ISO 21524:2021

Fire resistance tests - Elements of building construction - Requirements for active fire curtains

This document specifies requirements for the design, testing and classification of active fire curtains, applicable to any material, that are designed to provide fire and smoke resistance. This document gives recommendations for the application, installation and maintenance of active fire curtains. It is also intended to provide guidance and recommendations for designers, specifiers (e.g. architects, fire engineers), authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), installers and maintainers for the following: a) creating compartmentation; b) creating protected routes for the purpose of means of escape; c) providing protection at the location of non-fire resisting elements (e.g. in front of non-fire-resisting glazing and doorsets) where required for compartmentation or protecting means of escape; d) providing fire- and smoke-resistant active fire curtains in conjunction with non-smoke rated products protecting openings to reduce leakage of smoke. This document does not apply to the following, which are intended for a different use: - barriers made of part of the building’s structure; - theatre/proscenium textile curtains; - smoke barriers according to ISO 21927-1; - door and shutter assemblies according to ISO 3008‑1. NOTE 1 Smoke barriers used solely for smoke control are covered by ISO 21927‑1. Such smoke barriers are not considered to be active fire curtains. NOTE 2 Requirements of fire doors are given in ISO 3008-1. Requirements for leakage are given in ISO 5925‑1 and further information is given in ISO/TR 5925‑2.

Titre manque

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Jul-2021
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 92/SC 2 - Fire containment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 92/SC 2/WG 1 - General requirements
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 05-Jul-2021
• Due Date: 21-Jul-2020
• Completion Date: 05-Jul-2021

Overview

ISO 21524:2021 - Fire resistance tests - Elements of building construction - Requirements for active fire curtains - is an international standard that specifies design, testing and classification requirements for active fire curtains intended to provide fire and smoke resistance. Published by ISO in 2021, it also gives recommendations for application, installation, commissioning, inspection, testing and maintenance of active fire curtains used to maintain compartmentation and protected escape routes.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard covers both performance and procedural requirements, including:

• Design and classification: criteria for classifying active fire curtains based on fire resistance, smoke control and operational performance.
• Fire resistance testing: test methods and acceptance criteria for integrity, insulation, radiation (heat flux) and deflection behavior during standard fire exposure.
• Smoke leakage: measurement and limits for total smoke leakage where curtains are required to limit smoke entry to protected routes.
• Reliability, durability and response time: tests for deployment speed, repeated operation, motor performance (including at elevated temperatures) and force/durability of materials.
• Installation features: side retention, overlaps for multiple curtains, horizontal/angled installations, pass doors and vision panels.
• Ancillary systems: detection and alarm interfaces, hold-open devices, pressure-sensitive protective equipment (PSPE), obstruction warning sensors and self-test facilities.
• Sampling, marking and documentation: sampling protocols, labelling, packaging and model certificates for commissioning, servicing and completion.

Normative annexes provide detailed test methods (fire resistance, durability, motor testing), system design guidance and overlap rules for multiple active fire curtains. Informative annexes include model checklists, installation and maintenance templates.

Practical applications and who uses it

ISO 21524:2021 is intended for use whenever active fire curtains form part of a building’s fire protection strategy, for example:

• Creating compartmentation in large open spaces
• Forming protected horizontal or vertical escape routes (corridors, shafts)
• Protecting non-fire-resisting glazing or doorsets where compartmentation or egress protection is required
• Reducing smoke leakage at openings when used with non-smoke-rated products

Primary users:

• Designers and specifiers (architects, fire engineers)
• Authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and building regulators
• Manufacturers, installers and commissioning agents
• Maintenance and inspection teams

Related standards

• ISO 21927-1 (smoke barriers)
• ISO 3008-1 (fire doors)
• ISO 5925-1 and ISO/TR 5925-2 (leakage requirements and guidance)

