Fire safety is a central element in modern architecture and construction. It ensures that buildings can protect occupants in the event of a fire. Among the various fire protection measures, the fire curtain stands out as an ingenious solution. This guide to fire curtains provides an in-depth look at fire curtains, including their features, uses and compliance standards.
What Is A Fire Curtain?
A fire curtain is a specially designed barrier that is deployed in the event of a fire to prevent the spread of flames and smoke. Typically made from highly fire-resistant materials, fire curtains can be automatically or manually activated. They are integrated into a building’s fire protection system and are usually installed in spaces where traditional fire doors or walls are impractical. Fire curtains are widely used in open-plan areas like shopping centres, cinemas, theatres and airports.Standard Features Of A Fire Curtain
Fire curtains are designed with several standard features to ensure their effectiveness and reliability during fire emergencies. These features collectively enhance the safety of buildings and the protection of occupants. Therefore, providing an indispensable line of defence against the spread of fire and smoke.Heat Resistance
Heat resistance is one of the most essential attributes of a fire curtain. Fire curtains are constructed from highly fire-resistant materials, such as fibreglass fabrics coated with intumescent substances. These materials can endure extreme temperatures, often exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius. This is without degrading or allowing the fire to penetrate. This capability is crucial in containing the fire within a designated area, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. The ability to withstand such high temperatures ensures that the fire curtain remains effective for the duration of its rated fire resistance time. This may be 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes.
Automatic Deployment
Another vital feature of a fire curtain is automatic deployment. Fire curtains are integrated into the building’s fire detection and alarm systems. When a fire is detected, the alarm triggers the automatic deployment of the fire curtains, which descend from their concealed housings to form a barrier. This automatic response is vital in ensuring a timely reaction to a fire. The rapid deployment helps to contain the fire swiftly, minimising the spread of flames and smoke. They also help to protect evacuation routes.Manual Override
In addition to automatic deployment, fire curtains are equipped with a manual override mechanism. This feature allows the curtains to be manually activated in case of a system failure or power outage. The manual override ensures that even if the automatic system fails, the fire curtains can still be deployed to provide protection. This redundancy is essential for maintaining the reliability and effectiveness of the fire safety system. Therefore, ensuring that the building remains protected under all circumstances.Compact Housing
When not in use, fire curtains are stored in compact housing units, typically located above doorways, windows, or ceiling spaces. This design ensures that the fire curtains are unobtrusive and do not interfere with the building’s aesthetics or everyday operations. The compact housing conceals the fire curtains, making them virtually invisible until they are needed. This feature is particularly beneficial in open-plan designs, where maintaining a seamless and aesthetically pleasing environment is essential.Durable Construction
Durable construction is another hallmark of high-quality fire curtains. The materials used in their manufacture are selected for their durability and longevity. They are built to ensure that the curtains can withstand the rigours of time and environmental factors without compromising their performance. This includes resistance to wear and tear, mechanical damage, and degradation due to exposure to elements such as humidity and dust. The robust construction of fire curtains ensures that they remain reliable and effective over their operational lifespan, providing long-term protection for the building and its occupants.
Why Use A Fire Curtain?
This guide to fire curtains strongly suggests the primary reason to use a fire curtain is to enhance the safety of building occupants during a fire. This enhancement is achieved through several key benefits that fire curtains offer. This includes containment of the fire, creation of safer escape routes and protection of property.
Containment
Containment is one of the most important benefits of fire curtains. When a fire breaks out, it can spread rapidly, engulfing large areas and making it difficult to control. Fire curtains are designed to effectively contain the fire to a specific area, limiting its spread. By doing so, they prevent the flames from reaching other parts of the building, which can be crucial in multi-storey or large open-plan structures. Containment not only helps in managing the fire more effectively but also reduces the risk of it becoming unmanageable. This containment buys valuable time for firefighters to arrive and tackle the blaze, ultimately aiding in quicker and safer fire suppression efforts.
Egress
Egress, or the safe evacuation of building occupants, is significantly improved by the use of fire curtains. During a fire, smoke and flames can quickly obscure visibility and make escape routes hazardous. Fire curtains help to manage and direct the flow of smoke, keeping it confined to specific areas and preventing it from spreading throughout the building. This creates clearer, safer escape routes, allowing occupants to evacuate the premises more quickly and safely. In emergency situations, every second counts, and the improved egress provided by fire curtains can make the difference between life and death. By maintaining breathable air and visibility along evacuation paths, fire curtains ensure that occupants can reach safety with minimal risk of smoke inhalation or other injuries.
Protection of Property
The protection of property is another significant advantage of installing fire curtains. Fires can cause extensive damage to buildings, furniture, equipment, and other assets. By containing the fire to a specific area, fire curtains limit the extent of the damage. Therefore, protecting valuable property and reducing the overall impact of the fire. This containment can significantly lower repair and replacement costs, as well as the associated downtime for businesses. Additionally, by protecting key structural elements of a building, fire curtains help maintain the integrity of the property, potentially preventing a complete loss. This property protection extends to sensitive and high-value areas such as data centres, archives, and critical infrastructure.
Fire Curtain Testing and Compliance
Ensuring the effectiveness of fire curtains is a matter of rigorous testing and adherence to specific standards. This guide to fire curtains explains the two key regulations that govern the design, testing, and installation of fire curtains. These are the British Standard BS 8524 and the European Standard BS EN 16034. These standards play a huge role in verifying that fire curtains meet stringent safety and performance criteria, ensuring their reliability during an emergency.
