Fire and smoke curtains are becoming increasingly common in modern residential design — especially in open-plan flats, where designers need creative ways to maintain safety while delivering contemporary layouts.
But when it comes to standards, BS 8524-1 and BS 9991 are often confused.
Here’s what you need to know to get it right.
BS 8524-1: Fire Curtain Product Performance
BS 8524-1 is the UK’s dedicated product performance standard for active fire curtain assemblies.
This standard outlines the testing and classification criteria that a curtain must meet, including:
- Fire resistance (integrity and radiation control)
- Durability (tested over thousands of cycles)
- Deployment speed and fail-safe operation
- System controls and activation interfaces
When you specify a curtain to BS 8524-1, you’re selecting a product that’s been independently tested to rigorous fire safety performance criteria.
BS 9991: Fire Safety in Residential Buildings
BS 9991 is the design guidance used in residential fire strategies. It provides recommendations on how to protect escape routes and enable safe evacuation in flats, apartments, and other dwellings.
Importantly, BS 9991 allows for the use of fire and smoke curtains in specific situations, including:
- Open-plan layouts
- Extended travel distances
- Alternative escape route solutions
However, BS 9991 is not a product test standard. It tells you when a fire curtain might be acceptable — not how it should perform.
How They Work Together
When BS 9991 is used to justify the use of fire curtains in a building design, the curtain itself must still meet the performance requirements of BS 8524-1.
In short:
- BS 9991 provides the design context
- BS 8524-1 provides the performance assurance
To be fully compliant and safe, you also need to ensure the curtain is installed and maintained in line with BS 8524-2.
Use BS 9991 for fire strategy decisions in residential projects Specify curtains tested to BS 8524-1
Ensure installation and maintenance follows BS 8524-2.
Avoid referencing BS 9991 as a product spec — it’s not a testing standard
Need Support?
Contact us on contracts@firecurtains.net
We manufacture, supply and install and support fully tested fire curtain systems that meet BS 8524-1, and we work closely with project teams to ensure correct installation and long-term compliance.