Harsh environmental conditions make stringent design/construction demands on components and materials. Designers of oil/gas platforms in the North Sea demanded a fast closing electric actuator for fire/smoke dampers of less than 1 second. After a development programme of approx. 1 year, including trials, a completely new concept in actuator engineering was produced. Since that time, thousands of Schischek actuators in special AISI 316 stainless steel housings have been delivered and installed, moreover the product range has been con- tinuously developed and refined.