Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or barrier systems with manual egress

A smoke barrier system usable adjacent to an opening in a structure, comprising:

• a flexible smoke barrier having a first end and a second end, the smoke barrier being moveable between a deployed position covering the opening and a retracted position not covering the opening;
• a handle coupled to the smoke barrier between the first and second ends of the barrier and positioned for engagement by a user to manually move the smoke barrier toward the retracted position;
• a drive system configured to actively drive the smoke barrier toward each of the deployed position and the retracted position;
• a release switch moveable between an activated position and a non-activated position;
• a clutch operably interconnecting the drive system and the smoke barrier, the clutch being operably connected to the release switch,
• the clutch being movable between engaged and released positions, wherein, when the clutch is in the engaged position—
• the clutch interconnects the drive system with the smoke barrier to allow the drive system to actively drive the smoke barrier to and from the deployed position during a first condition, and
• the drive system restricts manual movement of the smoke barrier away from the deployed position, and
• wherein, when the clutch is in the released position—
• the clutch disconnects the drive system from the smoke barrier during a second condition, and
• the smoke barrier will remain in at least one of the deployed position and an intermediate position between the deployed and retracted positions independent of operation of the drive system;
• and
• wherein, when the release switch is moved to the activated position, the clutch moves to the released position and the barrier is free to be manually moved away from the deployed position by a user engaging the handle;
• a resilient element coupled to the barrier, wherein the resilient element is configured to bias the smoke barrier toward the retracted position;
• a power supply operably connected to the drive system and the clutch and configured to provide power thereto;
• a control system connected to the drive system, the clutch and power supply, wherein the control system is configured to monitor an operative health of the drive system and power supply, the control system configured to control movement of the barrier between the deployed and retracted positions in response to a signal from an external fire or smoke detection device.