unit, in a common housing, creates the conditions for easy and error-free installation. Due to the selected design, the connection-ready wiring is carried out after mounting the device by connecting a supply voltage and by connecting a corresponding signal line from a fire alarm device such as fire or smoke detectors or manual alarm buttons on the designated input for a first signal line.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compact device on a mounting frame, which allows mounting of the compact device in the context of windows, skylights or doors preferably standardized size. In this way, the installation of the inventive device without major structural changes to the building can be done simply by replacing a window or skylight. In this case, the compact device is designed so that automatically with such a mounting a promotion of smoke-free air from the environment of the building in the escape route by means of the fan unit is possible. In this way, the cost of equipping buildings with a device according to the invention can be minimized.

A further improvement of the device according to the invention results when the control unit of the compact device has an output for a second control line, which is provided for the control of a variable outflow opening. In this case, the control unit is set up to generate a control signal from a signal present at the input of the first signal line which signals a fire, by means of which a variable outflow opening is actuated via the second control line.

Particular advantages arise when the variable outflow opening is controlled such that there is a preset flow resistance of the discharge opening. In particular, such a preset flow resistance may have been determined in preliminary tests, wherein the preset flow resistance was determined so that there is an optimal overpressure ventilation of the rescue route. The overall installation of compact unit and discharge opening can be adapted to the structural conditions of the rescue route. In particular, the flow resistance to be set may depend on the delivery rate of the fan unit of the compact unit.

Depending on the used outflow opening, it may also be advantageous if the control signal is a complete opening of the discharge opening, d. H. causes a minimization of the flow resistance of the discharge opening.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the compact device has an input for a second signal line for signals from a pressure sensor arranged in the escape route. The control unit is modified to be adapted to generate a control signal for the discharge opening, which is a change in the flow resistance of the Outflow opening has the consequence that a preset pressure value is set in the rescue route.

Particular advantages arise when the control unit of the compact unit is designed to carry out the method described in the main claim of the patent application "arrangement for setting a pressure difference" of the same applicant of the same date. In this case, the control unit of the arrangement for setting a pressure difference is now integrated in the control unit of the compact unit. In particular, the methods for determining a reference pressure mentioned in the subclaims 2 and 3 of the parallel patent application are likewise made part of the content of this patent application. Both methods can advantageously be performed by the control unit of the compact device. In dependent claim 2 is claimed to use the averaged over a time interval of duration τ1 pressure in the rescue route as the reference pressure. In the escape route, a pre-set pressure is generated by means of the compact device and the variable outflow opening, which is above the reference pressure. In this way, a sufficient but controlled overpressure in the rescue route can be ensured with great certainty.

A comparable effect is achieved if, in addition to the pressure sensor in the escape route another pressure sensor is arranged in the vicinity of the building which detects the ambient pressure. The ambient pressure is used as the reference pressure. A particular simplification can be achieved at this point by using a differential pressure sensor instead of two individual pressure sensors for escape route pressure and ambient pressure.

Furthermore, a preset pressure in the escape route can be adjusted by means of the compact device, when the control unit of the compact device is designed to control the delivery rate of the fan unit, for example via a speed control.

Also, by such a variation of the delivery rate of the fan unit can be ensured that in pre-tests as optimally determined preset overpressure in the rescue route is achieved. Of course, both the flow resistance of the discharge opening and the delivery rate of the fan unit can be varied simultaneously.

In order to be able to respond particularly flexibly to the different requirements when using a device according to the invention in different buildings, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the compact device can be modularly extended by further fan units. This can preferably be done by simply flanging further fan units to the compact unit, with special advantages arise when the compact unit and the additional fan unit are designed so that automatically in the mechanical connection of compact unit and additional fan unit, an electrical contact between the output for a first control line of the control unit and the corresponding input of the additional fan unit results.

1. 1. die Drehzahlen aller Ventilatoreinheiten werden synchron von der Steuereinheit variiert,
2. 2. die Ventilatoreinheiten laufen mit fester Drehzahl, vorzugsweise bei optimalem Wirkungsgrad, die Fördermenge wird von der Steuereinheit durch Zuschalten oder Abschalten einzelner Ventilatoreinheiten variiert.

