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Case Study

Cornell Quarter

Designing, manufacturing, and supplying natural smoke ventilation products that deliver safety, comfort, and compliance for Teesside University’s student accommodation.

Client

SES Engineering

Sector

Student Accommodation

Location

North East

Natural

The Challenge

Delivering compliant, natural smoke ventilation under tight university build deadlines.

In 2019, Teesside University began work on a major student accommodation expansion, including the £21 million Cornell Quarter development. The project required a high-performance natural smoke ventilation solution that would ensure student safety, meet stringent Building Regulations, and align with sustainability goals - all within an accelerated construction schedule.

Sertus was appointed by SES Engineering to design, manufacture, and supply natural smoke ventilation products that could be integrated seamlessly into the university’s wider fire safety system. Reliability, speed of supply, and certified performance were key to meeting the tight completion deadline ahead of the 2020 student intake.

SES Engineering are national building services specialists known for their expertise in mechanical, electrical, and smoke control systems for complex residential and educational developments.

Sertus provided us with high-quality smoke ventilation products that not only met our safety requirements but also ensured smooth and hassle-free installation. Their support and expertise were invaluable throughout the project.

Anthony Glastonbury

Project Manager, SES Engineering

The Solution

A natural smoke ventilation system enabled by Sertus products – combining safety, efficiency, and comfort.

Single Leaf Vent | Poly

Chosen for their fast-acting operation, reliability, and fire-rated construction, the RSL-R units provided the primary natural smoke exhaust for stairwells and circulation spaces. Each vent opens to 160° within 60 seconds, ensuring rapid smoke clearance in the event of fire while supporting passive airflow in normal operation.

With glazing options from double to quadruple polycarbonate and fire classifications of BROOF (t4) and B-s3, d0, the units delivered both safety and thermal comfort for year-round student living.

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Together, these Sertus-supplied products enabled a compliant natural smoke ventilation strategy that balanced performance, comfort, and ease of integration for SES Engineering and Teesside University.

The Results

Reliable performance, fast installation, and long-term compliance.

0°

Vent opening within 60 seconds for rapid smoke clearance

<0W/m²K

Typical U-value achieved with insulated cover options

0dB

Noise reduction with quadruple glazing

Key Benefits

Proven performance

Each vent tested and certified to BS EN 12101-2, ensuring full compliance with UK Building Regulations.

Energy and acoustic efficiency

Multi-layer polycarbonate glazing options deliver low U-values and improved internal comfort.

Ease of integration

Lightweight modular design simplified installation for SES Engineering’s on-site team.

Sustainability and durability

Manufactured using recyclable materials with weather-resistant construction for long-term reliability.

Education sector ready

Quiet, safe, and visually unobtrusive – ideal for student accommodation and similar residential environments.

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Next Case Study

Jaguar Land Rover Showroom

Designing, manufacturing, and supplying fully mechanical smoke ventilation products to safeguard lives, property, and prestige vehicles in a landmark commercial development.

Sector

Commercial

System Type

Mechanical

Client

Ambivent Facilities Management

Products

RSL-R, SLD, Pod Original

View Case Study