Collection: Fire Rated Roller Shutters

Fire protection systems for openings are available in several formats depending on whether the requirement is fire resistance, smoke control, or both. The main types include:

Fire Roller Shutters

Fire roller shutters are constructed from steel and are designed to provide fire resistance for a specified period, typically 60, 90, 120, or up to 240 minutes, depending on the tested performance.

They operate similarly to standard roller shutters but are engineered and tested to resist the passage of fire through
a protected opening for a defined period.

Fire shutters are commonly installed over:

• Commercial and industrial door openings
• Service counters
• Loading bays
• Internal compartment walls

Fire shutters can be configured to close automatically when activated by the specified fire control arrangement. This may include a signal from the building’s fire alarm system, an independent heat detector, a fusible link or another approved release mechanism, depending on the tested product and project fire strategy.

Fire rated roller shutters form part of a building's passive fire protection strategy by providing tested fire resistance across protected openings. Their engineered performance delivers critical safety and compliance benefits.

Certified Fire Resistance

Tested to recognised fire resistance standards BS EN 1634-1, fire shutters provide defined periods of tested fire integrity performance according to the selected classification such as 60, 90, 120, or up to 240 minutes, helping maintain compartmentation and slow fire spread.

Automatic Deployment

Depending on the selected system, a fire shutter can be configured to close automatically following an approved activation signal. Its operation during a power failure depends on the motor, release mechanism, battery backup and control arrangement specified for the project.

Supports Open Plan Design

Fire shutters allow modern open plan architectural layouts while still providing compliant fire separation when required. They remain discreetly concealed during normal use.

Maintains Compartmentation

Fire shutters provide a robust physical barrier within compartment walls, preserving fire separation while allowing operational access during normal conditions.

Integration with Fire Systems

Systems can be integrated with fire alarms, building management systems, and emergency override controls, ensuring coordinated operation during an incident.

Regulatory Compliance

Correctly specified and installed fire shutters and can support the building's fire strategy and compliance with applicable fire safety requirements. They should not be treated as automatically compliant independently of the surrounding construction, controls and installation.

Durable and Low Maintenance

Manufactured from heavy duty steel, these systems are designed for long term reliability when properly maintained.

Fire-rated roller shutters are used where an opening within a fire-resisting compartment requires a tested closure while remaining accessible during normal building use.

The suitability of a shutter for a particular location depends on the fire strategy, supporting construction, required classification and operating sequence.

Compartment Walls and Internal Openings

Fire shutters are commonly installed within compartment walls to maintain fire separation while allowing operational access during normal use. Typical locations include:

• Corridors and service areas
• Warehouse access points
• Factory production zones
• Storage rooms

Escape Route Warning: A descending shutter must not obstruct a required escape route unless its location, activation sequence, controls, warnings and means-of-escape arrangements have been specifically designed and approved as part of the building's fire strategy.

Service Counters and Serveries

In commercial kitchens, schools, hospitals, and catering environments, fire shutters protect service hatches and servery openings, helping maintain the required fire compartmentation between between high risk kitchen areas and public spaces.

Shopping Centres and Retail Units

Fire shutters are used in shopping centres to protect shop entrances, escalator openings, and voids, helping to contain fire.

Warehouses and Industrial Facilities

Large fire shutters are installed over loading bays and internal industrial openings to provide the specified fire resisting closure between compartments in high risk environments.

Healthcare and Public Buildings

Hospitals, schools, and government buildings use fire shutters and curtains to support life safety strategies while maintaining open access during normal use.

These applications demonstrate how fire rated roller shutters and curtains form an essential part of modern fire engineering design, balancing operational access with critical life safety protection.

Fire rated roller shutters are life safety systems and must be specified, installed, and maintained in strict accordance with fire regulations and certified test evidence. Compliance is critical, as these systems form part of the building’s passive fire protection strategy.

Fire Testing & Certification

Fire shutters and curtains must be independently tested to recognised fire resistance standards.

Certification typically confirms performance for:

• Integrity (E) – Preventing flame penetration
• Insulation (EI) – Limiting temperature rise (where applicable)
• Defined fire resistance periods (e.g. E60, E90, E120, or E240 minutes)

Fire shutters are tested and classified according to the applicable product evidence.

Depending on the product, this may include:

• Fire resistance testing: BS EN 1634-1
• Classification: BS EN 13501-2
• Extended application: BS EN 15269-10, where applicable
• Product standard/marking: BS EN 16034 and other applicable standards according to the product's Declaration of Performance.

