Which standard is truly designed to assess fire curtain performance, compliance, and safety?
Unfortunately, confusion still persists in the marketplace regarding the correct standard for active fire curtain barriers. To help clear this up, here’s the simplest way to explain the current situation.
Every application involving fire curtains should be assessed using BS 8524-1 & 2. In cases where a fire curtain is used as a replacement for a fire door, such as in a retail environment, BS EN 16034 may be referenced, but only when supported by additional testing to BS 8524-1. This is due to the significant testing shortfalls present in BS EN 16034 when applied to fire curtain systems.
To be absolutely clear:
Should BS EN 16034 ever be used as the sole standard for evaluating a fire curtain’s suitability for any application? No.
Does BS EN 16034 include any application, installation, or maintenance guidance relevant to fire curtains? No.
Does BS EN 16034 require or provide any form of installer certification? No.
BS EN 16034 was developed for pedestrian doorsets, industrial doors, commercial doors, garage doors, and openable windows; not fire curtain systems. In contrast, BS 8524 was specifically written for active fire curtain barrier assemblies.
Given this, the question becomes simple: which standard do you believe is truly designed to assess fire curtain performance, compliance, and safety?