What are the benefits of fire curtains?
An effectively fitted fire curtain can help to suppress the growth and development of a fire and smoke within a building. Building regulations require escape routes to be protected and any opening, such as a doorway or lift opening, that does not utilise fire-resistant barriers poses the risk of fire spreading into designated escape routes.
Can I use a smoke curtain as a fire curtain?
If you try to use a smoke curtain in an application where a fire curtain is needed, the smoke curtain will not be robust enough to withstand the fire temperatures. differences and are not interchangeable.
What is the difference between a fire curtain and a door?
Unlike fire doors, curtains can be installed in a number of different locations including where there are a lack of walls, such as in open plan spaces. A fire curtain can be used to replace a non-load bearing wall and fire rated glazing, for example, which in turn allows open plan building designs to still meet the relevant regulations.
What is the purpose of smoke curtains in an elevator?
Elevator Smoke Curtains Elevator smoke curtains perform the vital function of blocking smoke from entering and exiting through elevator doors. Elevator shafts cause air to be pulled upwards through to the roof of the building. In the event of a fire, this can cause smoke to spread quickly to other floors of the building.
What is the function of fire curtain?
Although they're an active system, fire curtains are used for compartmentation. In open plan and complex buildings, fire curtains compartmentalise space in the same way that fire doors do. They drop down and seal an area off, containing the fire from floor to ceiling, within the perimeter of the curtain (or curtains).
What is a fire safety curtain?
Fire safety curtains provide a barrier between the stage and auditorium in the event of a fire. The curtain prevents the heat, smoke and flame from a fire on stage from affecting an audience while the auditorium is evacuated.
How is a fire curtain activated?
They are installed with automatic machinery that activates and deploys them in the event of a fire. This activation is triggered by some kind of fire alarm of your choice. Once the alarm has been triggered, the curtains will be lowered down, creating a barrier which the fire cannot spread past.
What do you shout when bringing in the fire curtain?
Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless you are trained to do so. Leave fire fighting to the professionals. To waken anyone who may be asleep, shout, “Fire! Everyone out!”
Where are fire curtains required?
Fire curtains and smoke curtains are designed to be used in doorways, lift doors, in corridors and egress areas where it is important for: people in the building to be protected from smoke and fire whilst escaping in emergency conditions.
How does a safety curtain work?
Safety curtains are often designed with sprinkler heads for water to run down from a sprinkler system onto the stage as well. This further distils the effect of fires on-stage and brings a lowered chance of fires spreading.
How long does a fire curtain last?
This product provides effective fire resistance for up to 180 minutes. In some applications, a horizontal fire curtain may be more suitable and may even replace the need for multiple vertical curtains.
What are fire curtains made of?
A safety curtain (or fire curtain in America) is a fire safety precaution used in large proscenium theatres. It is usually a heavy fibreglass or iron curtain located immediately behind the proscenium arch.
How do you test fire curtains?
The fire curtain testing should verify the following items: Check the closing speed of the curtain assembly. Visual inspection for signs of damage, like holes, or tears in the surfaces of the curtain cloth. Ensure that mounting and assembly bolts are intact and secured.
How often should a fire curtain be serviced?
annualFire Curtain Servicing: Professional Inspections Coopers recommend an annual inspection in domestic premises or small offices, but at least 6-monthly inspections for large installations such as shopping malls, apartment complexes, offices and retail spaces etc.
What do you remember in case of fire?
What To Do if a Fire StartsKnow how to safely operate a fire extinguisher.Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. ... If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out.More items...
How do you escape a burning building?
If you must move through it, get low, where the air is cleaner and cooler, and crawl under it. Close doors behind you as you exit, which can help slow a fire's spread. People seek to escape buildings via a familiar route; get to know available exits ahead of time. Flee down.
What are fire curtains made of?
A safety curtain (or fire curtain in America) is a fire safety precaution used in large proscenium theatres. It is usually a heavy fibreglass or iron curtain located immediately behind the proscenium arch.
How long does a fire curtain last?
This product provides effective fire resistance for up to 180 minutes. In some applications, a horizontal fire curtain may be more suitable and may even replace the need for multiple vertical curtains.
How often should fire curtains be tested?
Fire Curtain Servicing: Professional Inspections Coopers recommend an annual inspection in domestic premises or small offices, but at least 6-monthly inspections for large installations such as shopping malls, apartment complexes, offices and retail spaces etc.
What are fire shutters?
What is a fire shutter? Fire shutters are used as structural barriers to compartmentalize and prevent the spread of fire. Generally made of galvanized steel or stainless steel, fire shutters offer a traditional and robust method of fire compartmentation.