In a compact device, which has already been extended to include modular fan units, either all fan units can be controlled synchronously via a first control line from the control unit, which is preferably designed so that the failure of a fan unit does not lead to the failure of all other fan units, or All fan units can be individually controlled by the control unit via individual first control lines, which are connected to outputs of the control unit provided for this purpose. This results in particular in two ways to vary the fresh air flow rate of the fan units by means of the control unit:

1. 1. The speeds of all fan units are synchronized by the control unit varied
2. 2. The fan units run at a fixed speed, preferably at optimum efficiency, the flow rate is varied by the control unit by connecting or disconnecting individual fan units.

Of course, both methods mentioned can be combined with each other.

Further advantages arise when the compact device includes an emergency power supply, which supplies at least the control unit. However, if emergency generators with sufficiently compact design and sufficient power are available that the fan unit can be supplied, so can provide such an emergency power supply, of course, both the control unit and fan unit of the compact unit.

In order to ensure a safe overpressure build-up in the escape route, the control unit of the compact device can be developed to the effect that a further output for a fourth control line is provided, can be controlled via the automatic door closer. Such door closers are preferably attached to doors that lead to the rescue route. In case of fire, the control unit controls the door closer in such a way that it closes the door leading to the escape route. In this case, the automatic door closer, preferably designed as a freewheel door closer, d. H. as a door closer who exercises no or only a small force on the door in normal operation, but closes the door in case of fire with great force.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the control unit has a further output for a fifth control line for a door actuator, which is controlled by the control unit located in the escape route door in Fire opens or closes.

For warning purposes, the compact device may be equipped with an internal signal generator, which is controlled in the event of fire by the control unit via a third control line and causes the emission of, for example, audible or visual warning signals. Alternatively or additionally, a connection for an external signal generator can be provided.

The application possibilities of the device according to the invention can be further expanded if an operating state can be set on the control unit, which serves for loading / or venting escape routes outside of a fire. Such an operating state is characterized by a fresh air supply by means of the fan unit and / or by a venting via a controlled open discharge opening. Advantageously, it is ensured in such an operating condition that the resulting pressure increase in the escape route remains below 5 Pa, preferably below 1 Pa. In this way it is ensured that doors that are opened to the escape route and thus must be opened against the pressure in the escape route, even by small or light people without difficulty can be opened.

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung, die modular um zwei weitere Ventilatoreinheiten erweitert ist, wobei alle drei Ventilatoreinheiten über eine gemeinsame erste Steuerleitung synchron angesteuert werden,

Fig. 2:

wie vor, wobei die einzelnen Ventilatoreinheiten separat über einzelne erste Steuerleitungen mit der Steuereinheit verbunden sind und individuell angesteuert werden können,

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Kompaktgeräts, wobei die Steuereinheit neben den aus Figur 1 ersichtlichen Anschlüssen einen weiteren Anschluss für einen Druckmesser aufweist, und

Fig. 4:

wie vor, wobei die Steuerungseinheit neben den aus Figur 3 ersichtlichen Anschlüssen einen weiteren Anschluss für die Stellvorrichtung einer variablen Abströmöffnung aufweist.

Fig. 5:

eine schematischen Darstellung der Verwendung einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zur Rauchfreihaltung eines Rettungswegs in einem mehrgeschossigen Gebäude.

Further features and advantages of the inventive device will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following embodiments, which are not to be understood as limiting and will be explained with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1:

1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention, which is modularly extended by two further fan units, wherein all three fan units are controlled synchronously via a common first control line,

Fig. 2:

as above, with the individual fan units separately over individual first control lines are connected to the control unit and can be controlled individually,

3:

a schematic representation of another embodiment of a compact device according to the invention, wherein the control unit in addition to the apparent from Figure 1 connections has a further connection for a pressure gauge, and

4:

As before, wherein the control unit in addition to the apparent from Figure 3 connections has a further connection for the adjusting device of a variable discharge opening.

Fig. 5:

a schematic representation of the use of an inventive device for keeping smoke a rescue route in a multi-storey building.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. A fan unit 2 and a control unit 3 are combined in a common housing 1 to form a compact device. The fan unit 2 has an input 22 for a first control line 332. The control unit 3 has an input for a power supply 31 and a first signal input 321 for a fire or smoke detector 41 and a further first signal input 321 for a manual alarm button 42. Both the detector 41 and the alarm button 42 are connected via separate first control lines 322 to the corresponding first signal inputs 321. In a basic version, one of the two first signal inputs 321 for a first signal line 322 can optionally be omitted.

