A fire curtain is an automatic passive fire protection system — a fire-resistant fabric barrier concealed in a ceiling-mounted head box that deploys instantly when a fire alarm triggers, sealing openings against fire, heat, and smoke. It provides up to 240 minutes of fire integrity and retracts completely when the emergency is over, leaving no visible trace in the building’s design.
Fire curtains have become the defining fire safety solution for modern architecture in India. While traditional fire doors have served buildings for decades, the shift toward open-plan offices, atriums, large retail formats, and landmark public buildings has created a need for fire compartmentation that doesn’t compromise design. Fire curtains answer that need.
Window Techs introduced fire curtain technology to India and has been manufacturing these systems since 1993 — making us the country’s most experienced fire curtain manufacturer. This guide explains exactly how fire curtains work, what they’re made of, where they’re required, and what to look for when specifying one.
How Does a Fire Curtain Work?
A fire curtain system has four main components: the head box, the curtain fabric, the guide rails, and the motor and control board.
1. The Head Box
The head box is a galvanised steel housing mounted at ceiling level — inside a false ceiling, structural soffit, or wall chase. It contains the rolled curtain fabric and the motor assembly. When not deployed, the curtain is completely invisible. The head box is manufactured from 1.2mm galvanised steel with GI or powder-coated finish.
2. The Curtain Fabric
The fabric is the heart of the system. Window Techs fire curtain fabric is 0.6mm thick woven glass fibre with polyurethane coating on both sides, reinforced with high-strength stainless steel wire. This material provides the certified fire integrity — resisting flames, heat flux, and smoke penetration for up to 240 minutes under EN 1634-1 test conditions.
The fabric is precision-sewn on the world’s longest automatic sewing machine — imported from Italy — capable of stitching up to 25 metres in a single continuous run with dual-needle stainless steel thread. This is why Window Techs can manufacture curtains for any opening size, including the 100-metre wide curtains installed at Bharat Mandapam and IICC Dwarka.
3. The Guide Rails
Guide rails are 1.2mm galvanised steel channels mounted on the sides of the opening. They ensure the curtain descends in a straight, controlled line and maintains contact with the opening edges during deployment — critical for the system to achieve its rated integrity.
4. The Motor and Gravity Fail-Safe System
A 24V DC tubular motor inside the head box holds the curtain in the retracted position via a motorised brake. When the fire alarm triggers, the control board signals the brake to release. The curtain then descends under its own weight — gravity — at a controlled, safe speed to floor level.
This gravity fail-safe mechanism is mandatory under EN 1634-1 and NBC 2016. It means the curtain deploys even during a complete power failure — no electricity required for deployment. Only electricity is needed to retract the curtain after the emergency is cleared.
Fire Curtain Deployment — Step by Step
- Fire alarm or smoke detector triggers
- Signal sent to fire curtain control panel
- Motorised brake releases — curtain begins gravity descent
- Curtain descends at controlled speed along guide rails
- Bottom bar reaches floor level — opening sealed
- Fire is compartmented — evacuation routes protected
- After emergency, alarm is reset by fire management system
- Motor retracts curtain back into head box
- System returns to standby — curtain invisible again
Fire Curtain Ratings — What the Numbers Mean
Fire curtains are rated by two key performance metrics under EN 1634-1:
Integrity (E)
Integrity measures how long the curtain prevents flames and hot gases from passing through to the other side. Window Techs fire curtains provide up to E240 — 240 minutes of fire integrity. This is the highest integrity rating available for flexible fire barrier systems.
Radiation (W)
Radiation measures how long the curtain limits the transfer of radiant heat — protecting people and materials on the unexposed side from heat radiation that could cause secondary ignition. Window Techs WFC-01 provides W40 (40 minutes radiation control), WFC-02 provides W30.
Window Techs Fire Curtain Models
| Model | Type | Max Width | Max Drop | Integrity | Radiation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFC-01 | Single Barrel | 6M | 25M | E240 | W30 |
| WFC-02 | Double Barrel | Unlimited | 25M | E240 | W30 |
| WFC-03 | Multi Roller | Unlimited | Unlimited | E240 | W30 |
Where Are Fire Curtains Required?
