Disposable cubicle curtains are widely used in hospitals, GP surgeries, clinics and other healthcare environments where privacy, hygiene, fire safety and ease of replacement all matter.<\/p>\n
Unlike conventional washable curtains, disposable cubicle curtains are designed to be removed and replaced quickly, helping healthcare teams manage privacy screening without the time and cost associated with regular laundering.<\/p>\n
For procurement teams, facilities managers and healthcare providers, the most important considerations are not simply colour or price. The curtain needs to meet the practical demands of a clinical environment.<\/p>\n
That includes:<\/p>\n
Two terms that frequently appear when buying disposable cubicle curtains are \u201cNHS Approved\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cBS 5867 Part 2 Type C\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n They refer to different aspects of the product and should not be treated as interchangeable.<\/p>\n This guide explains what they mean, what to look for when specifying disposable cubicle curtains, and how to assess the main technical features before purchasing for a hospital, clinic, GP surgery or other healthcare environment.<\/p>\n Use the sections below to find the technical, healthcare and procurement information most relevant to your requirements.<\/p>\n Quick Answer<\/strong><\/p>\n When specifying disposable cubicle curtains for a hospital, GP surgery, clinic or other healthcare setting, focus on the technical requirements first.<\/p>\n A suitable curtain should typically offer:<\/p>\n For many healthcare buyers, the key starting points are fire performance, infection-control suitability and track compatibility.<\/p>\n The curtain should also be easy for staff to replace without unnecessary disruption, particularly in busy clinical areas where turnaround time matters.<\/p>\n A good specification therefore combines:<\/p>\n fire safety + hygiene support + easy replacement + correct sizing + track compatibility<\/strong><\/p>\n Once those points are confirmed, features such as colour, hook format and pack quantity can be considered.<\/p>\n BS 5867 is the British Standard that covers performance requirements for fabrics used for curtains, drapes and window blinds.<\/p>\n For disposable cubicle curtains, the most relevant section is BS 5867 Part 2<\/strong>, which deals with the flammability performance of curtain and blind fabrics used in non-domestic environments.<\/p>\n BS 5867 Part 2 assesses how curtain fabric behaves when exposed to a flame under defined test conditions.<\/p>\n This is particularly relevant in environments such as:<\/p>\n The purpose is to establish whether the fabric meets a specified level of fire-retardant performance.<\/p>\n BS 5867 Part 2 includes different performance categories:<\/p>\n Of these, Type C is the most demanding classification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This makes Type C particularly relevant where a higher level of fire performance is required, including many healthcare and contract environments.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains<\/a> are large hanging textile surfaces positioned around beds, treatment bays and clinical areas.<\/p>\n Their fire performance is therefore an important part of the overall specification.<\/p>\n When a disposable cubicle curtain is described as meeting BS 5867 Part 2 Type C<\/strong>, it means the fabric has been tested and specified to meet the highest performance category within this part of the standard.<\/p>\n For healthcare buyers, this is one of the key technical specifications to check when comparing disposable cubicle curtains.<\/p>\n BS 5867 Part 2 Type C is the most demanding flammability classification within this part of the standard.<\/p>\n For disposable cubicle curtains used in healthcare environments, this is an important specification because it indicates that the fabric has been designed and tested to meet a high level of fire-retardant performance.<\/p>\n Hospitals, clinics and other medical environments contain large amounts of fabric and soft furnishings, often in close proximity to patients, treatment areas and electrical equipment.<\/p>\n Cubicle curtains can also cover a relatively large surface area, so their behaviour in a fire situation matters.<\/p>\n Type C performance is therefore particularly relevant in higher-risk non-domestic settings where a stronger level of fire performance is expected.<\/p>\n When comparing disposable cubicle curtains, buyers should look for a clear statement that the product is:<\/p>\n Flame-retardant to BS 5867 Part 2 Type C<\/strong><\/p>\n This should form part of the technical specification rather than being treated as a general marketing claim.<\/p>\n BS 5867 Part 2 Type C relates specifically to the fire performance of the curtain fabric.<\/p>\n It does not by itself confirm:<\/p>\n These are separate considerations that should also be checked when specifying disposable cubicle curtains for healthcare use.<\/p>\n For hospitals, GP surgeries and clinics, BS 5867 Part 2 Type C is one of the key technical standards to look for when assessing disposable cubicle curtains<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It confirms a high level of flammability performance, but it should be considered alongside the other practical and healthcare-specific features of the product.