Understanding Smoke Control Zones and Draft Curtain in Fire Safety
Explore our cost-effective draft curtain, designed to enhance energy efficiency and improve indoor comfort. Ideal for residential and commercial spaces.In fire emergency situations, an automatic control system activates the supply and exhaust vents specifically for the smoke control zone where the fire is detected. While this approach is effective, proper implementation must be managed by electrical control specialists to ensure safety and efficiency.
When ducts pass through smoke control zones, the intersection with the draft curtain must be handled with care. It is crucial to determine whether the draft curtain is movable or fixed. If it is movable, complications can arise during installation. Fixed draft curtains can be easily integrated with smoke exhaust fire dampers, typically utilizing structural beams to create effective smoke control zones.
Concept of Smoke Control Zones
Smoke control zones are essential for facilitating the safe evacuation of occupants and the organized removal of smoke from buildings. By establishing smoke control zones, smoke can be contained within designated areas, allowing for efficient removal via smoke exhaust systems. The smoke control zone boundaries are defined by vertical barriers, such as roof smoke partitions and draft curtains, which extend at least 500mm from the ceiling to the floor or ceiling below.
- Roof Smoke Partition: A vertical barrier installed in the ceiling that obstructs the lateral flow of smoke and heat.
- Draft Curtain: A smoke control device made of non-combustible materials, suspended at least 500mm from the ceiling. Movable draft curtains automatically lower during a fire due to heat or smoke detection, effectively sealing the zone.
Importance of Smoke Control Zones
Extensive research indicates that smoke inhalation is a primary cause of injuries and fatalities during fires. The main goal in fire situations is to control the high-temperature smoke generated and confine it to specific areas, allowing for swift removal to the outdoors. Establishing smoke control zones is crucial to ensuring that smoke does not disperse freely, thereby facilitating safe evacuation, controlling fire spread, and minimizing damage.
Principles for Setting Up Smoke Control Zones
When designing smoke control zones, careful consideration must be given to their size. Zones that are too large may increase the affected area, complicating evacuation efforts and fire suppression. Conversely, zones that are too small can drive up construction costs and hinder functionality.
- Rooms without Smoke Exhaust Systems: Areas such as basements and hallways without dedicated smoke exhaust systems should not be divided into smoke control zones.
- Separation from Fire Zones: Smoke control zones must not cross into fire zones, ensuring clear demarcation between different types of hazard areas.
- Special Use Areas: Spaces with specific functions, like basements, smoke stairwells, fire elevators, and refuge areas, require dedicated smoke control zones.
- Floor Level Considerations: Generally, smoke control zones should not extend across multiple floors. In cases where a single floor is too small, it may include multiple floors, but this should not exceed three levels.
- Area Limitations: For high-rise residential buildings and other structures, including underground facilities, smoke control zones should ideally not exceed 500 square meters. However, if the ceiling height exceeds 6 meters, this limitation may be disregarded. Draft curtains, smoke barriers, or beams protruding at least 0.5 meters from the ceiling must delineate areas requiring smoke exhaust systems, with a minimum height of 1.8 meters from the floor to the draft curtain or beam.
Material Requirements for Draft Curtains
The materials used for smoke control draft curtains should be classified as Grade A materials to ensure maximum fire safety and compliance with building regulations.
Draft curtain–A fixed or movable smoke barrier made of non combustible materials that hangs from the ceiling by no less than 500 mm. Active smoke barrier refers to a smoke barrier that automatically hangs down during a fire due to temperature, smoke, or other control devices. It is mainly used in high-rise or super high-rise large shopping malls, office buildings, and warehouses, which can effectively block the lateral flow of smoke under the building ceiling, improve the smoke exhaust effect in the smoke prevention zone, and play a certain role in ensuring the safety of people’s lives and property.
This is our industry benchmark and if we don't get a deal, he can definitely accommodate whatever you need.→https://firecurtaintechnologies.com/blog/nfpa-draft-curtain-requirements/
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.