Smoke Barriers in the Sky: Elevator Smoke Curtain Skyscraper Safety

high-rise building

Elevator smoke curtains play a vital role in ensuring the safety of occupants in high-rise buildings during fire emergencies.

These systems are designed to prevent smoke from spreading through elevator shafts, which can act as chimneys that rapidly draw smoke to upper floors.

By creating a barrier to block smoke from entering the elevator shaft, the smoke containment system helps maintain a smoke-free evacuation path for building occupants. This is critical for allowing people to safely exit the building via the stairs without being overcome by smoke inhalation.

The smoke containment system usually consists of a curtain of non-combustible material that deploys from the elevator shaft ceiling to seal off the opening when triggered by a smoke detector.

Some systems also pressurize the elevator shaft with clean air to further prevent smoke infiltration. In addition to enabling safe evacuation, elevator smoke containment helps firefighters utilize the elevators for staging and rescue operations by keeping the shafts clear of smoke.

Properly functioning smoke containment is an essential fire safety feature in tall buildings where many occupants would struggle to evacuate quickly enough by stairs alone. It works in tandem with other fire safety elements like alarms, sprinklers and pressurized stairwells to protect lives in the event of a high-rise fire emergency.

Elevating Fire Protection: How Smoke Containment Curtains are Redefining Building Codes

DSI 600 Elevator Smoke Containment System®

Smoke containment curtains are revolutionizing building codes and regulations, particularly when it comes to elevator safety. As codes evolve to prioritize smoke containment in elevator shafts during a fire, manufacturers are racing to develop innovative curtain systems that meet and exceed these stricter requirements.

By creating barriers that block smoke and toxic fumes from spreading floor-to-floor via elevator openings, these curtains provide critical extra minutes for safe evacuation while preventing smoke inhalation injuries.

Consequently, elevator smoke curtains have become a key component of fire and life safety systems in new building designs. As codes continue to advance, a close collaboration between curtain makers, code consultants, and construction firms is allowing them to stay one step ahead – integrating the latest certified curtain systems into buildings from the ground up.

This shift is having a major impact on the construction industry, from design and planning to cost control, as smoke curtains become an essential requirement for code compliance and occupant safety in modern multi-story buildings.

Smoke-Free Elevators: Designing the Future of Vertical Transportation Safety

elevator cab allowing passengers to see out

Manufacturers are making significant strides in developing new smoke containment technologies to enhance passenger safety. One promising advancement is the use of transparent elevator smoke curtains that deploy automatically when smoke is detected, creating a barrier to prevent smoke from entering the elevator cab while still allowing passengers to see out.

Another key innovation is the increased use of fire-rated materials in elevator construction, from the paneling and flooring to the wiring and mechanical components.

These specialized materials are designed to withstand intense heat and flames for extended periods, helping to keep smoke and fire from spreading to the elevator shafts and other parts of the building.

With stricter safety regulations and ongoing research, smoke containment is becoming an increasingly critical aspect of modern elevator systems.

Unveiling the Importance of Elevator Smoke Containment Systems

Elevator smoke curtains deployed

Elevator smoke curtains are a vitally important safety feature in many buildings, but their critical role in protecting lives is frequently taken for granted. These specially designed curtains, usually made of a fire-resistant fiberglass material, are installed above elevator doors.

In the event of a fire, they automatically deploy downward to cover the elevator opening. By creating a tight seal around the elevator doors, smoke curtains prevent deadly smoke and heat from spreading to other floors via the elevator shaft. This buys precious time for people to evacuate the building safely, while also making it easier for firefighters to locate and extinguish the blaze without dealing with smoke-filled hallways and stairs.

Although they are seldom noticed until an emergency arises, elevator smoke curtains work tirelessly in the background as an essential component of a building’s fire protection system, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to keep occupants out of harm’s way.

Elevator smoke curtains are a vital safety feature that helps protect people during fire emergencies, but many people don’t even realize they exist. These specially designed curtains are meant to keep smoke and heat from spreading between floors through the elevator shaft during a fire.

