ASFP Update On UKCA/CE Marking of Operable Fabric Curtains (Fire Curtains)

The Association of Specialist Fire Protection have released an update on Technical Document 21 relating to operable fabric curtains (fire curtains) and CE/UKCA marking. The update discusses the BS EN 16034 and BS 8524-1 standards and instances or which the scope of each standard is applicable

BS EN 16034

The update clearly identifies that the scope of BS EN 16034 only applies when a fire curtain is being used as a door to allow personal access / egress in retail premises and that the vast majority of fire curtains fall outside of this scope.

Unfortunately, due to misinformation provided by resellers of European manufactured fire curtains whose products are not sufficiently robust to meet the requirement of BS 8524, there has been confusion caused within the marketplace. Fire curtains are life critical safety product and the information being provided to aid procurement, if incorrect, can have a detrimental effect on a project’s cost and timeframes let alone the buildings occupants if it leads to procurement and installation of a non-compliant product.

The update of TD21 clarifies the foreword in BS EN 16034 states “Users’ attention is drawn to the fact that fabric curtains tested in this standard only apply to the fire door sets fire text. This standard does not cover their operation deployment speeds, initiation devices or warning devices, etc. and as such should comply with BS 8524-1 and BS 8524-2.”

In addition to the operations deployment speeds, initiation devices and warning devices mentioned above, BS EN 16034 also does not cover the hot motor test (operation after 30-minute, 400 degrees fire test) or cyclic testing to C1 Class (500 + cycles). in the opinion of A1S group the aforementioned tests are pivotal to a fire curtains life span and operational use in the event of a fire. The robustness of the standards and required testing is why, in our experience, Building Control, Architects and competent Fire Engineers demand fire curtains to BS 8524.  

While BS EN 16034 is a valuable standard for evaluating the fire resistance of door and shutter assemblies, it should not be used as the sole basis for specifying fire curtains. The ASFP recommends that where the limited scope of BS EN 16034 applies, this should still be augmented with certification to BS 8524-1 and BS 8524-2.

BS 8524-1 specifically deals with the performance and testing of active fire curtain barrier assemblies, and it provides comprehensive guidelines and testing procedures for fire curtains, addressing their specific functionality and operation.

A1S Group wholeheartedly supporting the ASFP’s stance on BS 8524 1 and 2 as a national standard for fire curtains and the appropriate standard to use when specifying fire curtains to ensure they meet the necessary performance and fire safety requirements.