Smoke containment systems for smoke and fire ventilation
Smoke containment systems take the form either of physical barriers such as smoke curtains, or as pressure differential systems, also known as pressurisation systems.
If a fire breaks out, smoke containment systems prevent the movement of smoke and heat from one area to another. Usually they are designed for use as part of an overall smoke control system. If smoke is allowed to spread, damage can occur to other parts of the building and there is a risk of it becoming smoke-logged. However, with a well-designed smoke containment system, the smoke layer will remain relatively hot and buoyant, allowing more effective ventilation.
Below is an overview of the smoke containment solutions that Colt offers. Contact us to talk about your system requirements and make use of our free system design service to ensure you have the safest, most effective system for your needs.
Smoke curtains:
Physical barriers in the form of curtains can be either fixed or movable. Movable systems have the advantage that since they are held retracted at high level, they are virtually invisible until needed. They roll down when required.
Moveable curtains will normally be up at high level, well above head height, and in most cases smoke curtains don’t descend down to ground level.
Fire curtains:
Where it is necessary to contain the fire as well as smoke, a fire curtain may be used for containment instead of smoke curtains.
A fire curtain is used to provide fire separation between two spaces. It may well provide smoke control at the same time, but that is not its primary purpose, which is to prevent the spread of fire, and typically it may be used to protect a lift door or an escape route through an open plan dwelling.