But first, what is a fire curtain?
A Fire curtain is a deployable fire-rated textile that descends from the ceiling to block an opening and stop fire and smoke from spreading. It comprises a housing (headbox), lateral guides, and closing strip (bottom bar).
How does a fire curtain work?
The curtain will remain inside the headbox until triggered by a local detector or fire alarm control panel. In the event of a fire, the fire curtain will descend, sealing off an opening.
Meet the Fire Protective Curtain FA from Fire Curtain Technologies
The Fire Curtain FA is an automatic, gravity fail-safe barrier with integrated seals. The Fire Protective Curtain FA is UL 10D listed and approved for fire protection. This opening protective curtain complies with NFPA 80 requirements and is available with 1-hour and 3-hour fire ratings and UL listed low-voltage 48VDC motor.
What are fire curtains?
Fire curtains are a type of active fire protection – meaning that they respond to the presence of fire. Other types of active fire protection include sprinkler systems, alarms and smoke curtains. Although they’re an active system, fire curtains are used for compartmentation. In open plan and complex buildings, fire curtains compartmentalise space ...
What is the science behind fire curtain?
The real science behind the fire curtain isn’t the cutting edge materials or advanced controls and sensors: the science comes from understanding fire and depriving it of what it needs to spread. That effect only comes into play when a fire curtain is deployed. Compartmentation.
Is fire resistant fabric fireproof?
Fire resistant fibreglass is the main ingredient for the business end of a fire curtain. Fibreglass can be woven with metals to further enhance their resistance to heat and add strength. Notice that we call it fire resistant and not fireproof: that’s not a disclaimer, it’s the truth. The reality is that nothing can be fireproof – given enough heat ...
Disclaimer: A Variety of Fire Curtain Options
Whilst we’ll go on to explain some of the specific details of our fire curtains and how they work, it’s important to note that we install all of our fire curtains ourselves and our experts can tailor your fire curtain installation to meet your needs.
How Do Fire Curtains Work?
Put simply, fire curtains are fireproof curtains that block fire from spreading past them. They are made from extremely flame-retardant material that can keep a fire at bay for up to two hours.
Our Fire Curtains Are Automatic
The fire curtains we install here at K&D Systems are automatic, which means they are folded up out of sight until they are needed. We connect the fire curtains up to your fire alarm system and they are activated when enough smoke or heat triggers the alarm.
Where Should You Install Fire Curtains?
Obviously, it matters greatly where you choose to install your fire curtains. If installed in the wrong place, they will be a wasted investment; if installed in the right place, they could save lives and thousands of pounds of potential damages.
What Are the Benefits of Installing Fire Curtains?
We’ve discussed the benefits of installing fire curtains throughout this blog post, but it’s worth focusing on them in a little more detail. First of all, fire curtains have been proven to save lives. Even the most ferocious fires can be held at bay by our fire curtains, and this buys people (visitors and staff) plenty of time to escape.
How do smoke curtains protect businesses?
How Smoke Curtains Protect Businesses. Water sprinkler systems and other response equipment are built to extinguish flames. This works well for protecting the building itself but leaves room for improvement when it comes to protecting human health .
What are smoke curtains?
Smoke curtains are the ideal solution for smoke control. You can easily install them into existing buildings, and they work with other detection and response systems already in place. Unlike other smoke control equipment such as outdoor exhaust vents, smoke curtains provide a physical barrier against smoke.
What are smoke curtains used for in elevators?
2. Vertical Smoke Curtains. Vertical smoke curtains are typically used to close off openings from standard doorways to larger atriums.
How effective are smoke curtains?
They are highly effective at protecting occupants from smoke inhalation and reducing smoke and heat damage to the building itself. For more information on how smoke curtains can help protect your business, contact a representative at Smoke Guard today.
What is the purpose of smoke curtains in elevators?
Elevator smoke curtains perform the vital function of blocking smoke from entering and exiting through elevator doors. Elevator shafts cause air to be pulled upwards through to the roof of the building. In the event of a fire, this can cause smoke to spread quickly to other floors of the building.
Where do smoke curtains deploy?
When deployed, the smoke curtain will deploy vertically from its housing located in the ceiling. These curtains can seal off doorways and elevators, and they can even form an independent perimeter around staircases and atriums where no walls are present.
What are the different types of smoke curtains?
There are four main styles of smoke curtains: Elevator, Vertical, Draft and Perimeter. Each style of curtain is compatible with other fire safety systems and can be installed to automatically deploy when a fire or smoke sensor is tripped.
