Is It Really a Smoke Guard®?
You may ask someone for a Kleenex® when what you really need is a facial tissue. The tissue you receive might not be a Kleenex® product unless it is specifically labeled Kleenex®. A similar thing can happen with Smoke Guard®. You may hear someone refer to a smoke curtain as a “Smoke Guard” or say […]
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 […]