NAIROBI, Kenya — Spanish industrial ventilation specialist SODECA showcased its ventilation and smoke-control technologies at Mega Clima Expo Kenya 2026, held at Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, highlighting solutions for industrial facilities, commercial buildings and residential developments.
Speaking to CCE News at the exhibition, Ernest Tatjer, Country Area Manager at SODECA, discussed the company’s ventilation technologies and their relevance to Kenya and the wider East African market.
SODECA’s participation comes as building services, industrial infrastructure and fire-safety requirements create opportunities for specialised ventilation systems across the region.
Ventilation Beyond Conventional Air Conditioning
While air conditioning remains a major component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market, ventilation serves a distinct function in maintaining indoor air quality, removing contaminated air and managing airflow in buildings and industrial facilities.
SODECA specialises in air movement and ventilation systems for applications ranging from industrial exhaust to commercial building ventilation and smoke extraction.
Tatjer highlighted the importance of adapting ventilation solutions to local operating conditions. Climate, building design and application requirements all influence how ventilation systems are specified, making project-specific engineering important when selecting equipment for African markets.
For developers and facility operators, ventilation technology can affect indoor air quality, energy consumption and operating costs, alongside compliance with applicable building and fire-safety requirements.
Smoke Extraction and Fire-Safety Applications
A key area of SODECA’s portfolio is high-temperature smoke extraction, which helps manage smoke during building fires.
According to technical specifications discussed during the interview, relevant systems can operate at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 400°C for up to two hours, depending on the product rating and configuration.
Such systems can form part of a building’s wider fire-safety strategy, particularly in facilities where smoke management is critical to evacuation and emergency response. Applications may include commercial complexes, industrial facilities, car parks and other developments requiring engineered smoke-control systems.
SODECA’s wider ventilation portfolio also serves several market segments:
- Industrial and manufacturing: Exhaust ventilation and air movement for production environments.
- Commercial buildings and shopping centres: Smoke extraction, stairwell pressurisation and ventilation systems.
- Residential and hospitality developments: Ducted ventilation and indoor air-quality applications.
Equipment selection depends on the building design, applicable safety standards and the specific requirements of each installation.
Adapting Ventilation Technology to African Markets
Ventilation requirements vary across regions because of differences in climate, building design, occupancy and operating conditions.
In Kenya, where projects range from commercial developments and hospitality facilities to manufacturing plants and infrastructure, ventilation systems must be selected according to the demands of each application.
For example, industrial facilities may require robust exhaust systems to remove heat, fumes or airborne contaminants, while commercial buildings may need carefully engineered ventilation and smoke-control solutions.
These requirements make technical design, system efficiency and appropriate equipment selection important considerations for developers, consultants and contractors.
For manufacturers such as SODECA, engagement with the regional construction and engineering sectors provides an opportunity to demonstrate how specialised ventilation technologies can address these varied applications.
What It Means for Kenya’s HVAC and Construction Sectors
SODECA’s presence at Mega Clima Expo Kenya 2026 highlights the role of specialised ventilation technologies in the region’s evolving building-services market.
As projects become more technically demanding, ventilation decisions extend beyond equipment installation to encompass indoor air quality, operational efficiency, maintenance and fire safety.
For contractors, consultants and developers, understanding the capabilities of different ventilation systems is essential when specifying solutions for industrial, commercial and residential projects.
The exhibition also provided a platform for SODECA to engage with industry professionals and showcase technologies relevant to Kenya’s construction and industrial sectors.
As East Africa’s built environment continues to develop, specialised ventilation and smoke-control systems will remain important considerations in designing safer, more efficient buildings and industrial facilities.
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