Smokestream's potential: c3S Securiglass offers an update on that crucial lifesaver

There are many reasons why it is essential to install smoke curtains in buildings in both public access and commercial settings. Smoke curtains channel smoke away to extractor points to greatly reduce levels of smoke in a fire as well as prevent smoke passing through to other areas within a building.

When a fire strikes, smoke is the most likely killer – not the fire itself – making smoke reduction a crucial lifesaver.

These points however, are just the tip of the iceberg for architects and specifiers. This is particularly so when they are choosing which type of smoke curtain to install, not to mention the installer as they could find themselves liable for choosing an inadequate product or installer.

Benchmark case
The well-publicised Sahib Foods legal case that took place last year, now serves as a benchmark today for architect's responsibility for specifying adequate fire protection measures. In this case, the architects specified polystyrene core sandwich panels in food production areas, i.e. areas of high fire risk. When fire broke out, the incorrect specification amplified the damage. The Court held that the architects were responsible for all aspects of the fire damage that would have been avoided had a more appropriate type of product been specified.

Smoke curtains should play a key part of any fire protection scheme. Traditional fabric smoke curtains have been used for many years and though they do protect against fire they have a number of flaws. Firstly, they require regular testing, they also have a tendency to gather dust and therefore, when tested, the dust has a tendency to fall on the area below which means that the area must be cleared beforehand. Finally, the fabric smoke curtains operate on an electric roller and control mechanism that can be triggered by an alarm or power failure. This can cause inconvenience in a false alarm and sometimes this may also necessitate manual re-setting.

New product
C3S Securiglass has recently developed an exciting new product to combat all the problems associated with the traditional systems. The product, called Smokestream, is a passive glazed smoke curtain system that is fully tested to BS7346 Part 3: 1990: Specification of Smoke curtains. The system comprises of continuous panels of fire resistant glass to form a screen that prevents the spread of smoke to other parts of the building. This is particularly useful around areas where the floor level differs like those surrounding escalators, balconies or galleries.

Being a passive system, Smokestream requires no maintenance or testing, other than periodic cleaning and it can easily blend in with surroundings for an aesthetically attractive appearance.

Smokestream is manufactured from Pyrocet fire resistant glass, tested to BS476 Part 22: 1987. The tests show that up to 90 minutes stability/integrity can be achieved in a steel frame, regardless of the direction that the fire attacks. The Smokestream system is available in both framed and frameless versions, in large sizes of glass (depending on levels of protection required) and in a variety of colours.

To date, the system has been successfully installed in a number of shopping centres and airports. It is also proving very popular in the Far East, where it has been installed in shopping malls as well as many of the Mass Transit Stations in Hong Kong.