Regulatory guide

Smoke ventilation standards in Morocco: what the regulations require

In Morocco, smoke ventilation is governed by Decree no. 2-14-499 of 20 Hijja 1435 (15 October 2014), which enacts the general building regulation setting the safety rules against fire and panic risks in buildings, published in Official Bulletin no. 6344. It requires public-access buildings (ERP), high-rise buildings (IGH), industrial buildings and multi-occupancy residential buildings to have detection, suppression and smoke ventilation systems appropriate to their classification. Smoke ventilation may be natural (roof vents and low-level air inlets) or mechanical (extract fans rated to keep working in hot smoke), and detection, smoke ventilation and ventilation installations must be inspected at least once a year.

Which buildings must have smoke ventilation?

The building's classification determines how far the obligations go. The larger the occupancy and the longer the escape time, the higher the level of requirement.

Public-access buildings (ERP): classified by type of activity (J, L, M, O, U and so on) and by category according to the occupancy they take.
High-rise buildings (IGH): smoke ventilation of corridors and stairwells is addressed as a matter of course.
Industrial buildings and warehouses: workshops, production halls, storage areas with a high fire load.
Covered car parks: a dual duty of sanitary ventilation and smoke ventilation.
Enclosed escape corridors and basement spaces with no direct opening to the outside.

Natural or mechanical smoke ventilation: how to choose

Natural smoke ventilation removes smoke by thermal buoyancy through roof vents paired with low-level air inlets. Mechanical smoke ventilation uses extract fans able to operate in hot smoke. The choice depends on the ceiling height, the floor area, where the space sits in the building and whether the roof can be penetrated.

Natural versus mechanical smoke ventilation
Criterion	Natural smoke ventilation	Mechanical smoke ventilation
Principle	Thermal buoyancy through roof vents plus air inlets	Forced extraction by smoke extraction fans
Best suited to	High-ceilinged halls and spaces with roof access	Basements, car parks, corridors, internal rooms
Energy	No consumption in operation	Requires a backed-up electrical supply
Watch out for	Depends on outdoor conditions (wind, temperature)	Temperature rating of the fans and the ductwork

What a compliant smoke ventilation installation contains

Smoke extraction fans able to run in hot smoke; the temperature rating is declared to EN 12101-3 (typically classes F200 to F400 depending on the application).
Smoke control dampers and fire dampers, motorised and released remotely from the fire alarm and control system.
Smoke ventilation ductwork correctly sized and fire-stable along its whole route.
Roof vents and air inlets for natural solutions.
Relay control panels and safety electrical supplies.
A fire alarm and control system: a category A system integrates fire detection able to release the safety devices automatically, smoke ventilation among them.

Inspection, maintenance and the safety log

A smoke ventilation installation is only compliant if it stays operational over time. Detection, smoke ventilation and ventilation installations are subject to inspection at least once a year, and evacuation drills are held periodically (usually every six months in a workplace).

Functional testing of dampers, fire dampers and roof vents, and of their release from the fire alarm system.
Verification of extraction airflow rates and of air flow direction.
Checks on safety electrical supplies and relay control panels.
Duct cleaning and replacement of wearing parts.
Recording every visit in the building's safety log.

Bringing a building into compliance: how it works

Compliance work runs in four stages: survey of what is there (space measurements, building classification, equipment in place), airflow study and sizing calculations, remedial works (fans, ducts, dampers, interlocks), then acceptance testing and handover of the technical file. AZ Ventilation carries out all four stages from Casablanca and works across the whole of Morocco.

The exact classification of the building and the requirements that apply to it still have to be confirmed with the competent fire safety commission and the approved inspection body appointed for the project: the regulation sets general rules that every configuration interprets differently.

Frequently asked questions

Which smoke ventilation standard applies in Morocco?

The governing text is Decree no. 2-14-499 of 15 October 2014, which enacts the general building regulation setting the safety rules against fire and panic risks in buildings (Official Bulletin no. 6344). It applies to public-access buildings, high-rise buildings, industrial buildings and multi-occupancy residential buildings, and requires detection, suppression and smoke ventilation systems appropriate to the building's classification.

Is smoke ventilation mandatory in an industrial warehouse in Morocco?

Yes, in the great majority of cases. Industrial buildings and warehouses fall within the scope of the fire safety regulation, and large-area spaces, storage zones and basement spaces with no opening to the outside must have smoke ventilation. Exactly how far the duties extend depends on the floor area, the height and the fire load stored.

What is the difference between natural and mechanical smoke ventilation?

Natural smoke ventilation removes smoke by thermal buoyancy, through roof vents paired with low-level air inlets, with no energy consumption. Mechanical smoke ventilation uses extract fans on a backed-up power supply, able to operate in hot smoke; it is required wherever natural buoyancy cannot work, in particular in basements, covered car parks and enclosed escape corridors.

How often must a smoke ventilation installation be inspected?

Detection, smoke ventilation and ventilation installations must be inspected at least once a year by a competent person. Each inspection covers the operation of dampers, fire dampers and roof vents, their release from the fire alarm and control system, the extraction airflow rates and the safety supplies, and must be recorded in the safety log.

Which fans should be used for smoke extraction?

Fans specifically intended for smoke extraction, whose temperature rating is declared to EN 12101-3. The class chosen (F200, F300 or F400, for example) depends on the application and the operating duration required in hot smoke. A standard comfort ventilation fan can never stand in for a smoke extraction fan.

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