With a considerable number of oil companies situated in the country, Saudi Arabia has become one of those countries that have to be well equipped against every type of fire incident. As a result, the need for effective fire and smoke rated curtain systems become more paramount than ever.
Smoke is considered to be one of the main causes of injury and death in a fire. This means that controlling smoke during an accident is as vital as containing the fire. This is where smoke curtains step in.
It is usually seen that installing fire-door systems in closed spaces could be a bit troublesome. In some cases, it’s impossible to add them without tampering with the design layout of the infrastructure. In such cases, fire and smoke rated curtain systems come in handy as they effortlessly fit into a number of closed spaces.
These systems are better in compartmentalization, thereby being able to contain the fire into a small subsection. When compared against shutters, fire and smoke rated curtain systems emerge as a more flexible option. Benefits like an easy installation in atrium designs, stairwells, elevators and narrow evacuation routes make it a more attractive option.
Generally, there are three types of fire and smoke rated curtain systems available in Saudi Arabia. Fire-rated curtains, smoke rated curtains, and hybrid curtains. Let’s take a brief look at them.
Fire-rated curtains – These curtains are excellent in resisting fire for 30 minutes or so. However, the duration is still hugely dependent on the curtain’s quality and fire-resisting capabilities.
Smoke rated curtains – These curtains are excellent in containing smoke to a small subsection during an accident. However, it’s not that effective against fire as it has minimal fire-resisting properties.
Hybrid curtains – These curtains share a little bit of both the qualities of smoke and fire curtains. If we were to define it in a simple way then we’d categorize it as a curtain that is better at resisting fire than a smoke curtain and better at containing smoke than a fire curtain.
These curtain systems are apt for restaurant kitchens and hotels as they tend to minimize structural damage during an emergency.
Now that we are aware of the different types of fire and smoke rated curtain systems in Saudi Arabia, let’s take a look at the benefits these systems have to offer for the people in Saudi Arabia.
Benefits of fire and smoke rated curtain systems in Saudi Arabia
A design that is virtually invisible – Apart from the oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is also renowned for its remarkable architecture and infrastructure. It’s one of those countries that heavily implements atrium designs in most of its infrastructure. So, having a fire and smoke rated curtain system that is tucked up in hardly visible spaces can greatly solve some designing challenges that architects often face during developing such projects.
Simplifies the flow of traffic – Fire curtains don’t require large enclosures or door frames. This eliminates the issue of congested traffic flow during an accident. Moreover, these curtains limit the occasional chances of casualty due to technical issues.
Tamper proof – Due to its smart design, fire and smoke rated curtain systems in Saudi Arabia are generally tamper-proof. These systems stay well hidden in roofs or any other enclosure. Thus, making it difficult for common people to tamper with.
Energy-efficient systems – Fire and smoke rated curtain systems are often considered as passive smoke management solutions. This makes them more energy-efficient than full smoke exhaust systems. Also, due to their lightweight construction, they do not require structural reinforcement during installation. This comes as an added benefit for a country like Saudi Arabia that is heavily focusing on sustainable development.
Our Recommendation:
Considering all the aspects required to function efficiently in Saudi Arabia, we believe that the vertical coiling deployable draft curtain from Virtual Bridge would serve as an excellent option for both commercial and residential properties. A draft curtain is commonly used in large spaces where smoke management is a challenge.
Draft curtains work well with smoke and heat vents that are designed to offer a temporary tenable environment for occupants while minimizing smoke movement during a fire emergency. Interested in knowing more about this product? Visit our product page to get more info on the benefits of these curtains.
