Insight: Incorporating vision panels into fire curtains

Vision Panels in Fire Curtains: Do They Affect Fire Performance?

At HAG Ltd, we love it when attendees of our RIBA CPD webinars ask questions we’ve never had before. There’s certainly nothing wrong with saying “I don’t know”—as long as you follow it up with “but I will find out!”

A recent example came from a question about the use of optional vision panels in fire curtains. The question was:

“Do the addition of these panels reduce the overall fire rating of the curtain?”

The answer is simple: no, not at all!

The vision panels are incorporated directly into the fire curtain material, ensuring that the curtain’s fire performance and structural integrity remain uncompromised.

How Vision Panels Work

The panels themselves are made from a transparent, high-silica base fabric with a diluted silicone coating. This combination provides:

• High strength and durability
• Increased flexibility across wide temperature ranges
• Low toxicity
• Resistance to abrasion and exposure to water or water vapours

They are specifically designed for use in fire curtain barrier assemblies, where reliable performance is essential.

Testing and Certification

The fire curtains and their associated vision panels are tested to European Standards (EN 1634-1) and are fully UL certified. It’s important to note that testing to European Standards, rather than BS standards, does not affect performance or compliance. The materials and construction are designed to maintain certified fire resistance—up to three hours’ fire rating—even with the inclusion of vision panels.

Conclusion

Optional vision panels provide clear visibility through fire curtains without compromising safety or compliance. At HAG Ltd, we’re proud to combine innovation with rigorous testing, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards while providing functional and aesthetic benefits for modern buildings.

Please click here to view our Fire Curtain products.