In this embodiment, the control unit 3 is adapted to receive a control signal from a signal which is applied to a first signal input 321 and which signals a fire or alarm case generate that the fan unit 2 connected via a first control line 332 to the first control output 331 starts to convey air.

The device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 is preferably mounted in a low-lying area of an escape route in a building in such a way that the fan unit 2 can convey smoke-free fresh air from the environment of the building into the escape route as efficiently as possible. For this purpose, the fan unit 2 can be mounted, for example, in the immediate vicinity of a wall breakthrough.

Particular advantages arise when the housing 1 of the device according to the invention is intended for mounting in the context of a skylight, window or door, preferably of a standardized size. In particular, suitable mounting rails 11 can be provided for this purpose on the housing 1, so that the compact device can be used completely instead of a window in an already existing window frame. In this way, no additional wall breakthrough for the fan unit 2 is required, whereby the assembly of a compact device according to the invention is drastically simplified. In particular, a particularly simple retrofitting of existing buildings is possible in this way.

Preferably, in the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the capacity of the compact device is adjusted by varying the number of modular Ventialtoreinheiten 2 to the structural conditions of the rescue route.

FIG. 2 shows a device according to the invention which essentially corresponds to FIG. In contrast to FIG. 1, however, the multiple fan units 2 are not controlled synchronously via a common first control line 332, but individually controlled via individual first control lines 332.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, which is based on the apparent from Figure 1 device. The device shown in FIG. 3 additionally has a second signal input 341 for a second signal line 342, which originates from a pressure sensor 6, and a second control output 351 for a second control line 352, which leads to an actuating device 51 of a variable outflow opening 5. In this embodiment, the control unit 3 is configured to generate a signal for controlling the fan unit 2 when the alarm signal applied to the first signal input 321 is at the first control output 331, and to generate a signal for the actuating device 51 of the variable outflow opening 5 at the second control output 351 in that the adjusting device 51 sets the flow resistance of the discharge opening 5 to a preset value. In particular, it is also advantageous here if the delivery rate of the fan unit / units 2 and the preset value of the flow resistance of the discharge opening 5 are adapted to the structural conditions of the rescue route.

FIG. 4 shows an extension of the device according to the invention known from FIG. 3, which additionally has a second signal input 341 for a second signal line 342, which is provided for connecting a pressure sensor 6. A first pressure sensor 61 is preferably arranged in the rescue route and serves to set a controlled pressure in the escape route by controlling the flow resistance of the variable outflow opening 5 and / or the delivery rate of the fan units 2. This control task is performed by the control unit 3. In a particularly preferred development, the control unit 3 is set up to compare the current pressure measured in the rescue route by the first pressure sensor 61 with a reference value and to regulate the difference between the measured pressure in the escape route and the reference value to a preset desired difference. This regulation can be done on the one hand by regulating the delivery rate of the fan unit 2 and on the other hand by varying the flow resistance of the discharge opening 5. Also conceivable is a combination of both control parameters.

FIG. 5 shows the use of a device according to the invention for overpressure ventilation of a staircase in a multi-storey building. The inventive device is mounted by means of mounting rails 11 in the skylight of the outer door of the stairwell of the housing, which serves as an escape route. The control unit 3 is connected via a first signal line 322 with a fire and / or smoke detector 41 and a manual alarm button 42, both of which are arranged in the area of the rescue route. Furthermore, the rescue route has in its upper region a variable outflow opening 5, which is integrated in this embodiment in the roof of the building. The adjusting device 51 of the variable outflow opening 5 is connected via a second control line 352 to the second control output 351 of the control unit 3 of the compact unit. Furthermore, a first pressure sensor 61 is arranged within the rescue route in the immediate vicinity of the outflow opening 5, which is connected via a second signal line 342 to the second signal input 341 of the control unit 3 of the compact device. If an alarm signal is received via a first signal line 322, the control unit 3 controls the fan unit 2 in such a way that the fan unit 2 makes smoke-free fresh air from the environment of the building into the escape route, ie. H. promotes into the staircase. At the same time, the control unit 3 controls the adjusting device 51 of the variable outflow opening 5 via the second control line 352 in such a way that a flow resistance of the outflow opening 5 determined in preliminary tests is achieved. Advantageously, the combination of flow rate of the fan unit 2 and flow resistance of the discharge opening 5 is tuned to the structural conditions in the escape route, the optimum conditions for the overpressure ventilation with respect to the amount of air flowing through the rescue route per time, the flow rate and resulting in the escape route pressure ,