Without smoke curtains, a fire on a single floor could allow dangerous smoke to quickly fill the elevator shaft and spread to other levels of the building, putting lives at risk. The curtains deploy automatically when smoke is detected to seal off the elevator entrance and prevent this deadly smoke migration.

While sprinklers and other fire suppression systems tend to get more attention, smoke curtains working behind the scenes play an equally important role in giving people more time to safely evacuate a burning building. So, while they may often go unnoticed, elevator smoke curtains are truly unsung heroes when it comes to safeguarding lives during an emergency.

Identifying Key Features of Effective Fire and Smoke Curtains

Louis Vuitton fire curtain

When developing a comprehensive fire safety plan for a building, it’s critical to account for the many complex, interconnected elements that could impact fire and smoke control. From the windows, doors, elevators, and stairwells to the prominent atrium in the front lobby, careful planning is required to effectively mitigate the spread of fire and smoke in the event of an emergency.

Fire and smoke curtains offer a simple, cost-effective way to manage fire and smoke in an emergency. They can be configured to fit and protect any space, making them a more affordable alternative to engineered ventilation systems.

It’s crucial to understand that different types of curtains serve different functions. When selecting the right fire and smoke curtains for your building, it’s important to consider whether your goal is to contain the fire or facilitate evacuation. This understanding will guide you in choosing the appropriate method or combination of methods.

Elevator Smoke Curtains

Elevator Smoke Containment SystemIn a fire emergency, elevator smoke curtains play a crucial role. They work in tandem with fire-rated elevator doors to prevent smoke from entering the elevator and migrating to other floors through the elevator shafts. These curtains are designed to deploy automatically when activated by the nearest smoke detector or fire alarm, rolling down over the elevator doors to create a tight seal.

When selecting a smoke curtain for your elevator system, there are several important factors to consider:

  1. When selecting an elevator smoke curtain, ensure the dimensions – both width and height – are appropriate to fully cover the entire elevator opening for proper functionality.
  2. The depth or distance between the wall and the face of the elevator door frame is commonly referred to as the “return.” Certain elevator smoke curtain models have specific return requirements, so you may need to choose a customizable model to meet your needs.
  3. Elevator smoke curtain housings can be mounted to the door frame, ceiling, or valence. It is important to determine which mounting option is compatible with your elevators.
  4. Elevator smoke curtains are designed with power-failure contingencies in mind and do not require power to deploy. Most systems incorporate a battery backup to ease egress during a power outage; this can also help prevent unnecessary and disruptive deployments during minor power failures.

Fire Curtains

Lido House Horizontal Fire CurtainFire curtains, constructed from fire-resistant materials, are engineered to contain or impede the spread of flames throughout a building.

If you’re planning to install fire curtains, keep the following in mind:

  1. Fire curtains come in vertical and horizontal configurations to address different fire safety needs. Vertical curtains are installed around stairwells and escalators to facilitate occupant evacuation during a fire. Horizontal curtains are used to divide an atrium into smaller areas, which helps limit the spread of fire. Window curtains contain fires at exterior windows. In large, multi-story buildings, a combination of these various fire curtain types is often required to provide comprehensive fire safety.
  2. When selecting fire curtains, it’s important to consider their fire protection and endurance ratings. While we hope emergency responders can arrive quickly, the time it takes for them to control a fire may vary depending on your location and building size. To ensure adequate safety, choose fire curtains rated to withstand flames long enough for the fire department to contain the spread.
  3. When selecting a fire curtain system, it’s crucial to consider the space requirements for housing the curtain when not in use. Fire curtains can cover expansive areas, with Door System’s model capable of spanning spaces hundreds of feet wide.
  4. To ensure fire curtains can be deployed even during a building-wide power outage, they should be installed with a backup battery system. Additionally, some fire curtain systems can be connected to the building’s standby power supply. It’s crucial to properly install and power the fire curtains to guarantee they function correctly in an emergency.
  5. When selecting a fire curtain system, prioritize ease of operation. Fire curtains are effective at protecting evacuating building occupants, but there may be situations where a curtain needs to be opened – either to facilitate exit flow or allow more people into the stairwell. It’s important to choose a model that is simple to operate and can be quickly used by occupants during an emergency.

