Operationally, the fire curtain, which is powered by an electric motor. This is connected to a control panel. The motor begins to unroll the fabric of the fire curtain, releasing it and allowing it to descend.

As the fabric unrolls, either horizontally or vertically, it will slot in between the side guides, if applicable, and will cease deployment when the bottom bar reaches, and creates a seal with, the floor.

This deployment is crucial for the prevention of flame spread, as it separates and compartmentalises the space, which allows the creation of a protected route of escape, and keeps the fire from the next space. Some products offer dual-function barriers, with features such as smoke seals to allow the barrier to offer an active smoke containment system.

Headbox installation very much depends on the installation scenario but will fit into one of the following categories.

• Face or reveal fixed- fixing straight through the headbox into the structure.

When the fire curtain is revealed fixed, the fixings go through the top of the headbox and the side of the end plates if possible. When the fire curtain is face fixed, the fixings go through the back of the headbox and end plate flange.

• I beam fixing 

If a suspended system is required, the client must install a self-supporting structure capable of taking the weight of the fire curtain, such as a steel beam, which is fire protected to the same or above the fire specification as the fire curtain.

The fire curtain can then be attached directly to the steel beam. 

Automatic fire curtains are connected to your alarm system, which when sounded, will trigger the deployment.

This deployment speed is carefully calibrated so as not to be too fast and cause injury for people passing underneath it, or too slow and become ineffective, with a descent speed of between 0.03 – 0.3 mps (metres per second). 

If the curtain is in the Vertical or Concertina orientation, then it will have a gravity fail-safe to ensure deployment in the event of power failure.

Horizontal curtains have a secondary power source, such as rechargeable batteries to ensure that the curtain can still move across the space if the primary power source fails.

Some dual-function barriers offer features such as smoke seals to allow the barrier to offer an active smoke containment system.

All Adexon single-roller curtains, have tube smoke seals provided as standard and Adexon actively recommends that you utilise them.

In the design process, we can ensure as much, or as little of the curtain will be visible once installed in the space.

Fire curtains can be installed so they sit flush with ceilings and edges, so it is visible only once deployed.

Yes, all fire curtains must have battery-back up to ensure they continue to function if they lose mains power.

Horizontal fire curtains, due to the direction of closure, require a secondary power source to ensure deployment. This secondary power source is a rechargeable, 30-minute, battery backup, so you have peace of mind that no matter what the situation, your space will be protected. This curtain cannot utilise a gravitational fail-safe due to the direction of closure.

Vertical and Concertina Fire Curtains also have a battery back-up, which allows users 30-minutes of guaranteed evacuation time and also has a gravitational fail-safe to ensure deployment after the 30-minute battery back-up is depleted.

Although the headbox, side guides, and bottom bar of any active fire curtain will be galvanised to achieve a good anti-rust standard, extra finishes include

• powder coating in a large variety of RAL colours
• leaving the galvanisation exposed
• or a range of C1-5 rust-proof powder coatings, in a range of colours, for products that are to be installed on or near water, at an extra charge