Ensuring Safety: Understanding Elevator Smoke Curtain Requirements
With increased awareness and emphasis on safety measures in high-rise buildings, the concept of elevator smoke curtains has garnered significant attention. Elevator smoke curtains serve as vital safety devices in the event of a fire. Their function is to contain smoke and prevent its spread through the building in order to gain valuable time for evacuation and fire suppression efforts.
Understanding elevator smoke curtain requirements and the associated code requirements is crucial in building design and maintenance, both from a safety and regulatory standpoint. This article will provide a helpful exploration of these requirements and will present Smoke Guard’s cutting-edge smoke curtain solutions.
What Are Elevator Smoke Curtains and How Do They Work?
Elevator smoke curtains are flexible barriers designed to be deployed in the event of a fire that effectively seal the elevator shaft and prevent the spread of smoke and heat through elevator doors. In a fire incident, smoke often uses the elevator shaft as a chimney to move upwards through the building. By deploying a smoke curtain, this vertical migration of smoke can be significantly reduced.
Are Elevator Smoke Curtains Required?
Smoke and fire curtains are essential components in commercial structures, especially at elevator openings. Their primary purpose is to contain fires and prevent smoke from spreading to other floors – which saves lives. Typically installed in elevator shafts, which can act as chimneys in multi-story buildings, smoke curtains effectively halt the spread of smoke.
How They Work
When fire or smoke is detected, smoke curtains automatically descend in order to create a physical barrier that hinders the smoke from spreading and cuts off the oxygen supply to the fire. Despite their significant functionality, these curtains are designed to be discreet and seamlessly blend with architectural aesthetics until they are deployed.
Smoke and Fire Curtains - What’s the Difference?
There are two distinct types of curtains: smoke curtains and fire curtains. Smoke curtains are specifically designed to block the spread of smoke and guide it out of hazardous areas. On the other hand, fire curtains act as physical barriers to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Smoke curtains are compliant with UL1784 standards and exhibit remarkable resistance to temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, fire curtains possess a fire-resistance rating of up to 2 hours and can withstand temperatures reaching as high as 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit.
Code Requirements for Smoke Curtains
International Building Code (IBC) Requirements
According to IBC 3006.2, there are certain conditions that necessitate hoistway opening protection for elevator shafts connecting more than three stories. These conditions include:
- Buildings without an IBC-compliant automated sprinkler system
- Shaft height exceeding 75 feet from the lowest to the highest floor
- Buildings or portions used for institutional purposes where occupants require assistance or supervision (e.g., healthcare facilities and detention centers)
However, there are exceptions to these requirements. Hoistway coverings are not mandatory if the elevator hoistway exclusively serves open parking garages.
Additionally, shaft opening protection is not necessary at exit discharge levels with compliant automatic sprinkler systems. Moreover, elevator lobbies and hoistway protection are not required on stories where the hoistway opens to the exterior.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Requirements
NFPA has a variety of standards related to hoistway closures. For instance, acceptance testing should be carried out by a qualified individual who inspects for any damaged, modified or missing parts that could pose a hazard. Smoke curtains need a closing rate of at least 6 inches per second and no more than 24 inches per second.
All smoke curtains must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, following the ASME A17.1 Standard for Elevators and Escalators. Post-installation, the curtains must undergo operational and drop testing. These tests and inspections must be signed by a witness and kept for the authority having jurisdiction for the life of the installation.
Annual drop and operational testing and 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 and only by qualified individuals.
Can Smoke Curtains Be Added to Existing Elevators?
The retrofitting of elevator smoke curtains in a commercial building provides several advantages to the property owners to help them meet current fire code standards such as the 2018 IBC §3006:
Cost-Effective Solution
Compared to alternatives like smoke doors, pressurization systems or the construction of enclosed lobbies with fire doors, smoke curtains are generally more affordable, which makes them a cost-effective choice for meeting the fire code regulations.
Space Optimization
Unlike some of the alternative solutions, elevator smoke curtains eliminate the requirement for an enclosed elevator lobby. This feature frees up valuable space in commercial buildings and allows for open-concept designs, which can be a critical consideration in commercial property layouts.
Aesthetics
Elevator smoke curtains can be installed almost invisibly and do not detract from the building's aesthetics. They are visually appealing and can be entirely hidden in a suspended ceiling, only deploying when needed. This contrasts with options like bulky smoke doors, which can be visually unappealing.
Easy Installation and Low Maintenance
Smoke curtains are comparatively easy to install and require less maintenance than some alternatives like pressurized elevators, which can be complicated to design and costly to maintain.
Functionality
Elevator smoke curtains automatically deploy during a fire event and act as a barrier to prevent smoke from spreading via the elevator shaft. They even allow for egress and access after the system is activated. The smoke curtain can be easily raised with the built-in emergency switch located in the center of the fabric to provide flexibility in emergency situations.
To summarize, retrofitting elevator smoke curtains in commercial buildings can offer cost-effective, visually appealing, easy-to-maintain and space-optimizing solutions for fire safety compliance while maintaining functionality during emergency scenarios.
Smoke Guard’s Elevator Smoke Curtain Solutions
Smoke Guard has revolutionized the field of smoke and fire containment with its innovative products. In particular, Smoke Guard's M200 and M400 models cater to the specific needs of elevator smoke containment.
The M200 and M400 are compliant with both IBC and NFPA codes, including UL 1784 and IBC 2009 section 3006. These models offer exceptional performance and reliability, with key features that include:
- Automatic Deployment: Upon detection of smoke, the M200 and M400 curtains deploy automatically to provide instant protection.
- Design Flexibility: These models are designed for integration into any architectural scheme without compromising aesthetics.
- Reliable Performance: Both models are built with durable materials to help ensure effective and long-lasting protection.
Investing in Smoke Guard's M200 and M400 models means choosing superior protection against the devastating effects of smoke. Their compliance with both IBC and NFPA codes assures you of their high-quality and dependable performance.
Discover Smoke Guard's Range of Elevator Smoke Curtains
As a leader in the field, Smoke Guard provides robust and reliable smoke curtain solutions. Our M200 and M400 models, fully compliant with the latest codes and requirements, stand as a testament to our commitment to safety and innovation.
For further assistance on elevator smoke curtain requirements or inquiries about our cutting-edge solutions, contact us today at Smoke Guard. Our team is ready and equipped to guide you toward an improved safety standard in your building!