Smoke Curtain

Question 1

What is the purpose of the smoke curtain?

Answer 1

Prevents the spread of smoke and heat to areas unaffected by the fire.

Question 2

What size doors will the smoke curtain fit?

Answer 2

Any door between 70cm - 115cm wide

Question 3

In a multi-compartment fire where would be the best place to fit the smoke curtain?

Answer 3

The idea is to contain the fire to the smallest amount of damage possible, so the ideal place would be between the fire compartment and hallway

Question 4

When would you not put the fire curtain up & why?

Answer 4

When BA crews are already committed and are unaware the curtain is going to be used as the flow path can disappear if there are no other vents. Also heat steam and smoke can build up within the building

Question 5

If you’re faced with a building fire, that is ventilated by an external door and significant smoke and gases are escaping, what can you consider doing and why?

Answer 5

Closing the door to around 12 - 18 inches. This will reduce the amount of air getting to the fire, keep the over pressure at a level that will assist in survival of casualties and allow BA crews to locate an air track or flow path

Question 6

When applying the curtain to an outward opening door what risks must be considered?

Answer 6

The door has to be opened to fit the curtain therefore exposing FF to fire, smoke etc.. full PPE and BA set should be worn

Question 7

What are the difficulties with using the curtain on self closing doors?

Answer 7

The closing mechanism creates a small gap at the top of the door. The mechanism can either be removed or left in place.

Question 8

What is are the options when dealing with double doors?

Answer 8

If one door has a latch, secure it and use the curtain on one side of the double door.
If there is no latch use the recip saw to cut a gap at the bottom of the door to allow the hose through

Question 9

When might you use two smoke curtains

Answer 9

To create a seal in the door (one at the top and another at the bottom)
This could help when evacuating casualties to stop the spread of smoke. Down side.. you’ve lost access (save for possibly a branch)

Question 10

If the smoke curtain is used to increase PPV pressure, what distance should the PPV be from the door?

Answer 10

About the same distance as the height of the open section of door

Question 11

If the bottom of the curtain is being pulled inward what could this mean?

Answer 11

The fire could be drawing in air from the curtain’s location and conditions being vented from through another vent.

Question 12

If the bottom of the curtain is neutral, what could this mean?

Answer 12

No other vent, therefore the fire is dependant on the air coming from under the curtain. The fire may be ventilation controlled

Question 13

If the bottom of the curtain is being pushed out, what could this mean?

Answer 13

There is a second vent drawing in air, pushing air / smoke out from under the curtain. Could indicate a wind driven fire and caution needs to be exercised

Question 14

Smoke curtain can indicate a wind driven fire. True or false?

Answer 14

True

Question 15

The usual gap from the bottom of the curtain to the floor is designed for what?

Answer 15

Allow hose to be laid through the door without compromising escape escape routes

Question 16

The pressure difference using 1 smoke curtain in a doorway folded up with a PPV can increase by what %

Answer 16

50%

Question 17

The smoke curtain should be taken into a high rise incident as an initial action by the first and second appliances in attendance with the hose, branch and breaking in gear etc.. as default. True or false?

Answer 17

True