Fire Shutters

As we all know; a fire is not to be taken lightly under any circumstances. If it occurs indoors and is unplanned, the consequences can be severe for the building itself and those inside. This is why you are going to want to take all the necessary precautions to ensure that it doesn’t spread throughout the building in question. The top of the range fire rated shutters from Roller Shutter Services will be able to help you achieve this with ease, giving you the peace of mind you deserve.

Premium Quality Fire Rated Roller Shutters

For more than 15 years, the team at Roller Shutter Services have been providing the very best fire rated roller shutter solutions to clients in need. They are highly recommended in any large scale indoor setting, whether this is in an educational, commercial, industrial space or anywhere else that encounters high traffic. These vital pieces of machinery help to keep any fire trapped in a singular room when activated, allowing those present in the building to evacuate as soon as possible without having to worry about a raging fire hunting them down.

If you’re considering purchasing a fire roller shutter for your property, we’re sure you won’t regret your choice. After all, they provide a reliable way of keeping people safe in a fire, making them feel at ease and allowing your building to be used in its intended way, knowing that safety measures are in place at all times.

RSFS1 Fire Shutters installed in a Canteen

Fire Shutter Installation

Fire Rated Shutter Test

Fire Shutter Installation

We will Beat Any Written or Online Comparable Quotation

75MM 1 Hour Fire Rated Door

Here at Roller Shutter Services, we offer one of the best in the field of fire resistant roller shutters, and we are proud to do so! The RSFS1 roller shutter door available on our website is electrically operated, allowing the operator to automatically shut the door in an event of a fire. It is made from 75mm slats of a durable galvanised steel curtain, making sure the fire will be contained in the required area, as well as providing a galvanised steel box assembly and guide rails Powder Coated to any Standard RAL Colour

This electrically operated fire curtain system is designed to be used as a security banner when used normally, giving it a constant function. But, in the event of a fire or emergency situation, it will be closed automatically. When a fire alarm signal reaches the fire shutter door, it will activate and descend to create a barrier between the fire and the next area.

This product is designed to be durable and long lasting, and has been tested and approved to BS476: Part 22: 1987 and BS EN 1634-1:2008 as well as being fitted with a fire interface panel to connect to the fire alarm system. It is also fitted with a battery backup, so operation can still commence in the event of a mains power failure.

Get In Touch Today

Would you like fire resistant shutters for your own facility? Or do you have any questions you’d like to ask before you buy? Our team of experts are always on hand to help. Call us today on 0800 328 9356 or email us at info@rollershutterservices.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Alternatively, use our contact form for a swift response from one of our staff.

Fire Shutters in industrial and commercial applications, 75mm - 1 Hour Fire Rated shutter installed

Fire Rated Roller Shutters

  • School Kitchens

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in School Kitchens.

  • Restaurants

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Restaurants.

  • Canteens

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Cafes, and School or Work Canteens.

  • Universities

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Universities.

  • Storerooms

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Storerooms.

  • Supermarkets

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Supermarkets and Shops.

  • Laboratories

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Laboratories.

  • Prisons

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters in Prisons.

  • Industrial

    We install, maintain, service and repair Industrial Fire Shutters and Roller Shutters.

  • Commercial

    We install, maintain, service and repair Commercial Fire Shutters and Roller Shutters.

  • Residential

    We install, maintain, service and repair Residential Fire Shutters and Roller Shutters.

  • Retail Units

    We install, maintain, service and repair Fire Shutters and Roller Shutters on Retail Units.

Fire Shutters FAQs

When are fire shutters required?

Fires in any home or business can be catastrophic, especially if the flames and smoke are able to spread throughout the building easily. One way to prevent fire from spreading between sections of a building, or between buildings that are close to each other, is to install fire shutters in key places.

Measures like this can create a fire-resistant barrier that keeps it at bay for as long as possible. Every minute is precious during an evacuation and while waiting for firefighters to arrive, so a fire shutter could be invaluable in saving lives and preserving at least part of the building and its contents.

Without fire shutters to cut off the spread of fire, you could be facing massive financial losses, even with insurance. That should be reason enough to install them wherever your building might need them – but is it a legal requirement to have fire shutters? And where are they supposed to be used?

Why are fire shutters needed?

Fire shutters are fire-resistant roller doors. Just like the roller shutters you’ll see on the outside of shops or garages, they’re made from metal and roll up above an opening when not in use. The difference is that fire shutters only drop closed if there’s a fire, to try to stop it from spreading.

