THE LEADING EDGE IN

Smoke & Fire Curtains

Automatic Smoke Curtains
Automatic Fire Curtains
Static Smoke & Fire Curtains
SHEVS

0114 251 4703

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Smoke & Fire Curtains

Simple, effective and cost efficient, draft and
static smoke and fire curtains from BLE are
invaluable for protecting large open buildings
from the threat of fire, smoke and hot gases.
An automatic smoke curtain is manufactured to
provide an unobtrusive and aesthetically neutral
solution to compartmentation issues throughout
the most complex of buildings. We are able to
create bespoke smoke curtains for even the most
complex smoke control system, regardless of
what type of building it is protecting or where in
the world it is to be installed.
Automatic Fire Curtains are similarly discreet in
design and are suitable for use in a multitude of fire
scenarios which are explained in detail on pages
4 - 8. Control Systems for our BLE Automatic Fire
Curtains are designed to be robust and as simple
as possible to provide minimum maintenance
requirements while providing for features such
as retract buttons, obstruction sensors and audio
visual warnings.

Scenarios
Protected Means
of Escape
When considering the placement
and provision of a protected
means of escape protection from
fire and smoke are the paramount
consideration.
Traditionally a protected means of
escape would be along a brick or
concrete corridor. However, it may
be that the building design does not
lend itself to permanent, structural
barriers. Using BLE Fire Curtains it is
possible to provide a protected means of escape that, when not in use, is retracted into the ceiling
allowing for an unimpeded open area. The length of this escape route is potentially infinite utilising
BLEs overlapping roller technology. The reduced irradiance of heat, combined with the reduction in
temperature and the prevention of smoke egress that a BLE Curtain provides, allows the construction of
an insulating zone in accordance with current smoke & fire legislation and standards.

Elevator
Doors
Elevator shafts are a permanent
compartment breach with the
potential to spread flames and
smoke vertically through a building
very rapidly. While most, if not all
elevator doors provide a degree of
fire integrity this is not the same for
smoke sealing. BLE Smoke & Fire are
able to offer a recognised Smoke
Seal curtain that can be discreetly
installed into the surround facing
the elevator door , rendering the curtain invisible when retracted. Once deployed it permits a greatly
reduced level of smoke leakage falling inside the international leakage requirements.

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Scenarios
Elevator
Lobbies
While BLE Smoke & Fire can offer
a smoke sealed curtain for the
immediate face of any elevator
door this may not suit the building
fire strategy. It may be required to
create a protected lobby in front of
a bank of elevator doors. Where this
would previously have required the
construction of a physical fire and
smoke rated partition, a three sided
lobby can now be produced using
curtains. Again, when not in use there is no physical impediment or restriction but once required a full
integrity and, if required, smoke sealed lobby can be created.

Escalators
& Stairs
Both these items create a permanent
breach in the compartment
between floors. Using BLE Curtains
this can be tackled in several
ways depending on the strategy
requirements. There is the option
of using smoke curtains around
the lower level to create a deeper
reservoir depth or fully fledged fire
curtains to seal off the escalator or
stair well completely. In conjunction
with intelligent control systems allowing control to be linked to the escalator operation to facilitate
escape as well as escape buttons this provides a tested and well used solution.

Fire Door
Replacement
Fire doors are a necessary but
cumbersome item. They are
required in a great deal of situations
however they are by nature heavy
and restrictive to movement, difficult
for small children and the elderly
or disabled to open and awkward
if carrying bags, pushing prams or
operating wheelchairs. It is therefore
commonplace to see these vital
parts of a buildings fire strategy
wedged open, breaching all compartmentation requirements. A BLE fire curtain can be specified as
an alternative offering the same levels of integrity and, if required, additional smoke sealing. The curtain
can be recessed within the ceiling and walls, or face fixed depending on customer requirements. It will
then remain there hidden, always ready to deploy in a fire situation due to its gravity fail-to-safe method
of operation, even when all forms of consumable power are unavailable.

External
Fire Escape
Protection

A number of buildings still utilise an

external staircase running down a
building to allow escape from each
floor. However if the fire is on a lower
floor then this means of escape is
compromised. The installation of
a BLE Curtain with IP rating allows
curtains to be installed to the exterior
of the windows in the zone of the
external escape route providing
protection to the stairs from smoke, irradiance of heat and high temperatures as well as naked flames.

