What do smoke curtains do?

Smoke curtains are deployable fabric barriers that descend from a stored position (usually ceiling-mounted) on activation. They compartmentalise smoke into reservoirs at high level (allowing SHEVS to extract it efficiently), channel smoke flow paths in large open spaces, and contain smoke spread between zones in atria, malls, lobbies and similar spaces.

What classifications does BS 8524-1 set out?

BS 8524-1 classifies smoke curtains by smoke leakage (Sa/Sm at ambient and elevated temperature), deployment classification (B/Ba/Bm addressing reliability and deployment under fire), reaction to fire per BS EN 13501-1, self-test capability, mechanical endurance via cycle testing, and fail-safe descent on power loss.

Do smoke curtains need UKCA marking?

Smoke curtains placed on the UK market are typically type-tested in accordance with BS 8524-1 and issued with a manufacturer's Declaration of Performance. UKCA marking applies where the relevant construction products regime requires it.

BS 8524: Smoke Curtains UK Standard

Q: Are smoke curtains covered by EN 12101-5?

No. Smoke curtains used to be covered by EN 12101-5, but that standard has been reclassified as a CEN Technical Report on calculation methods. Smoke curtains in the UK are now governed by BS 8524: BS 8524-1 is the product specification, BS 8524-2 is the code of practice.

BS 8524 is the UK standard family for active smoke control barrier assemblies: known commonly as smoke curtains. It comprises two parts:

BS 8524-1:2013: Product specification: active smoke control barrier assemblies
BS 8524-2:2013: Code of practice: planning, design, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance

Smoke curtains used to be covered by EN 12101-5, but EN 12101-5 has since been reclassified as a CEN Technical Report on calculation methods. Smoke curtains in the UK are now governed by BS 8524.

How smoke curtains work

Smoke curtains are deployable fabric barriers that descend from a stored position (usually ceiling-mounted) on activation to:

Compartmentalise smoke into reservoirs at high level, allowing SHEVS to extract it efficiently
Channel smoke flow paths in large open spaces
Contain smoke spread between zones in atria, malls, lobbies and similar spaces

They are typically activated by the fire alarm system and are designed to deploy fail-safe under loss of power.

Classification (BS 8524-1)

The standard classifies smoke curtains by:

Sa / Sm: Smoke leakage classification (at ambient and at elevated temperature)
B / Ba / Bm: Deployment classifications addressing operational reliability and deployment under fire conditions
Reaction to fire: per BS EN 13501-1
Self-test capability: periodic operational self-tests
Mechanical endurance: cycle testing
Fail-safe descent: operation on power loss

Specification checklist (BS 8524-2)

When specifying smoke curtains, the BS 8524-2 code of practice covers:

Deployment height and run dimensions
Drop length (full height vs channelling)
Classification (Sa/Sm, Ba/Bm)
Fire-rated power supply requirements
Activation logic (cause-and-effect with fire alarm)
Self-test and monitoring requirements
Coordination with the SHEVS system design (see CEN/TR 12101-5)
Installation, commissioning and maintenance

UKCA marking and certification

Smoke curtains placed on the UK market are typically:

Type-tested in accordance with BS 8524-1
Issued with a manufacturer’s Declaration of Performance
UKCA-marked where the relevant construction products regime applies

Relationship to EN 12101

Smoke curtains help SHEVS function but are not themselves part of the EN 12101 family. The smoke ventilation system that the curtain compartmentalises is designed under CEN/TR 12101-5 (calculation methods) and built from BS EN 12101-2 (natural) or BS EN 12101-3 (powered) components.

CEN/TR 12101-5: SHEVS calculation methods
BS EN 12101-2 / -3: SHEVS ventilator components
BS EN 13501-1: Reaction to fire classification
BS 9991 / BS 9999: UK fire safety design
Approved Document B: Building Regulations

How Vent Trade can help

Vent Trade integrates with the smoke control ecosystem alongside compatible smoke curtain suppliers, focusing on the SHEVS components that work with curtain-compartmented designs. Our technical team can support specifiers coordinating curtain selection with SHEVS sizing under CEN/TR 12101-5.

Talk to our technical team →

BS 8524: Smoke Curtains