Code compliance insights, technical specifications, and practical guidance for smoke and fire protection systems.
Field Notes
There's a common misunderstanding in the field about how elevator smoke curtains should activate. The answer has been in the code for years, but a lot of buildings aren't wired that way, and the consequences matter when firefighters are trying to do their job.
The Code (IBC/NFPA)
An architect reached out recently with a code question about a behavioral health project in Georgia. Three emails later, we'd untangled a Georgia state amendment, an occupancy classification question, and what I'd call a classic case of "franken code." Here's how to think through it.
The Code (IBC/NFPA)
Failing to plan for elevator smoke protection is a $20,000 mistake. We break down the three main triggers of IBC 3006.2 and the five ways to stay compliant without losing square footage.
Most elevator smoke curtains are bid based on a standard 2-inch frame. But when Otis, KONE, thyssenkrupp or Schindler submittals come in at 3 or 4 inches or more, your coordination fails. Here is the one line in your spec that prevents a $5,000 change order.
Everyone asks what a smoke curtain costs. The honest answer is: it depends. But the more important question is what it's costing you to avoid one — and most architects and building owners have never run that math.
A smoke curtain is never actually required by code. What the code requires is elevator smoke protection — and a smoke curtain is just one of the ways you can provide it. Here is what IBC Section 3006.2 actually says, what triggers the requirement, and how to meet it.
A smoke curtain is a fabric or film assembly that deploys to limit smoke movement during a fire event. Here's how they work, why elevator shafts are the biggest concern, and what the building code actually requires.
Complete elevator smoke curtain pricing guide for 2025. Real project costs, hidden fees, installation ranges, and budget mistakes to avoid. Based on 23 years of industry experience.
Just last week I was pulled into a project at the last minute because no one had accounted for elevator smoke protection. The architect had initially drawn elevator shaft pressurization but hadn't coordinated with the MEP engineer or fire protection engineer.
I've seen building owners spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on elevator lobbies without realizing the long-term financial impact. My goal here isn't to point fingers - it's to lay out the real numbers so you can make the best decision for your project.
I get this question almost weekly from architects and contractors. The good news? Elevator smoke curtains aren't nearly as complicated as they sound. By the end of this guide, you'll understand exactly what they are, how they work, and whether your building needs them.
Get expert advice on your smoke curtain and fire protection projects.