<\/p>\n Fire performance is particularly important in healthcare environments because cubicle curtains are used extensively around beds, treatment bays and examination areas.<\/p>\n Unlike a small decorative curtain, a hospital cubicle curtain can represent a substantial area of hanging fabric within an occupied clinical space.<\/p>\n Hospitals and other healthcare buildings may contain:<\/p>\n For this reason, the fire performance of materials used throughout the building needs careful consideration.<\/p>\n A disposable cubicle curtain may primarily be purchased for privacy and infection-control purposes, but the fabric itself must also be appropriate for the environment in which it is installed.<\/p>\n Specifying a curtain to BS 5867 Part 2 Type C<\/strong> provides a clear technical benchmark for its flammability performance.<\/p>\n This allows facilities and procurement teams to compare products against a defined standard rather than relying on general descriptions such as \u201cflame retardant\u201d.<\/p>\n A supplier may describe a curtain as flame retardant, but healthcare buyers should look for the actual standard and classification behind that statement.<\/p>\n There is a significant difference between:<\/p>\n \u201cFlame retardant\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n and:<\/p>\n \u201cFlame-retardant to BS 5867 Part 2 Type C\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The second provides a defined performance specification that can be included in procurement documentation.<\/p>\n Fire performance is only one part of choosing a healthcare cubicle curtain.<\/p>\n Procurement teams should also confirm:<\/p>\n The practical point is that BS 5867 Part 2 Type C gives healthcare buyers a clear fire-performance specification to look for when comparing disposable cubicle curtains<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The phrase \u201cNHS Approved\u201d<\/strong> is commonly used by suppliers to indicate that a disposable cubicle curtain is suitable for use in NHS and other healthcare environments.<\/p>\n For buyers, however, it is important to understand that this is not the same thing as a British Standard classification<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A product described as NHS Approved<\/strong> is being presented as suitable for healthcare use.<\/p>\n By contrast, BS 5867 Part 2 Type C<\/strong> is a defined fire-performance standard.<\/p>\n That distinction matters because the two terms refer to different aspects of the curtain:<\/p>\n A strong healthcare specification should therefore consider both.<\/p>\n Rather than relying on the phrase \u201cNHS Approved\u201d alone, procurement and facilities teams should also check the underlying product specification.<\/p>\n That includes:<\/p>\n Healthcare buyers may need to evidence why a particular product is suitable for use in a clinical environment.<\/p>\n A clearly documented technical specification is therefore more useful than a broad approval statement on its own.<\/p>\n For example, a disposable cubicle curtain may be described as NHS Approved while also carrying a separate specification for BS 5867 Part 2 Type C<\/strong> fire performance.<\/p>\n When reviewing disposable cubicle curtains, treat \u201cNHS Approved\u201d as a healthcare suitability claim<\/strong> and BS 5867 Part 2 Type C as the fire-performance standard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Both can be relevant, but they should not be treated as interchangeable.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains<\/a> are widely used in NHS hospitals and other healthcare environments, but they are not universally required in every clinical setting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Healthcare organisations may use different approaches depending on the type of facility, local infection-prevention policies, cleaning procedures and procurement requirements.<\/p>\n Some healthcare facilities use disposable curtains, while others continue to use washable fabric curtains.<\/p>\n The choice may depend on factors such as:<\/p>\n Disposable curtains can simplify the process of replacing privacy screens because they do not need to be removed, transported, laundered and returned to the same area.<\/p>\n Instead, the used curtain can be removed and replaced with a clean one.<\/p>\n This can be particularly useful in:<\/p>\n NHS trusts and other healthcare organisations may have their own requirements covering:<\/p>\n Procurement teams should therefore check the requirements of the individual organisation rather than assuming that one specification applies across every NHS facility.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains are a common and practical healthcare solution, but they are not a universal NHS requirement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The correct product should meet the fire, hygiene, operational and procurement requirements set for the particular healthcare environment in which it will be used.