Fire and Smoke Curtains Save Lives
No one wants to think about the possibility of a fire either in their home or workplace. It’s the stuff of nightmares.
However, if that worst-case scenario does happen – and you’re not prepared with a quick escape plan or haven’t installed protective measures – you will likely be faced with the threat of smoke inhalation. Smoke causes more deaths than flames do because it can easily overcome victims before they have time to react.
In both commercial buildings and homes alike, it’s important to ensure that there is adequate protection against potential fires – especially when you consider how dangerous smoke inhalation is to us.
When smoke is inhaled in a building fire, it can cause the following:
- Interference with your breathing
- A decrease in your ability to communicate and see
Smoke inhalation during a fire is dangerous because smoke has harmful gases that are poisonous to us. These include carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and methane gas. The concentration and combination of these deadly chemicals can be fatal incredibly quickly.
Smoke inhalation can also cause the following:
- Asphyxiation
- Burns to the respiratory system and airways
There are also carcinogenic agents such as asbestos and radioactive isotopes in some fires. These particles must be treated carefully by firefighters when they’re tackling a fire in a building or structure. They are dangerous to anyone caught in the fire too, and these people are highly unlikely to be wearing breathing apparatus.
Apart from trying to prevent fires from starting, what can you do to minimise the risks when a fire does occur?
Install Fire Curtains
What is a Fire Curtain?
A fire curtain is a fire-resistant barrier that is used for compartmentation. This separates open plan spaces into sections to prevent fire from spreading through the whole area. The fire curtains are usually constructed out of high-temperature resistant fabrics and mounted on tracks, so they can be easily moved into place by hand without requiring electricity.
Install Smoke Curtains
What are Smoke Curtains?
While fire curtains are known to save lives during fires, smoke may develop between these barriers when there’s an issue with the system. This can spread toxic fumes throughout your home or office space instead of protecting you against them. Smoke typically rises vertically within enclosed structures. Poisonous gases sink downwards towards floor level where occupants often take shelter due to their instinctual behaviour. Installing smoke curtains, which are fire-resistant, can greatly improve this situation and the outcome for people involved in the incident.
Fire and smoke curtains are both installed to ensure safe evacuation in the event of a fire. Smoke curtains form a critical element of smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (SHEVS). Such systems create a smoke-free layer above the floor by removing smoke and heat and making a safe escape more likely.
Install Fire Shutters
What are Fire Shutters?
Fire Shutters are fire-resistant panels that can be used on existing or new openings. They come in many different materials and sizes, some fire shutter doors will give up to two hours fire resistance (FAR). Fire shutters also provide thermal insulation making them an integral part of any fire-rated wall system.
Fire protection is a critical component of your defence plan against dangerous fires and should never be compromised when planning a home or workspace.
How We Can Help You
We manufacture fire shutters, fire curtains and smoke curtains to the highest standards. We have designed, extensively tested our products. We hold the patent for brushless smoke seals, which are integrated within our curtains. This greatly improves their performance.
Other companies offering these life-saving curtains use brush strips to prevent smoke leakage. These brushes create friction, which can jam the curtain, causing it to fail. Curtains damaged in this way are expensive to fix and offer much less protection in the event of a fire.
Brushes can also melt very quickly in high temperatures, such as during a substantial fire. This means smoke can quickly breach the curtain and affect those trapped in the building.
If you are interested in learning more about fire protection systems, contact us today.
