Building code · Fire & life safety · Smoke curtains — U.S. market

Straight answers.

Independent guidance on IBC & NFPA — with 24 years deep in fire and smoke curtains, and zero brand allegiances. If a curtain is the wrong answer, you'll hear it here first.

1 / 6

0
Years in the field
0+
Projects nationwide
0
Brand allegiances

Decide with numbers, not brochures.

02 — Tools

Flagship

Section 3006
Decision Tree

Is hoistway protection required on your project? Yes/no questions, an instant code-aligned answer, and the section references to back it up.

START →

Budget Tool

Counts & dimensions in — low, typical, high ranges out.

ESTIMATE →

Lobby vs. Curtain Calculator

What an enclosed lobby costs in sellable square footage — modeled over ten years.

10-yr
Impact model
01

Architects & Engineers

Is hoistway protection required — then curtain or lobby?

  1. Decision TreeRequired?
  2. Lobby vs. CurtainRevenue impact
  3. ContactAHJ & specs
02

Developers & Owners

Sellable square footage, cost, and ROI evidence.

  1. Lobby vs. CurtainSF & revenue
  2. Budget ToolInstalled cost
  3. ContactDeal specifics
03

General Contractors

What does it cost — then lead times, install, commissioning.

  1. Budget ToolPlanning ranges
  2. Decision TreeCurious if required?
  3. ContactLead times & install

Code Watch

03 — What's new & what's still true

07.13.26What Is a Fire Service Access Elevator Lobby — and Why Getting It Wrong Is a Life Safety ProblemCURRENT06.30.26Should Elevator Smoke Curtains Drop Floor by Floor or All at Once?CURRENT06.24.26Georgia's Elevator Lobby Requirements Are a Mess. Here's How to Actually Read ThemCURRENT
BROWSE THE RECORD →
John McPhail

“Sometimes a curtain is the wrong answer. You'll hear that from me first — that's what independent means.”

John McPhail — The guy behind the name