Ensuring fire safety without compromising an intended architectural open plan design can be problematic, especially when protecting stairwells and atria.
The FireMaster® Concertina™ fire curtain from Coopers Fire is a unique folded vertical fire curtain barrier system developed to provide a bespoke alternative to fixed non-loadbearing walls, partitions and fire shutters.
It comprises technologically advanced fire-resistant fabric barriers encased in a compact steel housing. The barriers remain invisibly retracted until activated by an alarm or detector signal, at which time they descend safely to their operational position.
Suitable for protecting all building types, the FireMaster Concertina can be used as part of a fire engineering solution in commercial and industrial applications such as airports, shopping centres, offices and hotels or where the need for maintaining open areas for access is vital. It can be applied to atria, escalators, and stairs and will remain hidden until deployed.
It provides the same protection as a steel fire shutter but at a fraction of the size and weight. With no need for columns, corner posts, side guides and intrusive ceiling interfaces, it offers a revolutionary approach to building design, maximising floor space and increasing rental income.
Bespoke design
Available in closed shapes, such as squares and faceted circles, the FireMaster Concertina “closed” system is manufactured on a bespoke basis for each project. It is the first fire curtain available in circular format without side guides and columns.
A range of ceiling interfaces are available, ensuring the barrier is totally concealed in the ceiling whilst still allowing access for service and maintenance. The unique patented SLAT™ (Self Levelling Access Trim) system can be utilised with suspended ceilings.
The FireMaster Concertina system can be provided in any width with a maximum drop of 8m (5m if 240 minutes of integrity is required). It complies with BS EN and AS standards and is certified to PAS 121: 2007 as offering up to 240 minutes of integrity and 120 minutes of radiation resistance.
The FireMaster Concertina system features Coopers’ patented Total Gravity Fail-Safe (TGFS) system, which ensures the barriers are deploy by controlled descent upon initiation or during any power or system failure. In the event of mains power failure, the barriers remain retracted using their own dedicated battery back-up power supply for a predetermined period (nominally 30 minutes). If signalled to descend during this period, they fail-safe by gravity in a controlled manner to their fire operational position. The unique VarioSpeed™ function enables site specific adjustable deployment at synchronised velocities from 0.06–0.15 m/s.
The FireMaster Concertina system uses EFP™ 4/1000 glass fibre, stainless steel wire reinforced fabric, coated with a micronized aluminium filled fire retardant polyurethane. The fabric complies with the requirements of Class 0 to meet the statutory guidance in Building Regulations (E&W) Approved Document B (Volumes 1 and 2).
Advancing technology
Coopers Fire is dedicated to advancing fire and smoke barrier curtain technology and improving ways to safeguard life and property. This commitment to developing innovative products that are robustly tested and independently certified has meant that Coopers has become the benchmark used by Regulators, Architects, Engineers and other Fire Professionals worldwide.
With regular servicing and maintenance a legal mandatory requirement, Coopers Fire is the only fire and smoke curtain manufacturer and installer to be regulated and approved as an Independent Third Party Certification body, the IFCC Installers Certification Scheme.
For more information, go to www.coopersfire.com
