How Often Do Smoke and Fire Curtains Need Maintenance — and How Long Do They Last?

Vanguard's Annual Service Maintenance Agreement helps smoke and fire curtains remain CBC-compliant for years increasing the longevity while maintaining safe operational functions for fire and building safety.

Smoke and fire curtains are essential components in managing life-safety systems designed to protect people, control smoke migration and comply with building code standards for many building types. Like any passive fire-protection system, smoke and fire curtain longevity and performance depends on consistent care and maintenance. One of the most common questions we hear from building owners, facility managers and architects is: How often should smoke and fire curtains be maintained and how long do they actually last?

Here’s what you need to know — and how Vanguard’s Annual Service Maintenance Agreement can help keep your systems reliable, code-compliant and operating at their best.

How Often Should Smoke and Fire Curtains Be Maintained?

Regular maintenance is not just recommended — it’s essential. While every manufacturer and local fire AHJ’s may set slightly different inspection constraints and expectations, industry standards generally align with the following:

• Recommended maintenance frequency: Twice a year for curtain test deployments and functional operating checks.

• Fire department guidance: Most fire departments require annual fire-life safety inspection and testing to verify the curtain deploys correctly and the system remains code-compliant.

These routine maintenance checks help catch issues early, ensure the curtain fabric and mechanisms stay in satisfactory working conditions and confirm that the curtain will operate properly during any building emergency situation. Without regularly scheduled annual maintenance testing, key mechanical components and technical issues can go unnoticed since smoke and fire curtains are often hidden until needed.

Vanguard makes this easy by offering Annual Service Maintenance Agreements tailored to your building’s needs. These agreements ensure your curtains receive consistent, professional testing and care throughout the year — and help you stay compliant with CBC, UL, NFPA standards and manufacturer recommendations and local fire authorities.

How Long Do Smoke and Fire Curtains Last?

One of the most important things to understand is that there is no defined lifespan for smoke and fire curtains. That’s not a flaw — it simply reflects that curtain longevity varies based on:

• Environmental conditions

• Frequency of testing and deployment

• Mechanical wear

• Maintenance quality

• Manufacturer design and materials

Because curtain systems are durable and built for long-term use, there’s no fixed “expiration date.” However, the best practice is to check with your Vanguard Smoke and Fire Curtain service provider at least every 5 years to evaluate the curtain’s condition, confirm whether any components have been discontinued and identify whether upgrades or replacements are necessary. This long-term systems health check is especially important for ensuring the system still meets current building and fire safety standards and remains fully operational.

Why Choose Vanguard for Your Curtain Maintenance?

Vanguard offers maintenance solutions designed for real-world facility needs. As an end user, facilities department or building manager, you can choose:

• A one-time annual maintenance service, or

• A multi-year agreement — three- to five-year terms available

Every maintenance visit includes a thorough systems inspection, test deployment, component checks and a final service report for your building records and documentation for fire department inspections compliance.

Even better, Vanguard’s Annual Service Maintenance Agreement includes a warranty renewal for any spare part replacement after every maintenance service. That means your system stays protected year after year — giving you peace of mind and reducing long-term risk.

Keeping Your Fire and Smoke Systems Maintained

Smoke and fire curtains play a critical role in building safety, but their performance depends on proper upkeep. While there’s no fixed lifespan for these systems, consistent maintenance — ideally twice a year or annually at minimum — is the key to keeping them operationally reliable.

If you want to extend the longevity and performance of your curtains, stay compliant with fire codes and ensure your system is always emergency-ready, a Vanguard Annual Service Maintenance Agreement is one of the smartest investments you can make.

Ready to protect your building and simplify your maintenance schedule?

Contact Vanguard today to inquire about an annual or multi-year maintenance plan that's right for you.