Museums constructed in the last 50 years, have drifted away from the
cloistered castle like architecture of old. The Getty, the MOMA, the East Wing -- all are constructed in the modern school.
The argument about whether a museum should be an active or passive container, a background or a foreground for the museum’s contents,
seems to have to come a close. The thrilling and anticipated museum designs of Frank Gehry punctuate the end to the argument.
Modern. Open. Wild. Angular. Over the top -- has won out.
Fire curtains provide an elegant solution, for an elegant environment. They are recessed and can appear simply
as a slit in the walls and ceilings. With a height of up to 20 feet and a width of 90 feet, a single curtain can
be used to cover large expansive display halls. Fire curtains are easily tested. They can be deployed and retracted in a manner of seconds, making testing a more likely and easily accomplished event. For more information please download our Museum Shield™ Application Note.
Fire curtains can be up to 90 feet wide -- they can handle the typically
open spans in many museums.
They are architecturally unobtrusive. Since they are recessed they do not intrude upon or clutter the viewing space.
They protect art and other treasures for 2 hours allowing ample time for fire and rescue to arrive.
While protecting the art or treasures they do not inhibit easy escape or access.
Among the world's wealthiest art institutions (calculated at 5 billion), the J. Paul Getty Museum, displays pre-20th-century works of art by Rembrandt and van Gogh, among others. Priceless treasures. Like many of the best museums, the museum itself is a work of art, with large open spaces, and articulated angles.
In 2008, wild-fires came dangerously close to the museum. Last minute efforts by air fire fighters saved the museum and it's collection. An example where the investment in fire curtain technology would have been trivial compared to the loss.