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Scenarios
Atrium
Chimney
There are numerous office blocks
and department stores that have
impressive open atria designs
spanning over many floors. To
prevent the spread of smoke and
fire from one floor to another and
to facilitate the rapid extraction of
smoke many of these use a roof level
access system complemented by
an inlet make up air facilty and the
deployment of BLE Curtains around
the perimeter edge. Sophisticated control systems allow for the curtains to facilitate these strategies by
employing staged and separate deployments, level by level or even curtain by curtain, with multiple
alarm inputs being reacted to.

Fire

Compartmentation
Forming fire compartments requires
a curtain to have good levels of
Integrity the I Classification and
low levels of Irradiance of Heat the
W Classification. Curtains installed to
form a compartment must be able
to provide a physical barrier to the
fire and prevent heat flux transfer of
levels sufficient to ignite materials
either side of the compartment. BLE
Curtains provide the highest levels
of protection certified for use around the world.

Smoke

Compartmentation
Smoke compartments are formed
to prevent smoke spreading
throughout a building. They must
be impermeable to smoke leakage,
within set criteria, but also offer
a level of resistance to heat. In
particular protection must be
provided to the rapid build up in
heat caused by hot smoke hitting
the barrier, a scenario in which
some types of glass will shatter. BLE
curtains provide excellent levels of smoke containment as well as high heat resistance.

Smoke
Channelling
It is often desirable to direct smoke
into certain zones for extraction. This
is formed using small, rapid drop
and often zone controlled banks
of curtains. The major requirement
for this type of curtain is fast
deployment, minimum deflection
and a high degree of tolerance to
hot smoke.
Smoke channels should be installed
with consideration given to their
intended use in conjunction with large extract systems.

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Draft Curtain
Alternatively known as:
Fixed/Static Barriers
Fixed/Static Curtains

Features
Static Draft Curtain incorporating X32K fabric.
Time/temperature classification D120 to
provide smoke control in industrial and
commercial locations
120 minute integrity (E) to 600C for smoke
channel use.
Meets the requirements of Annex C of BS
EN 12101-1:2006 for smoke sealing.
Unlimited width and drop
Manufactured to suit any shape/size.
Pocket hem for conduit to increase rigidity.
Bespoke fixing methods available to suit
most requirements.

Compliant with
BS EN 12101-1:2006

Appendix C
Appendix D

Pressurised Air Leakage

2 Hour Fire Integrity

BS 476
Part 4
Non-Combustibility Test For Materials
Part 6 Fire Propagation
Part 7 Surface Spread Of Flame
NFPA 409

6.1.1(i)

Draft Curtains For Aircraft Hangars

Smoke Curtain
Features
Standard Smoke Curtain incorporating X32K
fabric
120 minute integrity (E) to 600C for smoke
channel use
Excellent compartmentation properties
Use of S Designation provides class
leading smoke sealing
Multiple control options.
Overlapped curtains for large widths
Oversized drops available
Facetted curtains for curves possible.

Compliant with
BS EN 12101 1
Appendix B
Reliability & Response
Appendix C Pressurised Air Leakage

Appendix D
2 Hour Fire Integrity
BS 476 Part 6 Fire Propagation
Part 7 Surface Spread of Flame
BS EN 1634 3
Pressurised Air Leakage System Test
BS 7346
2 Hour Fire Resistance & Integrity Test
Deflection Test
Oversize Test
Overlapping Barrels
UL 10 D
Fire & Smoke Protective Curtains 120 minutes
UL 10 D
S Designation
Above with Smoke Sealing
UL 10 C
UL 10 B

Control System
Group Control Panel
Split Drop Delay
Delayed Descent
Motor Control Cards

Options
Audio Visual,, Heat and / or Smoke Detectors, Building Management System, Emergency Retract
Buttons, Manual Override Switch, Curtain Decals, S Designation for Smoke Seals, OS Designation
for 5.5m 8m on a single barrel

10

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

1 Hour Fire Curtain

Features
60 Minute Fire Integrity Curtain incorporating
X32K fabric
60 minute integrity to 1000C
Use of S Designation provides class
leading smoke sealing
Multiple control options.
Class leading reduction of smoke leakage
through the system.
Provision of fire compartments and refuges
Excellent replacement for fire doors

Compliant with
BS EN 12101 1
Appendix B
Reliability & Response
Appendix C Pressurised Air Leakage

