A question somebody might have some insight on;
A theater that's been closed for renovation of assorted systems, 3 years this July. Prior to the closure, the existing fire curtain system developed a problem with the motor that enables manual open and closing.
This is an original building installed (1955) 40ft wide x 20 ft high curtain, counterweighted and motorized, steel framed of about 1ft thickness with 2 layers (each side) of FiberTek (or whatever it was called in the 80's). It's a heavy unit. It has 2 fused links on hemp rope, SL & SR as well as 2 hemp ropes under tension pull releases (SL & SR).
The motor and gearing failed about 2015 or so, thus the curtain has not been lowered since.
The current facility management opinion is that due to the presence of the fused link, the curtain will (in theory) come in if a fire melts the links, or the manual ropes are pulled or cut. Thus we are "code compliant".
I have verbally questioned this as I have read that 1) The curtain should be left "in" or lowered to deck, when the theater is not in use, 2) The system is supposed to be checked at least once every 3 months. 3) There seems to be a requirement to have this system connected to any electronic fire alarm system.
I found this, but as it's an industry sponsored document I've no idea if a requirement. I have as note, expressed my concerns in writing to the Public Safety Office as well as the Facilities Depart., but have essentially been ignored. As has the problem as far as I can tell.
TIA
SB
A theater that's been closed for renovation of assorted systems, 3 years this July. Prior to the closure, the existing fire curtain system developed a problem with the motor that enables manual open and closing.
This is an original building installed (1955) 40ft wide x 20 ft high curtain, counterweighted and motorized, steel framed of about 1ft thickness with 2 layers (each side) of FiberTek (or whatever it was called in the 80's). It's a heavy unit. It has 2 fused links on hemp rope, SL & SR as well as 2 hemp ropes under tension pull releases (SL & SR).
The motor and gearing failed about 2015 or so, thus the curtain has not been lowered since.
The current facility management opinion is that due to the presence of the fused link, the curtain will (in theory) come in if a fire melts the links, or the manual ropes are pulled or cut. Thus we are "code compliant".
I have verbally questioned this as I have read that 1) The curtain should be left "in" or lowered to deck, when the theater is not in use, 2) The system is supposed to be checked at least once every 3 months. 3) There seems to be a requirement to have this system connected to any electronic fire alarm system.
I found this, but as it's an industry sponsored document I've no idea if a requirement. I have as note, expressed my concerns in writing to the Public Safety Office as well as the Facilities Depart., but have essentially been ignored. As has the problem as far as I can tell.
TIA
SB
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