What is described as a continuous membrane designed to restrict smoke movement?

A smoke barrier is defined as a continuous membrane specifically designed to restrict the movement of smoke throughout a building. It serves to compartmentalize a structure, effectively preventing smoke from spreading during a fire event, thereby enhancing occupant safety and improving visibility for evacuation and firefighting procedures.

Smoke barriers are typically utilized in conjunction with fire-rated walls and are an essential component of a building's fire protection strategy, as they work to contain smoke to specific areas, allowing for safer egress routes and minimizing damage to property.

Other concepts mentioned, such as smoke compartments and smoke dampers, have different functions. Smoke compartments refer to sections of a building separated by smoke barriers to limit smoke movement within those sections. Smoke dampers are devices installed within air ducts to control the movement of smoke through the ductwork. Smokeproof enclosures pertain to structural designs intended to protect stairs or elevators from smoke encroachment, rather than being a membrane that restricts smoke movement.