About Our Fire Safety Curtains J.R.Clancy fire safety curtains provide a barrier between the stage and auditorium in the event of a fire. The barrier prevents the heat, smoke, and flame from a fire on stage from affecting the audience while the auditorium is evacuated. ZetexPlus J.R.Clancy fire curtains are made with ZetexPlus fabric. This fabric was designed as an asbestos replacement, providing a superior barrier to heat, smoke and flame while using a non-carcinogenic fabric. ZetexPlus 1210 was specifically developed to meet requirements of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) since 1991. Zetex fabric is woven using a highly texturized silica-based yarn. The finished cloth is then coated with a proprietary treatment that adds to its heat resistance and durability. The special coating makes ZetexPlus unique, as it enables the fabric to conduct heat radially along the fabric surface rather than through the fabric. This feature, along with the high mechanical strength of the yarn, eliminates the need for wire reinforcement in most cases. This fabric provides high tensile strength and excellent resistance to abrasion, flame, and sparks. ZetexPlus doesn t generate significant smoke or fumes when exposed to flames. The fabric has a zero generated smoke rating. California State Fire Marshall Listed Curtains made of ZetexPlus style 1210 ZP material are listed and approved by the California State Fire Marshall (Listing No. 1670-1164:100) for use as Proscenium Fire Protection Curtains per the Uniform Building Code Standards 6-1 (1991 Edition). Local Requirements Local building codes vary widely. Before selecting the fabric and curtain construction details, please consult your local building code officials. Lay a clean drop on the stage floor before unfolding the fire safety curtain. It will be hard to remove dirt from the curtain without damage to it. A plastic drop will make the curtain slide easier. Properties of Zetex Filament Yarn Physical Specific Gravity 2.54 Moh Hardness 6.5 Coefficient of Friction with Glass 1.0 Moisture Absorbency (surface) up to 0.3% Moisture Regain none Melting Temperature 2050-2160 F Mechanical Tensile Strength (psi) @ 72 F 500,000 @ 700 F 380,000 @ 1000 F 250,000 Tensile Modulus of Elasticity (psi @ 72 F) 10.5x106 Elongation at break (%) 4.8 Elastic Recovery (%) 100 Physical Properties of Fabric Style 1210ZP 1210ZP w/wire Construction 12x7 10x8 Weight (oz/yd 2 ) 40 40 Thickness (inches).070.070 Weave Plain Plain Breaking Strength (lbs/in minimum) Warp 500 500 Fill 425 425 Flame Spread 5 5 Smoke Density 0 0 4-1
Straight Lift Fire Safety Curtains Types of Fire Safety Curtains J.R.Clancy fire safety curtains are available in configurations for all conditions. Two of the most common types are described, with drawings showing typical layouts and components. Straight Lift Fire Safety Curtain The most straightforward design, used when the available space is more than twice the proscenium height. This system uses a counterweight set to balance the weight of the curtain. Motorization is possible using a traction drive winch in place of the head block. The drawing shows a free end ball release system. Head Block Fireline Pulley Fusible Link Loft Block Line Weight Counterweight Arbor Lattice Track Lift Line Safety Chain Smoke Pocket Fireline Turnbuckle Pipe Batten Batten Clamp Sure-Guard Pull Ring Release & Sign Dashpot Straight Lift Fire Curtain Clancy recommends that fire curtains be closed when a theatre is not in use. This restricts access to the stage, prevents accidents, and may reduce damage in case of a fire on stage or in the auditorium. Routine use also ensures that the curtain remains functional in case it is needed. Hand Line Floor Block Fireline Floor Block 4-2
Brail Type Fire Safety Curtains Brail Type Fire Safety Curtains Used when the space above the proscenium is as small as half (or even less) the height of the proscenium opening. This type of curtain is not counterweighted, but is operated by a brail fire curtain winch. Both manual and powered winches are available. Head Block Loft Block Safety Chain Fireline Pulley Guided Clew Fusible Link Drive Line Pipe Batten Lift Line Fireline Sure Guard Brail Fire Curtain Batten Clamp Hydraulic Brail Winch Smoke Pocket Pull Ring Release & Sign Round Weight Arbor & Guard Other Types of Fire Safety Curtains Trip type, rigid and semi-rigid fire curtains are available to meet the requirements of governing codes and the needs of very large or unusual spaces. Tell us what you need. Fire curtains should be tested every 3 months and inspected annually. 4-3
