What is the function of a smoke barrier?

A smoke barrier serves a critical function in fire safety by restricting the movement of smoke within a building. This is essential because smoke can spread quickly and can be as hazardous as flame itself, posing risks to both occupants and firefighters. The primary purpose of a smoke barrier is to segment areas of a building to prevent smoke from traveling from one compartment to another, thereby protecting egress routes and minimizing occupant exposure to harmful smoke.

By effectively limiting smoke spread, a smoke barrier allows for safer evacuation routes, protects safety systems, and can help maintain the integrity of the building's overall safety strategy during a fire incident.

While other factors, like visibility and the containment of toxic fumes, are important in a fire scenario, they are not the primary function of a smoke barrier. Smoke barriers are specifically designed to control smoke migration and ensure safer conditions during emergencies.