Fire Curtains

A fire curtain is a specially constructed curtain that descends from the ceiling to block an opening and stop fire and smoke spreading between two areas. In larger structures, several fire curtains are used which divide the building into ‘fire compartments’ when there is a fire. A fire curtain is similar to a metal roller shutter in that it descends vertically as it un-rolls from a ‘top box’, however because a fire curtain is made of a woven fibre glass material, it is much more flexible and compact. This means a curtain can be more closely fitted within a space and therefore provides much better compartmentation. The compact construction of fire curtains makes them an ideal choice for lobbies, hatches and stairwells where there is limited space. When included in the design stage of a building, they can be recessed into walls and ceilings leaving a thin slit as the only indication that the curtain is there. There are several types of fire curtain: Automatic Fire curtains: most non-static fire curtains are in fact automatic. They are linked to the fire alarm system, so they automatically descend when there is a fire. Static Fire Curtains: also called fixed fire curtains, these curtains are permanently in place and are used to provide compartmentation in open spaces such as warehouses or lofts. Insulated Fire Curtains: these curtains provide extra insulation and allow people to pass by much closer to the curtain without being affected by the heat of the fire on the other side.