SmokeStop evacU8® - Vertical Active Smoke Curtain

A patented bi-roller system which has interweaving, overlapped panels as narrow as 600 mm wide. Each panel overlaps the other and has its own self levelling bottom ballast system. Evacuees can simply ‘WALKTHRU™’ the panels which then fall back into place, helped by the patented anti-tangle overlap retention system.

Complies with the Equality Act. It is an active smoke barrier comprising technologically advanced fire-resistant fabric barriers encased in a compact steel housing. Barriers remain invisibly retracted until activated by an alarm or detector signal, at which time they descend safely to their fire operational position.

To be compliant, smoke barriers must be protected from a short circuit and or total power failure, this is achieved with the patented Total Gravity Fail Safe (TGFS) system. Smoke barriers will control the spread of smoke in a building and protect the means of escape and create tenable conditions.

Operation:

When activated, the smoke barrier descends at safe controlled speeds in accordance with the Machinery Directive. Evacuees can then approach the barrier quickly, safely and see if anyone is coming the other way.

Approved escape signs can show which panels to pass through to avoid collision and tangling. When retracting, the combination of sequential ascent, the re-aligning panel system with the divide and separating bi-roller system ensures a trouble free operation.

Bottom edge:

The flexible bottom edge of each barrier panel nominally weighs between 2–4 kg depending on overall unit width. The bottom ballast weights should be kept as low as possible to finished floor level to enable easy egress. The bottom ballast weights are sufficient enough to return the panels to their operational position within 5 seconds of an evacuee passing through.

Box:

Encloses the curtain and barrel assembly, manufactured from 1.5 mm galvanized steel.

Barrel assembly:

Patented steel bi-rollers.

Motor drive unit:

Inboard 24 V d.c. motor including necessary drive mechanisms, a mechanical epicyclic gearbox retarder, automatic overload protection and both automatic and manual distance travel positioning, switches all linked to an internal 24 V d.c. electromagnetic brake with regenerative braking system.

Fail-safe release device:

• The barrier assemblies fail-safe by gravity, using patented true Total Gravity Fail Safe (TGFS), and ‘drive up’ with mains power available. In the event of mains power failure, they remain retracted using their own dedicated battery backup power supply for a pre-determined period (nominally 30 minutes). If signalled to descend during this period they fail-safe by gravity in a controlled manner to their fire operational position. At the end of the pre-determined time delay they fail-safe by gravity in a controlled manner. This safety feature avoids dangerous guillotine/ free-fall deployment.
• The barrier assemblies commence movement upon initiation or any initiation, power or system failure and move to the fire operational position, in all operating modes, at site specific adjustable and synchronized velocities within the range of 0.06–0.30 m/s using the unique VarioSpeed™ function.

Split deployment:

As the barrier assemblies may cross potential escape routes, a split deployment function is available to encourage safe evacuation psychology. Upon receipt of a fire alarm or through loss of power, the barrier assemblies drop to a set height above the finish floor level for a predetermined period of time. After this time has been completed, half of the curtain panels will deploy to their deployed position whilst the other half remain retracted for a second predetermined period of time. After this time the remaining barrier panels deploy to their final fire operational position. This process assists in a calmer evacuation procedure.

Fire resistance:

150 minutes (2½ hours) integrity at 600°C (1112°F).

Power supply:

230 V a.c. 50 Hz dedicated supply via 13 A un-switched fused spur. Backup battery: Two 12 V, 7 A/h lead acid batteries.

Alarm signal:

Normally closed volt-free contacts, open on activation.

Display:

Power on, alarm active and alarm off.

Standards:

CE marked to BS EN 12101-1:2005+A1:2006 as required by the Construction Products Regulations (CPR).