What Code Review Should Confirm Before a Fire+Smoke Curtain Is Specified
Fire+smoke curtain design starts with the opening condition. Before a system is selected, the building condition has to be defined, the required performance has to be confirmed, and the assembly has to be reviewed for installation, activation, inspection, and maintenance. An elevator hoistway, rated wall opening, atrium, horizontal opening, or large open connection between floors […]
When Paint or Finish Work Covers Fire+Smoke Curtain Labels
Fire+smoke curtains are designed to stay out of sight until needed. Most are recessed above ceilings or built into soffits, blending into surrounding finishes during normal building operation. Because of their locations, labels can be fully or partially covered during repainting, touch-ups, or renovation work. When that happens, it can take longer to confirm what […]
Post-California Wildfires: Fire+Smoke Curtain Systems Inspection and Restoration at Palisades Village
Just one year ago, in early January 2025, one of the most destructive wildfire events in California history caused widespread destruction across Southern California, stopping short of Palisades Village, a three-story high-end mixed-use retail and residential development in Pacific Palisades. While the center avoided direct fire damage, it sustained limited impacts and minor damage that […]
Trends That Shaped Fire+Smoke Curtain Systems in Commercial Structures in 2025
In 2025, commercial buildings continued to adopt more adaptable, higher-performing life-safety systems. As projects grew more complex, with larger atriums, interconnected spaces, feature stairways, open lobby designs, and elevator openings, fire+smoke curtains became a more common and effective part of overall fire+smoke control strategies. These deployable systems supported designers seeking flexibility while helping building teams […]
Common Questions on the M200/M400 Elevator Fire + Smoke Curtain Mod Kit, Explained
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 […]
The Hidden Risk in Elevators: Why Smoke Containment Starts with Design
Each October, Fire Prevention Month reminds building professionals that prevention begins long before an emergency. In multi-story buildings, smoke often spreads faster than fire, moving through stairwells, shafts, and mechanical openings. Among these, the elevator shaft is one of the most direct routes for smoke migration, linking every floor through a single open pathway. During […]
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 […]