When selecting smoke and fire curtains for your building, be sure to understand the maintenance and testing requirements for this critical fire safety equipment. Proper care and regular checks are essential, as smoke and fire curtains play a vital role in any comprehensive fire safety plan.

 

Safeguarding Historic Structures with Tailored Fire Suppression Systems

Financial District’s Heineman building

Historic buildings frequently face unique fire safety challenges when retrofitting to meet modern fire codes, as they were constructed prior to the establishment of current regulations.

Fire Suppression Systems

Efforts to improve historic buildings’ safety, such as installing fire suppression systems, can be challenging. Installing new equipment may inadvertently damage the historic structure, as these buildings are often protected against significant alterations. As a result, those tasked with upgrading the fire safety of historic properties must find creative solutions to balance preservation and safety.

A good fire suppression system should protect the building without detracting from its value during installation—a delicate balance that is essential for preserving the building.

Historic buildings possess immense value. They house antique furnishings, intricate architectural details, and irreplaceable information and memories. These unique features, which are challenging to preserve or replicate, imbue historic structures with cultural and historical significance.

Due to the devastating effects of flames, smoke, and water damage, a fire in a historic building could destroy irreplaceable artifacts and documents forever. Furthermore, many older historic structures were constructed prior to modern safety standards, making them highly flammable, lacking sufficient emergency exits, and featuring narrow, steep staircases—all of which dramatically impede the safe evacuation of occupants in the event of a blaze.

Types of Fire Suppression Systems

Apartment elevator smoke curtainWhen designing a comprehensive fire suppression system, it’s ideal to integrate both active and passive approaches to achieve optimal coverage. However, in historic buildings, this combination may not always be feasible.

In such cases, the best approach is to carefully evaluate the building, its usage, and its contents to determine the most effective system configuration to protect the structure and its occupants.

Active Fire Suppression Systems

Active fire suppression systems are designed to extinguish fires and warn building occupants. This includes smoke detectors and other advanced smoke, fire, and heat detection technologies. For historic structures, highly sophisticated detection systems are typically required to alert people to potential problems, allowing issues to be addressed quickly before significant damage occurs.

Active systems can include fire sprinkler systems to help extinguish flames. When considering historic buildings, it’s important to weigh what is being protected and the speed at which a fire could spread. While the potential downsides of a sprinkler system, such as damage to historic property or important documents, may be outweighed by the benefits of stopping the fire’s spread, in some cases a full sprinkler system could cause more harm than good. In these instances, misting systems may be a better alternative, as they can help prevent further damage while still mitigating the flames.

Passive Fire Suppression Systems

DSI-C1HR Fire Protective Smoke CurtainPassive safety systems, such as smoke baffles, smoke curtains, and fire-resistant materials, can effectively contain the spread of flames and smoke. However, in historic buildings, the need to preserve existing materials may preclude the use of certain products like fire doors. In these cases, alternative protection systems like smoke curtains become essential for maintaining fire safety.

Strategically placed smoke curtains and baffles help contain the spread of smoke and fire within a building. These devices may be stationary or discreetly installed above doorways and openings, only activating after a fire is detected to prevent the blaze from spreading to other areas.

This fire suppression system is well-suited for historic buildings, as it can effectively control fires without causing additional damage to valuable documents, materials, or the building’s architectural features.

Protection with Smoke & Fire Curtains

4HR-Accordion Staircase CurtainImplementing effective fire suppression in historic buildings often requires a creative, flexible approach to navigate the challenges. The process involves carefully weighing the importance of preserving the building and its contents against the need for fire safety systems. By closely considering the building’s design, a tailored solution can be developed – integrating a mix of passive and active measures, like heat detectors and smoke/fire curtains, to safeguard the structure. Protecting historic buildings in this way helps ensure their longevity and preservation for years to come.

