Elevator fire + smoke curtains help keep smoke from entering lobbies and evacuation paths during a fire. As these systems operate over many years, questions naturally come up about their performance, service planning, and available upgrade paths.
Our M200/M400 elevator fire + smoke curtain Mod Kit is a retrofit solution designed to update the internal components of earlier Smoke Guard elevator fire + smoke curtain models (pending a Mod solution for Smoke Guard’s M600 and M2100E elevator fire + smoke curtain product lines). It replaces key operational parts while keeping the original housing and curtain in place.
Below are the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
1. What is the M200/M400 elevator fire + smoke curtain Mod Kit?
The M200/M400 elevator fire + smoke curtain Mod Kit is a retrofit package for earlier Smoke Guard elevator fire + smoke curtain models. It updates core internal components that influence deployment, cycling, diagnostics, and battery behavior while leaving the original housing and curtain installed. This cost-effective upgrade package is designed to further extend the lifespan and improve the overall operation of your existing Smoke Guard elevator fire + smoke curtain models for years to come.
2. What parts does the Mod Kit update?
The Mod Kit replaces the motor, controller, battery unit, sensor suite, and diagnostic interface. These updated components support consistent cycling, reliable deployment, and improved system visibility for maintenance teams.
3. How does the Mod Kit improve day-to-day performance?
The upgraded components stabilize deployment speed, reduce nuisance faults, strengthen battery reliability, and simplify troubleshooting. These improvements help the system operate consistently during inspections, testing, and potential real-time events.
4. How can I tell if my elevator fire + smoke curtain system is a good candidate for the Mod Kit?
The Mod Kit is compatible with Smoke Guard M200/M400 elevator fire + smoke curtain systems installed as far back as 2005 (pending a Mod solution for Smoke Guard’s M600 and M2100E models). A system review may be helpful if you have original motors, controllers, or battery units, or if consistent maintenance has not been scheduled to support dependable performance. Smoke Guard’s elevator fire + smoke curtain systems should only be evaluated by a certified Smoke Guard technician. A certified technician can evaluate component condition, review service records, and help determine whether the Mod Kit is an appropriate next step for you and your existing Smoke Guard equipment.
5. Who is qualified to evaluate or service Smoke Guard elevator fire + smoke curtains?
Smoke Guard certified technicians are the only ones trained to evaluate, inspect, test, and retrofit these systems. They can assess component condition, review service records, and help determine whether the Mod Kit is the right path for your existing Smoke Guard equipment. They also handle service for Smoke Guard elevator fire + smoke curtains. Their training covers deployment logic, controller behavior, fire alarm communication, and battery unit operation. Smoke Guard technicians have direct access to factory engineers and the original manufacturing files for your model, which supports accurate troubleshooting and upgrade planning.
6. Why do buildings install elevator fire + smoke curtains?
Elevator openings can allow smoke to move vertically through a building. Fire + smoke curtains help keep smoke from entering lobbies and adjoining spaces, supporting safer evacuation paths during a fire event. In addition, Smoke Guard’s elevator fire + smoke curtains meet all applicable fire and smoke proliferation codes for your building.
7. Do buildings still need fire + smoke curtains if sprinklers are in place?
Yes. Sprinklers suppress flames but do not control smoke movement. Fire + smoke curtains work with sprinkler, alarm, and mechanical systems as part of a coordinated smoke-control approach and to meet applicable/relevant building codes.
8. What happens to an elevator fire + smoke curtain during a power outage?
Many Smoke Guard elevator fire + smoke curtains, including earlier models, have integrated battery backup. During a power outage, the curtain deploys to secure the opening. With the new elevator fire + smoke curtain modernization kit, such integrated battery backup operation is available for your Smoke Guard equipment.
The Mod Kit includes an updated battery unit that supports reliable deployment and retraction once power returns.
9. How long do the curtain fabric and housing last?
The fabric and housing are engineered for long-term durability, barring any fire or smoke event, vandalism, or other source of overt/unplanned damage. In general, most service needs arise from internal components such as motors, controllers, sensors, or battery units. Updating these important parts through the Mod Kit extends the overall lifespan and service life of the Smoke Guard fire + smoke curtain system.
10. Why are fire + smoke curtains installed on specific floors or openings?
Placement follows the building’s smoke-control design and complies with applicable codes. Curtains are installed where smoke movement could affect evacuation paths or create vertical travel routes, such as elevator lobbies, atriums, and interconnected openings, and provide a low-profile, extremely effective solution for meeting current fire and smoke proliferation codes.
Interested in whether your system is a good candidate? A certified Smoke Guard technician can review system behavior, evaluate the internal components, and discuss the available upgrade options. For more information, contact our team at 1-800-574-0330 or click here.