Fire and Smoke Curtain Testing Standards and Performance Requirements

Fire and smoke curtains are engineered opening-protection components used to control smoke movement and help limit fire spread through designated areas. Their performance depends on more than the temperature resistance of the fabric. For a compliant installation, engineers and specifiers need to distinguish between testing of the complete curtain assembly and testing of the fabric or other individual materials.

This distinction is important when evaluating fire curtains, preparing specifications, or reviewing documentation for an installation.

Testing Standards for Fire and Smoke Curtains

When reviewing a UL 10D evaluation, verify:

• The specific curtain assembly covered by the evaluation

• Tested orientation and configuration

• Dimensions and supporting construction

• Fire exposure or duration associated with the evaluation

• Installation requirements and limitations

• Listing or certification status, where applicable

UL 1784: Air Leakage and Smoke Performance

UL 1784, Air Leakage Tests of Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives, evaluates air leakage through opening-protective assemblies under specified test conditions. UL Solutions identifies fire-protective curtains as products evaluated under UL 10D and UL 1784.

This distinction matters because fire exposure performance and smoke leakage performance are different characteristics.

For a smoke-control application, the specification should identify the required smoke performance and verify that the applicable UL 1784 evaluation covers the proposed curtain assembly, configuration, and installation.

NFPA 105: Smoke-Protective Curtain Requirements

NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives, provides requirements for smoke-protective opening protectives. The 2025 edition includes dedicated chapters for smoke-protective curtain assemblies and smoke-protective curtain assemblies for hoistways, as well as provisions for inspection, testing, and maintenance. 

NFPA 105 should therefore be considered as part of the overall project requirements, together with the applicable building and fire codes, installation requirements, and listing or certification applicable to the curtain assembly.

Material Testing for Fire and Smoke Curtain Fabrics

ASTM E84: Surface Burning Characteristics

ASTM E84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, evaluates surface flame spread and smoke-developed characteristics under controlled laboratory conditions.

For curtain fabrics, the results can provide useful information about how a material behaves when exposed to a controlled flame source.

ASTM E84 does not, by itself, evaluate the complete curtain system for deployment, fire endurance, smoke leakage, mounting configuration, or installed performance. 

ASTM D6413: Vertical Flame Resistance

ASTM D6413/D6413M, Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test), evaluates a textile's response to a standardized ignition source.

Depending on the test procedure, measurements can include:

• Afterflame time

• Afterglow time

• Char length

For fire and smoke curtain fabrics, these results help characterize the material's resistance to continued burning under the specified test conditions.

Buy Fire & Smoke Curtains Made From Tested Material

Material selection is an important part of curtain design. Newtex Industries manufactures Z-Block™ high-temperature polymer-coated fiberglass fabrics specifically for applications including static and automated fire and smoke curtains, fire containment covers, and custom fire protection systems.

Z-Block™ fabrics are formulated for resistance to fire, smoke, abrasion, UV exposure, and adverse weather. When exposed to flame, the Z-Block™ coating forms a protective silica layer that helps prevent flame penetration at temperatures up to 1800°F (980°C). 

We offer Z-Block™ Smoke & Fire Curtains fabrications in configurations including:

Static Draft Curtains

Fixed, lightweight panels designed to help channel smoke within the upper portions of large spaces toward designated exhaust or ventilation areas.

Automated Accordion Curtains

Folding curtain systems suited to building interiors where architectural geometry, openings, or available storage space require a flexible deployment configuration.

Rolling Curtains and Doors

Vertically deploying systems designed to isolate openings and help control fire and smoke movement. 

Newtex fabricates the curtain. Automation, controls, and installation for deployable systems are provided through qualified partners. 

Z-Block™ Material Testing

What Industrial Buyers Should Verify

When specifying a fire or smoke curtain, procurement teams and engineering groups should request documentation that clearly identifies:

1. The complete curtain assembly that was tested or evaluated

2. The applicable standard and edition

3. The performance rating or test result

4. Whether the result applies to the complete assembly or the material

5. Tested dimensions, orientation, and configuration

6. Supporting construction and installation requirements

7. Inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements

8. Listing or certification information, where required

9. Conditions and limitations associated with the evaluation

The material specification should also identify the fabric construction, coating, weight, temperature limitations, and other properties relevant to fabrication and service conditions.

For example, Z-Block™ is intended for fire and smoke curtain applications, but Newtex also identifies it as a cold-side insulation jacketing material and states that it is not intended for hot-side applications where contact temperatures exceed 350°F (175°C). Material selection should therefore account for how the fabric will actually be exposed in service rather than relying only on its peak flame-exposure capability. 

Why Assembly-Level and Material-Level Testing Both Matter

A fire and smoke curtain is made up of multiple materials and construction elements that work together. The fabric, coatings, reinforcement, seams, attachment methods, hardware, and deployment components can all affect the performance of the finished curtain. Testing therefore needs to address both the individual materials and the complete curtain assembly.

1. Assembly Testing

Assembly testing evaluates the complete curtain configuration, including how the fabric and other components are fabricated, connected, mounted, and deployed. These elements can influence fire resistance, smoke leakage, structural integrity, and overall performance under test conditions.

Fabric/Material → Curtain Construction → Complete Curtain Assembly → Installed Configuration

Because the components interact during fire or smoke exposure, testing the complete assembly verifies how they perform together.

2. Material Testing

Material testing evaluates the characteristics of the individual fabrics, coatings, reinforcements, and other materials used to manufacture the curtain. Depending on the material and application, testing may address flame resistance, surface burning, smoke development, puncture resistance, thermal performance, or other properties.

Related Articles:

Smoke Curtains vs. Fire Curtains: What’s the Difference?

High-Temperature Fabric Coatings for Fire, Smoke, and Weather Resistance

Role of Smoke Curtains in Fire Safety

Conclusion

Fire and smoke curtain performance cannot be established from fabric temperature resistance alone. UL 10D, UL 1784, NFPA 105, ASTM E84, ASTM D6413, and other applicable tests address different aspects of fire, smoke, and material performance.

For life-safety applications, specifications should distinguish clearly between complete assembly testing and material-level testing, verify the applicable listing or certification, and account for installation, configuration, inspection, and maintenance requirements.

Protect Your Building with the Right Fire and Smoke Curtain Materials

Whether your application involves modern malls, skyscrapers, expansive warehouses, manufacturing facilities, or other large commercial and industrial spaces, selecting the right fire and smoke curtain materials is critical to meeting the performance requirements of the system. 

Request a quote from Newtex Industries for your fire and smoke containment requirements.