Elevator Smoke Curtains FAQs

Smoke curtain at Will Perkins

Elevator smoke curtains have gained significant attention as crucial safety devices in high-rise buildings. These curtains contain smoke and prevent its spread during a fire, providing valuable time for evacuation and fire suppression. Understanding the code requirements for elevator smoke curtains is essential in building design and maintenance, ensuring both safety and regulatory compliance.

What Are Elevator Smoke Curtains?

In the event of a fire, flexible smoke curtains can be deployed to effectively seal off elevator shafts and prevent the spread of smoke and heat through the elevator doors. Elevator shafts often act as chimneys, allowing smoke to rapidly rise through a building during a fire. This dangerous vertical migration of smoke can be significantly reduced by deploying a smoke curtain.

Are Elevator Smoke Curtains Required?

In commercial buildings, smoke and fire curtains are crucial, particularly around elevator entrances. Their main function is to confine fires and stop smoke from traveling to other floors, thereby saving lives. Commonly installed in elevator shafts – which can behave like chimneys in high-rise structures – these smoke curtains effectively block the spread of smoke.

How Do Elevator Smoke Curtains Work?

Smoke curtains automatically deploy when fire or smoke is detected, creating a physical barrier that prevents smoke from spreading and cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply. Despite their critical functionality, these curtains are designed to blend discreetly with architectural aesthetics until activated.

What’s the Difference Between Smoke and Fire Curtains?

There are two distinct types of fire safety curtains: smoke and fire curtains.

Smoke curtains are specifically designed to block the spread of smoke and guide it out of hazardous areas. They meet UL 1784 Standard for Air Leakage Tests of Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives and can withstand temperatures up to 400°F.

In contrast, fire curtains act as physical barriers to prevent flames from spreading further, possessing a fire-resistance rating of up to 3 hours and being able to withstand temperatures of over 2000° F. Fire Curtains should be tested to UL 10B Standard for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies to be acceptance in a fire rated wall.

What are the Code Requirements for Smoke Curtains?

The International Building Code (IBC) in Chapter 30 for Elevators and Conveying Systems outlines the conditions that require hoistway opening protection for elevator shafts connecting more than three stories as indicated in 3006.2.

These conditions include:

  1. Buildings not protected with an IBC-compliant automatic sprinkler system.
  2. Shafts exceeding 75 feet in height from the lowest to the highest floor.
  3. Buildings or portions used for institutional purposes where occupants require assistance or supervision, such as healthcare facilities and detention centers.

Hoistway coverings

The model building codes provide several exceptions to the standard hoistway and shaft protection requirements. Hoistway coverings are not mandatory if the elevator hoistway serves only open parking garages.

Similarly, shaft opening protection is unnecessary at exit discharge levels with compliant automatic sprinkler systems. Additionally, elevator lobbies and hoistway protection are not required on floors where the hoistway opens directly to the exterior.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has numerous standards related to hoistway closures. For instance, NFPA 105 Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives includes Chapter 9, which focuses on Smoke-Protective Curtain Assemblies for Hoistways and provides guidance on mounting, assembly, power requirements, installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance.

Testing

Testing must be conducted by a qualified individual who inspects for any damaged, modified, or missing components that could pose a hazard. Smoke curtains require a closing rate between 6 and 24 inches per second, and they must be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and the ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.

Post-installation, the curtains undergo operational and drop testing, which a witness must sign off on and provide to the (AHJ) authority having jurisdiction for the life of the installation. Annual drop and operational testing, as well as yearly visual inspections, are also mandated.

The building owner or property manager is responsible for all required maintenance and repairs, ensuring they are completed promptly by qualified personnel.

Can Smoke Curtains Be Added to Existing Elevators?

Retrofitting elevator smoke curtains in commercial buildings offers property owners several advantages in meeting current building code standards, such as the requirements outlined in the International Building Code Section 3006.

