ISO 21927-1:2008

Overview: ISO 21927-1 (2008) - Smoke and heat control systems - Specification for smoke barriers

ISO 21927-1:2008 defines product performance, classification and test methods for smoke barriers used in building smoke and heat control systems (SHEVS). It covers both static smoke barriers (SSB) and active smoke barriers (ASB) - the barrier element itself, with or without associated activation and drive devices - and sets out how to assess conformity. The standard applies only to barriers installed in buildings (not to structural elements) and only where calculation methods exist to determine smoke leakage rate. ISO 21927-1 complements related parts of ISO 21927 for ventilators and is focused on ensuring reliable smoke containment and channelling during a fire.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Product requirements and classifications: Defines barrier types, temperature/time performance classes and containment efficiency.
• Leakage rate / containment efficiency: Specifies conditions for calculating and testing smoke leakage; requires barriers to be sufficiently fixed and guided at free joints.
• Reliability and durability: Tests and classifications for operational life, fail-safe behavior and prolonged performance under fire conditions.
• Response time: Requirements and test methods for the time an active smoke barrier takes to reach its fire-operational position.
• Auxiliary power and consumables: Rules for power supplies, fail-safe design and impact of consumable power sources on operation.
• Conformity assessment: Initial type testing, factory production control (FPC) and ongoing verification procedures.
• Installation, maintenance, marking: Guidance on correct installation, upkeep and labelling to ensure continued fitness for purpose.
• Normative annexes: Includes detailed test methods (reliability, permeability to smoke, temperature/time resistance, deflection and special 300 °C classifications).

Applications and practical value

ISO 21927-1 is intended to ensure smoke barriers perform predictably in real fires and integrate reliably into SHEVS to:

• Create smoke reservoirs and channel smoke
• Provide corridor, stairwell, escalator, elevator well and shop-unit containment
• Seal voids and control spill edges under balconies or canopies
• Reduce smoke logging and aid occupant evacuation and firefighting

The standard clarifies that smoke barriers may contain gases above 600 °C but are not substitutes for fire doors/shutters tested per fire-resistance standards.

Who uses this standard

• Fire safety engineers and consultants specifying SHEVS
• Manufacturers of smoke curtains, screens and powered barriers
• Building designers, specifiers and architects
• Installers and maintenance providers
• Certification bodies, testing laboratories and regulatory authorities

Related standards

• ISO 21927-2 (natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators)
• ISO 21927-3 (powered smoke and heat exhaust ventilators)
• ISO 5925-1 (smoke-control doors and shutters - leakage tests)
• ISO 834-1, ISO 13943 and ISO/IEC 17000 / 17050 series (conformity assessment and fire vocabulary)

Keywords: ISO 21927-1, smoke barriers, SHEVS, smoke containment, leakage rate, active smoke barriers, smoke curtains, smoke and heat control systems.