MAŁKOWSKI-MARTECH S.A. - Sharing Vision of Safety

People often wonder how to choose fire doors and curtains to ensure maximum protection for their property and the safety of the people on the premises. In this article, we present 5 key features to consider when deciding which model to choose. Read on to learn more!

Equipping buildings with appropriate fire protection systems is an essential part of protecting lives and property. The right fire doors and curtains are the first line of defence against the uncontrolled spread of flames and smoke, and their proper selection, tailored to the specific characteristics of the installation, can significantly increase the safety of people and valuable assets in the building.
Certification and compliance with standards are the first criteria to consider when choosing good fire doors and curtains. There are various standards on the market that define the requirements for fire and smoke resistance. Certificates confirming compliance with these standards are a guarantee of quality and ensure that the product has been tested and meets stringent safety criteria. In practice, this means that quality-certified fire protection systems are more effective in protecting lives and property from fire and smoke.

Fire resistance refers to the ability of fire doors and curtains to withstand the direct effects of fire for a given period of time. Resistance classes, such as EI30, EI60 or EI120, indicate how many minutes the product can retain its protective properties against fire and hot gases. For example, EI30 means that the door or fire curtain will maintain its thermal insulation for at least 30 minutes, EI60 for one hour and EI120 for up to 2 hours.

You can choose from a variety of gate and fire curtain activation systems, depending on your needs and the specifications of your facility. These include automatic systems that activate when a threat is detected. By using smoke and temperature sensors, fire protection systems can respond quickly, minimising the risk of fire spreading.
Before making a choice, it is also important to consider the possibility of integrating these systems with the general building management and fire alarm systems, allowing a coordinated response to the threat. If a fire is detected, the building management system can automatically close gates and fire curtains in those areas, limit the spread of the fire, notify the emergency services and facilitate the evacuation of people from those areas.

Proper maintenance ensures long-lasting durability and performance of fire curtains and gates. The reliability of these solutions is also affected by the materials and technologies used to manufacture the security systems. Stainless steel or special alloyed, corrosion-resistant materials are often used in manufacturing for their strength and durability.
Key parts of the system, such as the locking and unlocking mechanisms and smoke detectors, should be checked regularly. Experts recommend carrying out such inspections at least once a year to ensure that all components are working properly and there is no risk of failure at a critical moment.

Although aesthetics may be considered the least important element in the selection of fire doors and curtains, modern solutions allow these products to be elegantly integrated into the design of a building. Available colour and finish options allow the systems to match the overall aesthetics of the facility. This also allows you to make a choice about appearance, which is the least important from a safety point of view, but which can be especially relevant in certain settings. Some solutions allow them to be almost completely hidden in the building frame, making them unnoticeable in situations where there is no danger.

When it comes to fire blankets and curtains, you already know what to look for. Choosing the right systems will be much easier for you if you follow our advice on selecting the best fire protection systems, tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of your building. May your choice be the perfect fit!