For National Fire Prevention month, we are highlighting three installations of fire and smoke containment products in educational spaces. In these examples, McKeon product solutions allowed the architects to meet code compliance and achieve the building designs they envisioned.

Performing Arts Center at Liberty High School in Liberty, Missouri

The Liberty High School Performing Arts center is adjacent to a cafeteria/commons area at the ground level. Fire separation was required between these two areas. To accommodate the spacious connections between the spaces McKeon distributor Mays Maune McWard provided two McKeon FSFD 30’ vertical coiling fire doors with egress were installed. Each FSFD deploys only in the case of fire and carries a 3-hour rating and a UL1784 smoke label.

To protect a large opening between the stagecraft area and the stage, that is used to transfer props and scenery, McKeon’s FSFD-STC 34 acoustically rated fire door was installed. In addition to a 3-hour fire rating the FSFD-STC 34 provided necessary sound abatement to keep noise transfer from the stagecraft area to the stage to a minimum.

Learn more about the Liberty High School Project

Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School in Little Rock, Arkansas

A distinctive two-story rotunda was designed to be the showcase of Wilber D. Mills University Studies High School. The rotunda’s boundaries are defined by a circular monumental-style structural steel stairway and a curved wall of glass. A second-floor balcony partially circles the rotunda. A large skylight helps illuminate the whole area.

To keep the openness of the rotunda while maintaining the required fire separation McKeon distributor Mays Maune McWard worked with the project architect to incorporate a 24+ foot tall accordion fire door, the McKeon Model AC8800, into the design. Spanning a curved width around one side of the rotunda at 14+ feet, deploying only in case of fire, this accordion fire door separation also offers egress to any building occupant passing through the space during a building emergency.

Learn more about the Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School project

Piedmont High School in Piedmont, Oklahoma

An addition to the Piedmont high school was completed in late 2020 which created significant improvements to the building.

One of the challenges for the addition was incorporating openings in 2-hour fire walls. McKeon distributor Burgess Company had the ideal solution – the McKeon AutoSet® Model FSFD fire door system provided an opening protective rating double the requirement. The assembly carries a UL10B rating of 3 hours and smoke labeled UL1784 while covering a 28-foot-wide by 16-foot-high opening. The FSFD deploys only in the case of a fire emergency. A conveniently mounted key switch could also be used for security when desired.

Learn more about the Piedmont High School project