Fire Safety Curtain Release Systems 016-SEAL Smoke Seal Smoke Seal Smoke seals consist of a zetex fabric flap and metal bracket that attaches to the proscenium wall and seals the gap between the wall and fire curtain. Fire Safety Curtain Release Systems In order to provide automatic closing, a release system is required. There are several types of release systems available, all using a wire rope or manila fire line. The fire line is normally held in tension by round weights and contains six fusible links. When the line separates, the release system is activated, causing the curtain to close. For counterweighted straight lift curtains, the release system provides automatic operation of the curtain by making the curtain heavier than the counterweight so that the out of balance weight causes the curtain to close. A hydraulic dashpot may be used to brake the curtain at the end of its descent. Free End Ball System The most basic of release systems, this requires that the curtain be heavier than the counterweight at all times. The free end of the fire line is looped around the curtain s hand line in such a way that the fire line is holding the out of balance weight of the curtain. When the fire line goes slack the loop falls off of the hand line, allowing the curtain to close. Overbalance Bar System In this system the curtain and counterweight are balanced, so that the curtain can be raised and lowered manually with a minimum of effort. A weighted bar is held above the upper batten of the fire safety curtain by a hinged mechanism. When the fire line is released, the hinged mechanism opens so that the weighted bar slides down the center lift lines until it rests on the curtain s upper batten. This makes the curtain heavier than the counterweight and causes it to close. Overbalance bars, trigger arbors, and traction drive head blocks all permit the fire safety curtain to be actively used as a drop to close the proscenium opening. Trigger Release System This system also permits the fire curtain to be in balance, so that it may be raised and lowered manually like a normal counterweighted set. When an over balance weight and catch carriage with their own lattice track are used, a 3/8 cable goes from the catch carriage, over the head block and attaches to the top of the main arbor. Therefore, the weight of the catch carriage is pulling up on the main arbor. The fire line engages a trigger that holds the over balance weight in the stored position. Releasing the fire line allows the over balance weight to descend onto the catch carriage, making the system curtain heavy. The fire curtain then closes. The trigger is designed to reset by raising the fire curtain a few inches above its normal high trim setting. 4-4
Sure-Guard Release & Fire Curtain Winches 016-970 Sure-Guard Release 016-1TW Motorized Fire Curtain Winch 016-430H Brail Fire Curtain Winch Sure-Guard Release J.R.Clancy s Sure-Guard allows fire alarm systems, rate of rise detectors, smoke detectors or other electrical signals to release the fire curtain. In response to a change in the status of the electrical contacts, the Sure-Guard's electro-mechanical mechanism releases tension in the fire line, allowing the fire safety curtain to close. The release mechanism may be attached to the fire line at any point and does not interfere with other release mechanisms. The Sure-Guard relay contains an integral battery and charger to provide emergency power during interruptions and is switchable to run on different voltages. Catalog Number Description 016-970 Sure-Guard Release System Motorized Fire Curtain Winch Winches with a traction drive head block may be used to motorize counterweighted straight lift fire curtains. The system must be curtain heavy. V-grooves in the head block drive the lift line cables to open and close the curtain during normal operation. The winch is equipped with a clutch between the gearbox and the traction head block. The clutch lever arm is held engaged by the fire line. When the fire line is released, the clutch is disengaged, allowing the head block to freewheel so that the curtain closes. Capacity Speed When Powered 016-1TW Fire Curtain Traction Winch 1,000 lb. 25 fpm 016-2TW Fire Curtain Traction Winch 2,000 lb. 25 fpm Brail Fire Curtain Winch A hand crank or motorized winch for operating brail fire safety curtains. The drum is supplied with 75' of 5/16" drive cable that is connected to the lift lines using a clew. The curtain is held in place by a caliper disk brake or clutch held engaged by the fire line. The winch is equipped with an adjustable hydraulic speed governor that controls the curtain's speed during its descent. Capacity Operation 016-430H Manual Brail Winch 800 lb. Manual Hand Crank 016-430P Powered Brail Winch 1,000 lb. Motorized Use the first counterweighted stage batten to help raise the fire curtain during installation so it can be attached to the fire curtain lift lines. 4-5
