Smoke Baffles Add Protection to Your Buildings

 

The saying “smoke is more dangerous than fire” is true when it comes to building fires. Smoke from a fire can be deadlier and cause more damage than the fire itself.

In commercial buildings, various items made of plastics and chemicals can produce toxins when they burn, posing hazards to people breathing in the smoke. As the fire burns, these toxins release carbon dioxide and other harmful compounds like cyanide, making it difficult for individuals to use available oxygen.

While fire suppression systems are designed to halt the spread of flames and minimise damage, they may not prevent smoke from spreading to areas such as vents and walls. To add an extra layer of protection, incorporating smoke baffles into building designs can help safeguard building occupants and minimise smoke-related damage.

So, what are Smoke Baffles?

Smoke baffles, also known as smoke curtains and draft curtains, are used to contain and direct smoke. They are typically installed at the tops of stairways, atriums, and other open or high-ceilinged areas. The purpose of smoke baffles is to contain smoke during a building fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas.

Smoke baffles must be flame and fire-resistant for at least one hour and can help building occupants exit a building during a fire. They also help reduce damage to the building and work with other fire suppression systems.

Benefits of Smoke Baffles:

Smoke baffles offer several benefits that fire suppression systems alone can’t provide.

Increased Ventilation: Most buildings use ventilation to clear an area of smoke, but ventilation systems may not be very effective on their own. A smoke baffle traps the smoke in the vicinity of the vents, making the ventilation system more effective at removing toxic smoke before it harms building occupants and damages the property.

Decreased Building Damage: Flames and fire can cause extensive damage to a building, but smoke can be even more harmful. When items burn, the smoke released can spread to other areas of the building, leaving behind a residue on walls, floors, ceilings, and furnishings, leading to discolouration and odour. Some materials exposed to smoke may continue discolouring or deteriorating long after extinguishing the fire. Smoke damage can be more widespread than fire damage because smoke can travel to areas not reached by the flames. Smoke baffles help direct and contain smoke, reducing the materials it comes into contact with. As a result, after a fire, there’s less need for restoration and repair, allowing businesses to resume operations more quickly and at a lower cost.

Reduced Health Risks: Smoke causes more fatalities than flames during a fire. In a fire, people may become disoriented or panicked, spending more time in the building and exposing themselves to more risks. Smoke baffles are often installed above open stairwells, atriums, and other areas with high ceilings. Stairwells, in particular, are areas where building occupants may attempt to exit during a fire. If stairwells fill with smoke, occupants may seek alternative exit routes or risk exposure to the toxic compounds in the smoke, such as carbon dioxide and cyanide. Using smoke baffles makes these areas safer for building occupants during evacuation. The smoke is contained away from escape routes, reducing the risk of smoke exposure for occupants.

Part of a Comprehensive Fire and Smoke Protection System

Many effective products and materials are available to protect buildings and occupants in the event of a fire. These include fire suppression systems such as sprinklers and ventilation systems, as well as containment systems. Smoke baffles can be used alongside smoke curtains throughout the building. Smoke curtains are installed over elevators, stairwells, and atrium ceilings to prevent smoke and flames from spreading. Many of these systems are designed to deploy automatically during a fire; they remain discreetly out of sight but are always ready for use. As part of a comprehensive fire protection plan, smoke curtains and smoke baffles reduce loss of life and the expenses associated with renovation, cleaning, and replacement after a fire. The key is strategically using these items in different building areas. Smoke has specific patterns of movement, often seeking shafts, vents, and tall ceilings to escape. By using fire and smoke containment in these areas, you can halt the spread of both, reducing damage and making fire suppression and cleanup easier, faster, and less costly.

Nowadays, you may not even notice these baffles as they are designed as permanent features integrated into the building’s architecture.

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