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains are commonly used in healthcare settings because they can support routine infection-control procedures and rapid curtain replacement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Their main advantage is operational simplicity.<\/p>\n If a curtain becomes soiled, contaminated or reaches its scheduled replacement date, it can be removed and replaced without sending it for laundering.<\/p>\n This can help reduce disruption in busy clinical areas such as:<\/p>\n Reusable curtains usually need to be:<\/p>\n Disposable curtains avoid that process.<\/p>\n This can simplify curtain management where frequent replacement is required.<\/p>\n Healthcare organisations may operate planned curtain-change schedules alongside replacement after visible contamination or specific clinical events.<\/p>\n Disposable curtains can support these programmes because they are designed to be changed quickly.<\/p>\n Where a curtain also includes a self-auditing label, staff can more easily track installation or replacement dates.<\/p>\n Some disposable cubicle curtains are manufactured with an antibacterial treatment.<\/p>\n This does not replace normal infection-control procedures, but it can form part of the overall product specification for healthcare use.<\/p>\n Although there are no laundry requirements, curtains still need to be:<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains are widely used in healthcare because they can make replacement, auditing and day-to-day curtain management simpler<\/strong>.<\/p>\n They should be viewed as one part of a wider infection-control system rather than as a standalone infection-prevention measure.<\/p>\n Some disposable cubicle curtains are manufactured with an antibacterial treatment built into the fabric<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For healthcare buyers, this can be a useful additional feature, particularly in environments where hygiene and regular replacement are important.<\/p>\n An antibacterial treatment is designed to inhibit bacterial growth on the treated material.<\/p>\n In practical terms, this means the treatment forms part of the curtain\u2019s material specification rather than being something applied later during use.<\/p>\n Antibacterial fabric should not be treated as a substitute for:<\/p>\n The curtain still needs to be managed in line with the healthcare organisation\u2019s own procedures.<\/p>\n In clinical environments, curtains are frequently touched and sit close to patients, staff and treatment areas.<\/p>\n An antibacterial treatment can therefore be a useful supporting feature alongside:<\/p>\n The DotcomBlinds disposable cubicle curtain range uses a Biosafe\u00ae antibacterial treatment<\/strong> within the fabric.<\/p>\n This is part of the overall healthcare specification alongside the curtain\u2019s fire-retardant performance, lightweight polypropylene construction and replaceable design.<\/p>\n An antibacterial disposable cubicle curtain should be seen as one part of a wider infection-control approach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It can support hygiene management, but it does not remove the need for correct handling, replacement and local clinical procedures.<\/p>\n A self-auditing label is a simple way to help staff track when a disposable cubicle curtain was installed and when it may need to be replaced<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In busy healthcare environments, this can make curtain-change programmes easier to manage and document.<\/p>\n Depending on the label design and local procedure, it may be used to record or identify:<\/p>\n The exact way it is used will depend on the healthcare organisation\u2019s own process.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains may be changed because of:<\/p>\n A self-auditing label gives staff a quick visual reference without relying entirely on separate records.<\/p>\n This can help with:<\/p>\n The DotcomBlinds disposable cubicle curtain range includes a self-auditing label<\/strong> as part of the product specification.<\/p>\n A self-auditing label is a small feature, but it can make disposable cubicle curtains easier to manage in practice.<\/p>\n For larger healthcare sites in particular, it can support a clearer and more consistent curtain-replacement process.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains are typically designed to be lightweight, durable and easy to replace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For healthcare use, the material needs to balance practical handling with the performance required for the environment.<\/p>\n The DotcomBlinds disposable cubicle curtain range is made from 110gsm polypropylene<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This gives the curtain a lightweight construction while still being suitable for repeated handling during installation, use and replacement.<\/p>\n The fabric needs to be light enough for staff to:<\/p>\n At the same time, it needs enough strength to function reliably as a privacy curtain in a busy healthcare setting.<\/p>\n The DotcomBlinds range is designed without unnecessary plastic parts and is described as 100% recyclable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is particularly relevant where healthcare buyers are also considering the waste implications of disposable products.