When Open Design Meets Fire+Smoke Protection
Open circulation and clear sightlines can create coordination challenges at elevator and stairway openings. Different openings may require different levels of smoke and fire+smoke protection, and those requirements can affect framing, housings, side guides, power, fire alarm interfaces, and surrounding construction. Deployable smoke and fire+smoke curtains can provide opening protection while remaining concealed during normal […]
Plan Fire + Smoke Containment Before It Becomes Rework
On a recent mid-rise project, fire + smoke curtains were not coordinated until after ceilings and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems were installed. When the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) flagged missing smoke protection at elevator lobbies, the contractor had to remove 600 linear feet of ceiling, reroute ductwork, and rebuild soffits to accommodate curtain […]
Meeting Code Challenges in Mass Timber: Smoke + Fire Containment Strategies
Mass timber is reshaping the way buildings are designed and constructed. As of 2025, more than 2,500 projects are either completed or underway in the U.S., according to WoodWorks, demonstrating the rapid shift from niche to mainstream adoption of the material. It is now a common choice for multifamily, commercial, and institutional projects. The market […]
Keep Your System Running: Inspection, Maintenance, and Retrofit Strategies for Elevator Fire + Smoke Curtain Longevity
As buildings age and safety requirements change, facility teams are under increasing pressure to make sure life-safety systems remain reliable. Nowhere is this more important than at elevator openings, where fire and smoke migration can pose a serious threat to occupants, and can delay emergency response. Elevator fire + smoke curtain systems play an important […]
Global Demand for Fire + Smoke Curtains Continues to Grow
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 […]
Fire Safety in Aging Buildings
Thousands of commercial, residential, and institutional buildings across the country were built before the development of modern fire and life safety codes. While these buildings are often valued for their historic architecture and central locations, they can present significant challenges when it comes to protecting occupants during a fire. Aging structures may contain unprotected openings, […]
Balancing Fire Safety and Sustainability in Buildings
Modern architectural design often involves creating open, flexible spaces that meet both aesthetic goals and safety requirements. Achieving this balance can be challenging, particularly when it comes to fire protection. Fire + smoke curtain systems offer a modern solution that supports both design flexibility and safety. While not inherently sustainable on their own, these systems […]
Beyond Fire Suppression: The Critical Role of Smoke Containment in Healthcare Facility Safety
Smoke. It’s a silent and deadly threat in fires, often causing more harm than the flames themselves. In healthcare environments where vulnerable patients rely on staff for their safety, superior smoke containment measures are not just a best practice; they’re a necessity. Why Is Smoke Containment Critical in Healthcare? Healthcare facilities have unique fire safety […]
Smoke Guard’s Dean Flann and Lake|Flato Collaborate on Fire and Smoke Safety for San Antonio’s First Mass Timber Building
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 […]
Fire Prevention Month Tips to Reduce Fire Risk for Homes and Businesses
This month is National Fire Prevention Month, observed every October to memorialize the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, a tragic event that claimed over 250 lives, left 100,000 people homeless, and destroyed more than 17,400 buildings. It serves as a crucial reminder to assess and improve fire safety measures in commercial and residential buildings. Here […]