Project: Facebook Offices, Playa Vista, CA. For a two-story renovation, Gensler architects integrated Smoke Guard’s M4000 Perimeter Fire + Smoke Curtain on the upper level to provide deployable, fire-rated protection for peripheral spaces.
Commercial, office, residential, and institutional buildings, including healthcare and education facilities, are more open and complex than ever. Designers, architects, and engineers must balance aesthetics with strict life safety requirements. As building codes evolve and fire protection becomes a higher priority in commercial projects, the demand for fire + smoke curtains is rising worldwide. North America and Europe currently lead the adoption, while the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing the fastest growth, driven by rapid urbanization and increased infrastructure investment.
According to Fact.MR, the global fire protection materials market, which includes fire + smoke curtains, is expected to more than double from $4.2 billion in 2025 to $10.3 billion by 2035. This reflects an annual growth rate of 9.3 percent, driven by construction activity, stricter code enforcement, and the need for systems that seamlessly integrate with modern building layouts.
Smoke Guard is uniquely positioned as the highly experienced leader in fire + smoke containment, offering tested, code-compliant curtain systems for both new construction and retrofit applications.
Urbanization and Code Adoption Drive Growth
As more commercial and mixed-use buildings are developed, the need for compact, high-performing life safety systems is growing. Fire + smoke curtains are being specified in transit centers, airports, hospitals, and mid and high-rise buildings where passive protection must accommodate complex layouts without compromising design.
In North America and Europe, adoption is guided by building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and standards like NFPA 80 and NFPA 105, along with UL performance testing. Updates to codes, including the 2024 IBC, now acknowledge smoke curtain technology for elevator hoistway protection, often eliminating the need for special design approvals.
Smoke Guard’s extensive product line includes vertical and horizontal curtain systems in addition to comprehensive elevator smoke containment solutions that meet these requirements.
Technology and Performance Are Advancing
Smoke Guard’s modern vertical and horizontal protective curtain systems offer advanced features that improve safety and performance. These include magnetic perimeter sealing for smoke control, compliance with UL 10D and UL 1784 for fire + smoke containment, and battery backup for continued function during power loss.
Smoke Guard product solutions are designed for seamless integration with standard building power and alarm systems. Models such as the M2100 vertical fire + smoke curtain and the M600 customizable elevator curtain deliver scalable solutions for a wide range of spaces, from single openings to multi-story enclosures.
This blend of tested performance, adaptable design, and simplified installation makes curtain systems an effective and more desirable solution to traditional fire-rated doors or walls. These systems help preserve space and architectural integrity while meeting code requirements.
Meeting Safety and Design Goals
As such usage grows, fire + smoke curtains are becoming a preferred solution for architects and engineers who must meet safety requirements without limiting design flexibility.
Smoke Guard systems are used in various building types such as mid and high-rise buildings, stadiums, healthcare facilities, schools, airports and transportation hubs. Many models are designed to remain fully concealed within ceiling or wall cavities until deployed. This allows building architects, engineers and ownership teams to maintain clean lines and open plans while meeting performance and code requirements.
Available in standard or custom dimensions, these curtain systems provide protection for elevator lobbies, atriums, vertical shafts, and specialty openings. Smoke Guard’s protection solutions such as the M2100 and M600 systems are widely used to meet NFPA and IBC codes while supporting important visual design goals.
Smoke Guard systems are fully code-compliant and tested to meet the latest IBC, NFPA, and UL standards. They offer protection across various project types, incorporating advanced features such as magnetic sealing and battery backup for added reliability.
Looking Ahead
Various market forecasts project sustained growth for fire + smoke curtains through 2030 and beyond. As buildings become more complex and safety codes continue to evolve, curtain systems will play a larger role in commercial fire + smoke containment strategies.
With proven performance, architectural adaptability, and support for modern code requirements, Smoke Guard is helping project teams deliver code-required protection and design flexibility without compromise.
To learn more about Smoke Guard’s fire + smoke curtain solutions, visit smokeguard.com or connect with a product specialist.