Enhance Airport Fire Safety with Fire and Smoke Curtains

LAX Smoke Curtain

Airports are complex facilities that extend far beyond just housing aircraft. In addition to the planes themselves, these hubs contain a diverse array of amenities – from restaurants and boutiques to newsstands and coffee shops. Moreover, airports temporarily accommodate thousands of travelers as they await their flights or retrieve their baggage. This constant flow of people through the various stores and terminals presents a unique fire safety challenge. Rather than protecting a single building type, airport safety personnel must safeguard many interconnected structures. The solution lies in combining compartmentalization techniques with strategic placement of fire and smoke curtains to mitigate the risks posed by the airports’ numerous openings and diverse architecture.

Compartmentalization for Fire Control

Construction FireWhile fire prevention and efficient extinguishing are typically the primary fire safety focuses in airport terminals, controlling and containing fire and smoke is an equally vital yet sometimes overlooked element of overall fire safety.

Containing the fire during the critical window between fire detection and the arrival of firefighters can significantly reduce risks to human health and building damage.

Compartmentalizing buildings by deploying strategic barriers to create more manageable zones is a crucial practice. This is especially vital in airport terminals, where compartmentalization can significantly slow the spread of smoke and contain fires until help arrives.

Fire and smoke curtains are not just effective, they are one of the most effective ways of creating compartments. Their use in airport terminals can significantly slow the spread of smoke and contain fires until help arrives, instilling confidence in their effectiveness.

How Fire and Smoke Curtains Function

Fire and smoke curtains, constructed from heavy-duty, fire-resistant materials, play a crucial role in fire safety. They come in vertical and horizontal designs. Vertical curtains lower from ceiling-mounted housings to the floor, effectively sealing off a room. On the other hand, horizontal curtains are commonly used in atrium spaces to isolate one floor from another.

Smoke and fire curtains come in three main varieties: Dedicated fire curtains primarily contain the fire itself, though they can also block smoke. Dedicated smoke curtains primarily contain smoke but can also block some flames. Hybrid fire and smoke curtains offer a balance, providing protection against fire and smoke, and are listed under UL 1784 and UL 10B.

shopping center fire curtainsMany airports feature open, spacious designs with grand atrium’s, restaurants, shopping centers, and waiting areas. Perimeter curtains can be utilized to address the issue of compartmentalization around non-egress stairs and atrium spaces. These vertical curtains create an independent barrier within the open layout without requiring any corner posts or walls for anchoring.

Elevator curtains are specialized smoke curtains designed for a particular purpose.

Elevators can compromise smoke control and containment efforts. The airflow in elevator shafts creates an updraft that pulls smoke from the fire floor into the elevator and then disperses it to the floors above. This updraft not only fuels the fire but also allows the uncontrolled spread of smoke, damaging equipment and heightening the risk of smoke inhalation for building occupants.

In the past, building codes required a small lobby in front of elevators to allow them to be blocked off in the event of a fire. Today, smoke curtains designed for elevators meet the same safety requirements while offering a more convenient and unobtrusive solution. These smoke curtains are easily installed and remain invisible unless deployed, avoiding disruption to the room’s design.

Fire and Smoke Curtains Incorporated into Airport Designs

The image above depicts a deployed curtain in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.

Fire and smoke curtains are a valuable fire safety addition for airports. As passive equipment, they function independently, making them versatile for multiple applications.

Smoke and fire curtains are easy to install without a full remodel. They are noninvasive and roll up to fit discreetly into most existing ceiling designs. Their slim, compact size allows them easily integrated into most ceilings.

These curtains can integrate with existing fire detection and control systems to enable automatic deployment. When a smoke or fire alarm is triggered, the curtains can automatically deploy, allowing you to quickly contain the flames and smoke.

