Installing fire curtains in hospitals is a highly efficient way of protecting the various functional areas within the hospital. Unlike other fire containment solutions, fire curtains can be activated at the initial sign of a fire without evacuating people from the area, thus providing the first line of defense against fires.
An effective fire safety system in hospitals is of paramount importance, bearing in mind the highly flammable nature of some of the materials used in constructing these buildings. Several factors need to be considered prior to designing the fire safety system for a hospital that includes the size and layout of the building, the number of patients and staff, and the type of materials used in the construction of the hospital. To scheme out an effective fire safety system for hospitals, it is imperative to have a clear understanding of the type of fire that is most likely to occur in the facility.
Fire curtains are a highly effective means of protecting the occupants of hospitals in the event of a fire. They act as barriers and provide a safe environment for the evacuation of patients. Materials like metal, glass, and polycarbonate are used in manufacturing fire curtains. Available in various sizes, these can be custom-made to meet the specific needs of the hospital. Fire curtains are usually installed into the wall or ceiling cavities of the hospital and are designed to automatically close in the event of a fire. Manual, pneumatic and electrical methods are used to control fire curtains. Generally, fire curtains are operated by a switch that is located in the hospital’s control room. In the present times, there has been an increase in the use of automatic fire curtains. Most hospital designs incorporate a variety of automatic fire curtains that provide a high level of protection and safety for the occupants.
A thorough understanding of building materials and fire risk is essential to deploy the most appropriate combination of fire curtain systems. Often, when a single fire curtain is not enough to provide adequate protection, it is crucial to install a series of fire curtains to provide the best coverage. Protecting escape routes, meeting rooms, and corridors with fire curtains is a key priority, as well as providing access to fire extinguishers.
The fire curtain assemblies are designed to work in conjunction with the existing fire alarm system so that the fire curtain is automatically deployed if the fire alarm is activated. This makes certain that the fire is contained and that the escape route is not affected. Generally, the whole building is fitted with smoke detectors, which trigger the fire alarm and cause the fire curtain to close automatically, making it possible to clear the building quickly and safely.
Hospital fire safety is a multifaceted issue, and using fire curtains is just one aspect of the overall fire safety plan. Hospitals should work with a qualified fire protection engineer and fire curtain manufacturer to develop a comprehensive fire safety plan. Setting up an effective fire curtain system is an important step in protecting both patients and staff, which can make a significant difference to the safety of the hospital. Choosing the right fire curtain for the application and specifying the appropriate installation is critical to the overall effectiveness of the system.
