What is the purpose of a smoke barrier?

The purpose of a smoke barrier is to restrict the movement of smoke within a building during a fire event. Smoke barriers are designed to compartmentalize areas, preventing the spread of smoke from one part of the structure to another. This is crucial for maintaining safe evacuation routes and minimizing smoke inhalation, which poses significant health risks during a fire.

Smoke barriers are typically constructed from materials that are effective at blocking smoke and are often integrated with fire-rated walls and doors. By focusing on controlling smoke movement, these barriers enhance the overall safety of the building, allowing for more time for occupants to escape and reducing damage to property.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of a smoke barrier. Facilitating air circulation is related to HVAC systems and does not pertain to smoke control. Containing fire within a single room is more aligned with fire walls or fire-rated separations, rather than smoke barriers. Lastly, while smoke barriers contribute to safety, they do not eliminate the need for fire extinguishers, which are critical for active fire suppression.