Smoke is invasive and can prevent building occupants from escaping to safety, in addition to making it difficult for firefighters to locate the source of the fire itself. Smoke inhalation can incapacitate victims very quickly, leaving them unable to evacuate – all while the growing fire consumes most of the available oxygen. To ensure that buildings and occupants are properly protected, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a number of standards, including requirements for fire exits, emergency escape routes, fire extinguishers and detailed emergency plans. To satisfy these requirements, innovative products are often designed into public spaces. Smoke and fire curtains are two great examples of products designed with fire safety in mind.
Smoke and fire curtains are constructed from a heat-resistant fabric are an essential part of a smoke control and fire management system. A smoke curtain works to retard the flow of smoke and either prevent it from reaching another area of a building or channel it through a specifically planned route. Similarly, a fire curtain’s primary function is to provide fire separation between two spaces and prevent the spread of a fire. Smoke and fire curtains can either be fixed or automatic – depending on the architect’s preference and building purpose – though fire curtains are generally automatic and descend only upon the activation of a fire alarm.
Generally fixed at a high level, automatic smoke and fire curtains are equipped with a motor that will mechanically unroll the fabric a portion of the way to the ground upon receiving a signal from a fire detection system. When the curtain is not in use, it remains retracted at ceiling level. This design is used where fixed curtains are either impractical or aesthetically unacceptable. Fixed smoke and fire curtains are made of a fabric material, typically weighted to reduce deflection caused by air currents, that is clamped and permanently held in place.
Both automatic and fixed curtains are vital elements of an effective smoke and fire control system. In addition to the clear safety benefits, smoke and fire curtains offer architects and design engineers an added design value. Building designers, no longer need to forfeit style for safety as a sleek, and virtually hidden, the retractable design ensures that buildings meet fire safety codes without interrupting the look or feel of the space.
An effective smoke and fire control system ensure that smoke is contained and removed, allows safe evacuation and fire-fighting and minimizes damage to the structure. A vital component of the overall system, smoke and fire curtains keep the non-burning parts of the building accessible and protect vital escape routes while allowing more time for evacuation.