In the embodiment shown, the device according to the invention maintains a constant overpressure in the staircase. This is done by using the first pressure sensor 61, the pressure conditions in the stairwell are compared with a reference value and the delivery rate of the fan unit 2 and / or the flow resistance of the outflow opening 5 are adjusted such that the difference between the measured pressure in the stairwell and the reference pressure is as close as possible to a preset differential pressure. This target differential pressure is selected so that an overpressure in the stairwell sets, the value of which is preferably between 15 Pa and 35 Pa, in particular between 10 Pa and 50 Pa. The reference value used may be the pressure in the vicinity of the building determined by means of a second pressure sensor 62 (not shown), advantageously a differential pressure sensor 63 (not shown) instead of two separate pressure sensors 61 and 62 for measuring the pressure in the staircase and the measurement of pressure is used in the environment of the building.

Alternatively, as already described, the pressure averaged over an interval of duration τ1 in the staircase can be used as a reference pressure, wherein the interval should be before the occurrence of the fire. This pressure in the stairwell, averaged over a certain period of time before the fire, corresponds with good accuracy to the pressure in the surroundings of the building. In this way, a second pressure sensor 62 for the measurement of the external pressure can be saved.

When rescue routes with long lengths, such as stairwells in tall buildings, advantageously a plurality of inventive devices can be used. In this case, this plurality of devices according to the invention is arranged distributed substantially over the entire length of the rescue route, so that in a fire smoke-free fresh air is promoted in several places simultaneously in the rescue route, the arrangement is advantageously chosen so that there is a very homogeneous pressure distribution in the rescue route , For example, in a thirty-storey building, all five storeys can have devices according to the invention to be ordered.

At this point, again expressly referred to the two patent applications of the same applicant of the same name entitled "Arrangement for setting a pressure difference" and "self-adjusting outlet", the disclosure content of which is expressly made the disclosure content of this patent application In the case of both patent applications, the disclosed apparatus and method are the subject of the present application.

In particular, a device for smoke evacuation of escape routes according to the present invention can advantageously be combined with an arrangement for setting a pressure difference, as known from said patent application of the same date of the same day, to an overall arrangement for keeping smoke out of escape routes in buildings by means of overpressure ventilation , In such an overall arrangement, additional inputs and outputs for signal and control lines of pressure sensors and adjusting devices of the outflow opening on the control unit of the device according to the invention are dispensed with, which further simplifies the installation of such an overall arrangement.

A further substantial increase in operational safety can be achieved if the device according to the invention for smoke-free escape routes in buildings is combined with a self-standing discharge opening, as is known from the same application of the same applicant in the further application. For use of the self-standing discharge opening in combination with the inventive device for smoke evacuation of escape routes in buildings, the self-adjusting discharge opening 5 is configured such that in case of failure of the power supply of selbststellenden discharge or a control signal on the second control line 352 to selbststellenden outflow opening 5, the adjusting device 51 of the discharge opening 5 the flow resistance the discharge opening 5 is automatically reduced. In this way, a secure operation of the overall arrangement for smoke-free escape routes in buildings by means of overpressure ventilation even in case of failure of the power supply or destruction of an otherwise common control line between outflow and control unit can be ensured.

reference numeral

1

casing
11 mounting frame
12 mounting rails

2

fan unit
21 fan
22 entrance

3

control unit
31 input supply voltage
321 First signal input
322 First signal line
331 First control output
332 First control line
341 Second signal input
342 Second signal line
351 Second control output
352 Second control line
361 Third control output
362 Third control line
371 Fourth control output
372 Fourth control line
381 fifth control output

4

alarm detectors
41 fire / smoke sensor
42 Manual alarm button

5

outflow
51 adjusting device

6

pressure sensor
61 First pressure sensor
62 Second pressure sensor
63 differential pressure sensor

7

emergency power supply

8th

Automatic door closer

9

Automatic door controller

10

signaler
101 internal signal generator
102 external signal generator

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for keeping smoke free rescue ways in buildings, more specifically for keeping smoke free internal stairways, said apparatus comprising the following components integrated in a compact apparatus in a common housing (1):

   • a fan unit (2) comprising at least one preferably encapsulated fan (21), said fan unit (2) being provided for preferably conveying smoke-free air from the environment of a building into a rescue way of the building,

