Regulations
When is a smoke curtain mandatory?
A smoke curtain is mandatory in places where the Dutch Building Decree (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, Bbl) requires resistance to smoke passage, but where a fixed wall or glazed partition does not fit the design or the use of the building. Think of atriums, voids and covered passages. In this article you can read where that requirement comes from, in which buildings it arises most often and how you demonstrate that your solution complies.
What does the Bbl say about smoke spread?
Since the introduction of the Bbl, smoke resistance has been required directly and assessed according to NEN 6075, with the classes Ra (smoke-resistant at ambient temperature) and R200 (smoke-resistant at 200 °C). The requirement applies to separations around protected sub fire compartments and protected escape routes, so that escape routes remain usable for longer. Every separation in such a boundary — including a movable curtain — must demonstrably achieve the required class, including its connections to the surrounding building structure.
In which buildings does the requirement arise most often?
In practice the requirement mainly arises in buildings with large open vertical spaces or with occupants who cannot escape unaided. Atriums and voids in offices and educational buildings break through the separation between floors, allowing smoke to spread upwards quickly. In care buildings and hotels there is the added factor that occupants are asleep or not self-reliant. Covered shopping arcades and car parks beneath a main building also call for control of smoke spread.
When does a curtain suffice and when not?
A smoke curtain is the appropriate solution when an opening must remain open in daily use and may only close on fire detection. The curtain then forms the smoke separation, or channels smoke towards a smoke and heat exhaust ventilation system (SHEVS). If the separation also requires fire resistance with thermal insulation (EI), a smoke curtain alone is not sufficient and the fire safety consultant assesses whether a fire curtain, a fixed separation or an equivalent solution is needed.
How do you demonstrate that the solution complies?
The basis is a classification report from an accredited test institute showing that the supplied curtain achieves the required class, together with the CE marking and the declaration of performance. In addition, the control from the fire alarm panel and the connection to the building structure must match the tested configuration. Protektis supplies the accompanying documentation for each project, so that the consultant and the competent authority can assess the application.
More background on standards and classifications? Read the fire safety information.
Further reading
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.
Practice
Fire compartmentation in atriums: how to approach it
An atrium by definition breaks through the compartmentation. Flexible curtains solve this without losing the openness of the design.