Unusual Applications for Smoke Curtains

Installing smoke curtains has been a best practice in fire safety programs for a while now. From residential buildings to warehouses and airplane hangars to data centers, smoke curtains have proven effective in keeping people and property safe, as well as preventing damage caused by smoke, flames, and even unwanted debris.

Smoke curtains create a physical barrier between the fire and other areas of the building while helping contain the spread of hazardous toxins, such as carbon monoxide and smoke. In addition, their automated deployment capabilities help reduce losses caused by fires, while also providing convenience for operators. It’s easy to see that smoke curtains could easily be used in a variety of scenarios. Here are some of the most unusual we’ve seen.

What Are Smoke Curtains and How Did They Develop?

Smoke curtains are designed to contain the spread of smoke, heat and toxic gasses in a building during a fire. Upon detection of smoke in the room, emergency alarms will trigger an automatic release system, which deploys the curtains to close off the affected area. Smoke curtains are designed to work vertically or horizontally, depending on the application.

First responders can also manually activate the curtain for additional control over fire hazards. When deployed, smoke curtains form an effective barrier against heat, toxic fumes and, most importantly, smoke — all helping to save lives by protecting paths of safe egress and reducing damage caused by fires.

When Were Smoke Curtains Invented?

The initial idea for a protective physical curtain dates back to 1672 when a fire in a London theater caused owners to rethink how to best protect people and property in the event of a fire. They decided to rebuild with a water tower that would help douse a fire and added an iron curtain that would drop down to help keep any flames from reaching the audience.

The idea grew in popularity, and the use of smoke and fire curtains made its way to the U.S. later in that same century. As technology developed, the materials used to manufacture smoke curtains improved, becoming lighter and providing better protection.

There were some issues with the early models, primarily related to how the curtains were deployed. However, by the 1980s, those issues had been resolved. Smoke and fire curtains became commonplace elements of fire protection systems in commercial high-rise buildings and hospitals, where they are effective at saving lives and protecting property.

Where Are Smoke Curtains Used Today?

There are other applications for smoke curtains that are not as commonplace, but just as effective:

Aircraft Hangars

Fire protection is essential in aircraft hangars, given the high fuel load present in aircrafts. Smoke curtains provide an effective barrier to prevent the spread of smoke, toxic fumes, and potential fires in these highly combustible environments.

Microchip Fabrication Plants

Facilities that produce computer chips must be kept free from dust and other airborne contaminants. Smoke curtains are being used to separate clean production areas from other areas of the building to keep unwanted particles out and help maintain air quality standards.

Dumbwaiters

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Smoke curtains are also used in dumbwaiter systems, which transport food from one level to another within a restaurant or hotel. Smoke curtains help keep smoke and fumes out of dining areas to prevent contamination and protect staff and guests alike.

Switching Terminals & Data Centers

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Data centers require extensive fire protection due to the large amounts of combustible material often stored there, such as paper documents, files, tapes and hard drives. Smoke curtains are essential in these environments, where their automated deployment helps reduce losses caused by fire, in order to keep personnel safe during an evacuation.

Museums & Art Galleries

Art galleries and museums are also prime candidates for smoke curtain installation, due to their high concentrations of expensive works of art, which can be easily damaged or destroyed in a fire. By deploying smoke curtains throughout these facilities, they play an important role in protecting rare and valuable items from irreparable damage caused by smoke or heat exposure.

Smoke Guard: Leading the Way in Fire Protection with Innovative and High-Quality Smoke Curtains for Any Application

At Smoke Guard, we understand how important it is to protect employees, premises and valuables in the event of a fire emergency. We are the leading provider of smoke and fire curtains for every application and custom design each device for your specific situation. Our innovative curtains are rigorously tested in order to ensure that they meet the highest safety standards and provide maximum protection when activated.

What sets us apart from other fire protection providers is our commitment to customer service. Our team of qualified designers and technicians will work with you from start to finish to make sure your specific needs are addressed and your system meets all relevant codes and regulations. Plus, we provide comprehensive warranties on all our products to ensure you get the best value for your money.