Fire curtain

Planning Gateway One - Glossary, published on the Planning Portal, defines a fire curtain as a: ‘Moveable screen designed to close an opening or divide an area within a building so as to prevent or restrict the spread of fire, smoke or fire gases. Deployed during an emergency.’

Fire curtains can play a critical role in fire safety systems, serving as barriers in the containment and management of fire and smoke within buildings. These protective barriers are engineered to delay the spread of fire and smoke, safeguarding occupants and allowing time for evacuation or the activation of fire suppression systems.

Fundamentally, fire curtains are flexible barriers made from robust, fire-resistant materials. They are designed to descend automatically from concealed positions within the ceiling when triggered by a fire alarm system. Unlike static fire doors, fire curtains remain hidden and only deploy when necessary, making them an unobtrusive yet highly effective addition to a building’s fire safety systems. Their deployment mechanism is linked to the building’s fire detection system, ensuring they react promptly to any indication of a fire hazard.

By segmenting areas within a building, they prevent fire and smoke from spreading beyond the affected zone. This containment is crucial for protecting evacuation routes such as stairwells and corridors, which need to remain clear and smoke-free during emergencies.

In the context of large public venues such as shopping centres, theatres, and airports, open spaces are often designed to encourage the flow of people, making permanent fire walls impractical. Fire curtains offer a flexible alternative that can be deployed only when needed, without compromising the building's aesthetic or functionality in day-to-day use.

Fire curtains are also adapted for use in spaces where traditional fire doors would be impractical due to design limitations or functional requirements. For instance, museums and historic buildings often face restrictions when it comes to installing permanent fire barriers. In such cases, fire curtains offer a non-invasive solution that preserves the architectural integrity while enhancing safety.

BS 8524-1:2013, Active fire curtain barrier assemblies - Specification, outlines performance requirements and methods of testing methods. .

Advanced models are designed to withstand not only high temperatures but also the pressures associated with fast-moving fires, ensuring that the containment remains effective even under challenging conditions. Some models come equipped with features such as smoke seals or overlapping edges, enhancing their ability to prevent smoke infiltration, which is often a more immediate threat to occupants than flames due to its toxic nature.

The proper maintenance and regular testing of fire curtains requires a regime of inspection and servicing, ensuring that the fire curtains are in optimal working condition at all times. This proactive approach minimises the risk of malfunction when the curtains are needed most.