Depending on the type of shutter and operating system you choose, and how it connects to your existing fire detection system, you can programme fire shutters to close automatically with specific triggers. For example, if the fire alarm goes off, the shutter can drop closed immediately.

Or, to allow people to use it as an escape route for as long as possible, the door can be programmed to stay half-open until a sensor detects heat nearby, at which point it will drop fully closed and seal the gap before the fire reaches it. This barrier can help to save lives and business assets.

These toughened roller shutters act as a fire break between compartments of a building to limit the damage to a smaller area. They work as part of a well-designed fire safety strategy, combined with measures like smoke detectors, alarms, fire extinguishers, and building evacuation plans.

Fire shutters can be designed to withstand heat and smoke for up to several hours, or a minimum of 30 minutes according to British and European standards. In many cases, this will be enough time for emergency services to arrive at the scene and get the fire under control.

Where can fire shutters be used?

If you regularly handle or store flammable materials, there’ll be a higher risk of fire. This is where fire prevention measures are essential, especially in large buildings or clusters of buildings where flames can easily jump from one section to another and continue spreading.

Here are some examples of places throughout the industrial, commercial, and public sectors that use fire shutters as part of their safeguarding and security measures:

    • Warehouses and factories

    • Power plants and chemical plants

    • Shopping centres and retail stores

    • Schools, colleges, and university buildings

    • Canteens, cafeterias, and restaurants

    • Hospitals and scientific laboratories

Any access point between two parts of a building, including between the inside and outdoors, can be fitted with a fire shutter. They’re usually found above internal and external doorways and windows, and particularly at the entrance/exit points of kitchens, storerooms, and loading bays.

If the shutter is fitted over a doorway or other ‘means of escape’, it must be the type with an anti-drop brake that stays open until triggered by a sensor detecting an excessive temperature level. This is to prevent injuries from the shutter closing while people are trying to get out.

Of course, a fire shutter is only as strong a fire barrier as the surroundings it’s fitted to. Fire shutters can only be fitted to masonry or structural steel that has the same minimum level of fire resistance as the shutters, preventing the fire from spreading around it if the fittings are weak.

When are fire shutters required by law?

In all non-domestic and commercial properties, including blocks of flats and multi-apartment houses, fire doors are a legal requirement. When it comes to fire shutters, which cover larger openings than standard door sizes, these aren’t always mandatory – it depends on the property, how it’s used, and the layout of the space.

You’ll need to carry out a full risk assessment of your premises to identify fire risks and take steps to counter them, with regular Building Control safety inspections to make sure you’re maintaining legal compliance. Your local Building Control Officer might find your use of fire doors and other measures to be adequate without shutters.

When it comes to Building Regulations for fire shutters, you’ll find ‘rolling shutters in compartment walls’ under Approved Document B (Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings). These shutters are classed as fire doorsets, and must be tested and certified to the standards set by:

  • BS EN 1634 (-1 -2 -3) – ‘Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies’
  • BS 476 (-31.1) – ‘Fire tests on building materials and structures’
  • BS EN 13501 (-2) – ‘Fire classification of construction products and building elements’

This includes maintaining heat integrity for at least 30 minutes, with an equal smoke resistance period for most cases. In areas such as enclosed corridors and stairwells that aren’t part of a protected escape route, the fire rating can be as low as 20 minutes.

Further guidance on standards for metal doors can be found in the Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Metal Doorsets from the Door and Shutter Manufacturers’ Association (DSMA).

Where to get fire shutters?

It’s easy enough to do a quick search for fire shutters and click on the first links that come up, but that doesn’t mean they’re trusted providers with the necessary experience to supply a high-quality product that complies with the relevant laws.

It’s best to look for a reliable supplier of all kinds of roller shutters, who’s been in the industry for long enough to know exactly what they’re doing and build a reputation for excellent service. For example, if your building is in the Bolton area, you could go to Roller Shutter Services for roller shutters in Bolton – including fire shutters and fire curtains.

The best part about ordering your fire shutters from an established supplier is that it’s also possible to set up ongoing fire shutter maintenance services, helping you to stay on top of the legal requirements for fire shutter testing and upkeep.

How do fire shutters work?

All public, commercial, and industrial buildings should have measures in place to comply with health and safety laws for fire prevention. Fires can start unexpectedly and spread quickly, especially if there are no measures to contain the fire or get people out of the area safely.

