Patient Privacy Curtains: Fire Safety & Compliance
Dale Lyman, CFPS
Sr. Fire Protection Consultant Telgian Engineering & Consulting| Fire Chief (Ret.)| Author-“Ambulatory Surgery Center Safety Guidebook”
Patient privacy curtains are a common feature in ASCs and healthcare facilities, providing separation and privacy in patient rooms, exam areas, and treatment spaces. However, keep in mind, these curtains must meet very specific fire safety requirements to ensure compliance with national fire codes, particularly NFPA 701, as well as considerations for fire sprinkler performance and documentation. If a life safety surveyor discovers that these requirements aren’t met, it likely will result in a Life Safety Code compliance deficiency.
Flame Resistance – NFPA 701 Compliance
Privacy curtains in healthcare occupancies must be flame-resistant to prevent fire spread. According to NFPA 701, fabrics used in these curtains must pass fire propagation tests to demonstrate their resistance to ignition and flame spread. Facilities must ensure:
- The manufacturer provides certification that the curtain fabric meets NFPA 701 standards.
- Curtains are periodically inspected to confirm continued compliance.
- Any laundering or cleaning processes do not compromise flame resistance.
Openings at the Top – Fire Sprinkler Performance
To allow proper sprinkler coverage in case of a fire, NFPA 13 requires that privacy curtains have a minimum 18-inch open space at the top to prevent heat from being trapped and allow sprinkler spray. This is often achieved by incorporating mesh type material into the design at the top.
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Documentation & Inspection Requirements
Healthcare facilities should maintain records to demonstrate compliance with fire safety regulations. This includes:
- Material certification from manufacturers showing compliance with NFPA 701.
- Inspection logs verifying curtain integrity and proper installation.
- Replacement records for worn or damaged curtains to ensure ongoing compliance.
By ensuring compliance with code requirements, healthcare facilities can meet fire protection standards while providing a safe environment for patients and staff.
Questions about fire/life safety code requirements? Send me a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]
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4 周Dale Lyman, CFPS NFPA 13, requires that nothing should interfere with sprinkler operation. Specifically, there should be no obstructions within 18 inches below sprinkler heads where as in the case of flame retardant NFPA 701 compliant Privacy curtains even installed with mesh tops, can indeed pose challenges to fire sprinkler effectiveness in ambulatory care centers and healthcare facilities. The challenges such as Obstructing water distribution from sprinklers,Creating areas where sprinkler coverage is limited or ineffective and Potentially delaying sprinkler activation during a fire event are inevitable!