Non-compliant applications
These products cannot meet the unexposed surface temperature limitations of ANSI/UL 263 or ASTM E119 (139 C [250 F] average or 181 C [325 F] at any point). Therefore, they are not compliant as walls or floor/ceiling assemblies requiring a fire-resistance rating.
Further, these curtains do not qualify as fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, shaft enclosures, or rated floors (horizontal assemblies), although they may have some code-compliant uses when installed in such assemblies.
Due to these temperature limitations, these products also do not meet the requirements for horizontal fire door assemblies in accordance with NFPA 288. The current generation of products also has difficulty meeting the hose stream requirements of the test standard.
Some of these products are not compliant with egress requirements, such as opening width at top (pass through slots) and tripping hazards at the floor (drooping and draping).
Using fire- or smoke-protective curtains to separate spaces in buildings where non-combustible interior non-bearing partitions are required and combustible curtains/draperies tested in accordance with NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films, would not be appropriate. They are also unidirectional, meaning they are only designed to serve occupants in one direction or orientation.
The ability of these products to meet other egress requirements can also be debated. “Up buttons” can be considered special knowledge. Velcro “latches” may not be considered by some to comply with either NFPA 101 or the IBC. Here again, these products as a category, cannot meet the hose stream test defined in ASTM E119, which consequently limits the rating to 20 minutes. This constraint also prohibits these products for ¾-hour doorways to a fire service access and occupant evacuation elevator lobbies.
The definition in NFPA 13 Paragraph 3.3.8, “Draft Curtain,” says “continuous.” The 2012 IFC Section 910.3.5.1, “Draft Curtains–Construction,” says joints/connections must be smoke-tight. As such, these requirements indicate gaps are not allowed when multiple fire- and smoke-protective curtain assemblies are installed adjacent to each other to create draft curtains.
Potential applications
The codes and standards are continually evolving. The following applications are likely to become widely accepted by AHJs in the foreseeable future as codes and standards become more refined on use of these products:
- service counter fire doors as 20-minute opening protectives; and
- atria separation (either vertical or horizontal) to limit interconnection
of levels.
The UL Task Group (STP 10) responsible for the applicable standards (UL 10B, C, and D) is considering the inclusion of horizontal sliding applications for these products in UL 10D. If approved through the standards revision process, the use of horizontal applications will open the door to new applications.
Douglas H. Evans founded DHE FPE LLC after working as fire protection engineer with the Clark county’s (Nevada) building department for 22 years. At the county, his primary focus was coordinating fire protection aspects for mega-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Evans is primarily recognized for his knowledge of combustible exterior façade, plastics/foam plastics in building construction, unique interior features, and smoke management systems. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and member of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He can be reached at dhefpe@gmail.com.
Vickie J. Lovell recently retired as president of InterCode Inc., which provides code change development strategies, product and market forecasting, technical writing services, and product commercialization. She helped develop codes and standards for groups such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), International Code Council (ICC), and NFPA. Lovell can be reached at vickie@intercodeinc.com.