Keywords: ISO 21524:2021, active fire curtains, fire resistance tests, smoke leakage, fire curtain requirements, fire curtain testing, compartmentation, fire safety design.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21524
First edition
2021-07
Fire resistance tests — Elements
of building construction —
Requirements for active fire curtains
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Symbols . 4
5 Requirements . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Side retention . 6
5.3 Additional requirements for multiple active fire curtains . 7
5.3.1 Multiple active fire curtains . 7
5.3.2 Required overlap . 9
5.3.3 Larger than tested . . 9
5.4 Horizontal or angled . 9
5.5 Pass door(s) .11
5.6 Vision panels .12
6 Sampling .13
6.1 Test samples, testing and conformance criteria .13
7 Test methods .14
7.1 General .14
7.2 Durability and force gauge .15
7.3 Reliability and durability.15
7.4 Deployment .15
7.4.1 Response time and velocity .15
7.4.2 Delayed and/or multi-positional deployment .16
7.4.3 Emergency egress control .16
7.4.4 Emergency access control . .16
7.5 Smoke leakage .16
7.5.1 General.16
7.5.2 Total smoke leakage of active fire curtains with smoke-resistance .16
7.6 Fire resistance .16
7.6.1 General.16
7.6.2 Integrity .17
7.6.3 Insulation .17
7.6.4 Radiation (heat flux) .17
7.6.5 Deflection zone .18
7.6.6 Initial deployment .18
7.6.7 Operation following initial deployment — emergency egress .18
7.6.8 Operation following initial deployment — emergency access.18
7.6.9 Delayed and/or multi-positional deployment .18
7.7 Reaction to fire .18
7.8 Ancillary devices.19
7.8.1 General.19
7.8.2 Ancillary devices activation .19
7.8.3 Hold-open devices .19
7.8.4 Fire detection and alarm systems .19
7.8.5 Sensory equipment for obstruction warning .19
7.8.6 Pressure-sensitive protective equipment (PSPE).19
7.8.7 Self-test facility for dwellings .19
8 Marking, labelling and packaging .20
Annex A (normative) General requirements for testing .21
Annex B (normative) Order of testing .24
Annex C (normative) Fire-resistance test method .26
Annex D (normative) Overlapping multiple active fire curtains .41
Annex E (normative) Test method for active fire curtains reliability and response time and
the durability of materials .43
Annex F (normative) Test method for reliability of motor operation at elevated temperatures .46
Annex G (normative) Calculation of ambient temperature smoke leakage .52
Annex H (normative) Test method for the durability and reliability of alternative or
additional motors .55
Annex I (normative) Test method for ancillary and optional equipment .58
Annex J (normative) Test method for durability and force gauge .62
Annex K (informative) Typical product performance summary .65
Annex L (normative) System design .67
Annex M (informative) Installation.79
Annex N (informative) Commissioning .83
Annex O (informative) Inspection, testing and maintenance .86
Annex P (informative) Typical approving authority pre-installation checklist .88
Annex Q (informative) An engineered approach to using radiative heat flux for tenable
conditions for single-level horizontal routes .89
Annex R (informative) Yarns and fabric materials .99
Annex S (informative) Typical installation checklist .100
Annex T (informative) Model installation certificate .103
Annex U (informative) Typical inspection checklist .105
Annex V (informative) Model commissioning certificate.107
Annex W (informative) Model completion certificate .109
Annex X (informative) Model servicing certificate .111
Bibliography .113
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 92, Fire safety, Subcommittee SC 2, Fire
containment.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
Introduction
As fire-separating elements, active fire curtains are intended to provide two main functions:
a) to maintain any compartmentation of buildings needed to limit the spread of fire and smoke; and
b) to allow access to protected escape routes, both vertical and horizontal, without any loss of fire
resistance, and to limit smoke entry into these routes, i.e. protected corridors and protected shafts.
They can also be partially deployed to control the deployment of fire effluent within buildings in the
event of fire, prior to being fully deployed as active fire curtains.
Recommended positions and ratings for fire-separating elements for means of escape purposes are
given in national codes providing either prescriptive or risk-based approaches using the principles of
fire safety engineering.
When used as part of a fire-engineered design solution, active fire curtains can become a critical
element of design. If active fire curtains do not deploy to their operational position, the fire-engineered
design solution is compromised. However, in the event that other fire protection systems or elements
do not function (e.g. due to total power failure), active fire curtains in their fire-operational position
provide fire separation.
Active fire curtains used in life safety and property protection applications can be vertical, horizontal
or angled. Depending on the application, they are at times used to replace fire doors, roller shutters,
non-loadbearing walls, non-loadbearing ceilings, glazed elements, etc. At times, they are also used to
form fire separation, e.g. forming protected routes or lobbies. They provide some of the functionalities
of a fire door, but when used only for fire and smoke leakage, as a fire door, then different requirements
apply. These requirements are given in ISO 3008-1 and ISO 5925-1, and further information is given in
ISO/TR 5925-2. Active fire curtains enable greater widths and deployments using less space than other
traditional methods.
It is essential that any proposed use of active fire curtains be assessed in the context of the building
use and perceived occupancy to ensure that it is ultimately suitable and fit for purpose, taking into
consideration such factors as:
a) fire resistance;
b) reaction to fire;
c) smoke leakage;
d) occupancy type and risk profile;
e) occupancy load;
f) means of escape for egress;
g) ingress for fire and rescue service;
h) life safety and property protection objectives.
Some examples of how active fire curtains are deployed are:
a) deploy fully upon receipt of a signal from the fire alarm system;
b) remain retracted when the fire alarm system is activated and only deploy upon receipt of a signal
from a local smoke/heat detector. In these circumstances, the only active fire curtains to deploy
are those where fire or smoke are in the vicinity;
c) remain retracted when the fire alarm system is activated for a predetermined time to allow for
evacuation before deploying fully;
vi © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