<\/p>\n The fabric itself is only one part of the specification.<\/p>\n Healthcare buyers should also check:<\/p>\n For disposable cubicle curtains, the material should provide:<\/p>\n low weight + sufficient durability + easy handling + compatibility with the required healthcare specification<\/strong><\/p>\n In the DotcomBlinds range, that is achieved using 110gsm polypropylene<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains are often supplied in a standardised size so they can be used across multiple bays and healthcare settings without needing individual made-to-measure production.<\/p>\n The DotcomBlinds range is supplied at 7500mm wide x 2000mm drop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A standard curtain size can make procurement and stock management simpler, especially across larger healthcare sites.<\/p>\n It can help facilities teams:<\/p>\n The 7500mm width allows the curtain to gather along the cubicle track rather than hanging completely flat.<\/p>\n This is important because the curtain needs enough fullness to provide practical privacy coverage around the bay.<\/p>\n The exact amount of gathering will depend on:<\/p>\n The 2000mm drop is designed to provide substantial visual screening while still allowing the curtain to hang correctly within a healthcare cubicle environment.<\/p>\n Before ordering, buyers should check:<\/p>\n Even where a curtain is supplied in a standard size, the existing cubicle system should still be checked before purchase.<\/p>\n Important points include:<\/p>\n A 7500mm x 2000mm disposable cubicle curtain<\/strong> offers a practical standard size for many healthcare applications, but the existing track dimensions and installation requirements should always be confirmed before ordering.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains can be supplied in different constructions, but permanently pleated curtains are particularly practical in healthcare environments<\/strong> because they are designed to gather consistently along the cubicle track.<\/p>\n The DotcomBlinds disposable range is permanently pleated as part of the manufacturing process.<\/p>\n The fabric is formed into regular folds before the curtain is installed.<\/p>\n This means the curtain naturally gathers rather than relying on staff to create an even arrangement during fitting.<\/p>\n Permanent pleating can help with:<\/p>\n This can be especially useful where curtains are changed regularly across multiple bays.<\/p>\n A flat disposable curtain has little or no pre-formed structure in the fabric.<\/p>\n Once installed, the gathering depends more heavily on the positioning of the hooks or gliders.<\/p>\n A permanently pleated curtain retains a more consistent fold pattern, which can make replacement more straightforward.<\/p>\n Because the curtain is already formed into folds, staff can generally handle it as a more organised fabric section rather than managing a completely flat 7.5 metre-wide panel.<\/p>\n For hospitals and clinics carrying out frequent curtain changes, this can make installation less cumbersome.<\/p>\n For healthcare environments where disposable curtains need to be replaced quickly and consistently, permanent pleating provides a simple operational advantage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It helps the curtain gather correctly along the track and can make installation and replacement more predictable.<\/p>\n Disposable cubicle curtains can be supplied in different fixing formats, and the two main options in the DotcomBlinds range are eyelet curtains<\/strong> and curtains supplied with hooks already attached<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The right choice depends on how your existing cubicle track system is set up and how quickly you need replacement curtains to be installed.<\/p>\n Eyelet curtains are designed for use with compatible cubicle hooks or gliders.<\/p>\n This can be a practical option where:<\/p>\n Pre-hooked curtains arrive with the hooks already fitted.<\/p>\n This can reduce installation time because staff do not need to attach the hooks individually before fitting the curtain to the track.<\/p>\n They can be particularly useful where:<\/p>\n The curtain itself may meet the same fire, material and healthcare requirements, but the fixing format can make a significant difference operationally.<\/p>\n For a busy hospital or clinic, pre-hooked curtains can make scheduled changes faster.<\/p>\n For organisations that already have an established hook-and-glider system, eyelet curtains may be perfectly suitable.<\/p>\n Before choosing either format, confirm:<\/p>\n Do not assume that every disposable cubicle curtain will work with every track system.<\/p>\n Choose eyelet disposable curtains<\/strong> if you already have a compatible hook system in place.<\/p>\n Choose pre-hooked disposable curtains<\/strong> if you want to reduce installation time and simplify replacement.<\/p>\n The key is to match the curtain format to the existing cubicle track and maintenance process.<\/p>\nDisposable Cubicle Curtain Guide<\/h2>\n
\nQuick Answer: What Should You Look for in a Disposable Cubicle Curtain?
