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 […]
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 […]
Fire+Smoke Curtains in Data Centers: Protecting Uptime, Access, and Safety
In a data center, smoke can turn a contained fire into a much larger operational problem. It can spread to connected spaces, affect sensitive electronics, complicate re-entry, and extend disruption beyond the area where the fire started. That risk increases as facilities become larger, denser, and more complex. Heavy electrical loads, battery systems, extensive cable […]
Hidden Fire Risk in Open Stairways and a Code-Compliant Way to Keep the Design Open
Open stairways are widely used in commercial interiors to maintain visibility between levels, connect floors, and support the overall design intent. They also create a vertical opening that can allow smoke and heat to spread between floors in a fire. If that opening is left unprotected, smoke can rise quickly beyond the floor where the […]
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 […]
Fire+Smoke Protection in Educational Facilities
Educational facilities present specific fire and life safety challenges. Students, staff, and visitors move through shared corridors, stairways, and multi-use spaces throughout the day. Many newer schools include open plans, glass storefronts, and multistory circulation paths. During a fire event, these features can allow fire and smoke to travel beyond the area of origin. In […]