The most recent figures from the Home Office reveal that of the 147,295 fires that happened in England in 2020–2021, 8,155 fires occurred in non-domestic properties – causing damage to 1000mor more of the building in 20% of these cases. Retail and industrial premises were also revealed to have been the locations of the most fires aside from non-residential private and public buildings.

From shops to warehouses to factories, fires can get out of control fast if there are large spaces full of flammable materials for them to spread through. Not only does this put lives at risk, but it can also cause thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of property damage.

This is why it’s so important to take fire safety measures seriously – and why equipment like fire shutters can be invaluable in helping to keep fires at bay. Here’s what you should know about how fire shutters work and where you can install them to make your premises safer.

What are fire shutters?

Fire shutters are similar to the metal roller shutters that you often see forming security barriers in front of doors and windows. However, fire shutters are made from thicker laths of galvanised steel, designed to withstand the heat of flames and smoke for much longer than a standard shutter door.

Fire-resistant shutters are typically fitted over openings in areas that may have a higher fire risk, so that if they’re needed, they can drop down and close off the area to compartmentalise the fire. The shutter forms a fire barrier that prevents flames and smoke from passing through for a limited time.

A shutter holding back a fire for a minimum of 30–60 minutes can make all the difference in successfully evacuating the building and reducing property damage. It allows time for firefighters to reach the premises and put the fire out, keeping flames and smoke contained in the meantime.

How does a fire shutter work?

Fire shutters operate similarly to security roller shutters, featuring a door panel made of metal laths that run through guide channels on either side of the opening. When not in use, fire shutters are rolled up around a barrel to be stored out of sight in a metal headbox above the opening. Typically, these shutters are kept open and only closed when activated by the building’s fire alarm system.

The shutter can be programmed to operate in different ways according to your fire safety plan. Usually, fire shutters will be connected to the main fire control panel and will be triggered to automatically roll down by a signal from an activated fire alarm or smoke detector.

It’s possible to programme motor-operated fire shutters to either close completely when activated, or close halfway to keep an escape route open for as long as possible. A smoke or heat detector can then trigger the shutter to close fully when the smoke or flames are nearby to seal off the passage.

Standard electric roller shutters must have a back-up manual system in case of power failure, but it’s even more important for a fire shutter to have a back-up system to ensure that it doesn’t fail and allow fire to spread after loss of mains power. Whether there’s a blackout or the fire has damaged the power source or connections, the fire shutter should have a gravity fail-safe that triggers the brake release so the door drops closed from its own weight if power is lost.

At Roller Shutter Services, our electric fire shutters are made from 75mm thick galvanised steel panels and fitted with an interface panel and back-up battery. These fire-rated shutters have been tested to BS 476-22:1987 and BS EN 1634-1:2008 standards and are designed to last 1 hour (60 minutes) in the event of a fire.

Where can you install fire shutters?

When installed as part of a wider system of fire safety measures like fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinklers, fire shutters are very effective at limiting the damage that flames and smoke can do when left to run rampant through high-risk spaces.

Fire shutters can be fitted over any access point between buildings or parts of a building, such as doors and windows, both internally and externally. They’re commonly found above storeroom entrances and separating loading bays from interiors.

Any premises that contain large quantities of flammable materials should consider fitting fire shutters over openings to other areas – for example, industrial and commercial kitchens and laboratories. Some of the various places that can benefit from fire shutters include:

  • Factories and warehouses
  • Canteens and restaurants
  • Retail units and shopping centres
  • Hospitals, universities, prisons
  • Scientific laboratories
  • Power plants and chemical plants

Equipment like a fire shutter is essential wherever flames could easily spread from one section of a building to another, or between buildings that are close together. It must be installed on masonry or structural steel that has the same level of fire resistance or above, since the fire barrier will only be as strong as the walls holding it in place.

When fitted over doorways or noted escape routes, fire shutters must have an anti-drop brake that allows the activated shutter to stay halfway open until triggered to shut completely by excessive temperature or smoke levels, allowing people to still escape under it.

Order bespoke fire shutters with RSS

Every minute counts in an emergency, and fire shutters can save both lives and property when used correctly. Fires can happen anywhere at any time, so why put yourself and others at risk when you could save time and money with preventative measures like fire shutters?

Of course, you’ll need to choose high-quality fire shutters from a trusted provider, who has the experience and skills to manufacture and install the exact product you want – like the team here at Roller Shutter Services.

