Catalog of Standards

1.1 These requirements cover the evaluation of fire protective curtains intended to provide supplemental, passive fire protection as part of an engineered fire protection system. Fire protective curtains provide nonstructural separation only, and are not intended to be employed where structural hourly rated partitions or protectives that have been tested for fire endurance and hose stream performance are required by code.

1.2 Tests made in conformity with these test methods are intended to register performance during the test exposure; but such tests shall not be construed as determining suitability for use after exposure to fire.

1.3 It is the intent that tests made in conformity with these test methods allow for the development of data to enable regulatory bodies to determine the suitability of fire protective curtains for use in locations where fire resistance of a specified duration is required.

1.4 These methods are intended to evaluate the ability of fire protective curtains to remain in an opening during a predetermined test exposure.

1.5 The tests expose a specimen to a standard fire exposure controlled to achieve specified temperatures throughout a specified time period. The exposure, however, is not representative of all fire conditions, which vary with changes in ventilation and compartment size and configuration. It does, however, provide a relative measure of fire performance of fire protective curtains under these specified fire exposure conditions.

1.6 Any variation from the construction or conditions that are tested is capable of substantially changing the performance characteristics of the fire curtain system.

1.7 The methods do not provide the following:

a)    Full information as to performance of all fire protective curtains in walls constructed of materials other than those tested.

b)    Evaluation of the degree by which the fire protective curtain contributes to the risk of fire by generation of smoke, toxic gases, or other products of combustion.

c)    A temperature limit on the unexposed side of the fire protective curtain.

d)    Measurement of the degree of control or limitation of the passage of smoke or products of combustion through the fire protective curtain system. Note: See limitations for the passage of smoke detailed in the Standard for the Installation of Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives, NFPA 105.