d) for vertical installations, move to a given height above finished floor level when the fire alarm
system is activated to contain smoke for a predetermined time before closing fully for fire
separation;
e) for vertical installations, move to a given height above finished floor level when a specific fire alarm
system signal is provided to contain smoke when the fire location is such that active fire curtains
are not required to deploy fully;
f) deploy upon loss of primary and auxiliary power supply.
In fire safety situations, it is often important to establish the heat transfer from one side of the
separating element to the other in order to calculate escape route sizes and safe operating distances.
Traditionally this has been established using insulation and radiation measurements.
NOTE National codes apply to life safety. Higher performance levels are sometimes necessary for certain
applications if property protection is required.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21524:2021(E)
Fire resistance tests — Elements of building construction
— Requirements for active fire curtains
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the design, testing and classification of active fire curtains,
applicable to any material, that are designed to provide fire and smoke resistance.
This document gives recommendations for the application, installation and maintenance of active fire
curtains. It is also intended to provide guidance and recommendations for designers, specifiers (e.g.
architects, fire engineers), authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), installers and maintainers for the
following:
a) creating compartmentation;
b) creating protected routes for the purpose of means of escape;
c) providing protection at the location of non-fire resisting elements (e.g. in front of non-fire-resisting
glazing and doorsets) where required for compartmentation or protecting means of escape;
d) providing fire- and smoke-resistant active fire curtains in conjunction with non-smoke rated
products protecting openings to reduce leakage of smoke.
This document does not apply to the following, which are intended for a different use:
— barriers made of part of the building’s structure;
— theatre/proscenium textile curtains;
— smoke barriers according to ISO 21927-1;
— door and shutter assemblies according to ISO 3008-1.
NOTE 1 Smoke barriers used solely for smoke control are covered by ISO 21927-1. Such smoke barriers are not
considered to be active fire curtains.
NOTE 2 Requirements of fire doors are given in ISO 3008-1. Requirements for leakage are given in ISO 5925-1
and further information is given in ISO/TR 5925-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 834-1, Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building construction — Part 1: General requirements
ISO 1182, Reaction to fire tests for products — Non-combustibility test
ISO 1716, Reaction to fire tests for products — Determination of the gross heat of combustion (calorific
value)
ISO 3009, Fire-resistance tests — Elements of building construction — Glazed elements
ISO 5925-1, Fire tests — Smoke-control door and shutter assemblies — Part 1: Ambient- and medium-
temperature leakage tests
ISO 9705-1, Reaction to fire tests — Room corner test for wall and ceiling lining products — Part 1: Test
method for a small room configuration
ISO 11925-2, Reaction to fire tests — Ignitability of products subjected to direct impingement of flame —
Part 2: Single-flame source test
ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
ISO 21927-10, Smoke and heat control systems — Part 10: Specification for power output devices
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 834-1 and ISO 13943 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
active fire curtain
curtain, manufactured from flexible materials, not hinged or pivoted, provided for the passage of
persons, air and objects, which, together with its frame as installed in a building, is intended (when
closed) to resist the passage of fire
3.2
compartmentation
process of separating a building or part of a building into one or more rooms, spaces or storeys, with
the intention of preventing the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building or adjoining
building
Note 1 to entry: Compartmentation is mainly implemented to assist the fire and rescue services by confining
the fire within a fire-resisting enclosure. In some instances, it is employed to assist means of escape in buildings
where evacuation might be delayed (e.g. where phased evacuation policy has been applied in premises such as
hospitals and care homes) or where a policy of non-evacuation (e.g. “defend in place” or “stay put strategy”) is
employed, as in blocks of flats.
Note 2 to entry: Fire enclosures specifically for the purpose of means of escape, such as lobby protection to
stairways and enclosure of special risks, are not regarded as compartments and may employ passive smoke
separation measures.
3.3
competent person
individual suitably trained and qualified by knowledge and practical experience and provided with the
necessary instructions to enable the required task(s) to be carried out correctly
3.4
deployment
movement of an active fire curtain from its retracted position to its fire-operational position
3.5
dwelling
unit of residential accommodation occupied (whether or not as a sole or main residence):
a) by a single person or by people living together as a family; or
b) by not more than six residents living together as a single household, including a household where
care is provided for residents
2 © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