Smoke Pockets, Curtain Guides & Dashpots 016-106005 Smoke Pocket 016-170 Curtain Guide, Bronze Spool 016-171 Curtain Guide, UHMW Spool 016-370 Curtain Guide, Steel Rollers 016-411L Hydraulic Dashpot Smoke Pockets Smoke pockets serve a dual purpose, both sealing the sides of the curtain to prevent the passage of smoke and housing the guides at the curtain s side edges. The pockets are formed from 1/4" steel plate in 5' and 10' lengths. Pockets are 6" or 8" deep with an 18" width. All connections are bolted for serviceability. Sections anchor to the building with 1/2" bolts or anchors on 4 ' centers. Versions for track guided curtains contain 14 gauge, galvanized steel C-section tracks that mate with 016-370 roller guides. 016-106005 6" Deep x 5' high Smoke Pocket 016-106010 6" Deep x 10' high Smoke Pocket 016-108005 8" Deep x 5' high Smoke Pocket 016-108010 8" Deep x 10' high Smoke Pocket 016-106T05 6" Deep x 5' high Smoke Pocket with track for roller guided curtain 016-106T10 6" Deep x 10' high Smoke Pocket with track for roller guided curtain Curtain Guides Curtain guides are used on the edges of fire safety curtains and other curtains to guide the curtains along tensioned wire ropes or in tracks. This reduces the bowing from unequal pressure on the opposite sides of the curtain. Bronze guides are traditional, and are necessary for fire safety curtains. The ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic guides are lighter in weight and quieter in operation. Roller guides are used with tracks for heavier duty applications. 016-170 Curtain Guide, Bronze Spool 016-171 Curtain Guide, UHMW Spool (Not for Fire Safety Curtain Use) 016-370 Curtain Guide, Steel Rollers (Requires steel hem reinforcement) Hydraulic Dashpots A hydraulic dashpot is used to brake the fall of a straight lift fire safety curtain in the last few feet of travel. The use of a dashpot is essential on larger curtains to reduce the speed and impact of the curtain at the end of its travel. The dashpot is rigged in a double purchase arrangement with a cable that is snatched by the fire curtain arbor when the curtain is nearing the floor. The dashpot cable pulls on the sheave at the top of the piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder. A fluid flow adjusting valve is used to provide the appropriate retarding force on the piston, braking the descent of the curtain. Hydraulic oil is automatically released to return the unit to an at rest condition when the curtain is raised. 016-410L 5 foot stroke dashpot, (10 foot curtain travel) heavy duty for use with large or steel framed curtains 016-411L 5 foot stroke dashpot, normal duty for use with most straight lift curtains 4-6
Fire Line Hardware 016-8 Round Weight Arbor 016-13 Round Weight Arbor Guard Round Weights, Arbors and Guards Round weights are used to tension fire lines, dashpot cables and overbalance clutch levers. Each weight is 5 lbs. Round weight arbors are used to hold 1 to 10 round weights, while the arbor guard protects personnel from the arbor. 016-8 Round Weight Arbor 016-9 Round Weight (5 lb) 016-13 Round Weight Arbor Guard 016-9 Round Weight 016-10 Line Weight 016-7519 Fusible Link 016-ETL Electro Thermal Link 016-14R Fire Line Release 016-26 Free End Ball Free End Ball and Line Weight The free end ball is used on the free end of the fire line to lock it around the arbor hand line. Line weights help the fire line fall free of the arbor line when released. 016-10 Line Weight (2 lb) 016-26 Free End Ball Fusible Link Placed in the fire line. Fusible links are designed to melt at a temperature of 165 F (74 C). UL Listed. Manufacturer s RWL 016-7519 Fusible Link 40 pounds Electro Thermal Link Used to connect the fire curtain system to fire alarms or other electrical systems. The electro thermal link melts when electricity is applied. UL Listed. 016-ETL Electro Thermal Link Fire Line Release and Sign A hand operated method of releasing the fire line. A sign should be placed at each pull ring release. The sign reads In Case of Fire Pull Ring To Lower Safety Curtain. 016-12R Fire Sign, Pull Ring 016-14R Fire Line Release, Pull Ring 4-7