In addition to supplying fire shutters and a range of roller shutters in Bolton and the surrounding areas, we also provide roller shutter repairs in Bolton and across the North West. Our 24/7 call-out service can get faulty shutters up and running again whenever you need us.

You can also set up ongoing maintenance, ensuring that you can keep up with legal requirements for fire shutter servicing, while ensuring that your shutters are always in working order.

To discuss our fire shutters or request a quote for a custom order, give us a call on 0800 328 9356, or email us at info@rollershutterservices.co.uk and we’ll be in touch to discuss your requirements.

What are fire shutters?

All large buildings for public, commercial, or industrial use should have fire prevention measures and a fire escape plan in place to comply with safety laws.

According to the Home Office20% of serious fires in England in 2021–2022 occurred in non-dwellings, and fires causing the most damage to the building happened in agricultural and industrial premises specifically.

Businesses with premises like these, or any building with high volumes of flammable materials or machinery, would benefit from extra fire prevention features such as fire shutters.

But what exactly are fire shutters, and how do they work? Here’s what you should know about these specialist roller shutters.

What do fire shutters do?

You’ve likely seen metal roller shutters used as a security feature over shopfronts and similar premises. Fire shutters are similar, being thicker and tougher steel shutters designed to hold up against a fire much longer than standard metal shutters would.

These shutters are typically used as part of a larger fire prevention system, including smoke detectors, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers throughout the building.

The fire shutters will be installed over an opening that could give fires an opportunity to spread, instead rolling down and cutting off the passage to hold back the flames and smoke. This should form a fire-resistant barrier, limiting the damage to one area.

They’re usually installed in places that have a higher risk of fire, such as storage areas, kitchens, and laboratories. Preventing fires from jumping from one area to another is especially important in large buildings or clusters of smaller buildings that are close together.

Though fire shutters will only restrict a fire for a limited time, they are designed to do so for long enough that the building can be evacuated and firefighters can arrive on the scene to extinguish the flames. This can undoubtedly save lives and reduce property damage.

Most shutters of this type have a fire rating proving that they have been tested to British Standards and will maintain their heat integrity for a minimum of 30 minutes. Some can be designed to withstand fire for an hour or more, while others may also be rated for smoke resistance.

How does a fire shutter work?

Fire shutters operate in much the same way as standard roller shutters, except they are kept out of sight most of the time – rolled up discreetly in a housing box above the opening – and only drop down when triggered by a smoke detector or fire alarm they’re connected to.

The closed fire shutter will seal off the passageway and prevent the spread of flames and smoke for up to half an hour or more, depending on the particular product’s fire rating. This stops the fire from causing more damage, at least temporarily, and can reduce the risk of serious injuries or fatalities.

There are different fire shutter operating systems to choose from, as they can be connected to the main control panel and programmed to either close fully or partially upon receiving certain signals. For example, the shutter could be triggered to drop halfway down by the initial fire alarm, still providing an escape route until a secondary heat or smoke sensor triggers the door to drop the rest of the way when a certain temperature is reached.

All fire shutters must also have fail-safes that allow them to operate even in a power failure or complete blackout. This could be a back-up battery, a manual hand crank, or an automatic release on loss of power that allows the shutter to descend under gravity.

If the shutter is also used as a temporary escape route or fitted over a doorway that could be a means of escape, it must have an anti-drop brake that keeps the shutter at least partially raised until triggered by a heat sensor, preventing it from closing while people may still be trying to evacuate.

Order fire shutters for your business

Fires can happen at any time, and without the proper preventative measures, flames can spread much faster than you might think – causing untold damage to property and potentially injuring people in the area, even causing death in the most serious cases.

Instead of risking such a severe level of danger and destruction, why not invest in the safety of your business, staff, and the public by installing high-quality fire shutters?

Of course, you’ll need an appropriate system for your building needs, which must also comply with Building Regulations for roller shutters in compartment walls and British/European standards for fire resistance tests and classifications.

Here at Roller Shutter Services, we don’t just provide roller shutters in Bolton and the surrounding region. We’re also experts in supplying and fitting our 75mm thick fire rated shutters, which are designed to protect your business for up to 60 minutes.

We don’t just provide roller shutter repairs in Bolton, either – we also offer ongoing maintenance contracts for fire shutters, allowing you to comply with mandatory fire shutter servicing. This way, you’ll have extra reassurance that your systems will work as they should in a real emergency.

To find out more about our fire shutter services or request a quote, call our team on 0800 328 9356, or email us at info@rollershutterservices.co.uk and we’ll be in touch.

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