3.6
fire effluent
all gases and aerosols, including suspended particles, created by combustion or pyrolysis and emitted
to the environment
[SOURCE: ISO 26367-1:2019, 3.6, modified — Notes to entry removed.]
3.7
fire-operational position
final configuration of an active fire curtain specified by its designer to achieve and be sustained in the
ultimate fire condition of the design
3.8
fire separation
method of providing an element that is intended for use in maintaining separation between two adjacent
areas of a building in the event of a fire to form protected routes and/or compartmentation
3.9
fire strategy
safety design for a particular building determined by prescriptive codes, fire safety engineering or fire
risk assessment
3.10
fit for purpose
ability of a product, process or service to serve a defined purpose under specific conditions
3.11
gravity fail safe
ability of an active fire curtain to move to its fire-operational position in a safe and controlled manner
to facilitate fire separation when all consumable primary and auxiliary power supplies are removed, in
the event of wiring or system corruption, open or short circuit, or any combination thereof
3.12
integrity
ability of a separating element, when exposed to fire on one side, to prevent the passage of flames and
hot gases or occurrence of flames on the unexposed side, for a stated period of time in a standard fire
resistance test
[SOURCE: ISO 22899-1:2007, 3.9]
3.13
hold-open device
element of the hold-open system that allows a gravity fail safe active fire curtain to remain open either
at a pre-set or chosen position until released
3.14
life safety
application of the active fire curtain in its fire-operational position assisting in the protection of the
means of escape and access for the fire and rescue service
3.15
material
fabric
product made from fibres
Note 1 to entry: Within the context of this document, "material" is understood to conform to one of the following
tests:
Note 2 to entry: a) Non-combustible test (ISO 1182).
Note 3 to entry: b) Limited combustibility test (ISO 1716).
Note 4 to entry: Within the context of this document, "material" is understood to require the following tests:
Note 5 to entry: a) Room corner test for wall and ceiling linings (ISO/TR 9705-2).
Note 6 to entry: b) Ignitability of products when subjected to direct impingement of flame test (ISO 11925-2).
3.16
means of escape
means whereby a safe route (or routes) in the event of fire is (or are) provided for persons to travel from
any point in a building to a place of ultimate safety
3.17
multi-positional deployment
staged deployment of active fire curtain to provide initial smoke separation prior to full fire separation
3.18
property protection
application of the active fire curtain in its fire-operational condition to protect a building’s contents
and structure
3.19
side retention
retention device which links the active fire curtain fabric to the building structure to contain fire and
smoke
3.20
smoke barrier
device to channel, control and/or prevent the migration of smoke
Note 1 to entry: Smoke is the visible part of a fire effluent. Smoke barriers can also be referred to as smoke
curtains, smoke blinds or smoke screens. These are specified in ISO 21927-1.
4 Symbols
Symbol Unit Description
a m height of the radiating surface
A m tested exposed fabric area
A m required exposed fabric area
r
b m width of the radiating surface
c m perpendicular distance from the
corner of the radiating surface
d m proximity of the escaping occupants
s
to active fire curtains as the mini-
mum separation distance
δ m anticipated deflection
a
H m height of the fire tested active fire
curtains
H m proposed height
p
H m required height of the exposed
r
fabric
ε - emissivity
f - factor for scaling the required min-
imum width of the end curtain and
the required minimum width of the
overlap
F - configuration factor
4 © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Symbol Unit Description
I kW/m radiation heat flux (for purposes of
TDU)
I m proposed length/width
c
L m /h leakage through the complete active
c
fire curtains
L m /h leakage through the fabric only
fa
3 2
L m /m /h leakage per square metre of fabric
fb
