Smoke Curtains and Fire Curtains

What are smoke and fire curtains?

Any building four stories or higher is required by code to have some kind of smoke containment system to prevent smoke from spreading from one floor to another. One of the safest and most effective ways to meet this requirement is with smoke curtains. Smoke curtains are fire-protective curtain assemblies that can enclose an elevator, escalator, atrium, or other part of a building to keep the smoke trapped in a contained area in the event of a fire. This system leaves other parts of the building smoke-free so people can evacuate safely.

80% of people hurt or killed in a fire emergency are injured from smoke inhalation, not from the flames themselves. Smoke curtains should be installed to ensure that your building meets all local and national fire code requirements. Reference section 901 of the International Building Code for the criteria for the design, installation, and operation of fire protection and life safety systems.

Smoke curtains are also sometimes known as fire curtains; while fire curtains prevent the spread of both flames and smoke and are made of slightly different materials, many people use the terms interchangeably.

Elevator smoke containment system

Model: DSI – 600

The DSI 600 is a cost-effective and aesthetically-pleasing solution for elevator shaft smoke protection, and meets section 901 code requirements. The smoke curtain is made of a fire-resistant fabric. If a fire alarm is triggered, the curtain will drop and contain the smoke within the elevator shaft. Once deployed, there is an emergency “curtain up” button located on both sides of the elevator cab, allowing easy access in an emergency situation. There is also a manual handle to raise the curtain for redundant safety.

Our smoke curtain is concealed in a compact overhead housing that is virtually invisible before being deployed. The system provides proven and tested smoke containment without requiring an enclosed elevator lobby (which takes up a lot of space and can be challenging to the building design process). Nettles offers elevator shaft smoke curtains in a variety of custom sizes to fit any elevator.

Custom smoke and fire curtains

Model: DSI – C1HR/C3HR & DSI – D1HR

Smoke and fire curtains are most often used for spaces that are larger than 2 stories tall, ensuring that smoke is contained within a large lobby or entryway in case of a fire. Mainly used for atriums, corridors, and other common use spaces, smoke curtains come in a variety of custom sizes and widths. They are lightweight, with low headroom requirements, and are virtually invisible when not deployed.

Accordion fire curtains

Model: DSI – A4HR

Accordion fire curtains are made of accordion-folded fire resistant material that drops down when a fire alarm is triggered to trap smoke outside an escalator or other part of a building. The pleated curtain comes in a variety of configurations and does not require columns or corner posts for installation. Like the other types of smoke curtains, accordion curtains come in a variety of sizes and are lightweight and almost invisible when not deployed.

Horizontal fire curtains

Model: DSI – H3HR

Horizontal fire curtains are commonly used for ceilings, atrium voids, stairwells, or other open spaces. The curtain unfolds when a fire alarm is triggered, containing the smoke and allowing for safe evacuation. DSI horizontal fire curtains come with multiple mounting options and are lightweight, requiring little to no structural support.

Deployable Fabric Fire Wall

Model: DSI – FW119

The DSI Deployable Fabric Fire Wall consists of two DSI Hose Stream Rated Smoke and Fire Curtains mounted back-to-back, creating a lightweight package that is stored above the ceiling and remains virtually invisible until deployed. The Fire Wall is a 3-hour fire rated wall assembly and provides architects with a cost-effective option for opening space design while still meeting code requirements. Since the product is considered a wall with an ASTM E119/UL263 rating, it is not restricted by the IBC Section 707.6 rule regarding a maximum 25% fire barrier opening penetration.

Door systems
"THE SMOKE & FIRE CONTAINMENT PEOPLE"

Nettles is the exclusive dealer for DSI Fire Protective Smoke Curtains in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Door Systems is proud to provide code compliant smoke curtains and hose stream rated fire curtains that offer superior aesthetics, high performance and up front cost savings while bringing long term value to the customer.

Want to learn more?

Check out our smoke curtain buyer’s guide to learn more about how smoke curtains work, why they’re important, and the questions you should ask before purchasing.

Why choose Nettles as your smoke and fire curtains contractor?

At Nettles, we have years of experience with fire-related products. We are the exclusive dealer for DSI Fire Protective Smoke Curtains in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. We are proud to provide code compliant smoke curtains and hose stream rated fire curtains that offer superior aesthetics, high performance, and upfront cost savings, while bringing long-term value to our customers.

Beyond our specific expertise, we pride ourselves on customer service, clear communication, and strict adherence to budgets and project timelines. We’ll work with you to ensure the safety of your building and the people in it.

Smoke and fire curtain FAQs

What codes regulate the use of smoke and fire curtains?

Section 901 of the International Building Code lists criteria for the design, installation, and operation of fire protection and life safety systems. Smoke curtains should be installed to ensure that your building meets all local and national fire code requirements, including: (CBC, IBC, LABC, LADBS) ICC-ES ESR-4761, UL-1785, UL-864, and more.

Are smoke curtains and fire curtains different?

While similar, smoke and fire curtains are made of different materials and are used for slightly different things. Smoke curtains prevent smoke from spreading into other parts of the building, while fire curtains prevent the spread of both flames and smoke. However, many people use the terms interchangeably.

Where can smoke and fire curtains be installed?

Smoke curtains are most commonly installed in front of elevators, but they can also be used for mezzanines, escalators, areas of refuge, and more. DSI smoke curtains are not size-limited, meaning they can be installed on any height or width of opening, including open-air mezzanines. At Nettles, we keep standard elevator smoke curtain sizes in stock but can also install custom sizes to meet our customers’ specific space requirements.

What happens to elevator smoke curtains when not deployed?

The smoke curtain is easily stored above the elevator, taking up minimal headroom and remaining essentially invisible until deployed. Once the fire emergency is over, the elevator smoke curtain automatically recedes back into the ceiling, with no manual resetting required.

How often should smoke and fire curtains be tested?

Building code usually mandates that smoke containment systems, including smoke curtains, be inspected annually.