• Fire Curtain Experts
  • Efficient Lead Times
  • ISO 9001 & UKAS Accredited
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Engineered to protect.

The UK’s leading manufacturer, installer, and exporter of fire and smoke curtains, fully compliant with BS 8524-1 and BS 8524-2 standards.


Speak with our specialists to discuss your requirements

The UK’s leading fire and smoke curtain manufacturer

A1S Group is the UK’s leading manufacturer, installer, and exporter of fire and smoke curtains, fully compliant with BS 8524-1 and BS 8524-2 standards.

With over 37 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, and installing both vertical and horizontal fire and smoke curtain systems, we have delivered solutions for some of the world’s most iconic projects.

  • BS 8524-1 & BS 8524-2
  • BS EN 12101-1
  • BS EN 16034-3
  • BS EN 1634-1
  • ISO 9001 & UKAS Accredited
  • Efficient Lead Times
About Us
Fire curtain installed in a corridor
37+years’ experience

What is a fire curtain?

Fire curtains are a crucial component in modern fire safety systems, offering numerous benefits and playing a vital role in the containment and suppression of fire.

The installation of fire curtains is often a necessary requirement to meet fire safety regulations and building codes. Properly installed fire curtains not only enhance the safety of occupants but also demonstrate compliance with stringent regulatory standards.

There are various types of fire curtains, including vertical and horizontal configurations, each tailored to suit different architectural and fire safety requirements. Advanced features such as automatic deployment and integration with fire detection systems make fire curtains a versatile and reliable fire safety solution.

Fire curtain system installed in a doorway, with its 14 components numbered 1234567891011121314

Fire curtain components

Hover over a number to see each component.

Some of the world’s most iconic projects

Case Studies

We have delivered solutions for some of the world’s most iconic projects, as well as numerous developments across the healthcare, education, and hospitality sectors.

Selfridges

Oxford Street

Qatar 2022

World Cup stadiums

Bloomberg Building

RIBA award-winning

New Scotland Yard

Headquarters

Fire Curtain FAQs

What is a Fire Curtain?

A fire curtain is an essential safety device designed to compartmentalise a building during a fire by preventing the spread of flames and smoke.

Made from fire-resistant materials, these automatic curtains deploy from a concealed head box in the ceiling when triggered by a fire alarm or smoke detection system.

Fire curtains help protect escape routes, minimise property damage, and enhance overall fire safety compliance by restricting fire movement within a structure.

Where are fire curtains fitted?

Fire curtains are typically installed in large public and commercial spaces where fire compartmentalisation is required.

Common locations include theatres, auditoriums, shopping centres, airports, hotels, hospitals, and office buildings. They are often placed in areas such as atriums, lobbies, open-plan offices, and doorways to prevent the spread of fire and smoke while maintaining an open and flexible building design. Fire curtains can also be integrated into stairwells and elevator shafts to protect escape routes.

What are fire curtains made from?

Fire curtains are manufactured from high-performance, fire-resistant fabric, typically woven from heavyweight glass fibre. This fabric is reinforced with stainless steel wire to enhance durability and structural integrity. These materials are designed to prevent the passage of heat and smoke while allowing the curtain to remain intact during the fire event.

To further improve fire resistance and smoke containment, the material is coated with a formulated fire-retardant, aluminium pigmented polyurethane coating.

This combination allows fire curtains to withstand extreme temperatures, effectively containing fire and smoke while remaining lightweight and flexible for discreet installation.

How does a fire curtain work?

Fire curtains are integrated into a building’s fire safety system and are automatically deployed when triggered by heat or smoke detectors. Upon activation, the curtain descends from a concealed head box in the ceiling, creating a fire-resistant barrier that prevents the spread of flames and smoke.

In addition to automatic deployment, fire curtains can also be manually triggered via emergency controls. Some systems include fail-safe mechanisms, such as gravity failsafe operation, ensuring the curtain deploys even in the event of a power failure.

Once the fire risk is mitigated, the curtain can be reset and retracted for normal operation.

How is a fire curtain controlled?

Fire curtains are managed through an advanced control panel that allows for different operational modes, including single descent, partial descent with a hold function, and full descent upon activation. These control systems ensure the fire curtain responds effectively to fire detection signals while allowing for flexibility in deployment.

Additional functionality can be achieved by integrating ancillary devices such as:

Egress switches: Allowing controlled emergency exit through the curtain.
Access switches: Enabling authorised personnel to operate the curtain manually.
Obstruction warning systems: Including single and double beam sensors, as well as light curtain obstruction warnings, ensuring the curtain does not descend onto people or objects in its path.

Contact the team today

Speak with our specialists to discuss your requirements

Accreditations

NQA ISO 9001 UKAS NQA SSIP IFC Certification Constructionline ASFP Builder's Profile SMAS Worksafe Alcumus