The CERIB fire test makes it possible to evaluate the behavior of a smoke curtain subjected to high thermal stress. © Passitex
Essential for building smoke extraction, the smoke curtain must guarantee reliable performance in the event of a fire. The fire test carried out by CERIB validates its behavior and performance under real conditions.
Smoke curtain: a key element of smoke extraction
The smoke curtain plays an essential role in smoke extraction systems. It helps limit the spread of hot smoke, channel flows, and maintain a breathable air layer for the evacuation of people and the intervention of emergency services.
Installed on the roof or on the underside, the smoke curtain must maintain its integrity and stability despite high temperatures and significant mechanical stress. Its performance is therefore directly linked to its design and the materials used.
Why perform a fire test at CERIB?
CERIB (Center for Studies and Research of the Concrete Industry) is a reference organization for conducting full-scale fire tests. A CERIB fire test allows reproducing the conditions of a fire and observing the actual behavior of a smoke curtain subjected to:
- a rapid rise in temperature
- intense heat fluxes
- mechanical stress related to the fire
These tests represent an essential step in validating the reliability of a smoke containment solution.
Conducting the fire test: representative conditions
During the fire test, the smoke curtain is installed in a configuration representative of its use in a building. It is then exposed to a controlled thermal source simulating a real fire.
The test makes it possible to evaluate:
- the mechanical strength of the curtain
- its resistance to high temperatures
- its stability throughout the duration of the exposure
- its ability to ensure smoke containment
The observations made provide concrete data on the product’s behavior in extreme situations.
Validated performance for fire safety
The results of the CERIB fire test demonstrate the smoke curtain’s ability to fulfill its function in a fire safety context. They help reassure specifiers, installers, and project owners about the compliance and reliability of the solution.
The fire test thus constitutes a true technical validation tool serving the design of smoke extraction systems.
Passitex: textile expertise serving smoke containment
Thanks to its expertise in technical textile solutions, Passitex designs smoke curtains adapted to the regulatory requirements and constraints of modern buildings.
The fire tests carried out at CERIB are part of a global approach aimed at guaranteeing:
- product performance
- people’s safety
- the reliability of smoke extraction installations
Passitex – Textile solutions for fire safety and smoke extraction
Controlling smoke for better protection