Advantages of Elevator Smoke Curtains

Elevator Smoke Curtains

Elevator Smoke Curtains have several advantages

Cost Effective

Elevator Smoke Containment Systems are generally more affordable than alternatives like smoke doors, pressurization systems, or enclosed lobbies with fire doors, making them a cost-effective choice for meeting the requirements of IBC 3006.3 Elevator Hoistway Door Protection.

Valuable Space Savings

Unlike other solutions, elevator smoke curtains eliminate the need for an enclosed elevator lobby. This feature opens valuable space in commercial buildings, allowing for more flexible, open-concept designs – a crucial consideration for commercial property layouts.

Aesthetic Appeal

Virtually invisible elevator smoke curtains blend into a building’s design, preserving its aesthetic appeal. These visually discreet curtains can be fully concealed in a suspended ceiling, only deploying when necessary – a stark contrast to smoke doors’ bulky, unattractive appearance.

Low Maintenance

Smoke curtains offer a simpler installation process and lower maintenance costs than alternatives such as pressurized elevators, which can be complex to design and expensive to upkeep.

Flexibility

In the event of a fire, elevator smoke curtains automatically deploy to create a barrier that prevents smoke from spreading through the elevator shaft. Even after activation, these curtains allow for safe evacuation and access. The smoke curtain can be easily raised using the built-in emergency switch mounted as described in the criteria established by ICC-ES AC 77, providing egress from either side of the curtain.

Retrofitting commercial buildings with elevator smoke curtains can provide cost-effective, visually appealing, and space-optimizing fire safety solutions that are easy to maintain while preserving functionality during emergencies.

What is the difference between a fire curtain and a fire shutter?

Hose Stream Fire Rated Shutter

Fire Curtain and Fire Shutter Differences

Design of a Steel Fire Shutter vs a Fabric Fire Curtain:

Steel Fire Shutters are constructed from interlocking steel slats, internal counterbalance springs and a large external motor, while Fabric Fire Curtains are made from flame-resistant woven or stitched fabric and a small 24-volt internal tubular motor. The weight and size of a Fabric Fire Curtain vs a Steel Fire Shutter is considerably less.

Function and use

Steel Fire Shutters and Fabric Fire Curtains automatically closes when activated, preventing the spread of fire to adjacent areas. This fire safety device is commonly installed in shopping malls, retail stores, warehouses, office buildings, and other facilities that require protection from the rapid spread of flames.

How do fire curtains and fire shutters work?

In areas at high risk of fire, fire-resistant shutters or curtains are often installed over openings. When needed, these shutters or curtains automatically drop down to seal off the area, containing the fire and preventing its spread. The shutters or curtains create a temporary fire barrier that blocks flames and smoke from passing through for a limited duration.

Fire Rating

A Steel Fire Shutter carries a UL10B fire rating for up to 3 hours which includes a hose stream test.

In the past, Fabric Fire Curtains only carried a UL10D fire rating up to 3 hours (no Hose stream test) for passive fire applications only.

With new innovations, Door Systems now offers Fabric Fire Curtains that carry a UL10B fire rating for up to 3 hours that includes a hose stream test.

These UL 10B Fabric Fire Curtains can be used in all 5 IBC type walls and offer many advantages over a steel fire shutter.

How often should fire curtains and fire shutters be tested?

To maintain fire shutter door or fire curtain functionality, they must undergo servicing and testing at least once a year per NFPA standards. Additionally, regular risk assessments should be conducted to identify and mitigate all potential fire hazards, including thorough inspections of the doors.

What are the different names for Steel Fire Shutters?

Steel Fire Shutters are also referred to as Coiling Fire Doors, Coiling Fire Shutters, Overhead Fire Shutters, Overhead Fire Doors, Rolling Steel Fire Doors, Rolling Steel Fire Shutters.

What are the different names for Fire Curtains?

Fire Curtains are also referred to as Fabric Fire Curtains, Automatic Fire Curtains, Overhead Coiling Fabric Fire Curtains, Fabric Fire Shutters, UL10D Fire Curtains, UL10B Hose Stream Fire Curtains, Smoke and Fire Curtains.