Fire safety is important for all kinds of buildings, but especially for commercial or industrial premises where there is a higher risk of fire due to the nature of the work or storing of flammable materials.
There are several kinds of active fire protection methods, like alarms and sprinkler systems, that can help to save lives and limit the damage caused by flames and smoke.
One such method is installing fire shutters, which are specifically designed to prevent fire from spreading when they’re deployed. While most are made from slatted toughened steel and activated by fire alarms, there are different styles and operating systems available.
To compartmentalise a building effectively, you need to install the correct type of fire shutter to suit the conditions of that area. Here is a quick guide to the different types of fire shutters you’ll find on the market, and how to choose the right ones for your premises.
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Fire shutter ratings
When activated, fire shutters reduce the fire’s access to oxygen and close off open areas that the flames and smoke would otherwise be able to spread through.
In order to withstand the heat of a fire for as long as possible, fire shutters are manufactured and tested to comprehensive standards and given a fire integrity rating.
The higher the number, the longer the shutter should hold out under the intense conditions of a growing fire. The fire rating represents the number of minutes that the specific product has been proven to work in carefully regulated test conditions.
For example, the common E60 fire rating means that the shutter should maintain its integrity during a fire for at least 1 hour/60 minutes. The minimum rating for a fire shutter should be no less than E30, and the maximum tends to be E240 (with E90, E180, and E120 also available).
The minimum requirements for the manufacturing and testing of fire shutters can be found in:
These regulations also set out the standards for fire shutter installation. These shutters must be fixed to a rigid support structure (such as masonry or steel) that has the same fire rating or greater, covering an opening no more than 12 metres wide.
Depending on where a fire shutter is located, it may require a higher fire rating.
Fire shutter mechanisms
While it’s possible for roller shutters to be manual, requiring a person to use a handle or chain to operate, this isn’t practical for fire shutters. Time and speed are of the essence in an emergency situation like a fire, so the shutter should be able to close by itself when activated remotely.
Most fire shutters are motor operated, using a single-phase or three-phase motor. Tubular motor fire shutters can be designed for both smaller and larger openings, and either interior or exterior installation. The motor can be fitted inside the barrel or outside the coil casing.
There are also several different release mechanisms for fire shutters, which can sometimes have multiple mechanisms in place at the same time. These include:
- Fire relay – connected to the fire alarm system to activate power (rather than manually closing through the gearbox); usually requires a battery back-up unit.
- Fusible link – a soldered wire link will release at a certain temperature and signal the fire relay to activate the brake release.
- Audio-visual warning – a control panel connected to the fire alarm that sounds an additional alarm and delays closing the shutter for a pre-determined amount of time to allow people to escape the area (e.g. three minutes).
- Manual solenoid release – the fire alarm signal triggers the manual brake release for a controlled shutter descent.
- Auto solenoid release – same signal requirements as manual, easy to reset after testing.
Where fire shutters are electrically powered, they must have a battery back-up that allows them to continue operating if the mains power fails, which is a high possibility during a fire. This means the shutter will still close and do its job even during a power outage.
Fire shutters may also have a hand-operated manual crank system as another back-up.
‘Single skin’ vs ‘twin skin’ fire shutters
The most simple fire shutter is a single layer of galvanised steel, with no extra layers of insulation. These shutters are typically made using 75-76mm slats, and can be sufficient in holding back the spread of flames for up to an hour (or at the very least half an hour, depending on the rating).
However, if you want more radiant heat protection, then you’ll need an insulated fire shutter – also known as a ‘twin skin’ shutter, due to the double layer of steel with insulation in between. This extra insulation also helps with noise reduction if the shutter is closed in non-emergency situations.
Cost-effective standard fire shutters are a good choice for installation in warehouses and loading bays. In places where there are likely to be more people, and preventing injury and death is the priority, the extra heat and smoke protection of insulated fire shutters can be invaluable.
Fire shutters vs fire curtains
When looking into buying fire shutters, you’re likely to also come across fire curtains. While they operate in a similar way, fire curtains are not the same, and they aren’t interchangeable.
While fire shutters are much more rigid barriers made of steel, fire curtains are more flexible and thinner. The curtains are made using a tough woven fabric made from fibreglass. They can hold back flames and heat to an extent, but – unlike shutters – they have no security benefits.
Fire curtains are normally installed internally, to seal off gaps in open-plan interior spaces when activated by a fire alarm. They are easier to install where the space is too limited for bulky shutter housing or the structural support isn’t quite as robust as fire shutters require.
They are given a fire integrity rating just like shutters, but fire curtains can also be used as a tighter smoke seal, meaning they are likely to have a smoke resistance rating as well.
If you aren’t sure whether you need a fire shutter or a fire curtain, you should consider:
- Do you need it to double as a security feature? (If yes, shutters are stronger)
- Will it be installed inside or outside the building? (Curtains are used inside only)
- Does the area have a high fire risk? (If yes, shutters offer heavier protection)
- Is heat protection or smoke protection more important? (Curtains for smoke)
- Do you require extra insulation? (If yes, ‘twin skin’ shutters can offer this)
- How long do you expect it to withstand a fire? (Curtains may have lower ratings)
- Are you looking for a more heavy-duty material? (If yes, steel shutters are sturdier)
If aesthetics are important to you, then you should also consider whether you want this fire safety feature to be visible all the time or not – even when rolled up, the headbox that houses fire shutters will be visible, whereas fire curtains have a slimmer profile and can be ‘built in’ to an opening.
Which fire shutters should you choose?
These are the main types of fire protection barriers available, which can all be made to custom measurements and installed into different places. Steel fire shutters and their housings can also be powder-coated in most colours (RAL or British Standard) to match building or business colours.
The best type of fire shutter for your situation will depend on a variety of factors, but most importantly, the location and the purpose of the area. Places like industrial warehouses or retail storerooms will have different needs to a hospital laboratory or college canteen.
If you aren’t sure which fire shutter you should install, or which features to look for, you should find a reliable shutter supplier in your area who will be able to offer expert guidance.
A manufacturer and fitter of roller shutters in Liverpool can help you with commercial and industrial fire shutters in this region, for example. The best providers will offer bespoke orders, professional installation, and at least a one-year warranty.
You may also be able to set up an ongoing maintenance contract for your new fire shutters, which will help you to comply with workplace health & safety and fire safety regulations for servicing equipment and powered doors.
