What is the purpose of a 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 does the fire safety curtain do for fire protection?

Occupational safety and health regulations state that the safety curtain must be able to resist fire and thereby prevent (or at least hinder) fires starting on stage from spreading to the auditorium and the rest of the theatre, reducing injuries to audience members and members of staff.

What makes curtains fire retardant?

There are some dry-cleaners which are specialized in treating flame-retardant curtains. Durably Flame Retardant (DFR): These fabrics are treated with a chemical that is non-water soluble. That makes these fabrics more durable and can be washed up to 25 times without them losing their flame-retardant properties.

Do curtains have to be fire retardant?

All fabrics, curtains, drapes and similar features should either be non-combustible* or be of durably or inherently flame-retardant fabric. Drapes and curtains should not be provided across escape routes or exits.

What is the difference between smoke curtain and fire curtain?

Smoke Curtains don’t descend to ground level (ceiling to floor). They are generally set above head height, so as not to interfere with the means of escape. A fire curtain, on the other hand, is used to provide fire separation between two spaces.

How often should fire curtains be tested?

At least monthly, and on escape routes weekly, the curtain should be test operated. If it forms part of a smoke control system protecting a means of escape, the barrier assembly should be operated in conjunction with the smoke control system, at least every three months.

Where are the fire curtains used?

Therefore, fire and smoke curtains are used to protect building occupants when evacuating a building. With the assistance of certification and testing, a fire barrier is meant to face up the warmth and effects of a fire for a selected period of your time.

What are fire curtains?

A fire curtain is, in simple terms, a highly robust piece of fire-resistant material that remains discretely suspended from a ceiling, lobby or doorway, until it is lowered when the smoke or fire alarm within a building is triggered.

How can you tell if curtains are fire resistant?

How do we know if our curtains or decorative materials meet the State fire code? Typically flame retardant treated fabrics or decorative materials would have a tag attached to the fabric stating when the item was treated, with which approved product, and when re-treatment is necessary.

Are curtains a fire hazard?

Can curtains catch fire? Definitely yes! Since curtains are usually made of flammable textiles or fabrics and synthetic fibres, they are prone to fire hazards, and curtain fires are commonly caused by overheating appliances such as high-power lamps, iron, and etc.

How do I know if my curtains are flame retardant?

Under NFPA 701, drapery fabric is tested by burning a small sample and measuring the flame, char length and flaming residue. If a fabric meets the NFPA 701 standards in these three areas, the fabric is considered flame retardant.

What are the 2 types of smoke curtain?

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.

• Elevator Smoke Curtains.
• Vertical Smoke Curtains.
• Draft Curtains.
• Perimeter Curtains.