L m /h leakage through the fabric and the
fh
horizontal edge
L m /h leakage through the perimeter gap
ph
at the horizontal edge
L m /m/h leakage per metre through the pe-
phb
rimeter gap at the horizontal edge
L m /h leakage through the perimeter gap
pv
at the two vertical edges
3 2
L m /m /h leakage per metre through the pe-
de
rimeter gaps at the vertical edges
L m /m/h effective linear perimeter leakage
lt
O m width of the tested overlap
O m required minimum width of the
m
overlap
Q W/m heat flux
2 4
Σ W/(m K ) Stefan Boltzmann’s constant
R kW/m maximum permitted radiation heat
max
flux at the tested size
R kW/m radiation heat flux from the fire
RSET
curtain at the tested size at the
Required Safe Evacuation/Egress
Time
t s exposure time
T K surface temperature of the radiator
τ 2 4/3
(kW/m ) s thermal dose unit (TDU)
v m/s speed of escaping occupants
o
w m width of the corridor
c
w m width of the person
p
W m width of the tested end curtain
W m required minimum width of the end
m
curtain
W m tested width of the exposed fabric
W m required width of the exposed
r
fabric
5 Requirements
5.1 General
Active fire curtains shall be designed according to Annex L and manufactured to create a fire-separating
element in a horizontal, vertical or angled orientation.
Typical uses of the active fire curtains include:
a) compartmentation;
b) creating protected routes for the purpose of means of escape where using standard fire doors/
shutters and non-loadbearing walls and ceilings would be prohibitive to the design;
c) providing protection at the location of non-fire resisting elements, e.g. in front of non-fire resisting
glazing and doorsets, where required for compartmentation or protecting means of escape;
d) meeting the requirements for smoke leakage in conjunction with other non-smoke rated products
(e.g. lift door) protecting openings to reduce leakage of smoke.
5.2 Side retention
Where active fire curtains, whether single or multiple units, are reliant on side retention as part of their
integral design, there shall be no gaps between the fabric edge and the leading edge of the retention
guide that can impede integrity (see C.3).
Figure 1 illustrates an example of a typical single active fire curtain.
Active fire curtains with side retention (see 3.19) have been found in some circumstances to produce
edge gaps in end-use applications. Care should be taken during installation to use side retention that is
identical to the tested samples.
6 © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Key
1 headbox
2 roller
3 motor
4 bearing
5 fabric curtain
6 retention system
7 bottom bar
Figure 1 — Example of a typical single active fire curtain
5.3 Additional requirements for multiple active fire curtains
5.3.1 Multiple active fire curtains
Where multiple active fire curtains are used to create a larger active fire curtain, they shall be tested
with the minimal overlap and shall be continuously conjoined at the bottom edge (A.1 applies).
Figure 2 illustrates a typical example of the overlapped and conjoined active fire curtains. This
configuration is not suitable for use on an escape route.
Figure 3 illustrates examples of typical active fire curtains arrangements.
Key
1 headbox
2 roller
3 motor
4 bearing
5 fabric curtain
6 retention system
7 bottom bar
Figure 2 — Example of typical overlapped and conjoined active fire curtains
8 © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Key
1 single roller
2 side-by-side rollers (horizontal)
3 over and under rollers (vertical)
4 folding/pleating
Figure 3 — Examples of typical arrangements for active fire curtains
5.3.2 Required overlap
The amount of overlap required in addition to the tested size shall be determined in accordance with
Annex D.
5.3.3 Larger than tested
For active fire curtains larger than those tested, supporting evidence shall be provided where an
independent assessment body can provide a technical appraisal of the necessary overlap dimensions in
accordance with Annex D.
NOTE 1 The necessary overlap generally increases as the span of the curtain increases.
NOTE 2 Further guidance is available in EN 15269-11:2018, Annex C.
5.4 Horizontal or angled
This subclause specifies the test method for determining the fire resistance of horizontally or angled