Under NBC 2016 Part 4 — Fire and Life Safety — fire compartmentation is mandatory in all commercial, institutional, and high-occupancy buildings in India. Fire curtains are used wherever traditional fire walls or fire doors are architecturally impractical. Key locations include:
- Atriums and double-height lobbies in commercial buildings and hotels
- Lift lobbies and lift shaft openings in multi-storey buildings
- Escalator openings in shopping malls and retail centres
- Open-plan office floors requiring compartmentation without walls
- Airport terminal openings and concourse areas
- Restaurant and commercial kitchen separation from dining areas
- Theatre and auditorium stage proscenium openings
- Car park ramps and entry openings
- Large convention and exhibition hall compartmentation
Certifications That Matter When Specifying Fire Curtains
Not all fire curtains available in India are properly certified. When specifying fire curtains for a project, the following certifications must be verified:
EN 1634-1
The European Standard for fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies. This is the primary performance standard for fire curtains and must be tested by an accredited laboratory.
EN 12101-1
The standard specifically for smoke and heat control systems — relevant for smoke curtain systems specified alongside fire curtains.
EN 15269-11
Extended application of test results for fire resistance of doors, shutters, and openable windows — allows test data to be applied to sizes beyond the actual test sample.
CE Marking
Confirms the product meets European safety, health, and environmental protection requirements and has been independently verified.
TÜV and Efectis Certification
Window Techs fire curtains are independently tested by TÜV SÜD and Efectis — two of the most respected fire testing laboratories in the world. This independent verification goes beyond self-certification and is recognised by architects, PMC consultants, and building control authorities across India.
Window Techs — India’s Pioneer Fire Curtain Manufacturer
Window Techs introduced fire curtain technology to India and has been the country’s leading manufacturer since 1993. Our Faridabad manufacturing facility houses world-class Italian-imported machinery — the multi-axis punching machine with 0.05mm precision, the multi-axis bending machine with ±0.05° accuracy, and the world’s longest automatic sewing machine capable of continuous 25-metre stitching with stainless steel thread.
Every fire curtain is custom-engineered to the opening it protects. Our engineers use CAD technology to design bespoke solutions for even the most complex architectural configurations — including the largest fire curtains ever installed in India.
Our client list includes Google, Amazon, Walmart, L&T, Reliance, AIIMS, Taj Hotels, Hyderabad Airport, Bharat Mandapam (G20 Summit venue), IICC Dwarka, Crown Plaza Hotel, Infosys, KPMG, IBM, Bosch, Qualcomm, Philips, and Accenture — across 500+ projects delivered pan-India.
Get Fire Curtain Specifications for Your Project
Our team will review your drawings and provide system recommendations, fire rating calculations, and NBC 2016 compliance documentation.
Request SpecificationsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a fire curtain and a smoke curtain?
A fire curtain provides rated integrity against flames, heat, and smoke — it is a full fire barrier system certified under EN 1634-1. A smoke curtain is specifically designed to control and channel smoke movement, certified under EN 12101-1. Fire curtains contain both fire and smoke; smoke curtains contain smoke only. Both are manufactured by Window Techs.
How long does a fire curtain last?
A properly maintained fire curtain system lasts 20+ years. Window Techs provides a 12-month manufacturing warranty and annual maintenance contracts (AMC). Annual servicing includes alarm trigger testing, battery replacement, motor limit checks, and a Service and Maintenance Certificate.
Can fire curtains be installed in existing buildings?
Yes. Fire curtains can be retrofitted into existing buildings during renovation or fit-out. The head box requires a ceiling cutout of approximately 350mm width and 380mm height (for double barrel configurations). Window Techs engineers assess structural conditions and provide installation drawings for retrofit projects.
Do fire curtains work with smart building systems?
Yes. Window Techs fire curtains include advanced features: emergency retract, obstruction sensors, and audio/visual warning systems. They integrate with fire alarm panels, building management systems (BMS), HVAC controls, access control, and elevator systems for coordinated emergency response.
What is the largest fire curtain Window Techs has installed?
Window Techs has installed 100-metre wide, 20-metre high fire curtains at both Bharat Mandapam (the G20 Summit venue at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi) and IICC Dwarka (Yashobhoomi). These are believed to be the largest fire curtain installations in India.