\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. Fire Safety & BS 5867<\/summary>\n
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2. NHS & Healthcare Suitability<\/summary>\n
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3. Infection Control & Hygiene<\/summary>\n
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4. Material, Size & Construction<\/summary>\n
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5. Hooks, Eyelets & Track Compatibility<\/summary>\n
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6. Recycling & Reusable Alternatives<\/summary>\n
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7. Specification & Buying Checklist<\/summary>\n
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Quick Answer: What Should You Look for in a Disposable Cubicle Curtain?<\/h2>\n
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What Is BS 5867?<\/h2>\n
What Does BS 5867 Part 2 Cover?<\/h3>\n
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What Are Type A, Type B and Type C?<\/h3>\n
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Why Does This Matter for Disposable Cubicle Curtains?<\/h3>\n
What Does BS 5867 Part 2 Type C Mean?<\/h2>\n
Why Type C Is Important in Healthcare<\/h3>\n
What Buyers Should Check<\/h3>\n
Type C Does Not Replace Other Requirements<\/h3>\n
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The Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Why Type C Matters in Hospitals and Healthcare Settings<\/h2>\n
Healthcare Environments Have Different Fire-Safety Priorities<\/h3>\n
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Cubicle Curtains Form Part of the Overall Fire-Safety Specification<\/h3>\n
Why \u201cFlame Retardant\u201d Alone Is Not Enough<\/h3>\n
Type C Should Be Checked Alongside the Rest of the Specification<\/h3>\n
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What Does \u201cNHS Approved\u201d Mean for Disposable Cubicle Curtains?<\/h2>\n
\u201cNHS Approved\u201d and BS 5867 Are Different<\/h3>\n
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What Healthcare Buyers Should Look For<\/h3>\n
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Why This Distinction Matters<\/h3>\n
Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Are Disposable Cubicle Curtains Required by the NHS?<\/h2>\n
Disposable and Washable Curtains Can Both Be Used<\/h3>\n
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Why Disposable Curtains Are Common in Healthcare<\/h3>\n
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Local Policies Still Matter<\/h3>\n
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Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Why Disposable Cubicle Curtains Are Used in Infection-Control Environments<\/h2>\n
Quick Removal and Replacement<\/h3>\n
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No Laundry Cycle<\/h3>\n
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Useful for Scheduled Change Programmes<\/h3>\n
Antibacterial Treatment Can Add Another Layer of Support<\/h3>\n
Disposable Does Not Mean Maintenance-Free<\/h3>\n
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Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
What Does Antibacterial Fabric Mean?<\/h2>\n
Antibacterial Treatment Is Part of the Fabric Specification<\/h3>\n
It Does Not Replace Cleaning or Replacement Procedures<\/h3>\n
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Why It Can Be Useful in Healthcare<\/h3>\n
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Biosafe\u00ae Antibacterial Treatment<\/h3>\n
Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
What Is a Self-Auditing Label?<\/h2>\n
What Information Can It Help Record?<\/h3>\n
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Why It Is Useful<\/h3>\n
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Useful for Facilities and Infection-Control Teams<\/h3>\n
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Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
What Material Should a Disposable Cubicle Curtain Be Made From?<\/h2>\n
Polypropylene Is a Common Choice<\/h3>\n
Why Material Weight Matters<\/h3>\n
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Recyclability Is Also Part of the Specification<\/h3>\n
Material Should Be Assessed Alongside Other Features<\/h3>\n
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Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Disposable Curtain Size: Why 7500mm x 2000mm Is Common<\/h2>\n
Why Standard Sizing Helps<\/h3>\n
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Width Matters for Coverage<\/h3>\n
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Drop Matters for Privacy and Clearance<\/h3>\n
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Always Check the Existing Track<\/h3>\n
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Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Pleated vs Flat Disposable Cubicle Curtains<\/h2>\n
What Does Permanently Pleated Mean?<\/h3>\n
Why Pleating Matters<\/h3>\n
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How Is This Different From a Flat Curtain?<\/h3>\n
Pleating Also Affects Storage and Handling<\/h3>\n
Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Hooked vs Eyelet Disposable Cubicle Curtains<\/h2>\n
Eyelet Disposable Curtains<\/h3>\n
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Disposable Curtains With Hooks Attached<\/h3>\n
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Why the Difference Matters<\/h3>\n
Check Track Compatibility Before Ordering<\/h3>\n
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Practical Takeaway<\/h3>\n
Will Disposable Curtains Fit Existing Cubicle Tracks?<\/h2>\n