While commercial buildings adhere to basic regulations for fire and smoke safety aimed at preventing loss of life and enabling firefighters’ safe access, additional solutions can be installed to provide an added layer of protection for both customers and employees.
Fire and smoke pose a lethal threat. The majority of indoor fire-related fatalities result from smoke inhalation rather than burns from flames. Smoke contains a mixture of poisonous gases, with carbon dioxide being the most deadly. Throughout modern history, smoke inhalation has been a leading cause of death in large fires, sometimes affecting areas far from their origins. Sunstone offers a comprehensive approach to fire and smoke safety, tailored to suit buildings of any size and layout.
How Do Fire and Smoke Containment Systems Function?
In the event of a fire, fire and smoke containment systems operate to restrict the movement of heat and smoke to other areas of the building. Advanced systems go a step further by confining the smoke and fire to a single location, thus improving ventilation efficiency.
If smoke is permitted to disperse, it will gradually descend closer to the ground. This scenario could result in a building filled with smoke, posing a deadly threat to its occupants. Conversely, when smoke is contained within a specific area, it remains hot and buoyant, facilitating easier and more efficient smoke removal and ventilation. Containment of smoke not only saves lives but also prevents additional damage to unaffected parts of the building caused by the fire.
Smoke & Fire Curtains
One of the most popular options when it comes to fire and smoke containment systems is the use of fabric curtains that automatically deploy upon activation of a smoke alarm. These curtains serve as a physical barrier to contain fire and smoke as required, but retract or coil when not in use and are available in fixed or movable configurations.
- Movable smoke curtain systems offer the added benefit of being nearly invisible, as they are stored and retracted at the ceiling level and only descend when activated.
- Fixed smoke curtain systems are commonly installed near elevators, serving as permanent fixtures of a building’s construction.
Smoke curtains are applicable for various settings such as elevators, warehouses, open spaces, and more. These containment systems can also be customized to suit any opening or space where they are required.
Smoke & Fire Doors
Smoke and fire doors play a critical role in halting the spread of fire and smoke within commercial buildings, providing essential breaks and barriers. They ensure occupants have a safe path for evacuation by preventing the intrusion of fire and smoke into evacuation areas.
These doors typically possess fire protection ratings lasting several hours, providing ample time for occupants to exit the building safely. While functioning as ordinary doors on regular days, in the event of a fire, they deploy a comprehensive system of components designed to save lives and contain the spread of fire and smoke. As these doors are part of daily use, they offer a variety of finishes and aesthetic options to seamlessly integrate with the aesthetics of your building.
To bolster your existing fire and smoke system, we offer two product lines: Smoke Guard and Total Door. Each of these product lines caters to different commercial applications but shares the common goal of ensuring the safety of individuals within your building in the event of a fire. Rest assured, all manufacturer products offered by Sunstone comply with regulatory requirements, including national fire life safety codes and ADA requirements.
