Practice
Fire compartmentation in atriums: how to approach it
An atrium connects floors and brings light and space into a building — and in doing so breaks through precisely the separations on which fire compartmentation is based. Without additional measures, smoke and fire spread quickly through the whole building via the void. Flexible fire and smoke curtains solve this: invisibly rolled up in daily use, automatically closed as soon as the fire alarm system activates.
Why is an atrium a compartmentation challenge?
Smoke rises and collects at the top of the building; via an open void, smoke reaches the highest floor and the escape routes located there within minutes. The atrium also breaks through the fire separation between floors, so the fire compartment effectively extends across several storeys. The Bbl only permits this when additional measures demonstrably achieve the same level of safety as the prescribed compartmentation.
What solutions are there for atriums?
Fixed fire-resistant glazing around the void is the classic solution, but often clashes with the design and the way the building is used. Roll-down fire or smoke curtains are the alternative: at rest almost invisibly integrated into the ceiling or roof edge, on alarm they close automatically and thus restore the compartmentation or limit the smoke volume. They are controlled from the fire alarm panel and often combined with a smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system (SHEVS) that keeps the atrium smoke-free.
What should you consider in the design phase?
Reserve installation space for the cassette and the guides early in the design; fitting them in later leads to visible cladding and extra costs. Determine for each curtain the clear passage, the connection to walls and building services, and the closing behaviour in case of power failure. Coordinate the control with the installer of the fire alarm system and record testability: each curtain must be able to demonstrably close periodically without disrupting the use of the building.
Case study
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More background on standards and classifications? Read the fire safety information.
Further reading
Regulations
When is a smoke curtain mandatory?
Dutch building regulations set requirements for smoke spread. In these situations a smoke curtain is the appropriate solution.
Standards
The difference between E, EW and EI: classifications explained
E, EW or EI 60 — the classification determines which curtain is suitable. How to read the codes from EN 13501-2 and choose the right requirement.