Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a barrier system for shielding humans from harmful exposure to fire, smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air. Some embodiments provide a deployable barrier system that has a barrier retract assist system configured to assist a user in manually moving the barrier from the deployed position toward the retracted position with at least a portion of the barrier being rolled onto the barrel portion for egress past the barrier. The retract assist system can be positioned inside of the barrel portion.