An introduction to Fire & Smoke Control and Mechanical Services

Fire and smoke control systems play a critical role in modern building fire safety, but how they work, where they fit, and why they matter is often misunderstood.

This webinar provides a practical overview of mechanical smoke control systems, exploring their purpose in managing fire and smoke, limiting fire spread, and reducing risk to occupants during an emergency.

We’ll examine:
 - how mechanical services integrate into the broader fire safety strategy, including their relationship with detection systems and the built environment
 - You’ll gain insight into how smoke movement impacts tenability, visibility, and evacuation, and why effective smoke control is essential in protecting life.

The session also covers the regulatory framework in Australia, outlining key requirements and expectations for compliance.

We’ll walk through common principles shared across smoke control systems, including:
- system activation
- operation
- interfaces with other fire safety measures
- Real-world applications across different building types will be discussed, highlighting typical system configurations and design considerations.
- Emphasis will also be placed on the importance of coordination between smoke control and fire detection systems to ensure reliable and effective performance when it matters most.

Whether you’re involved in design, installation, certification, or maintenance, this webinar will strengthen your understanding of how mechanical smoke control contributes to safer buildings.

Target Audience:
Facility owners, Fire service contractors, Manufacturers and suppliers 

Guest speakers:

Vance Rowe, Holyoake Air Management Solutions 

Prior to working in the HVAC industry Vance worked as a plant engineer at an aluminium foundry working with furnaces he then commenced his career in the HVAC business at Holyoake industries in New Zealand. After this moved on to a career that covered service, contracting, design in the mechanical and mechanical electrical field across a wide range of industries including the supermarket business, operating 180 sites, pharmaceutical discovery and development, film and recording industry, rail and infrastructure, and commercial sectors. After gaining this experience culminating with 13 years European and international experience, he returned to manage the Holyoake facility in Queensland.

Vance works closely with organisations such as the AMCA, FPAA and the NFPA to offer assistance and support specifically with fire and fire/smoke dampers as an area of speciality for the company. Vance represents the FPA on the ME-062 standards committee. This committee is responsible for fire and smoke control standards AS1668.1, AS1682 parts 1 & 2, Ductwork for Air Handling Systems, Health aspects of Air and Water handling, Ventilation and represents Australia on the ISO TC 21/SC 11 smoke and heat control systems & components, ISO TC 205 Building environmental design.

Vance works closely with the AMCA , and is one of the team developing the fire damper validation and installation courses and delivers this training. Vance chairs TAC-M and is the Vice Chair for TAC 18/19 for the FPAA.

Vance now heads up the Life Safety products team at Price Holyoake in Australia assisting designers, builders and contractors with compliance for fire and smoke and is actively involved in new product testing, training, and developing new products.

Ben O'Brien, A.G. Coombs

Ben O’Brien is responsible for Mechanical Services maintenance, commercial comfort, biocontainment. Specialising in essential services testing and smoke hazard management performance of large commercial buildings and hospitals.

Pat McManus, Stokes Safety 
Pat is an experience Fire Safety and Building Compliance professional with over 14 years' experience in Essential Safety Measures (ESM), Building Surveying, Building Consultancy and Health and Safety across various industries, specialising in large 

commercial properties such as hospitals, nursing homes, universities, hotels and industrial buildings.

He manages the Essential Safety Measures (ESM) team within Stokes Safety, with overall responsibility for delivery of fire safety consultancy, building inspections and asbestos. Reporting to building/property owners and managers.

Register now and secure your spot!

Event details

Tech Talks: Mechanical Services Series 
Part 1: An introduction to Fire & Smoke Control and Mechanical Services
Part 2: Sub-Ducts & Dampers
Part 2.1: Sub-Ducts & Dampers continued
Part 3: No two buildings are the same
Part 4: Your role & responsibilities onsite
Part 5: Pre-testing, Commissioning & Documentation requirements
Part 6: Routine servicing & system interface testing requirements
Part 7: Case studies & lessons learned

See our event page for details

All webinar recordings will be available  https://www.fpaaplus.com.au/.