oriented active fire curtains which can be exposed to a fire from the underside. It is applicable to
all types of active fire curtains that may be installed in a horizontal orientation within floor or roof
assemblies requiring fire-resistance ratings in buildings (see Figure 4).
The test method allows for the measurement of integrity and, if required, the measurement of radiation
and thermal insulation when subjected to a standard temperature/time curve as stipulated in ISO 834-1.
The test specimen and all its components shall be full size. When this is restricted by the size of the
opening of the furnace (which is normally 3,0 m × 4,0 m), active fire curtains shall be tested at the
maximum size possible and the fire resistance of the full-sized assembly shall be derived by an extended
application analysis.
The test specimen shall be fully representative of the active fire curtain as intended for use in practice,
including any appropriate surface finishes and fittings which are an essential part of the specimen and
which can influence its behaviour in a test construction.
If the test specimen is intended for use at an incline other than horizontal, i.e. angled, then the guidance
for inclined specimens in ISO 3009 shall be followed.
The design of the connection between the test specimen and the supporting construction, including any
fixings and materials used to make the connection shall be as intended for use in practice and shall be
regarded as part of the test specimen.
There shall be a minimum zone of supporting construction of 200 mm wide exposed within the furnace,
each side and over the top of the aperture into which the test specimen is to be fixed. The thickness
of the supporting construction may be increased outside of the 200 mm zone. The test construction
may incorporate more than one test specimen providing that there is minimum separation of 200 mm
between each specimen and between the specimens and the edge of the furnace.
10 © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Key
1 headbox
2 roller
3 motor
4 bearing
5 fabric curtain
6 retention system
7 bottom bar
Figure 4 — Example of a typical active fire curtain in the horizontal orientation
5.5 Pass door(s)
Pass door(s) shall be tested with the minimum of a single pass door located central to the furnace
opening. See Figure 5.
Pass door(s) shall be so designed and positioned that they cannot unintentionally leave their safe
position when the main door, in which they are installed, is operated in normal use.
The parts of the door(s) shall not cause any tripping hazard. Height differences up to 5 mm which occur
in the traffic area are not considered dangerous.
When height differences greater than 5 mm are necessary due to technical reasons (e.g. thresholds of
pass doors) the raised parts shall be clearly visible themselves or shall be made so by warning signs,
e.g. yellow-black stripes.
Key
1 headbox
2 roller
3 motor
4 bearing
5 fabric curtain
6 retention system
7 bottom bar
Figure 5 — Example of a typical active fire curtain with pass door(s)
5.6 Vision panels
The type of vision panels and the edge fixing technique (e.g. stitching per metre of perimeter) shall not
be changed from those tested.
The number of vision panels and each of the dimensions (width and height) of vision panels in active
fire curtains included within a test specimen may be:
— decreased in proportion with size reductions; or
— decreased by a maximum of 25 % for integrity only and/or radiation control constructions and for
insulation specimens where the unexposed surface temperature for both the construction and the
vision panels have been maintained for the classification period; or
— reduced for active fire curtains, without restriction, providing that the total area of the tested vision
panels is less than 15 % of the active fire curtains.
The number of vision panels and each of the dimensions of vision panels included within a test specimen
shall not be increased.
The distance between the edge of vision panels and the perimeter of the active fire curtains, or the
distance between vision panels shall not be reduced from those incorporated in test specimens.
