Auchan: Development of a modern smoke removal system in a hypermarket

Client

LLC "ATAK" is part of the French network of 2,225 discount food stores across various countries, owned by Groupe Auchan SA.

Situation

The smoke ventilation system in the ATAK supermarket was in unsatisfactory condition. The facility was initially equipped with a single smoke ventilation unit with an electrical power of 9 kW, which was powered by the shopping center's electrical system. However, the current system did not ensure the necessary safety during a fire alarm. There was no up-to-date, agreed-upon project and as-built documentation, and all control and power supply systems were poorly designed, creating additional risks during evacuation.

Task

Conduct a technical survey to document the current state of the electrical system and develop project documentation for an optimal technical solution to modernize the power supply system in one of the supermarket locations.

Solution

To ensure compliance with current regulatory requirements, protect evacuation routes, and create conditions for the operation of fire services, the decision was made to modernize the smoke ventilation system by adding two additional units powered by a single automatic transfer switch panel.

The client’s requirements included:

• Improving the reliability category of the power supply system to Category I.
• Providing a backup power source for the smoke ventilation system.
• Full compatibility with integrated automated fire alarm systems (APS).

The project documentation was developed in stages.

The first stage involved a comprehensive technical survey of the facility: an onsite commission studied the existing electrical equipment and analyzed its compliance with regulations.

Several issues were identified: insufficient power reserves, lack of adequate control systems, and an outdated single-line diagram.

Based on the collected data, we created an explanatory note with detailed recommendations for addressing the deficiencies and options for system upgrades.

The project solution involved installing three ventilation units, integrating their operation through an AVR (automatic transfer switch) system. It also included replacing cables with fire-resistant types, such as SpecCable VVGng(A)-FRLSLTx in a corrugated PVC duct, certified for use in high-temperature systems, and installing Belimo reverse smoke dampers with electromechanical actuators, capable of withstanding up to 400°C for two hours.

An additional advantage of the developed solution for the client is the ability for remote monitoring of the system and quick response to failures through the AVR panel functions. This will reduce the time needed to resolve potential issues and minimize technical maintenance costs.