With the Mehr! theatre in Hamburg, the architects and planners literally make the link between historical architecture and state-of-the-art event technology. A theatre and musical stage, which can be used for various event concepts, was integrated over 4,000 m² in the listed halls of the Hamburg wholesale market. In order to ensure the safety of the visitors, a fire protection concept was developed, which includes all the special features of the Mehr! theatre. For example, the smoke extraction concept had to meet special requirements due to the statics and the high ceiling height of the room.

Need for smoke extraction

The Regulations on Places of Assembly serves as the basis for the smoke extraction of the Mehr! theatre. In this respect, the wholesale market hall and theatre were considered separately for the smoke extraction planning and this led to the fire protection separation of the two areas. Since the footprint of the theatre is more than 1,000 m², it is necessary that a low-smoke layer of at least 2.5 metres is guaranteed on all smoke extraction floors in the event of a fire.

Helios smoke extraction technology

This low-smoke layer guarantees adequate visibility in case of emergency and thus serves the self-rescue of the persons inside the theatre, as well as the facilitation of fire service extinguishing work. Twelve supply air and smoke extraction fans fulfil these requirements. In the event of a fire, six axial fans blow supply air into the auditorium. These are positioned so that air flows in evenly at a moderate speed under the stands and to the left and right of the stage.

The four axial smoke extraction fans B AVD and two smoke extraction roof fans BDVD on the roof ensure the extraction of smoke and thus the reliable smoke extraction from the theatre. As a result, an air volume of 390,000 m³ per hour can be extracted via the axial smoke extraction fans and smoke extraction roof fans.

The same volume of supply air flows into the auditorium via the axial fans and the doors for air balance. In order to guarantee operation, even at high smoke layer temperatures, the smoke extraction system is designed for a operating period of at least 30 minutes at a smoke gas temperature of 300°C.

High operational reliability with the Helios bearing condition diagnostics system LZD

Since the fans in the Mehr! theatre are only used in the event of a fire, their functionality must be guaranteed even after a longer period of standstill. For this purpose, all twelve fans are equipped with a Helios bearing condition diagnostics system which monitors the condition of the motor bearings. This ensures a high level of operational reliability because incipient bearing damage can be detected and repaired at an early stage.

Images: Mehr! Entertainment / Helios Ventilatoren