Fire Curtain
The purpose of a fire curtain is to protect the audience and actors in a theatre should a fire occur. The fire curtain is made of non-flammable material and is located directly behind the proscenium. When released, it acts as a barrier by suppressing or delaying the spread of smoke between the stage and the house, thus giving the actors and audience time to evacuate the building without the rapid spread of fire.
There are two types of fire curtains that the Texas Scenic Company installs: straight-lift and braille curtains. Straight lift curtains are more typical and are installed in theatres with enough loft space to accommodate a straight curtain. Braille curtains are installed in theatres with limited space above the proscenium.
Depending on the type of system installed in your theatre, the fire curtain may be released in a number of different ways. All fire curtains can be released manually, and some are automatically controlled by motorized line sets, or through a hand-operated braille winch. With the automatic methods, there are even more different methods in which the fire curtain is released.
Regardless of the manner in which the fire curtain is released, the fire curtain will close within 30 seconds, and the rate of descent will slow so that the last eight feet of travel will take five seconds.
HEAT DETECTORS
- 194˚ Rate of Rise Detector
- Temperature increase at the sensor of 15°F (9°C) or more per minute, activates the rate-of-rise feature; self restoring.
- Fixed temperature: If temperature of the center disk rises to the sensor’s rated temperature, the fixed temperature element activates.
- Nonrestorable and nonreusable; once activated the detector must be replaced.
- All heat detectors are UL Listed, FM and CSFM Approved.
- Contact rating: 3A at 125VAC, 1A at 28VDC, 0.3A at 125VDC, 0.1A at 250VDC
- 2500 sq. ft. coverage
ELECTROMAGNETIC RELEASE BOX
- This is a release mechanism that works with the motor control cabinet.
- A powered magnet keeps tension on a release cable. When signaled, the magnet releases the pulley assembly, which releases the fire curtain.
FABRICS (CURTAINS & BORDERS)
THERMO-SPEC TM Fabric Style 44-WFCC (CSC-G2WC) is a 2 1/2 lb./sq. yd. (40 oz/sq. yd.) wire inserted NON-ASBESTOS, High Temperature coated fiber glass fabric (tan or black) which replaces the 2 3/4 lb./sq. yd. wire inserted asbestos fabric. Specifically designed to incorporate the strength of stainless steel yet provide excellent flexibility, Style 44-WFCC is the premier fire curtain fabric available.
THERMO-SPEC TM Fabric Style 37-FCC (CSC-G2PC) is a 2 1/4 lb./sq. yd. (37 oz/sq. yd.) NON-ASBESTOS, coated fiber glass fabric (tan or black) without a wire insertion. Like Style 44-WFCC, Style 37-FCC exceeds the Code criteria (except it weighs less and has no wire). It is an economical alternative for those applications that do not demand or require the 40 lb./sq. yd. wire inserted product.
The curtains contain NO ASBESTOS. Both Style 44-WFCC and Style 37-FCC meet or exceed the following:
- IBC (International Building Code-2006).
- NFPA Life Safety Code 101 (2009)
- NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code (2009)
- NFPA 80 Standard for Doors and Other Opening Protectives (2010)
- ANSI E1.22 Entertainment Technology–Fire Curtain Systems (2009)–Except 3.3.2
- MEA #217-00-M (City of New York, Dept. of Buildings)
- 1997 & Earlier (UBC, SBCCI, BOCA)
165° FUSE LINKS RELEASE
- Locations: two to the right of the proscenium, two left of the proscenium and two above the grid
- When a fuse link melts, the cable is released
- Length 2.625 Width 0.875
- Distance between centers – 1.750
- Temperatures: Listed in 135, 165, 212, 350, 360, 370 and 386 degrees F.
- For loads 1 to 30 pounds inclusive.
