Smoke curtains: reliable protection in the event of fire
Contents:
Smoke curtains are an effective fire protection solution that provides control over the spread of smoke and fire, facilitates evacuation and protects property from damage.
The wide range of applications and the flexibility of the design make smoke curtains the ideal solution for various facilities.
What are smoke curtains?
Smoke curtains are systems that are used to control the spread of smoke in the event of a fire. They are made of fire-resistant material that forms the curtain coat. Depending on the design and mode of operation, smoke curtains can be divided into fixed and movable. The fire resistance class is also important.
Main advantages of smoke curtains
Smoke curtains are an effective and efficient fire protection solution that offers a number of benefits:
- reduce the spread of smoke and heat: During a fire, smoke and heat pose a serious threat to human health and life. Smoke curtains limit their spread by creating smoke zones and smoke tanks, which facilitates evacuation and protects property from damage.
- increase the chances of saving lives: The operation of smoke curtains gives more time to leave the building, giving rescue and firefighting teams more time to extinguish the fire and save people.
- minimize material damage: smoke and fire can cause significant material damage. Smoke curtains protect infrastructure and equipment from their harmful effects, reducing losses to a minimum.
- they meet all safety requirements and fire standards: smoke curtains comply with applicable fire regulations and standards, which ensures the safety of their use.
Types of smoke curtains
There are two main types of smoke curtains: fixed curtains and movable curtains. Each of them has its own specific features and applications.
Fixed smoke curtains
These curtains are always unfolded and form a permanent partition in the room. They work well in large halls, warehouses, garages. They can be modularly combined into curtain lines of unlimited sizes.
Movable smoke curtains
These curtains are used to divide the space and create smoke zones – they are lowered or raised as needed. They are usually used in public and commercial buildings. They can be combined into sets of unlimited dimensions and adapted to different shapes of the room (arch, ellipse, circle).
What materials is a smoke curtain made of?
The smoke curtain jacket, which is its basic element, can be made of various materials, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular materials are:
- non-flammable fiberglass fabric; additionally, it can be covered with a layer of PVC or teflon
- stainless steel
- polycarbonate
- glass
- aluminum foil
- aramid fabric (kevlar).
Which smoke curtain to choose?
Choosing the right material for your smoke curtain coat depends on many factors, such as:
- purpose of the facility: different types of facilities have different fire protection needs,
- fire hazard level: the fire hazard level determines the required fire resistance of the material,
- budget: the prices of materials vary depending on their type and characteristics,
- aesthetics: choose a material that will be aesthetically matched to the interior.
Each type of smoke curtain is designed and used depending on the specific requirements of a given facility and the applicable fire regulations.
Fire resistance classes of smoke curtains
Smoke curtains are available in various fire resistance classes. Resistance class D, DH means that the curtain effectively stops: fire at a temperature of approx. 600°C or up to approx. 1000°C for a specified time, which can be e.g. 30, 60, 90, 133, 160 or 181 minutes.
Servicing smoke curtains
It is important to regularly service and inspect smoke curtains so that they work flawlessly if necessary. In the event of a fire, their malfunction can have serious consequences for human health and life.
Summary
Choosing the right type of smoke curtain depends on the specifics of the building and the design guidelines. Fixed curtains are particularly useful in the case of large halls or warehouses, where it is necessary to maintain a fixed partition. Movable curtains are mainly used in confined spaces. Regardless of the type of curtain, their use increases the safety of building users and minimizes material losses in the event of a fire.
