Fire-Rated Roller Shutters

What Are Fire-Rated Shutters?

Fire-rated shutters are specially designed rolling or folding barriers that are made of fire-resistant materials. They are engineered to close automatically in the event of a fire, limiting the spread of flames and smoke between different sections of a building. 

These shutters are rigorously tested and certified to meet fire safety standards, ensuring that they can withstand high temperatures for a specified duration, usually ranging from 30 minutes to four hours depending on the specification you have or need.

Importance of Fire-Rated Shutters

Fire-rated shutters play such an important role in fire protection strategies for several reasons:

1. Containing fire and smoke: By compartmentalising a fire, they prevent it from spreading to other areas of a building.
   
   
2. Protecting lives: By slowing the spread of flames, they allow people in the building more time to evacuate safely.
   
   
3. Minimising property damage: They protect valuable assets, equipment, and infrastructure by limiting the extent of fire-related destruction.
   
   
4. Ensuring compliance: Many building codes and fire safety regulations mandate the use of fire-rated shutters in certain settings.
   
   
5. Enhancing insurance coverage: Having fire-rated shutters installed may lower insurance premiums, as they reduce the risk of extensive fire damage.

Types of Fire-Rated Shutters

Fire-rated shutters come in lots of types, each designed for specific applications and fire protection needs:

Rolling Fire Shutters:

• Has interlocking metal slats that roll up into a compact unit.
• Commonly used in commercial and industrial settings.
• Automatically operates in response to fire alarms or heat detection systems.
  
  

Horizontal Fire Shutters:

• Installed in ceilings to prevent fire from spreading between floors.
• Ideal for shopping centres, warehouses, and multi-level buildings.
  
  

Fire Curtains:

• Flexible fire-resistant fabric that acts as a barrier when in use.
• Often used in open-plan spaces where solid shutters may not be suitable.
  
  

Integrated Fire-Rated Shutters:

• Designed to blend seamlessly with existing structures and aesthetics.
• Frequently used in high-end commercial spaces and architectural designs.

Fire Ratings and Compliance Standards

Fire-rated roller shutters are tested and certified according to very strict (rightly so) industry standards. 

Some of the key certification bodies and regulations include:

• BS 476-22 & BS EN 1634-1: These British and European standards test the integrity and fire resistance of shutters.
• Approved Document B (Building Regulations UK): Specifies fire safety requirements, including fire-rated shutters.
• LPCB Certification (Loss Prevention Certification Board): Ensures shutters meet UK fire safety performance criteria.
• Certified Accreditation: A widely recognised third-party certification for fire protection products.
  
  

Each shutter comes with a fire rating, which indicates the duration for which it can withstand fire exposure, typically categorised as 30, 60, 90, 120, or 240 minutes.

Benefits of Installing Fire-Rated Shutters

There are a wide range of benefits when it comes to installing fire-rated shutters including:

Enhanced Fire Safety

Fire-rated shutters provide a barrier in the most desperate of times that significantly reduces the impact of a fire. This added layer of protection could provide added time for someone to escape from a building in the case of a fire. 

Compliance with Fire Regulations

Installing fire-rated shutters ensures that a building meets fire laws and regulations, helping avoid fines and legal complications.

Automated Operation

Most modern fire-rated shutters are equipped with automated closing mechanisms triggered by heat sensors, smoke detectors, or fire alarm systems. We have a barrage of options available here at UK Doors and Shutters, for your building should you be in the market for a new fire-rate shutter.

Durability and Longevity

Manufactured from high-quality fire-resistant materials, these shutters are built to withstand extreme conditions, ensuring long-term reliability.

Reduced Insurance Premiums

Many insurance companies offer lower premiums for buildings with proper fire protection systems, making fire-rated shutters a cost-effective investment as you could potentially start seeing the returns on your investment immediately.

The Installation Process

We install fire-rated shutters on a weekly basis so we know the installation process pretty well - here’s some insight into how we go about it: 

• Site assessment: Our professional fire safety experts will evaluate your building layout and identify areas requiring fire-rated shutters.
  
• Choosing the right fire-rated shutter: Factors such as fire rating, size, and operational requirements are considered before selecting the appropriate shutter.
  
• Professional installation: Our qualified and accredited technicians will then install the shutters according to manufacturer guidelines and fire safety regulations.
  
• Integration with fire alarm systems: Fire-rated shutters can be connected to the building’s fire alarm system for automatic activation in case of an emergency.
  
• Final inspection and testing: After installation, the shutters will have rigorous testing applied to them to ensure they function correctly in a fire scenario.