12 © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Other positioning within the active fire curtains can only be modified if this does not involve the
removal or re-positioning of vision panels. Figure 6 provides an example of typical active fire curtains
with vision panel(s).
Key
1 headbox
2 roller
3 motor
4 bearing
5 vision panel(s) in fabric curtain
6 retention system
7 bottom bar
8 vision panel
Figure 6 — Example of typical active fire curtains with vision panel(s)
6 Sampling
6.1 Test samples, testing and conformance criteria
The requirements for each test specimen are provided in Annex A.
The order of testing shall be as shown in Annex B.
The number of samples of active fire curtains to be tested/assessed shall be in accordance with Table 1.
Table 1 — Number of samples to be tested and conformance criteria
Characteristic No. of samples Conformance criteria
Ancillary devices Specimens 1, 2, 3 and 5 7.8
Durability and force gauge Specimens 1, 2 and 3 7.2
Reliability and durability Specimens 1, 2, 3 and 5 7.3
Table 1 (continued)
Characteristic No. of samples Conformance criteria
Deployment, response delay, response time and Specimens 1, 2, 3 and 5 7.4
velocity
Resistance to fire Specimens 3, 4, 7 and 8 7.6.2, 7.6.3, 7.6.4, C.6.5, Figure C.9,
Figure C.10, Annex F
Smoke leakage Specimen 5 7.5
Reaction to fire Specimen 6 7.7
7 Test methods
7.1 General
The number of samples to be tested and the conformance criteria are summarized in Table 1.
The fabric used with the construction of the active fire curtains is critical to its performance (see
Table 2).
Table 2 — Summary of performance characteristics
Performance measure Related sub- Test Performance level
clause method(s)
Durability and force gauge [including pass 7.2 Annex J 10
(400 ± ) N
door(s)]
35 N ± 1 N on pass door(s)
Reliability and durability [including pass 7.3 Annex E B1 and C1–C5
door(s)]
Reliability of alternative or additional mo- 7.3 Annex H C1–C5
tor(s)
Response time and velocity 7.4 Annex E Vertical: ≥ 0,03 m/s at any
height; ≤ 0,15 m/s below 2,0 m
Horizontal: ≥ 0,03 m/s at any
length
Smoke leakage: 7.5 ISO 5925-1 S or S
a 200
- smoke leakage, where applicable
Fire resistance: 7.6 ISO 834-1, Plus time (min) for integrity,
insulation and/or radiation
- integrity 7.6.2 Table 5
- insulation, where applicable 7.6.3
- radiation, where applicable 7.6.4
Deflection zone 7.6.5 Annex C Distance (mm)
- Motor operation, where applicable 7.6.6 Annex F Pass/fail
Reaction to fire 7.6.7 ISO 1182, or Non-combustible, or limited
combustibility
ISO 1716
Ancillary devices, where applicable 7.6.8 Annex I Pass/fail
NOTE Classifications are based upon EN 13501-2.
When tested in accordance with 7.2, 7.3, 7.7 and the relevant parts of 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 and 7.8, the active fire
curtains shall meet the pass criteria specified in those subclauses.
Tests shall be undertaken in the order specified in Annex B.
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7.2 Durability and force gauge
When a specimen conforming to A.2 is tested with a force gauge in accordance with Annex J, active fire
curtains shall remain operable afterwards, and gaps, cracks or tears shall not develop between the
fabric and beyond the retention device (retention system) shall be recorded.
Following the initial force gauge test, the active fire curtains shall undergo testing for reliability and
durability in accordance with 7.3, and deployment in accordance with 7.4. A second force gauge test
shall then be undertaken on the same specimens and they shall remain operable afterwards.
The deflection criteria shall not be used to determine failure of the active fire curtains following each
force gauge test.
7.3 Reliability and durability
When tested in accordance with Annex E, the active fire curtains shall complete without failure the
number of cycles that are relevant to the intended classification in Table 3 and Table 4 (see E.5). The
active fire curtains shall subsequently be classified in accordance with Table 4 according to the test
result obtained.
NOTE A successful test for a given number of cycles also covers all classifications for lower numbers of
cycles, e.g. Class C3 also covers classes C1 and C2.
Table 3 — Mechanical
...