Which fire safety strategies and materials are required to ensure curtain wall compliance in mixed-use developments?

Mixed-use developments combine varied occupancies and higher fire safety complexity, making curtain wall fire strategy critical. Compliance begins with life-safety zoning and compartmentation: curtain wall design must not undermine floor-to-floor compartment boundaries. Spandrels and parapet interfaces should incorporate fire-rated barriers to prevent vertical fire spread. Use fire-resistant curtain wall assemblies where the façade abuts escape routes or separates occupancies, specifying fire-rated insulated spandrel panels and fire stops at slab edges. Glazing selection is important: fire-rated glazing and fire protective glass can maintain integrity for specified periods, while wired or laminated glass may provide limited performance; always select tested assemblies certified to local standards (e.g., EN 1364 / EN 13501 or UL 263 in North America). Vertical cavity management must include cavity barriers and automatic dampers to prevent chimney-effect spread within mullion cavities. Particular attention should be given to junctions at balconies, terraces, and rooftop plant rooms where combustible materials or unprotected openings could compromise fire separation. Materials for metal curtain walls should have low combustibility where required; aluminium framing is non-combustible but thermal break materials and gaskets may be combustible, so choose non-combustible or fire-retardant alternatives at critical interfaces. Provide clear maintenance and inspection responsibilities in the contract for smoke seals, fire-rated penetrations, and cavity barrier integrity. Lastly, coordinate the curtain wall design with building fire engineering, sprinkler coverage, and smoke control strategies so the façade contributes to overall building resilience and meets statutory fire performance requirements for mixed-use buildings.