Collection: Door Smoke Curtain

Door smoke curtains are classified based on smoke performance, deployment configuration, and control method. They are designed purely for smoke control, not flame resistance.

By Smoke Classification

Sa Smoke Curtains (Ambient Temperature)

Designed to restrict smoke leakage at room temperature.

Commonly used in:

• Corridors
• Office layouts
• Residential open-plan spaces

S200 Smoke Curtains (Elevated Temperature)

Tested to perform under higher temperature conditions (up to 200°C).

Typically specified in:

• Protected escape routes
• Commercial buildings
• Higher-risk environments

S200 provides a higher level of smoke containment performance.

By Deployment Type

Vertical Drop Door Smoke Curtains

The most common configuration.Installed within a headbox above the door opening and deploy downward when activated.

Side Guided Smoke Curtains

Incorporate slimline side guides to improve smoke containment and stability during deployment.

By Control and Operation

Fail Safe Gravity Systems

Deploy automatically upon:

• Fire alarm activation
• Power failure (where specified)
• Motorised Controlled Descent Systems
• Use a motor with battery backup to provide controlled and safe deployment

By Application Size

• Single doorway curtains for standard door openings
• Double doorway systems for wider openings
• Linked systems across multiple openings

Each type must be selected in accordance with the building’s smoke control strategy and fire risk assessment to ensure effective containment and regulatory compliance.

Door smoke curtains can be configured to suit the doorway size, building layout, and smoke control strategy, provided all options remain within the scope of the tested smoke classification (e.g. Sa or S200).

Smoke Performance Classification

• Sa (ambient smoke control)
• S200 (elevated temperature smoke control)

The required classification depends on the building’s fire strategy and escape route design.

Bespoke Sizing

Manufactured to measure for:

• Standard single door openings
• Double door sets
• Wider corridor openings

Drop height and width are tailored to suit the structural opening.

Deployment Configuration

• Vertical drop systems (most common)
• Side guided systems for improved smoke sealing
• Linked systems for multiple adjacent openings
• Guide options can be surface mounted or recessed for minimal visual impact.

Headbox Design

• Compact headbox units for discreet installation
• Recessed ceiling installation for concealed appearance
• Surface mounted options for retrofit applications
• Powder coated finishes to match interior décor

Control and Activation Options

• Integration with the fire alarm system
• Battery backup systems
• Controlled descent mechanisms
• Programmable delay timers
• Audio visual warning devices prior to deployment

Fail Safe Operation

Systems can be configured to deploy automatically in the event of:

• Fire alarm activation
• Power failure (where specified)

Architectural Integration

Door smoke curtains can be designed for minimal visual impact, making them suitable for:

• Modern commercial interiors
• Residential open-plan layouts
• Refurbishment projects

All design and customisation options must comply with the manufacturer’s tested smoke performance and installation requirements to ensure effective containment and regulatory compliance.

Door smoke curtains are specified where restricting the movement of smoke through door openings is critical to the building’s life safety strategy. They are used to protect escape routes, maintain tenable conditions, and support smoke control systems without installing rigid fire doors.

Commercial Offices

Installed across:

• Corridor doorways
• Open-plan office divisions
• Protected escape routes

They help prevent smoke spread into evacuation routes while maintaining an open layout during normal use.

Retail and Shopping Centres

Used in:

• Back of house corridors
• Service passages
• Mall to store connections

They assist in containing smoke within specific zones during an emergency.

Open Plan Developments

Specified in:

• Large open circulation areas
• Refurbished commercial buildings
• Modern architectural layouts

They provide smoke separation without compromising visual openness.

Residential Open-Plan Layouts

Commonly installed in:

• Open plan kitchen/living areas
• Apartment corridors
• Loft conversions

They can form part of a compliant smoke control strategy where traditional door compartmentation is not practical.

Schools and Public Buildings

Installed to protect:

• Corridor openings
• Assembly hall access points
• Circulation routes

They help maintain clearer evacuation pathways by limiting smoke movement.

Healthcare and Care Facilities

Used to protect:

• Escape corridors
• Reception and waiting areas
• Shared circulation spaces

Smoke containment is critical in environments with vulnerable occupants.

Single and Double Door Openings

Door smoke curtains are suitable for:

• Standard single doors
• Double door sets
• Wider corridor openings

Door smoke curtains are selected wherever the priority is smoke containment rather than flame resistance, supporting compliance with the building’s smoke control strategy and overall fire risk assessment.

