Smoke Blinds explained

Smoke Blinds Smoke blinds/smoke curtains are designed to contain the spread of thick smoke and noxious gases, which are the primary cause of death in the majority of fires. The blinds will either contain or channel the smoke which rises to the ceiling and can travel, as a "smoke front" at speeds faster than an escaping person. Open plan architecture, such as shopping centres, large retail stores, airports and conference centres, all need protection from spreading smoke. Types and Operation Fixed/static screens Are non-operational curtains, normally fixed to the structural steelwork within an open-frame building, where space, appearance and functions are not critical (warehousing, superstores etc.). Automatic blinds will normally drop to just above head height (2200mm above finished floor level) but there is an increasing requirement for blinds which offer ceiling to floor protection, and extended drops of up to 8000mm. Fixed/static screens All automatic blinds should have a gravity fail-safe facility or stand-by battery operation that allows the blind to descend even in the event of a total power failure. With long drop blinds (over 1500mm) or blinds that descend to below head height, there should be a controlled/governed rate of free fall descent. All smoke blinds/curtains should conform to BS 7346 : Part 3 : 1990 as a minimum. Components Roller Usually 70/100 mm ERW steel zinc-plated. Maximum single roller length 5000mm. Over 5000mm, rollers are overlapped by a minimum of 400mm. Motor Tubular geared, with internal, externally wired, limit switches. Box Single roller boxing: minimum 150mm x 150mm; multiple roller boxing: 150mm x 250mm. Multiple roller configuration is normally side-by-side but can be under-over. Boxing material is normally 18 swg galvanised mild steel with 14 swg galvanised mild steel end plates. Electro-magnetic braking Normally 24v dc, externally and internally mounted. Fabric Should conform to BS 476 : Part 7 : 1997 and BS 476 : part 6 : 1989 and, ideally, BS 476 : part 20 : 1987. Popular fabrics are neoprene-coated or elastomeric silicon-coated or ceramic weavelock, woven glass-fibre. Electronic control equipment A zone control panel is required to interface between the blinds and the main alarm system. Emergency power units are an additional advantage to some systems allowing full operation even in the event of mains power failure. Installation Usually decided by the nature of the project. However, boxes are normally suspended by M10 threaded studding, from Unistrut-type channel, attached to underside of structural slab.

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