5 reasons why Saudi should opt for smoke rated curtains
Smoke rated curtains have been around for a while, but they are not as well-known in Saudi. This may be because they are much more common in the west than in the Middle East. These curtains, as the name suggests, protect against exposure to fire and cigarette smoke, as well as other environmental pollutants.
It is often seen that pollutants like dust and pollen are the main cause of asthma and allergies. These curtains protect you from those pollutants while also offering protection from fire by limiting air supply to burning objects or materials that could lead to an explosion.
Now to be clear, it’s not necessary that every smoke curtain is fire resistant. In fact, most of them are just smoke resistant. So, if you are looking for curtains with fire fighting capabilities then make sure to check if it meets all the fire safety norms. With this important point cleared, let’s get a brief idea of smoke rated curtains.
What are smoke rated curtains?
Having a standard fire system that fulfills all the local safety codes is not enough for a business. Having advanced equipment like smoke rated curtains is becoming increasingly necessary in places like Saudi. These curtains are designed to resist the spread of fire, contain smoke, and limit air supply to burning objects or materials, which could lead to accidents.
These curtains act as a barrier between the outside world and the fire-prone room. They come in different types and styles. Some are made of smoke-resistant materials while others have a special coating that helps to prevent the spread of fire. Smoke curtains can be used in any room, but they are most commonly found in public places such as hospitals, schools and office buildings.
Applications of smoke rated curtains
While these curtains are not that popular among the general public in Saudi, their use is becoming more common in places like hospitals and schools. Hospitals are a place where people’s health is of the utmost importance. Smoke from fire, cigarettes, or other environmental pollutants can have a negative effect on patients’ health. This is why it is important for hospitals to have smoke rated curtains installed in all areas, including waiting rooms, examination rooms and wards.
Schools are also a place where the health of students is important. Cigarette smoke and other environmental pollutants can cause asthma and allergies in children. This is why it is important for schools to have smoke curtains installed in all areas, including classrooms, laboratories, and libraries.
That said, there are different types of smoke curtains that are apt for certain applications. Some of them are as follows:
1. Elevator curtains –
As the name says, these curtains are used in elevators. They have a smoke and fire retardant coating that helps to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Generally, the structure of an elevator shaft is designed in such a way that it causes the air to be sucked upward through the roof of your property. In such cases, it is important to have elevator curtains that can contain the spread of smoke to every floor of the building.
2. Draft Curtains –
These curtains are mainly used in warehouses and manufacturing units. They are designed to prevent the entry of cold air and dust into the building. At the same time, their design and build don’t make them suitable for residential settings or offices. Premises with open floor plans with high ceilings are ideal for these smoke curtains.
However, a point to note here is that these curtains aren’t that effective in restricting smoke. There’s a good chance that some fumes might seep in through because of its build.
3. Vertical smoke curtains –
These curtains are great at closing off openings from average gateways to massive atriums. They are perfect for use in places like airports, train stations, and other transportation hubs. They can be used to close off an area that is on fire or has just been damaged by a fire. Vertical curtains are installed in the roof of a property and come rolling down from above when deployed. They help in separating the premise into small sections so that the spread of smoke is limited.
Saudi Arabia as you know is a country that is prone to fires. The hot weather and the use of flammable materials in construction make it a high-risk area for fire incidents. This is why it is important for businesses over there to invest in smoke curtains. Now coming towards our main topic, let’s discuss why Saudi should invest in smoke rated curtains.
Reasons why people in Saudi should install smoke rated curtains
1. To lower overall carbon footprints
With the recent announcement of the ‘Saudi Green Initiative‘, the government is actively shifting its focus towards eco-friendly products that contribute to minimizing carbon footprints. Smoke rated curtains help achieve this by preventing smoke from seeping into the building through cracks in walls or ventilation systems. This helps improve air quality and reduces the load on air conditioning units, which eventually saves energy.
These curtains are made of fire retardant materials that do not emit harmful chemicals into the environment. They also come with a certification from a recognized laboratory, which proves that they meet the required safety standards.
2. To enhance your property’s appearance
Smoke curtains are not something that just looks blank. They come in a variety of colors and styles to enhance the appearance of any property.
They can be used to close off an area that has been damaged by a fire, or they can be used as a decorative feature in a room. These curtains are also available in transparent and opaque varieties, so you can choose the right one for your needs.
3. To be an affordable safety solution
Safety is something everyone craves for. While it is not possible to install the most expensive equipment in every property, it is important to install something that can at least minimize the damage in case of a fire. Smoke curtains are one such measure that is not only affordable but also easy to install and maintain.
There are no special requirements for using these curtains, and they can be installed on any type of property – whether it is a home or a business. They are a cost-effective way to improve the safety of your property and the people who live or work in it.
4. To reduce the dependence on fire services
Historically the country has been in the back seat when it comes to building a credible fire service. Fire departments in the country are reluctant to accept new methods of administration due to the possibility of enduring the high price of failure. The fire service has traditionally been ill-equipped in planning skills and organization to undertake significant change.
Though things are changing now, the pace of improvement is still steady. As a result, the need to install effective fire safety systems like smoke rated curtains is crucial for lowering the reliance on the local fire safety services.
5. To make Saudi fire ready
Even though the country has made great strides in training, buying new technologies, new tools, and systems to improve the performance of the fire services. We still do not have sufficient research data to understand how these investments are lowering the impact on Saudi society by curbing dwelling fires. Therefore, there’s a major gap that is unable to connect how the country can improve its fire fighting capabilities and what current procedures need to be implemented to ensure this.
Smoke rated curtains are one such measure that can help fill this gap and make the country fire-ready. By installing these curtains on your property, you can not only improve the safety of your loved ones but also reduce the dependence on local fire services.
Conclusion
Smoke rated curtains work to prevent smoke from entering a building and harming its occupants. In Saudi, where many people live in high-rise buildings with limited ventilation systems, it’s more important than ever for residents to have access to this type of protection.
They also come in a variety of colors and styles, making it easy to find the perfect one for your property. They are also an affordable safety measure that can be installed in any type of building. So if you’re looking for a way to make your property fire ready, smoke curtains should be at the top of your list.