BS 8524
BS 8524 is a British Standard that specifies the performance requirements for active fire curtain barriers. This standard covers several critical aspects of fire curtain performance, including fire resistance, operational reliability, and smoke containment. Fire curtains tested under BS 8524 must demonstrate their ability to withstand high temperatures for a specified duration, ensuring they can contain the fire and prevent its spread effectively. The standard also assesses the operational reliability of fire curtains, ensuring they can deploy automatically and correctly when a fire is detected. Additionally, BS 8524 includes requirements for the curtain’s ability to restrict the movement of smoke, which is vital for maintaining clear escape routes and protecting building occupants from the harmful effects of smoke inhalation.
BS EN 16034
BS EN 16034 is a European Standard that sets performance characteristics for fire-resistant doors, shutters, and openable windows, including fire curtains. This standard ensures that fire curtains, along with other fire-resistant barriers, meet safety requirements across European markets. BS EN 16034 provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the fire resistance and durability of these products, ensuring they offer consistent protection. The standard includes tests for fire resistance, smoke control, and mechanical durability, ensuring that fire curtains can withstand not only high temperatures but also the physical stresses they might encounter during deployment and operation. By adhering to BS EN 16034, manufacturers can ensure that their fire curtains meet high safety standards and are suitable for use in various building types across Europe.
What Is the Difference Between A Fire Curtain, A Smoke Curtain And A Fire & Smoke Curtain?
This guide to fire curtains looks to explain the differences between fire curtains, smoke curtains, and fire and smoke curtains. Understanding these differences is essential for selecting the right solution for your building. Each type of curtain serves a distinct purpose and offers unique benefits tailored to specific fire safety needs.
Fire Curtains
Fire curtains are primarily designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent the spread of flames. These curtains are made from materials that can endure extreme heat, often in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius. The primary function of a fire curtain is to act as a barrier, compartmentalising the fire to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building. By doing so, fire curtains help contain the blaze within a designated area, providing valuable time for evacuation and for emergency services to respond. However, while fire curtains are highly effective in stopping the spread of flames, they may not be as efficient in controlling smoke. Smoke, being lighter and more pervasive, can seep through small gaps and may not be fully contained by a fire curtain alone. Therefore, while fire curtains offer robust fire resistance, they may require additional measures to manage smoke effectively.
Smoke Curtains
Smoke curtains, on the other hand, are specifically designed to contain and control the movement of smoke. Smoke is often the first and most dangerous element to spread during a fire, posing significant risks to visibility and air quality. Smoke curtains are made from materials that can create a barrier to smoke, preventing it from moving freely through a building. They are typically used to channel smoke towards extraction points, keeping escape routes clear and maintaining breathable air. This is particularly important in large open spaces, such as atriums and shopping centres, where smoke can quickly fill the area and obscure visibility. While smoke curtains excel at managing smoke, they are not necessarily resistant to high temperatures or flames. Their primary role is to enhance visibility and air quality during an evacuation, complementing other fire protection measures that address heat and flames.
Fire & Smoke Curtains
Fire and smoke curtains combine the properties of both fire and smoke curtains, providing comprehensive protection by containing both flames and smoke. These hybrid curtains are designed to withstand high temperatures and create a barrier against smoke, making them an ideal solution for areas requiring high levels of safety. Fire and smoke curtains are made from materials that can endure extreme heat while also preventing the passage of smoke, ensuring that both fire and smoke are confined to specific areas. This dual functionality makes them particularly suitable for complex buildings with high occupancy, such as hospitals, hotels, and large commercial spaces.
Who Needs A Fire Curtain?
Fire curtains are essential in various types of buildings and public spaces where large, open areas present unique fire safety challenges. These environments often have high occupancy rates and require robust fire protection measures to ensure the safety of everyone present.
Open Shops
Open ended shops, particularly those located in shopping centres, are prime candidates for the installation of fire curtains. Shopping centres typically feature expansive open spaces with multiple stores interconnected by common areas. In the event of a fire, the absence of physical barriers can allow flames and smoke to spread rapidly across these large open spaces, endangering shoppers and staff alike. Fire curtains in these environments act as invisible barriers that can be deployed swiftly to section off the affected area, preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent stores and common areas.
Cinemas and Theatres
Cinemas and theatres are another category of venues where fire curtains are critical. These entertainment venues often have large, open auditoriums filled with numerous occupants, creating a high-risk scenario in the event of a fire. The presence of highly flammable materials, such as upholstery and stage curtains, further exacerbates this risk. Fire curtains in cinemas and theatres can be strategically placed to create fire compartments within the building. By containing the fire in specific areas, such as the stage or a particular section of the auditorium, fire curtains prevent the rapid spread of flames and smoke.
Airports and Public Transport Hubs
Airports and public transport hubs are characterised by high traffic and extensive open spaces, making robust fire protection measures like fire curtains indispensable. Airports, in particular, have vast terminals with numerous passengers, shops, and restaurants. In such a dynamic environment, the rapid spread of fire and smoke can have catastrophic consequences. Fire curtains in airports can be deployed to isolate the fire, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the terminal. This isolation helps to protect passengers, staff, and critical infrastructure, such as control rooms and baggage handling areas.
How Often Should A Fire Curtain Be Serviced?
Regular maintenance is important to ensure the functionality and reliability of fire curtains. It is generally recommended to service fire curtains at least once a year. However, the exact frequency can depend on the manufacturer’s guidelines, usage, and specific building regulations. Regular servicing includes checking the curtain’s condition, testing its deployment mechanism, and verifying compliance with current fire safety standards.
To maintain the effectiveness of your fire safety systems, regular servicing by professionals is essential. OHEAP offers comprehensive servicing for fire curtains and smoke curtains, ensuring they remain in optimal working condition. Their services include routine inspections, testing, and maintenance, providing peace of mind that your fire protection measures are reliable and compliant with all relevant standards.