Designing entryways and doorways in a building isn’t always the most exciting part, but when taking safety into consideration, few factors are more important than the doors. There is a wide variety of door designs to work with, but not all of them offer the fire protection necessary for commercial buildings.
On January 9, 2022, a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx caught fire. 17 people, including children, were killed and dozens more were injured, making this one of the worst residential fires in the United States’ recent history.
Hotels are all about the guest experience, which is oftentimes associated with excellent service, amenities, a beautiful location and gorgeous rooms that make guests feel at home. However, one of the key elements of the perfect guest experience is something that doesn’t get as much mention as other fun features. It’s much more practical yet essential to ensure guest satisfaction — this element is safety.
As breathtaking as atriums can be, they can also pose several concerns when it comes to fire and smoke protection. Atriums have the potential to provide horizontal and vertical pathways for smoke and fire to spread rapidly. Here are a few factors to consider when designing smoke and fire protection for these unique, multi-level areas.