Door smoke curtains are designed specifically to restrict the movement of smoke through door openings during a fire event. They form part of a building’s smoke control strategy, helping protect escape routes and maintain tenable conditions.

Certified Smoke Control Performance

Tested to recognised smoke leakage classifications such as:

• Sa (ambient temperature)
• S200 (elevated temperature)

This ensures controlled smoke containment in line with the building’s fire strategy.

Automatic Deployment

Door smoke curtains deploy automatically when triggered by:

• Fire alarm activation
• Smoke detection systems
• Power failure (where configured as fail-safe)

They remain concealed during normal operation.

Flexible Fabric Barrier

Manufactured from specialist smoke resistant fabric, allowing:

• Lightweight construction
• Smooth controlled descent
• Compact storage within a headbox

Discreet Architectural Integration

With slimline headboxes and side guides, smoke curtains can be:

• Surface mounted
• Recessed into ceilings
• Colour matched to interior finishes

This makes them suitable for modern commercial and residential designs.

Ideal for Open Plan Layouts

They allow open circulation during normal use while providing smoke separation when activated, avoiding the need for permanent rigid doors.

Controlled Descent and Safety Features

Systems can include:

• Controlled descent mechanisms
• Audio visual warning prior to deployment
• Battery backup systems

These features enhance safety during automatic activation.

Integration with Building Systems

Door smoke curtains integrate with:

• Fire alarm systems
• Smoke control systems
• Building management systems (where specified)

Low Visual Impact, High Life Safety Benefit

Because they remain hidden until required, they preserve aesthetics while supporting life safety by:

• Protecting escape routes
• Improving visibility during evacuation
• Reducing smoke spread between compartments

Door smoke curtains provide a practical and discreet smoke containment solution, supporting compliant evacuation strategies without compromising architectural design.

Door smoke curtains are classified as active smoke control systems and must comply with recognised smoke leakage standards, product regulations, and Building Regulations. They are not designed to provide fire resistance to flames.

Smoke Leakage Classification – EN 1634-3

Door smoke curtains are typically tested to BS EN 1634-3, which measures smoke leakage performance. Systems may be classified as:

• Sa – Smoke leakage control at ambient temperatureS200 – Smoke leakage control at elevated temperature (up to 200°C)

The required classification depends on the building’s smoke control strategy and risk assessment.

Building Regulations – Approved Document B

Smoke curtains must align with Approved Document B (Fire Safety) and the building’s fire strategy, including:

• Protection of escape routes
• Smoke containment within designated zones
• Supporting tenable evacuation conditions

Specification should be based on the project fire strategy and fire risk assessment.

Machinery and Electrical Safety Regulations

As powered systems, door smoke curtains must comply with:

• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations
• CE and/or UKCA marking requirements
• Relevant electrical safety standards

Installations must include appropriate risk assessment and safe operation design.

Fire Alarm Integration

Door smoke curtains must:

• Interface correctly with the building’s fire alarm system
• Deploy automatically upon activation
• Incorporate fail safe operation where specified
• Battery backup systems may be required to ensure operation during power failure.

Safe Deployment Requirements

To protect occupants during automatic descent, systems may include:

• Controlled descent mechanisms
• Obstacle detection (where specified)
• Audio visual warning prior to deployment
• Programmable time delays

These features reduce risk during activation.

Installation to Manufacturer’s Tested Detail

Installation must follow the manufacturer’s approved configuration, including:

• Guide positioning
• Headbox fixing
• Alarm interface wiring
• Commissioning and functional testing

Unauthorised alterations can compromise smoke performance.

Ongoing Inspection and Maintenance

Door smoke curtains must be:

• Included in routine fire safety inspections
• Function tested regularly
• Checked for fabric integrity and guide condition
• Verified for correct alarm integration
• Routine servicing ensures reliable deployment when required.

When correctly specified, installed, and maintained in accordance with BS EN 1634-3 and Building Regulations, door smoke curtains provide compliant smoke containment to support safe evacuation and effective smoke management.

Door smoke curtains are active smoke control systems and must be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s tested specification and the building’s fire strategy. Because they deploy automatically, both structural fixing and control system integration are critical.

