Draft Curtains for Warehousing and Storage Facilities
Draft curtains in warehouses and storage facilities help keep people, property, and inventory safe when fire breaks out. Our SmokeSafe® Containment System delivers dependable protection designed around the specific needs of large storage spaces.
How Draft Curtains Keep Warehouses and Storage Buildings Safe
During a fire, hot smoke rises to the ceiling and begins moving horizontally across the building. Draft curtains help slow and redirect that movement by creating defined smoke reservoirs near the ceiling.
A properly designed system can help:
- Limit the horizontal spread of smoke and heat
- Divide large ceiling areas into smaller zones
- Direct smoke toward vents or exhaust systems
- Support the building’s overall fire protection design
- Separate areas with different sprinkler requirements
Draft curtains do not replace sprinklers, fire-rated walls, or smoke exhaust systems. They are used as part of a coordinated fire and smoke-control plan.
Built to Fit Your Space
Every warehouse has different ceiling heights, storage layouts, sprinkler systems, and structural conditions. Curtain depth and placement should be based on the actual building rather than a standard one-size-fits-all layout.
Important design factors include:
- Ceiling and roof height
- Roof slope and structural framing
- Rack and storage height
- Type of materials being stored
- Sprinkler type and placement
- Smoke vents or mechanical exhaust systems
- Ductwork, pipes, conveyors, and other overhead obstructions
Our team reviews the building conditions and project plans before preparing the curtain layout and attachment details.
Contact Us About Our Smoke Containment Solutions
FAQs for Draft Curtains in Warehouses & Storage Facilities
What does a draft curtain do?
It extends downward from the ceiling to help limit the horizontal movement of smoke and heat. It divides a large ceiling area into smaller smoke reservoirs.
Do draft curtains replace sprinklers?
No. They don’t extinguish fires and can’t replace automatic sprinklers. They must be coordinated with the sprinkler system and the building’s overall fire protection design.
Can draft curtains work with smoke vents?
Yes. They may be used to create smoke reservoirs around roof vents or mechanical exhaust inlets. The vents, curtains, and sprinkler system must be designed to work together.
Can draft curtains be installed in an existing warehouse?
Yes. Lightweight fabric curtains are commonly used in retrofit projects because they can often be installed without major structural changes.
Will the installation interrupt warehouse operations?
Installation can often be completed in sections to limit downtime. Access may still be required to aisles, racks, or equipment located below the curtain installation area.
Do fixed draft curtains require electricity?
No. Fixed SmokeSafe® draft curtains remain permanently in position and do not require motors, controls, detectors, or fire alarm activation.
