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Compartmentation Guide
What Are Fire Curtains? How Fire Curtain Systems Work
Fire curtains are flexible fire-resisting barriers used within suitable building designs to help protect openings and maintain fire compartmentation.
This guide explains how fire curtain systems work, where they may be used and what should be checked when selecting a system.
Key Principle
A fire curtain is part of a complete system
The curtain fabric, headbox, guides, controls, fixings, supporting construction and installation arrangement can all affect the performance of the finished system.
Quick Guide
What Is a Fire Curtain?
A fire curtain is a flexible barrier designed to deploy across an opening as part of a fire protection strategy.
Unlike a permanent wall or fixed barrier, a retractable curtain can remain hidden or raised during normal building use and move into its fire position when required by the system design.
The fire-resistance performance and permitted applications depend on the specific tested and classified curtain system.
At a glance
- Flexible fire-resisting barrier
- Can protect suitable building openings
- Often retracts during normal building use
- Must be selected as a complete tested system
Fire Curtain Essentials
How Fire Curtain Systems Work
Although individual systems differ, several components commonly work together to create the complete fire curtain assembly.
Curtain Barrier
The flexible curtain material forms the main barrier across the protected opening.
Headbox
The curtain is commonly housed within a headbox above the protected opening.
Guides & Restraint
Side guides or other restraint arrangements can control the curtain during deployment.
Control System
Automatic systems may use control equipment linked to the building's wider fire safety arrangements.
Operation
How Does a Fire Curtain Deploy?
Many automatic fire curtain systems remain retracted during normal building use so that doors, walkways, atriums or other openings can remain unobstructed.
When activated by the relevant fire safety control arrangement, the curtain moves into its fire position and closes the protected opening.
The exact activation method, descent behaviour, control logic, fail-safe operation and reset procedure depend on the specific system and should be checked against the manufacturer's documentation.
Common Applications
Where Are Fire Curtains Used?
Fire curtain systems may be considered where a building design requires fire separation across an opening but a permanent wall or conventional fire door would interfere with normal use of the space.
Depending on the tested system and project design, applications can include openings within compartment lines, circulation spaces, atriums and other areas requiring deployable fire separation.
Their suitability should always be established from the project fire strategy and the scope of the selected curtain system's supporting evidence.
Important Difference
Fire Curtains vs Smoke Curtains
Fire curtains and smoke curtains should not automatically be treated as the same thing.
A fire curtain is intended to provide a defined level of fire-resistance performance, while a smoke curtain is primarily intended to control or channel smoke movement.
Some products or systems may provide multiple performance characteristics, but the required classification and evidence should always be checked rather than assumed from the product name.
System Performance
The Complete Fire Curtain Assembly Matters
The performance of a fire curtain is not determined by the curtain fabric alone.
The supporting construction, headbox, side guides, fixings, bottom bar, control system and installation arrangement can all form part of the tested or classified system.
Substituting components or installing the curtain outside the scope of its supporting evidence may affect the expected performance.
Check before specifying
- Opening dimensions
- Supporting construction
- Required fire performance
- Control and activation arrangement
- Tested installation detail
Product Selection
What Should You Check When Choosing a Fire Curtain?
Selection should start with the building design and required application rather than choosing a curtain on product name alone.
Opening Size
Check that the dimensions are within the permitted scope of the selected system.
Construction
Confirm the supporting structure is suitable for the tested installation arrangement.
Performance
Match the required fire and, where relevant, smoke performance to supporting evidence.
Controls
Check how the curtain is intended to activate, operate and interface with the wider building system.
Relevant Products
Explore Related Product Ranges
Browse product categories related to fire compartmentation and passive fire protection.
Learn More
Related Knowledge Hub Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Fire Curtain FAQs
A fire curtain is a flexible fire-resisting barrier used as part of a designed fire protection system. Depending on the tested system, it may deploy across an opening to help restrict the spread of fire and support compartmentation.
Many fire curtain systems remain concealed during normal use and deploy when activated by the building's fire safety controls. The exact operating method, control arrangement and performance depend on the specific tested system.
Fire curtains and smoke curtains perform different functions. A fire curtain is intended to provide defined fire-resistance performance, while a smoke curtain is primarily intended to control smoke movement. Some systems may provide more than one type of performance, but this must be confirmed from the relevant classification and manufacturer documentation.
Fire curtains can be used around suitable openings where conventional fixed compartment construction or fire doors are not appropriate. Applications depend on the building design and the scope of the tested curtain system.
No. Fire curtain selection should consider the opening size, supporting construction, required performance, fixing arrangement, control system and the scope of the relevant test and classification evidence.
Fire Curtain Systems
Looking for a fire curtain system?
Browse our Fire Curtains range or contact Fire Protection Direct if you need help identifying a product or system for a particular application.
