Table of Contents
1. Hot motor test
It is implied that the curtain will operate at 400°c, but does it? No
The control panel that operates the motor is not tested to 400°c. Without the control panel, the motors do not operate. Is this a misleading test? Yes, it is.
2. “Certified to BS 8524”
It is implied that the product has valid third-party certification to BS 8524-1, but does it have valid third-party certification? No
The last valid third-party certification for BS 8524-1 expired on 9th June 2023. There is now no valid third-party certification available for BS 8524-1. Is this a misleading statement? Yes, it is.
3. “Fire curtains aren’t doors, BS 8524-1 is the answer”
It is implied that BS 8524-1 assesses and tests the fire curtain in ways that are unique to fire curtains as opposed to doors. But, does it? No
The BS 8524-1 fire test is for doors (BS EN 1634-1). The BS 8524-1 smoke test is for doors (BS EN 1634-3). Even the much-vaunted impact test is a rigid panel test for partitions and doors. Is this statement misleading? Yes.
P.S. ‘Severe Duty’ referenced in BS 8524-1 sounds impressive, but it is not. Severe duty allows the deformation of a rigid surface of between 1-2mm. Fire curtain fabrics often are only that thick to start with, and the flexible fabric moves when impacted, so it is a wholly inappropriate test.
4. “BS 8524-1 is a more robust and stringent standard”
It is implied that products that ‘passed’ BS 8524-1 are the most robust and reliable fire curtains available. But are they? No
Some of the inferior performing and least reliable fire curtains on the market historically passed BS 8524-1 testing. We are not sure how anyone can sincerely make the above claim but they do. Is it a misleading statement? Yes, it is.
Read more in our article: The quiet transformation happening in the fire curtain industry1
5. “The BS 8524-1 impact test makes it a better standard”
It is implied that the impact test in BS 8524-1 assesses and tests the product under impact and load, meaning only the toughest and most durable fire curtains can pass it. But is this true? No
The BS 8524-1 impact test is from BS 5234-2:1992 “Partitions (including matching linings) – Part 2 etc.”. It is not an appropriate test for flexible materials such as fire curtains. It measures deformation of a rigid surface (partitions and doors). It is carried out at room temperature. The ‘Severe Duty’ referenced in BS 8524-1 allows 1-2mm of deformation in the surface of the partition or door. Fire curtain fabrics often are not much thicker to start with. The cushioning of the sandbag by the flexible surface and the outcome measured makes this test of no value. Is this another misleading BS 8524-1 test? Yes, it is.
Read more in our white paper: A technical comparison of BS EN 16034 and BS 85242
The horizontal weight test (carried out in the furnace) in BS EN 15269-11, is the correct test method for gauging load resistance, and durability of fabric and retention, and does so in a fire. BS EN 15269-11 testing is mandatory under BS EN 16034 if you require an EXAP for larger sizes than the furnace (we advocate only buying fire curtains above the furnace tested sizes if they have a third-party certified EXAP from a Notified Body). EXAPs are the most reliable method of independently certifying sizes larger than the furnace can test e.g. above 4m x 4m. This is one of the safety benefits of the European standards and classification system. A guide and fabric are installed horizontally in a furnace, with the fabric holding a weight of between 50kg (491N) and up to 100kg (981N), depending on the width required on the certificate.
In summary, load resistance is correctly tested in BS EN 16034 whilst the impact test in BS 8524-1 is another well-marketed test that has no value in real life (e.g. along with the hot motor test that does not hot test the control panel – the control panel is required to operate the motors). As well as the BS 8524-1 impact test being an inappropriate test for fire curtains, the most conclusive evidence of it being of no value in real life is the products that have passed it – some of the worst and most unreliable and problematic fire curtains on the market.
Read more in our article: The quiet transformation happening in the fire curtain industry1
References
1 Adexon Team (2023) The quiet transformation happening in the fire curtain industry (2023) Adexon. Available at: https://www.adexon-uk.com/articles/the-quiet-transformation-happening-in-the-fire-curtain-industry/ (Accessed: 29 December 2023).
2 Adexon Team (2023) A technical comparison of BS EN 16034 and BS 8524, Adexon Resources. Available at: https://www.adexon-uk.com/whitepaper/technical-comparison-of-bsen16034-bs8524/.