The purpose of a draft curtain is to collect what?

A draft curtain is an architectural element used in building design, particularly in fire protection and smoke control. Its primary purpose is to manage the movement of smoke and heat during a fire event. Draft curtains help direct these products of combustion toward smoke vents or to containment areas, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of smoke management systems.

During a fire, smoke rises and collects at the ceiling. The presence of a draft curtain can help to create a barrier that minimizes the horizontal movement of smoke and heat, allowing them to rise and be vented out effectively. This is crucial for maintaining safer conditions within a building, aiding evacuations and facilitating firefighting efforts.

Other options relate to elements not typically associated with the function of a draft curtain. For example, while water and debris may be concerns in a fire scenario, they are managed through different systems, such as drainage and cleaning protocols, rather than through the use of draft curtains. Similarly, plastic and drywall are construction materials that do not have a role in smoke and heat collection, and dust and air management does not directly relate to the primary purpose of draft curtains in fire protection.