Elevators in commercial and residential buildings require a high level of fire protection to keep occupants safe during a fire. How architects integrate fire curtains in lifts / elevators in their designs.
Regardless of where your elevator is located, one of the biggest risks when being inside one is during the event of a fire, as the elevator shaft will act as a chimney and will absorb smoke at an incredibly quick pace.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke inhalation is more likely to be the cause of death rather than the fire itself. In commercial properties especially, many people will come and go, which creates additional risk and danger when those people are looking for an exit during a fire evacuation.
The worries around being trapped in such a small space are a cause for concern. How will you be able to breathe? What if the elevator doors are partly stuck and smoke is able to filter through? Smoke and fire curtains are a great way to protect elevators and people from the spread of smoke or fire and the damage it causes.
The evolution of smoke and fire curtains
The initial purpose of an elevator is to provide an easy travel solution between floors. When an emergency occurs, elevators serve an essential role where the International Building Code is concerned. The IBC has strict guidelines that an elevator must follow. Chapter 10 under section 1003.7 calls for elevators to be used only as an ‘’accessible means of egress in accordance with section 1009.4’’.
After the conclusion that elevators are the fastest cause of smoke spreading throughout a building, the IBC and other fire regulation organisations produced these guidelines to prevent further tragedies from happening.
Coopers’ fire curtains with smoke control offer integrity against fire and prevent the spread of smoke to other floors when used over elevator doors or in lobbies. FireMaster fire curtains with smoke control can be used over individual elevator doors or form virtual cost-effective elevator lobbies. Ensuring open-plan lobbies and elevator doors meet requirements is key when running a building that utilises elevators.
Why are smoke and fire curtains the best solution?
Fire extinguishers, fire alarms, sprinklers and smoke detectors are all products that a building needs to meet the minimum requirements for fire safety – all of them are essential for protection and they can ensure a fire is prevented or stopped before it spreads further. However, in bigger buildings, the amount of fire protection required is substantial. Without a fire extinguisher and sprinkler at hand in each location, you create the risk of not being able to utilise them when needed – ensuring equipment is available in each area comes at a cost.
Often, many buildings may not be able to provide fire protection equipment in elevators due to their small size and the possibility of them being misused – causing damage to the elevator before a fire has even occurred. With a lack of equipment available, a fire could seriously harm the space, surroundings and people who could be inside.
Versatility with smoke and fire curtains
Coopers Fire understands that traditional methods of fire protection may not work with open plan designs. Deployable smoke and fire curtains are made to suit any building design, are hidden discreetly and will provide fire and smoke protection when required. Deployable fire curtains can be installed to look almost invisible and remain hidden until activated by a fire detection system – a solution that works well for building designers as they can protect the areas without requiring additional structural items to support them.
Our knowledge of the regulations in place that protect elevators and lobbies has led us to develop a range of fire barrier curtains with smoke control, that are approved to secure commercial and residential buildings. When creating a plan for fire and smoke protection in a building, the most important considerations are the ways in which you protect the building structure and the occupants inside.
In recent years, smoke and fire protection has become an increasingly advanced phenomenon in fire safety. Fire and smoke curtains for elevators are now a non-negotiable solution that adds value to the building design where protection and security are concerned. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our fire and smoke curtains.
Fire Curtains for Lifts & Lift Lobbies
Coopers Fire collaborates closely with world-leading architects and leading lift manufacturers like OTIS, KONE, and Schindler to design and develop innovative fire curtain solutions that seamlessly integrate into the most sophisticated building projects. Our partnerships with these industry giants are built on a shared commitment to safety, quality, and innovation, ensuring that fire safety measures do not compromise the aesthetic and functional integrity of a building’s design. Together, we push the boundaries of architectural possibilities by creating fire curtain systems that are not only highly effective in containing and controlling the spread of fire but are also virtually invisible within the building’s interior or facade, maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance.
One of the unique aspects of our work involves designing fire curtains that can be discretely hidden within a building’s facade or incorporated around lifts and lobbies, which are critical points in tall structures. In these settings, fire curtains provide essential fire compartmentation while remaining concealed until deployed. This approach not only preserves the visual appeal of the architectural design but also aligns with modern trends where minimalism and open spaces are prioritised. By collaborating from the early design stages, we work hand-in-hand with architects and elevator manufacturers to ensure that our fire curtains are seamlessly integrated into their designs, meeting both the safety regulations and the aesthetic demands of the project.
Our fire curtains are particularly valuable in tall buildings where they are often installed around lift shafts and lobbies—areas that are integral to safe evacuation and compartmentalisation during a fire. By preventing the spread of fire and smoke between floors and allowing for safe escape routes, our solutions significantly enhance the safety of occupants without disrupting the building’s design or operation. Coopers Fire’s expertise in this area enables us to deliver tailored fire safety solutions that are as discreet as they are effective, meeting the highest standards of performance while supporting the architect’s vision for the building’s overall look and feel.
