
6
PRECAUTIONS & BEST PRACTICE
Since the installation and use of HVLS fans are not regulated by any official legislation or building
regulations in relation to fire protection in Denmark, NORDICCO and DBI (The Danish Institute
of Fire and Security Technology) have prepared this guide to ensure optimal installation of NOR-
DICCO HVLS fans. It is DBI's assessment that NORDICCO HVLS fans can be installed while main-
taining fire safety. However, it should be noted that the smaller the rotor diameter of the HVLS
fan, the less the risk of fire spreading. The risk of fire spreading also depends on the location of
the individual HVLS fan. Below are 3 scenarios where it is relevant to assess the detection of an
incipient fire. In case of doubt, a competent advisor should be consulted for an assessment of the
specific situation.
1. The HVLS fans should be installed so that they can easily be disconnected – for example
via a control panel, emergency stop or safety switch mounted visibly at exits or located at
strategic locations in the room.
2. A vertical respecting distance of at least 0,5 meters from combustible storage to the HVLS
fans should be kept to ensure that any fire spread is reduced.
3. HVLS fans should be installed as far from storage (e.g. storage racks) as possible. When
installing in warehousing, fans should be installed above walking areas and not over stora
ge racks.
Scenario 2: NORDICCO HVLS fans installed in a room, where an Automatic Fire Alarm
system is installed. In addition to DBI’s normal guidelines for Automatic Fire Alarm systems, the
following points are also relevant:
1. The HVLS fan must stop when the Automatic Fire Alarm system detects a fire and prefe
rably before this time. This can be done via the built-in "fire alarm cable", or via the manu
al stop options as indicated in scenario 1.
2. For systems with flame detectors, the location of the HVLS fans should be assessed in rela
tion to the location of flame detectors. There are examples of ceiling fans causing reflecti
ons that are mistaken for light from a flame, thereby giving an unintended alarm. Flame
detectors are typically used in rooms with high ceilings and in atriums.
3. Do not install the HVLS fans in the sightlines of any line smoke detector, as this may cause
false alarms from the Automatic Fire Alarm system. A line smoke detector uses ultraviolet
and infrared light that is not visible. The light is either received or reflected on an oppo
sing wall. If the light beam is interrupted, the Alarm system goes into error mode.
4. If spot smoke detectors are installed, a number of considerations must be taken into ac-
count:
a) The velocity of the airflow from the HVLS fan must not exceed 0,5 m/sec. This value
corresponds to the value in DBI Guideline 232 for airflows from ventilation systems.
b) A respecting distance of at least 0,5 meters from spot smoke detectors to the air bla
des of the HVLS fan must be kept.
IN RELATION TO FIRE AND FIRE HAZARDS
Scenario 1: NORDICCO HVLS fans installed in a room without any fire protection systems.
As a general rule, HVLS fans can be installed without any restrictions, but the following
points should be considered:
PRECAUTIONS & BEST PRACTICE