Why Do We Need Automatic Fire
Curtains?
Smoke is the greatest threat to life safety in a fire situation, graphics 1
and 2 indicate one of the many problems smoke can cause in large buildings.
In the event of a fire at a lower level, smoke will rise and enter the
upper floors. This smoke will reduce visibility and cause occupants to be disorientated,
and could result in deaths.
By using Smoke Curtains with Smoke Ventilators and fresh air intake it is
possible to ensure that the unaffected floors are protected.
The smoke detections system would activate and the Smoke Curtain system
would be deployed on all floors with the exception of the floor on which the
fire has been detected.
In turn the smoke extraction system would operate. Smoke is restricted to
the fire floor leaving the remainder of the building free from smoke allowing safe
egress for the occupants.
Fire compartmentation is a requirement of Building Regulations, access
routes through fire compartment walls need to be protected to provide the
required fire integrity.
A cost effective solution is to install Automatic Fire Curtains which are a
lightweight compact and convenient alternative to fire shutters.
Upon activation of the fire alarm system the fire curtain would descend and
a compartment with a fire rating of 4 hours would be created.
Fire curtains can be manufactured to various widths using single or
multiple roller systems.
