Views: 598 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-10 Origin: Site
Here is a breakdown of the main types of smoke curtains:
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### 1. By Deployment Method (The Primary Classification)
This is the most common way to categorize smoke curtains, as it directly relates to their operation and appearance.
#### A. Automatic / Deployable Smoke Curtains
These are the high-tech, motorized curtains that remain hidden in the ceiling until needed.
* **How they work:** They are integrated with the building's fire alarm system. Upon detecting smoke or fire, they automatically deploy vertically to form a barrier.
* **Key Feature:** **Concealed in the ceiling** when not in use, preserving the aesthetics of the space.
* **Ideal for:** Modern offices, atriums, retail malls, hotels, and any area where architectural design is a priority.
#### B. Static / Permanent Smoke Curtains
These curtains are always in the deployed (down) position as a fixed architectural feature.
* **How they work:** They are permanently installed and do not move. Their constant presence creates a permanent barrier.
* **Key Feature:** **Always visible**, simple design with no moving parts.
* **Ideal for:** Elevator lobbies, escalator openings, industrial settings, and as a permanent partition to define smoke zones. They are often used in conjunction with automatic doors or shutters.
#### C. Manual Smoke Curtains
These are less common for life safety but are used in specific scenarios. They require human intervention to deploy.
* **How they work:** Operated by a pull-cord, crank, or other manual mechanism.
* **Key Feature:** **Human-operated**, no power or control system required.
* **Ideal for:** Isolating specific hazards, back-of-house areas, or as a lower-cost alternative where automatic systems are not mandated.
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### 2. By Function and Application
This classification is based on the specific role the curtain plays in the building's smoke management system.
#### A. Perimeter Smoke Curtains (or Vertical Smoke Curtains)
These are the most common type of automatic curtain. They deploy from the ceiling to create a vertical barrier around an open space.
* **Purpose:** To contain smoke within a specific "zone" (like an atrium, large lobby, or open-plan floor) and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building, such as escape routes and elevator shafts.
* **Deployment:** Typically drops down to form a wall or a series of walls.
#### B. Elevator Smoke Curtains
A critical safety application designed specifically for elevator lobbies.
* **Purpose:** To prevent smoke from entering elevator shafts. The "piston effect" of moving elevator cars can draw smoke into the shaft, turning it into a chimney and spreading smoke to every floor. These curtains create a barrier at the lobby entrance.
* **Design:** Often "wrap-around" or "top-and-two-side" curtains that seal the top and sides of the elevator doorway.
#### C. Draft / Elevator Hoistway Smoke Curtains
Installed inside the elevator shaft itself at each floor level.
* **Purpose:** To restrict the stack effect and the movement of smoke within the elevator hoistway (the shaft), providing an additional layer of protection.
#### D. Horizontal Smoke Curtains
These create an overhead barrier rather than a vertical wall.
* **Purpose:** To channel smoke towards extraction points (like natural or mechanical vents in the ceiling) and to slow its descent, keeping the "smoke layer" high and maintaining a breathable air layer below for longer.
* **Relation to Other Products:** This function is very similar to that of a **Fixed (or Automatic) Blocking Smoke Barrier**, which is essentially a **Fixed/Static Smoke Curtain**.
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### 3. By Design and Material
#### A. Fabric Curtains
* **Material:** Made from high-tensile, fire-resistant fiberglass or silica cloth.
* **Advantages:** Lightweight, flexible, and can be easily stored in a compact headbox. This is the standard for most automatic deployable curtains.
#### B. Solid/Blade Curtains
* **Material:** Constructed from interlocking metal (often steel or aluminum) blades or a single solid sheet.
* **Advantages:** More robust and durable, offering a more industrial appearance. Often used in static applications or in areas with higher potential for impact.
### Summary Table
| Type | Deployment | Key Feature | Primary Use |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Automatic/Deployable** | Motorized, on alarm signal | Hidden when not in use | Atriums, open offices, modern buildings |
| **Static/Permanent** | Always deployed | Simple, no moving parts | Elevator lobbies, escalators, permanent zones |
| **Perimeter/Vertical** | Drops down from ceiling | Creates vertical barrier walls | Zoning large spaces, protecting escape routes |
| **Elevator Lobby** | Deploys around elevator door | Seals off elevator entrance | Preventing smoke ingress into elevator shafts |
| **Horizontal/Blocking** | Deploys horizontally or is fixed | Creates an overhead barrier | Channeling smoke to exhaust vents |