Innovative Solution Provides Fire Protection For Three-Story Atrium While Supporting The Building’s Sustainable And Contextual Design
Smoke Guard’s Dean Flann, an expert in daylighting, atrium, and open space design, has been a valuable partner to architects and contractors across Central Texas for decades. His expertise in daylighting and smoke containment solutions has made him a go-to resource for projects prioritizing aesthetics and safety.
Dean’s relationship with Lake|Flato Architects was instrumental in the open design of a trio of buildings at San Antonio’s Trinity University, including the new Dicke Hall and a heavy renovation of Halsell and Chapman Halls, featured in Architectural Record magazine.
Through his ongoing efforts to share industry advancements and innovative products, Dean introduced Lake|Flato to the concept of horizontally deploying fabric atrium fire curtains in 2019. At this time, this solution was relatively unknown in the industry. Many architects, including Lake|Flato, were unaware of alternatives to conventional bulky rolling steel systems or mechanical smoke evacuation systems, which are costly and often conflict with the open, clean designs favored in modern architecture.
As highlighted in the Architectural Record article, the defining feature of the trio of buildings is their relationship to the university’s primary circulation spine. Halsell Hall’s three-story atrium became a focal point of the building’s architectural context. Traditionally, fire codes for expansive spaces like this were met using ponderous steel and/or mechanical systems. While functional, these options disrupt the seamless, open aesthetic of modern designs and the preservation of the organizational corridor of the campus or entirely blow the budget. Dean’s introduction of Smoke Guard’s M3000 horizontal fire curtain provided an alternative that supported the design intent while keeping costs under control.
The M3000 is a lightweight, fabric-based passive system requiring very little energy input to function. During a smoke or fire event, the curtain automatically deploys, dividing the atrium into compartments to contain fire and smoke, slowing their spread. This compartmentalization creates safe zones, protects evacuation routes, and provides crucial time for building occupants to egress and for first responders to address a fire. Additionally, the M3000 integrates with the building’s alarm systems, ensuring a coordinated emergency response.
When not deployed, the fire curtain is concealed within the architecture, preserving the atrium’s linear open aesthetic. This innovative approach allowed Lake|Flato to maintain its commitment to the campus context while meeting stringent fire and smoke safety standards.
The collaboration between Dean Flann, Lake|Flato, and Smoke Guard achieved an atrium that exemplifies open design while meeting fire and smoke safety standards. By adopting innovative solutions such as the M3000 horizontal fire curtain, the team demonstrated how architectural reason and safety can coexist. The trio of buildings at Trinity University stands as a testament to forward-thinking design and expertise, serving as a model for future projects that prioritize safety, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence.
Click here to learn more about the Smoke Guard M3000 horizontal fire curtain system. For details about this project, contact Dean directly at dean.flann@smokeguard.com.