Fire & Smoke Curtains — Life Safety Barriers That Perform When It Counts
Fire and smoke curtains are engineered to deploy automatically in a fire event, containing smoke and flames in the critical first minutes. Wilcox installs and certifies fire and smoke curtain systems for commercial and industrial buildings that need compliant, architecturally integrated life safety barriers — without the bulk of a traditional fire door.
Certified. Tested. Ready When It Matters.
Every fire and smoke curtain installation by Wilcox is commissioned to NFPA 80 and Ontario Fire Code standards. We integrate with your building’s fire alarm system, conduct full drop tests, and provide written certification documentation. Annual testing programs available to keep your facility continuously compliant.
Key Features & Benefits
Experience automatic deployment, UL-rated fire protection, and concealed installation for seamless smoke containment and code compliance.
1. Automatic Deployment
Curtains deploy via fire alarm or smoke detection systems, using either motorized or gravity-fail-safe operation.
2. Compact and Concealed
Housed in small ceiling-mounted headboxes that preserve architectural designs and open spaces.
3. Fire Rated Protection
Up to 2-hour fire ratings in accordance with UL 10D, UL 1784, and NFPA 105.
4. Smoke Containment
Certified smoke barriers that help control and direct smoke for safe egress and smoke control system support.
5. Fail-Safe Technology
Gravity-fed systems ensure curtain deployment even during power loss.
6. Custom Sizing
Tailored to openings from small wall openings to multi-story atriums and stairwells.
7. Optional Side Guides or Bottom Bars
For increased sealing and compliance with smoke leakage standards.
Applications
Fire and smoke curtains are ideal for a wide range of life safety and code-compliant applications:
Elevator Lobbies
Replace fire-rated doors while maintaining accessibility and open design.
Atriums and Malls
Control smoke movement in open spaces without bulky walls or doors.
Corridors and Egress Routes
Protect evacuation pathways during fire emergencies.
Stairwells and Escalators
Compartmentalize vertical openings to slow fire and smoke travel.
Open Floor Plans
Maintain open aesthetics without compromising life safety.
Underground Parking Areas
Control smoke spread in subterranean spaces.
Code Compliance & Testing
All fire and smoke curtain systems we install are tested and listed in accordance with leading North American and international fire safety standards:
UL 10D – Fire Protective Curtains
Evaluates the performance of curtains used as fire-protective openings.
UL 1784 – Air Leakage Tests
Measures smoke leakage through curtain assemblies.
NFPA 105 – Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives
Establishes performance requirements for smoke-control systems.
IBC (International Building Code)
Requires fire and smoke protection for various openings.
NBC (National Building Code of Canada)
Enforces fire and smoke containment for vertical and horizontal openings in commercial construction.
Real-World Safety Applications
Fire and smoke curtains have been successfully used in high-risk environments where traditional doors were not feasible. Notable examples include:
Grenfell Tower Tragedy Review (UK)
Fire safety reviews post-Grenfell highlighted the importance of passive smoke barriers in vertical shafts like elevator lobbies and stairwells. While curtains weren’t present in that case, newer codes now recommend their use for such applications.
Toronto Union Station Revitalization
Fire and smoke curtains have been used to maintain the architectural openness of large atriums while meeting fire code requirements for compartmentalization.
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
In several Ontario hospitals, smoke curtains are used in elevator lobbies and ICU corridors to avoid heavy fire doors that could limit access during emergencies.
These systems continue to be specified in airports, malls, and government buildings due to their effectiveness, flexibility, and code compliance.
Why Choose Wilcox Door Service Inc.?
With decades of experience in loading dock solutions, Wilcox Door Service Inc. delivers high-quality Retractable Truck Shelters that enhance efficiency, adaptability, and durability.
- Manufactured in Ontario, Canada – Ensuring top-tier quality, fast delivery, and reduced environmental impact.
- Advanced Engineering – Designed for high-traffic operations with flexible, retractable frames to maximize efficiency.
- Premium Materials – Built with reinforced steel and weather-resistant fabrics for superior protection.
- Energy Savings & Rebates – Can help businesses reduce operational costs, with potential Enbridge Energy Savings Program
- Dedicated Customer Support – Our team provides expert assistance, from installation to ongoing maintenance.
Brands We Install & Service
Wilcox stocks parts and services all major manufacturers — we recommend the right fit for your facility, not the brand with the biggest margin. Don't see your brand? We service it.
The Wilcox Difference
What sets Wilcox apart from other commercial door and dock contractors in Ontario.
Your installation is done by a certified Ironworker — not a subcontractor. We document every job and back it with warranty.
Doors and docks don't fail on schedule. Wilcox responds around the clock — nights, weekends, holidays. One number: 1-800-528-4131.
We carry common replacement parts on every service vehicle. Most repairs are completed on the first visit — no waiting on orders.
We don't do residential. Every technician and every part is dedicated to commercial and industrial facilities.
Local technicians across the GTA and Southern Ontario. Fast response from Toronto to Windsor, Hamilton to Ottawa.
Every job is documented — inspection reports, parts used, service records. Compliance-ready paperwork at no extra charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commercial applications typically use 22-gauge steel. High-security, high-impact, or forklift-adjacent environments may warrant 20-gauge or heavier. Wilcox assesses your opening and use case before recommending — over-specifying adds cost without real benefit.
Standard rolling steel doors are available up to 40' wide and 30' tall. Oversized custom orders are available. For very large openings, we may also evaluate bi-fold doors depending on your cycle requirements.
Insulated rolling steel doors with thermal break construction and perimeter seals maintain separation between cold and ambient zones. Wilcox specifies the correct seal and insulation package for your specific temperature differential.
Annual PM is standard. High-cycle installations benefit from semi-annual service — coil tension, hood seals, and guide lubrication are the main wear items to monitor.
Rolling fire doors are UL-listed for fire separation and activate via fusible links or electronic release. They require annual drop testing per NFPA 80. Rolling steel doors are general-purpose. Wilcox installs and services both.
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Contact Us for Fire & Smoke Curtain Solutions
Protect your building and its occupants with advanced fire and smoke curtain systems from Wilcox Door Service Inc. Contact us today for expert consultation, system design, and installation support.