RWA is the abbreviation for Rauch- und Wärmeabzugsanlage (smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system). In the event of fire, a SHEV removes smoke and hot gases from the building. This keeps escape and rescue routes free of smoke for longer, and the fire brigade finds better conditions.
What does a SHEV consist of?
- Triggering: smoke detector or SHEV push button (manual trigger)
- Control panel: evaluates the signals and supplies the actuators, often with emergency battery
- Window actuators: open the windows, rooflights or flaps
- Opening areas: the windows themselves, through which the smoke escapes
Natural and mechanical SHEV
With a natural SHEV smoke escapes by thermal buoyancy through opened windows or flaps. A mechanical SHEV extracts it with fans. Window actuators belong to natural SHEV.
SHEV and daily ventilation
Many SHEV windows are also used for ventilation. The control must then separate both tasks: in the event of an alarm, the SHEV always has priority. More in the guide SHEV and daily ventilation. Vent Systems supplies window actuators and ventilation controls, but no SHEV control panels.
Read more
- What is a SHEV system? Design and function in detail
- Glossary: NSHEV
- SHEV vs. NSHEV – the difference
- SHEV actuators from Vent Systems
Not sure which actuator fits? Call us: 040 50694631 (Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm) or use the actuator finder.