Appendix D
2 Hour Fire Integrity
BS 476
Part 22
60 minutes integrity.
Long drop
BS 476 Part 6 Fire Propagation
BS 476
Part 7
Surface Spread of Flame & Unlimited Width
BS 7346
2 Hour Fire Resistance & Integrity Test
Deflection Test
Oversize Test
Overlapping Barrels
BS EN1634 1
Fire Integrity & Irradiance of Heat
BS EN1634 3
Pressurised Air Leakage System Test
AS 1530.4 Fire Integrity Test

Control System
Group Control Panel
Split Drop Delay
Delayed Descent
Motor Control Cards

Options
Audio Visual, Heat Detectors, Smoke Detectors, Building Management System, Emergency Retract
Buttons, Manual Override Switch, Curtain Decals, S Designation for Smoke Seals, OS Designation for
5.5m 8m on a single barrel

11

4 Hour Fire Curtain

Features
240 Minute Fire Integrity Curtain incorporating
C41000WK fabric
240 minute integrity (E) to 1000C
Provision of Insulating Zone for means of
escape requirements
Increased resistance to the irradiance of
heat (W)
Compliance with impact resistance
standards
Provision of a protected means of escape

Compliant with
BS 476
Part 22
240 minutes integrity.
Long drop
Unlimited Width
BS 476 Part 6 Fire Propagation
BS 476
Part 7
Surface Spread of Flame
BS EN1634 1
Fire Integrity & Irradiance of Heat
BS EN1634 3
Pressurised Air Leakage System Test
PAS 121 All Sections ex Irradiance
AS 1530.4 Fire Integrity Test
UL 10 D
Fire & Smoke Protective Curtains 120 minutes
UL 10 D
S Designation
Above with Smoke Sealing
UL 10 C
UL 10 B
GB14102 -2005
Integrity Test of Fire Curtain Assembly
GB14102 2005
Appendix B
Requirements & Test Methods of Fire Curtain
Controller
GB602 2006
Test Method for Fire Curtain Motor
GB8624 1997
Test Method for Spread of Flame (Fabric Curtain)

Control System
Group Control Panel
Split Drop Delay
Delayed Descent
Motor Control Cards

Options
Audio Visual, Heat Detectors and / or Smoke Detectors, Building Management System, Emergency
Retract Buttons, Manual Override Switch, Curtain Decals, S Designation for Smoke Seals, OS
Designation for 5.5m 8m on a single barrel

12

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Components
Headboxes

BLE Smoke & Fire offer a range of boxing to house the rollers that are intended to keep the profile as
low as possible while minimising the effects of deflection and providing a secure and tested part of the
fire line. Boxing for fire curtains can be as small as 180mm x 180mm up to 210mm x 390mm for extremely
long runs of overlapping barrels. Smoke curtain boxing can be reduced still further to 150mm x 150mm
for the smaller sizes and, on the longer runs, have the option of having the rollers over and under or in
a side by side configuration.

15

Headboxes
Headboxes can be installed to suit a number of required finishes. They can be installed above the
ceiling and hidden from view; in line with the ceiling or installed into a slight recess. Whilst it is always
desirable to minimise the visual impact of these items it must be considered that they are life safety
systems and are required to be easily operable and easy to maintain.

16

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Components
Side Guides

All fire curtains require the use of a retaining mechanism at the edges to prevent excessive deflection
under the pressures from a fire and to minimise smoke leakage. BLE Smoke & Fire utilise a low profile guide
that is tested with the rest of the system to form an integral part of the fire line. The fabric incorporates a
durable tabbed mechanism that locks the curtain into the guide to enhance this deflection resistance
and improve the resistance to impact. Further enhancements such as brush strips to the guide and
interior of the headbox can further seal the installation from leakage providing the S Designation.
Smoke curtains do not always require guides however in certain situations they are utilised to better seal
the compartment or to further minimise deflection. With the same modifications we can again offer
the S Designation.

