Dallah Namar Hospital, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has taken significant steps to enhance its fire safety measures by installing three FireMaster Concertina and four FireMaster active fire barriers. These fire curtains are strategically placed within the hospital’s corridors to act as barriers, controlling the movement of fire and smoke in the event of a fire incident. Fire curtains have a critical role in healthcare settings and the importance of compartmentation within hospital environments.
Fire curtains are an essential component in modern fire safety systems. Designed to suppress the growth and development of fire and smoke, these barriers are crucial in limiting the initial spread of fire, protecting escape routes, and ensuring the safety of occupants. In a hospital setting, where the safety of patients, staff, and visitors is paramount, fire curtains provide an additional layer of protection by maintaining compartmentation.
The FireMaster Concertina and FireMaster active fire barriers installed at Dallah Namar Hospital represent advanced fire safety technology:
Compartmentation refers to the division of a building into distinct fire zones using fire-resistant barriers. This approach is especially critical in hospitals due to several factors:
At Dallah Namar Hospital, the installation of three FireMaster Concertina and four FireMaster active fire barriers was meticulously planned and executed. The fire curtains were installed in key corridors, forming an integral part of the hospital’s fire safety strategy. The installation process involved:
The installation of fire curtains at Dallah Namar Hospital has significantly enhanced its fire safety profile. The benefits include:
The integration of FireMaster Concertina and active fire barriers at Dallah Namar Hospital underscores the importance of advanced fire safety solutions in healthcare settings. By focusing on compartmentation and the strategic placement of fire curtains, the hospital has significantly enhanced its ability to protect its occupants and assets in the event of a fire. This case study highlights the critical role that fire curtains play in ensuring a safe and compliant hospital environment, serving as a model for other healthcare facilities aiming to improve their fire safety measures.
Fire curtains play a crucial role in hospital and healthcare settings by enabling architects to design open-plan spaces that are both safe and functional. Traditionally, hospitals were built with numerous walls and fire doors to compartmentalise different sections, limiting the spread of fire and smoke. However, this approach can create a maze-like environment, making navigation difficult and reducing the aesthetic and practical benefits of open-plan design. Fire curtains provide a modern solution by offering a flexible and effective way to compartmentalise areas without the need for permanent walls. These curtains can be discreetly installed in ceilings or walls and deployed only when necessary, allowing for a more open and accessible layout that promotes better visibility, communication, and mobility.
In the event of a fire, fire curtains automatically descend to create fire-resistant barriers, preventing the spread of flames and smoke to other parts of the building. This compartmentation is essential in a healthcare setting, where the safe and efficient evacuation of patients, many of whom may have limited mobility or be dependent on life-support equipment, is of utmost importance. Fire curtains ensure that evacuation routes remain clear and safe, enabling quick and orderly evacuations. Additionally, by containing the fire to a specific area, these curtains help protect critical equipment and sensitive areas such as operating rooms and intensive care units, ensuring that emergency services can continue to operate during a fire.
Benefits of Concertina Fire Curtains in Healthcare Settings:
