19/2/2025
Studio Job is a renowned art and design collective led by visionary Job Smeets (born 1969). With headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, studios in the Netherlands and Milan, and a workshop in Tilburg, Studio Job is known for its innovative designs. Recently, they reached out to us for support on a project requiring strict adherence to fire safety regulations.
Auditorium Fire Safety Assessment
In a newly built auditorium space with a large atrium, a textile artwork will be spanned from wall to wall across the ceiling at ‘Huis van Delft’ in Delft. The unique textile fabric installation serves a key purpose within the space, and its installation required a carefully designed system.
The fabric is stretched using a series of metal rollers. This tensioning method ensures a smooth, even surface, virtually eliminating any visible seams in the material. The fabric is not installed across the entire space but rather is centrally located within the auditorium. The fabric is attached to threaded rods via tufted edges. This connection detail is a crucial element of the overall system, providing a secure and stable hold. The complete installation is comprised of nine individual segments, each suspended using the aforementioned connection method.
The striking curtain in the Huis van Delft auditorium, featuring distinctive tufted edges, recently underwent a comprehensive, risk-based fire safety assessment by Efectis. This meticulous evaluation was crucial to ensure the curtain met all necessary safety standards and Building Regulations (BBL), while also respecting the innovative design vision of Studio Job. The curtain was specified to meet a fire rating of D for enclosed spaces, but also the regulations regarding decorations needed to be met.
Our dedicated Reaction to Fire team, working in close collaboration with our compliance experts, took the lead on this critical project. Under the guidance of Bauke Knottnerus, a series of rigorous tests were conducted on the curtain. These tests weren’t simply generic fire safety checks; they were carefully designed to replicate the curtain’s real-world application within the auditorium environment, taking into account its specific configuration and surrounding materials. This conservative approach ensured that the evaluation provided an accurate and reliable assessment of the curtain’s fire safety performance.
The curtain achieved a fire classification of C-s2, d0, surpassing the initial requirements. This classification demonstrates the curtain’s robust fire safety properties. During the testing process, our team observed no lateral flame spread, a crucial factor in preventing rapid fire escalation. Furthermore, the tests revealed no droplet formation, which can pose a significant risk in fire situations. Any localized burning observed during the tests remained contained and would not impact escape routes or other safety-critical areas within the auditorium. This demonstrated that even in a fire scenario, the curtain would not compromise the safety of occupants.
A Collaborative Success
This project highlights the strength of internal collaboration across our departments—from testing and data analysis to compliance verification. By working together so effectively, we were able to provide a robust and thorough fire safety evaluation. This collaborative approach not only ensured compliance with stringent BBL requirements but also allowed Studio Job’s artistic vision to be fully realized, demonstrating that safety and aesthetics can coexist harmoniously.
We are proud to have contributed our expertise to this project and the successful outcome. It underscores our commitment to providing comprehensive safety evaluations that support innovative design while prioritizing public safety. We look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts, partnering with architects and designers to deliver safe and exceptional design solutions for future projects.
For more information, please contact Koos Risseeuw