   • a control unit (3) comprising an input (31) for a supply voltage, a first signal input (321) for a first signal line (322) from an alarm signalling system (4) such as a fire and/or smoke detector (41) or a manual alarm button (42) and a first control output (331) for a first control line (332) for actuating said fan unit (2), said control unit (3) being designed for generating, from a signal that signals a fire and is applied at the first signal input (321), a control signal by means of which said fan unit (2) is controlled in such a way through said first control line (332) that it starts conveying smoke-free air into said rescue way.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the compact apparatus comprises a mounting frame (11) or mounting rails (12) that allows for mounting the compact apparatus into frames of preferably standardized size such as of windows, roof lights or doors.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) comprises a second control output (351) for a second control line (352) for a variable evacuation port (5) with a preferably electrical regulating system (51), and that said control unit (3) is designed for generating, from a signal that signals a fire and is applied at the first signal input (321), a control signal by means of which a variable evacuation port (5) is activated through said second control line (352), more specifically a preset flow resistance of the evacuation port (5) is set.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that the control unit (3) comprises a second signal input (341) for a second signal line (342) from a pressure sensor (6), more specifically from a first pressure sensor (61) disposed in the rescue way, preferably from a differential pressure sensor (63), and that it is designed for actuating the variable evacuation port (5) through said second control line (352) in the event of a fire in such a manner that a preset pressure, more specifically overpressure, is obtained in the rescue way by varying the flow resistance of said evacuation port (5).
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) comprises a second signal input (341) for a second signal line (342) from a pressure sensor (6), more specifically from a first pressure sensor (61) disposed in the rescue way, preferably from a differential pressure sensor (63), and thatit is designed for actuating the fan unit (2) in the event of a fire in such a manner that a preset pressure, more particularly an overpressure, is obtained in the rescue way by varying the blow rate of said fan unit (2).
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the compact apparatus may be equipped with additional modular fan units (2) so that, if the compact apparatus is equipped with an additional fan unit (2), said unit is automatically connected to the or to a first control output (331).
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, such that the fan units (2) are actuated either synchronously through a first control line (332) having a first control output (331) of the control unit (3) or individually through individual first control lines (332) that are connected to individual first control outputs (331).
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the compact apparatus comprises an emergency power supply (7) at least for the control unit (3).
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) comprises a fourth control output (371) for a fourth control line (372) leading to an automatic door closer (8), preferably to a free running door closer, and is designed in such a manner that, in the event of a fire, it actuates the door closer (8) in such a manner that it closes a door leading to the rescue way.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the compact apparatus includes an internal, for example acoustic or optic, signal transmitter (101) and that the control unit (3) is designed so as to actuate, in the event of a fire, the internal signal transmitter (101) in such a manner that it generates an alarm signal.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the compact apparatus includes a third control output (361) for a third control line (362) for an external, for example an optic or acoustic, signal transmitter (102) and that the control unit (3) is designed so as to generate, in the event of a fire, a control signal for the external signal transmitter (102) in such a manner that said signal transmitter generates an alarm signal.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that an operation state can be set at the control unit (3), said operation state serving for aerating/venting rescue ways apart from fire and being in particular characterized by fresh air being supplied by means of the fan unit (2) and/or by a ventilation through a controlledly opened evacuation port (5), the resulting pressure increase in the rescue way being lower than 5 Pa, preferably lower than 1 Pa.
13. Use of an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 for keeping smoke free a rescue way, characterized in that the apparatus is mounted so that, in the event of a fire, the fan unit (2) is capable of supplying smoke free fresh ambient air to the rescue way, preferably to a low point therein, and that the control unit (3) is connected, through a respective first signal line (322), to a voltage supply and an alarm signalling system (4) such as a fire and/or smoke detector (41) and/or a manual alarm button (42).
14. Use of several apparatus as set forth in claim 1 for keeping smoke free a rescue way in a multiple storey building, characterized in that the apparatus are mounted so that the fan units (2) are capable of supplying smoke free fresh ambient air to the rescue way and that the control units (3) are connected, through a respective first signal line (322), to a voltage supply and an alarm signalling system (4) such as a fire and/or smoke detector (41) and/or a manual alarm button (42), said apparatus being disposed so that, in the event of a fire, the smoke free air is supplied into the rescue way to several locations in the rescue way, which are substantially uniformly distributed over the length of the rescue way, so that a substantially homogeneous pressure distribution is obtained in the entire rescue way.

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