17

18

Components

Standard Motor Control Circuit (MCC)

Overview
The BLE powertrain comprises a 24v motor & motor control circuit. A control circuit enables each motor
to lift a weight of 20 Kg whilst still being capable of meeting the cycle tests as required
by BS 7346, EN12101, EN1634 and the new BS8524.
The motor control circuit is housed in a remote enclosure to aid maintenance engineers. Access is
readily available to the control circuit to allow routine maintenance checks eradicating the need to
extract the motor from the smoke curtain roller.
Up to 6 MCCs can be connected to the Group Control Panel. Motors for 127mm OS (OverSized) tube
consume more current, and therefore maximum of 3 can be connected to a GCP.
Features:

MCC Dimensions: 145 mm H x 250 mm L x 50 mm D

Current limiting device incorporated, motor limit switches are not required
Synchronised motor control circuitry, variable speed control is not required
Back EMF controlled speed of descent, separate brake units are not required
Battery low voltage cut off facility, the curtains descend in a controlled manner

20

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Components
Group Control Panel
Overview
Operation of the BLE Smoke & Fire automatic curtains is carried out via a variant of the Group Control
Panel. Each GCP is capable of controlling up to 6 no. BLE 24v motor assemblies (3 no. when using OS
Curtains).
In normal operating conditions the GCP will provide a 24v AC supply to the curtain motors, and the
curtains will be in the retracted condition. Should the curtain be activated, the fire alarm contact in the
GCP will be opened by the fire alarm control system, the GCP will remove the 24v supply to the curtain
motors and the curtains will descend under the power of gravity in a controlled manner.
As soon as the fire alarm system is reset the GCP will reinstate the 24v supply to the curtain motors and
the curtains will retract, current limiting circuits will detect the curtain has fully retracted and the supply
voltage to the motor will step down to a holding voltage.
Each GCP will be supplied with a 24v 7aph battery, this will enable full control of the system should the
mains power fail. The battery voltage will be monitored, upon the voltage reaching 85% of the nominal
charge it shall be disconnected and the curtains will deploy under gravity at a controlled speed.
Standard Features:

21

Power Supply 230v 50Hz or 120-130v 60Hz AC

Battery 3 Hours, 2 x 7aph rechargeable sealed lead acid cells
Configured to operate from a normally closed signal, gravity fail to safe
Key switch test facility
Multiple LED indicators
Panel Size 396mm h x 334mm w x 105mm d

Schematic

Single Curtain Schematic

The Single Curtain Control Panel has been designed to operate a single curtain with up to 2 no. motors,
or 2 no. single-motor curtains located in the same area of a building. The SCC panel provides maximum
cost efficiency for smaller projects whilst also including a provision for the most common additional
features required 2 Stage Descent, Manual Override, and an Audio-Visual facility.

FIRE ALARM CONTACTS

(NORMALLY CLOSED VOLT-FREE)
230v AC +/- 10%
50Hz, 3 Amp.

UNSWITCHED
FUSED SPUR
BY OTHERS

2 CORE
AND EARTH

SINGLE ROLLER - TWIN MOTOR CONFIGURATION

FLYING LEAD FROM MOTOR

FLYING LEAD
FROM MOTOR

MOTOR

NOTE:

MOTOR

IF TWO-STAGE DESCENT IS REQUIRED

THEN BRAKE/MOTORS WILL BE REQUIRED.
IN SINGLE ROLLER CONFIGURATION THEN
ONE MOTOR WILL BE A BRAKE/MOTOR.
FIRE ALARM CONTACTS
(NORMALLY CLOSED VOLT-FREE)
230v AC +/- 10%
50Hz, 3 Amp.

UNSWITCHED
FUSED SPUR
BY OTHERS

2 CORE
AND EARTH

FLYING LEAD
FROM MOTOR

DOUBLE ROLLER - SINGLE MOTOR CONFIGURATION

FLYING LEAD
FROM MOTOR

MOTOR

MOTOR

22

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Schematic

Multiple Curtain Schematic

Our standard wiring schematic, utilising BLEs standard Group Control Panel. Up to 6 no. motors can be
controlled, linked by a 24V supply ring wired in 4.0 sq. mm (or greater, depending on required loop length)
2 core FP 200 cable.
The control panel is powered via a 230V AC +/- 10% 50Hz 3 Amp unswitched fused spur, and receives a
fire alarm signal via a pair of normally-closed, volt-free fire alarm contacts. When the fire alarm activates
these contacts switch to open, causing the control panel to cut off the power supply to the curtain
motors. This in turn results in the curtains deploying under the force of gravity (fail-to-safe) without relying
on any consumable power source.
A secondary brake cable can be added (as shown) if a 2 Stage Descent facility is required.
Group Control Panels can also be linked together (as shown) if the total number of motors exceeds 6 no.,
with one of the GCPs acting as the master panel. This avoids the need for each control panel to have its
own fire alarm signal and ensures that all curtains drop simultaneously.

