Barricade for isolating open areas from spreading fire or smoke

An apparatus for isolating portions of a confined open area from other portions of such area, said open area being confined by a roof, side walls and a floor comprising:

• a substantially horizontal hollow housing, said hollow housing having a first end and a second end;
• a first, substantially vertical brace member having an upper end connected to said first end of said horizontal hollow housing and a lower end supported by the floor;
• a second substantially vertical brace member having an upper end connected to said second end of said horizontal hollow housing and a lower end supported by said floor, said horizontal hollow housing, first, and second vertical brace members forming a structural frame which circumscribes an opening therebetween;
• an expandable hollow curtain attached and positioned proximate to said horizontal hollow housing, said expandable hollow curtain being structured to block completely said frame opening when said expandable hollow curtain is deployed and in an expanded condition;
• conduit structure including a trough housed within said horizontal hollow housing and a hose having at least one nozzle associated therewith, said conduit being in fluid communication with said expandable hollow curtain;
• container means for containing flowable material for expanding said expandable hollow curtain, said container means being in communication with said expandable hollow curtain;
• and
• activating means connected to said container means for causing said container means to release said flowable material for expanding said expandable hollow curtain, said activating means being activated by an appropriate stimulus.