Atrium Smoke Protection Solutions- What Are Your Options?

Atrium Smoke Protection Solutions

In recent years it has been a trend in modern design to open up atriums in order to let in more natural light, maximize the openness of interior space, and reduce energy costs. While this design feature is a definite plus when it comes to user satisfaction, the added space, especially when large atriums are considered, can make it difficult to manage from a fire and smoke safety standpoint. Additionally, there are a number of fire and smoke code regulations that must be adhered to, one of which requires that atriums be equipped with a system that automatically activates in the event of a fire.

Historically, architects, contractors and business owners were restricted to the use of traditional fore protection systems like rolling doors, exhaust systems that disposed of smoke or automatic sprinkler systems. Not only were these types of protection systems often visually unappealing, but they tended to involve significant costs as well. Thankfully, recent advances in technology have enabled the production of more attractive, cost effective solutions. Perhaps one of the most appealing solutions for atrium smoke protection is a smoke and fire barrier curtain.

Smoke and fire barrier curtains are an excellent smoke and fire protection option for atriums, stairways, escalators and other unenclosed openings. They can be used both horizontally and vertically to control smoke through the compartmentalization of open spaces which will allow the building’s occupants more time to safely exit the area. Barrier curtains are often a much more affordable choice for consumers on a budget as well. In some instances contractors, architects and business owners have been able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by employing barrier curtains in their atriums instead of using older, conventional products.

Smoke and fire barrier curtains are not only cost effective smoke protection solutions, but they can be virtually invisible as well when they are not in use- unlike the unsightly conventional steel rolling doors and sprinkler systems previously mentioned, and they are quite possibly some of the most efficient products available for your atrium smoke protection needs.

Chinatown Mega-Project Being Considered

Chinatown Mega-Project Being Considered

Downtown-based Evoq Properties, best known for owning Alameda Square, is eyeing a mega-project in Chinatown.

The developer has proposed two options for three parcels adjacent to the Chinatown Gold Line stop, according to documents filed with the City Planning Department.

One plan for the project dubbed College Station, at 924 N. Spring St., calls for two towers, up to 20 stories, with 500 residential units and approximately 19,800 square feet of ground-floor retail space on the first parcel. The second plot would hold 100 affordable senior housing units spread across multiple four-story buildings and a 20,000-square-foot market, and the final parcel would have an eight-story building with 80 live-work lofts. The development would include 1,054 parking spaces.

Two Seven-Story Apartment Towers Planned Near Herald Examiner Building

Two Seven-Story Apartment Towers Planned Near Herald Examiner Building

South Park stands as Downtown’s hottest neighborhood for new residential projects, and the trend continues with plans for two apartment complexes from developer Forest City.

The intersection of Eleventh and Hill streets would see the construction of a seven-story residential building adjacent to the rear of the Herald Examiner building. The complex at 156 W. Eleventh St. would feature 177 studio to two-bedroom apartments and would have 7,300 square feet of retail/commercial space on the ground floor, according to plans filed with the city.

Amenities in the project, which will be presented to the board of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council on Wednesday night, would include a pool deck, courtyard and gym. The project would also offer 276 parking spaces (with two levels of underground and two levels of above-grade parking) and 201 bicycle parking spaces.

2nd image building in LA

Photo Courtesy of Harley Ellis Devereaux

Renderings show pockets of white stucco framed by dark red facade articulations, and the design from architecture firm Harley Ellis Devereaux includes a pedestrian paseo between the project and the Herald Examiner building, with hopes of activating foot traffic on the block.

Why Do Elevators Need Smoke Protection?

Why Do Elevators Need Smoke Protection?

In this day and age, many buildings are equipped with elevators in order to make the navigation of various floors more simple. Hospitals, apartment buildings, office buildings, hotels and various other types of buildings have elevators that serve as their main form of vertical transportation. Elevator shafts typically open to all of the floors in a building, and in the event of a fire, those shafts can serve as a chimney- spreading dangerous smoke from one area to the next. This can make safe evacuation nearly impossible for individuals who are on upper floors.

Since failure to install a high quality smoke containment system at all elevator openings can be detrimental in an emergency, it is essential that contractors and building owners research their smoke protection options. There is a wide variety of smoke containment systems available on the market, and while most are extremely effective in preventing the spread of smoke through elevator shafts, all are not created equally. In order to obtain maximum protection from smoke, consumers should opt for a smoke containment system that offers effective protection from both fire and smoke, does not require power in order to operate, and is able to be synchronized with the building’s fire safety system.

Smoke Channeling With Fire & Smoke Curtains

Smoke Channeling With Fire & Smoke Curtains

It is often desirable to direct smoke into certain zones for extraction. This is formed using small, rapid drop and often zone controlled banks of curtains. The major requirement for this type of curtain is fast deployment, minimum deflection and a high degree of tolerance to hot smoke. Smoke channels should be installed with consideration given to their intended use in conjunction with large extract systems.

How Smoke & Fire Curtains Can Help Contain Fires

Forming fire compartments requires a curtain to have good levels of Integrity- the I Classification – and low levels of Irradiance of Heat- the W Classification. Curtains installed to form a compartment must be able to provide a physical barrier to the fire and prevent heat flux transfer of levels sufficient to ignite materials either side of the compartment. BLE Curtains provide the highest levels of protection certified fore use around the world.

Smoke & Fire Curtains Provide Great Levels of Smoke Containment

Smoke compartments are formed to prevent smoke spreading throughout a building. They must be impermeable to smoke leakage within set criteria, but also offer a level of resistance to heat. In particular protection must be provided to the rapid build up in heat caused by hot smoke hitting the barrier, a scenario in which some types of glass will shatter. BLE curtains provide excellent levels of smoke containment as well as high heat resistance.

Smoke & Fire Curtains Provide External Fire Escape Protection

A number of buildings still utilize an external staircase running down a building to allow escape from each floor. However if the fire is on a lower floor then this means of escape is compromised. The installation of a BLE Curtain with IP rating allows curtains to be installed to the exterior of the windows in the zone of the external escape route providing protection to the stairs from smoke, irradiance of heat and high temperatures as well as naked flames.

Atrium Chimneys & Fire & Smoke Curtains

There are numerous office blocks and department stores that have impressive open atria designs spanning over many floors. To prevent the spread of smoke and fire from one floor to another and to facilitate the rapid extraction of smoke many of these use a roof level access system complemented by an inlet make up air facility and deployment of BLE Curtains around the perimeter edge. Sophisticated control systems allow for the curtains to facilitate these strategies by employing staged and separate deployments, level by level or even curtain by curtain, with multiple alarm inputs being reacted to.

Can Fire & Smoke Curtains Be Used In Elevator Lobbies?

While BLE Smoke & Fire can offer a smoke sealed curtain for the immediate face of any elevator door this may not suit the building fire strategy. It may be required to create a protected lobby in front of a bank of elevator doors. Where this would previously have required the construction of a physical fire and smoke rated partition, a three sided lobby can now be produced using curtains. Again, when not in use there is not physical impediment or restriction but once required a full integrity and, if required, smoke sealed lobby can be created.