23

Testing & Standards Compliance for Fire Curtains Summary

Test Name

Test House

BS EN 1364 - 1
BS EN 1364 2
BS EN 1363 1
BS EN 1363 2
BE EN 1634 1
BS EN 1634 3

BRE

Vertical Fire Curtain

Vertical Fire Curtain with Overlap
270minutes FR & Integrity
Increased number overlapping curtains & drop
FR & Integrity of 120, 180 & 240 minutes for single
and overlapping systems.
FR & Integrity of 120 minutes at 8m drop
Unlimited overlap and 7m drop for 180 & 240
minutes FR & Integrity
10m wide single barrel x 7m drop 120minutes FR &
Integrity
6m wide single barrel x 7m drop 240 minutes FR &
Integrity
FR & Integrity 180 minutes overlapped curtain

BS EN 8524 1 (Draft)
BS EN 8524 2 (Draft)

Warrington
Warrington

Provided E60 (integrity) I30(insulation)

Smoke Control for Fire Doors & Shutters
demonstrating Air Leakage through System
Curtains to EW120
Curtains to EW120

AS1530.4

Branz Australasia

FR & Integrity Test 125 minutes

EN 55024

EMC

EN 12101 Part C
EN 12101 Part D
EN1634 3

Warrington Fire
Warrington Fire
Warrington Fire

UL 10 D

UL USA

UL 10 D S

UL USA

Authorised declaration of conformity for electrical

components
Pressurised Air Leakage Test
2hr FR & Integrity Test
Pressurised Air Leakage Test in accordance with
EN12101 not to exceed <25m3
Fire & Smoke Protective Curtains 120minutes FR &
Integrity
Fire & Smoke Protective Curtains 120minutes FR &
Integrity with Smoke Sealing

BS 476: Part 22

Warrington Fire

UL 10 C
UL 10 B
GB14102-2005
GB14102-2005 Appendix B

China
China

GB602 2006
GB8624 1997

China
China

Test Parameter

Furnace / Integrity Test of Fire Curtain Assembly

Requirements & Test Methods of Fire Curtain
Controller
Test Method for Fire Curtain Motor
Test Method for Spread of Flame (Fabric Curtain)

28

MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER

Testing & Standards Compliance For Smoke Curtains

Testing & Standards Compliance For Smoke Curtains

29

Test Name
BS 476: Part 6
Test
Name
BS 476:
Part 7
BS
Part
6B
EN 476:
12101
Part
BS 476: Part 7
EN 12101 Part B
EN 12101 Part C
EN 12101 Part D
EN
12101
Part C
EN1634
3
EN 12101 Part D
EN1634
BS 7346 3

Test House
Warrington Fire
Test
House Fire
Warrington
Warrington
Fire
BRE
Warrington Fire
BRE
Warrington Fire
Warrington Fire
Warrington
Warrington Fire
Fire
Warrington Fire
Warrington
Warrington Fire
Fire

BS 7346

Warrington Fire

UL 10 D

UL USA

UL
UL 10
10 D
DS

UL
UL USA
USA

UL
UL 10
10 D
CS
UL 10 B
UL 10 C
UL 10 B

UL USA

Test Parameters
Fire Propagation of Building Products
Test
Parameters
Surface
Spread of Flame
Fire Propagation
of Building
Products
Reliability&
Response
Time Test
Surface
Spread
of
Flame
10m wide x 3m drop specimen
Reliability&
Response
Time Test
3m wide x 10m
drop specimen
10m
wide x 3m
drop specimen
Pressurised
Air Leakage
Test
3m
wide
x
10m
drop
specimen
2hr FR & Integrity Test
Pressurised Air
Air Leakage
Leakage Test
Test in accordance with
Pressurised
2hr FR & Integrity
Test <25m3
EN12101
not to exceed
Pressurised
Air
Leakage
2hr FR & Integrity Test Test in accordance with
EN12101 not
to exceed <25m3
Deflection
Test
2hr FR & Test
Integrity Test
Oversize
Deflection Test
Overlapping
Barrels
Oversize Test
Overlapping
Fire & SmokeBarrels
Protective Curtains 120minutes FR &

Integrity
Fire
Fire &
& Smoke
Smoke Protective
Protective Curtains
Curtains 120minutes
120minutes FR
FR &
&
Integrity
Integrity with Smoke Sealing
Fire & Smoke Protective Curtains 120minutes FR &
Integrity with Smoke Sealing