Installation Requirements

Install to Tested Smoke Classification

Door smoke curtains must be installed in line with their tested configuration (typically to BS EN 1634-3 for Sa or S200 classification). The complete system includes:

• Smoke curtain fabric
• Headbox assembly
• Side guides
• Bottom bar
• Control panel
• Power supply and battery backup
• Fire alarm interface

Altering guide dimensions, fixing detail, or control equipment can invalidate smoke performance.

Structural Fixing

The headbox and guide rails must be securely fixed into suitable structural elements capable of supporting:

• Curtain weight
• Operational loads
• Deployment forces

Fixings must follow manufacturer guidance regarding anchor type and spacing.

Accurate Alignment

Precise alignment of side guides is essential to ensure:

• Smooth deployment
• Effective smoke sealing
• No fabric snagging or distortion
• Poor alignment can compromise smoke containment performance.

Fire Alarm Integration

Door smoke curtains must be connected to:

• The building’s fire alarm system
• Approved control panels
• Battery backup systems (where specified)

Commissioning must confirm:

• Automatic deployment on alarm activation
• Controlled descent
• Fail safe operation (where applicable)

Deployment Safety

Systems may include:

• Controlled descent mechanisms
• Audio visual warning prior to deployment
• Programmable delay timers
• These features must be tested during commissioning.

Commissioning and Handover

At completion of installation:

• Full functional deployment testing must be carried out
• Alarm interface verified
• Battery backup tested
• User training provided
• Compliance documentation issued

Maintenance Requirements

Door smoke curtains must form part of the building’s fire safety management plan.

Routine Inspection

At regular intervals (typically annually at minimum, or more frequently in high-traffic environments), checks should include:

• Fabric condition (damage, contamination, tears)
• Guide alignment and fixings
• Headbox security
• Bottom bar condition
• Control panel status

Functional Testing

• Confirm automatic deployment from fire alarm signal
• Verify descent speed and full closure
• Check battery backup functionality
• Reset and confirm correct retraction

Electrical System Inspection

• Inspect wiring and connections
• Test alarm interface
• Confirm backup power performance

Servicing by Competent Personnel

Maintenance should be carried out by trained technicians familiar with the specific system.

Replacement parts must match the original tested specification.

Ongoing Compliance

Door smoke curtains must be:

• Included in routine fire safety inspections
• Logged in maintenance records
• Repaired immediately if damaged
• Unauthorised modifications or incorrect repairs can compromise smoke control performance.

When properly installed, commissioned, and maintained, door smoke curtains provide reliable smoke containment to support safe evacuation and effective building smoke management strategies.

The cost of door smoke curtains depends on smoke classification (Sa or S200), opening size, control system specification, headbox configuration, and installation complexity. Because these are powered smoke control systems integrated with the fire alarm, pricing reflects both product and commissioning requirements.

Standard Single Door Smoke Curtains

(Approx. 1m wide x standard door height)

• Supply only: From £1,800 – £2,800
• Supplied and installed: From £3,000 – £4,500

Suitable for residential open-plan layouts and standard corridor openings.

Double Door or Wider Openings

(Approx. 1.8m–2.5m wide)

• Supply only: From £2,800 – £4,500
• Supplied and installed: From £4,500 – £7,000

Pricing increases with width and drop height.

S200 Smoke Rated Systems(Higher temperature smoke classification)

Expect an additional:

• £300 – £1,000+, depending on size and system type.

Control & Integration Costs

Additional specification may include:

• Advanced control panels
• Battery backup systems
• Audio-visual warning devices
• Programmable descent delay
• Integration with building management systems

These may add £500 – £2,000+ depending on complexity.

What Affects Final Pricing

• Smoke classification (Sa vs S200)
• Opening width and drop height
• Recessed vs surface-mounted installation
• Access and structural fixing requirements
• Level of fire alarm integration
• Retrofit vs new build installation

Residential Open-Plan Installations

For domestic open-plan kitchen/living layouts:

• Indicative installed cost: From £3,000 – £5,000

Final pricing depends on ceiling detail and alarm integration.

Getting an Accurate Quote

Because door smoke curtains must integrate with the fire alarm system and comply with smoke leakage testing (typically BS EN 1634-3), a site survey is recommended. Accurate measurements and review of the building’s smoke control strategy ensure the correct specification and compliant installation.