What is BS 8524-2- Code of practice for active fire curtain barrier assemblies about?
BS 8524-2 is a British Standard on active fire curtain barrier assemblies.
BS 8524-2 is the second part of the series which gives recommendations for the application, installation, and maintenance of active fire curtain barrier assemblies.
BS 8524-2 is applicable only to active fire curtain barrier assemblies conforming to BS 8524-1:2013 that are designed to provide fire resistance or fire and smoke resistance.
Note: Smoke barriers, used solely for smoke control, are covered by BS EN 12101-1. Such smoke barriers are not considered to be active fire curtain barrier assemblies within the scope of BS 8524.
BS 8524-2 is also intended to provide guidance and recommendations for:
- Creating compartmentation
- Creating protected routes for the purpose of means of escape
Who is BS 8524-2- Code of practice for active fire curtain barrier assemblies for?
BS 8524-2 on active fire curtain barrier assemblies is relevant to:
- Designers and manufacturers of active fire curtain barrier assemblies
- Specifiers
- Architects
- Fire engineers
- Approving authorities
- Installers and maintenance personnel
Why should you use BS 8524-2- Code of practice for active fire curtain barrier assemblies?
Fire and smoke curtain barriers allow for greater freedom of design while ensuring minimal visual impact. This allows designers to be more radical with building design by increasing usable space.
When used as part of a fire-engineered design solution, barrier assemblies can become a critical element of that design. If barrier assemblies do not deploy to their operational position, the fire-engineered design solution would be compromised. However, in the event that other fire protection systems or elements do not function, e.g. due to total power failure, the barriers in the fire-operational position provide fire separation.
BS 8524-2 offers the most up-to-date recommendations for the application, installation and maintenance of these barriers.
BS 8524-2 can ensure protection at the location of non-fire-resisting elements, e.g. in front of non-fire-resisting glazing and door sets, where required for compartmentation or protecting means of escape.
Thus, BS 8524-2-compliant fire curtain barriers can play a positive role in preventing or slowing down the spread of flames, and reducing damage to life and property.