Products must be installed exactly in line with the tested configuration to maintain certification.

Building Regulations Compliance

Fire shutters and curtains must comply with:

• Approved Document B (Fire Safety)
• The building’s fire strategy and fire risk assessment

In England, Approved Document B provides guidance relating to fire safety under the Building Regulations. The correct fire-shutter specification should be determined from the project's fire strategy and applicable regulatory requirements.

Requirements differ across the UK, so project-specific guidance should be followed.

Integration with Fire Alarm Systems

The required activation method must be determined by the building’s fire strategy and the tested product configuration. Where connection to the building’s fire-alarm system is specified, the shutter should deploy in accordance with the approved cause-and-effect sequence. Depending on the selected system, the control arrangement may include:

They must also include:

• Fire-alarm interface or another approved activation device
• Controlled descent where required
  Battery backup or another suitable power-failure arrangement
• Manual override, emergency control or reset facility where specified
• Audible or visual warnings where required by the fire strategy

Machinery and Electrical Safety

Motorised fire shutters and curtains must comply with:

• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations
• Electrical safety standards (e.g. BS 7671)

All powered systems must include appropriate safety devices to prevent injury during normal operation.

Installation and Ongoing Maintenance

Installation must be carried out by competent professionals following the manufacturer’s certified details. Fire shutters and curtains must be:

• Inspected regularly
• Serviced at least annually (or as specified)
• Tested in conjunction with the fire alarm system

Failure to maintain the system can invalidate certification and compromise life safety compliance.

When properly specified, installed, and maintained, fire rated roller shutters and curtains provide compliant, certified protection that supports life safety and property protection objectives.

Fire rated roller shutters must be specified in line with their tested certification, but there are still important design and configuration options available to suit the building layout and fire strategy.

Fire Resistance Rating

Systems can be specified to provide different fire resistance periods, typically:

• 30 minutes (E30)
• 60 minutes (E60
• 90 minutes (E90)
• 120 minutes (E120)
• Up to 240 minutes (depending on product type) (E240)

The required rating will depend on the building’s compartmentation strategy and fire risk assessment.

Made to Measure Sizing

All fire shutters are manufactured to measure, allowing them to protect:

• Doorways and corridors
• Service counters
• Loading bays
• Atriums and open voids
• Escalator openings

Operation and Control Options

The correct control arrangement depends on the shutter, motor system, fire strategy and tested or assessed product configuration.

Depending on the selected system, available arrangements may include:

• Fire-alarm input
• Controlled motorised closure
• Battery backup
• Solenoid release
• Fusible link
• Manual emergency controls
• Audio/visual warning
• Heat detector warning
• Emergency escape button

Reset systems can be manual or motorised depending on site requirements.

Finish and Appearance

Fire roller shutters are usually supplied in galvanised steel but can often be powder coated to suit the surrounding environment (subject to certification limitations).

Integration with Escape and Access Systems

Systems can be configured to interface with:

• Access control systems
• Emergency break glass units
• Alarm override controls

Certification Considerations

Any customisation must remain within the scope of the product’s fire test certification. Changes to fixing methods, guide arrangements, or control systems must comply with the tested specification to maintain fire rating approval.

When correctly specified, fire shutters and curtains can be tailored to meet both functional and aesthetic requirements while maintaining compliance with fire safety standards.

A descending shutter must not obstruct a required escape route unless its position, activation sequence, controls, warnings and means-of-escape arrangements have been specifically designed and approved as part of the building’s fire strategy.

The supporting wall or structure is a critical part of a fire shutter installation. The correct shutter must be selected according to whether the opening is formed within a flexible or rigid supporting construction.

Flexible Structure Fire Shutters

Flexible Structure Fire Shutters are designed for installation into a specific tested timber stud wall construction.

The timber studs, fire-rated boards, insulation, fixings and opening detail form part of the tested fire-shutter system and must follow the applicable product specification.

These shutters should not be assumed to be suitable for every lightweight partition or metal stud wall.

The wall construction must be checked against the relevant fire-test or classification evidence before manufacture.

Rigid Structure Fire Shutters

Rigid Structure Fire Shutters are designed to be secured to suitable masonry, concrete or appropriately fire-protected structural steel.

The supporting construction must be capable of accepting the shutter fixings and remain within the requirements of the relevant tested or assessed fire-shutter configuration.

Where structural steel is used, the supporting steelwork may require an appropriate fire-protection system depending on the specific product and fire rating.

Why does the supporting construction matter?

A fire shutter is tested as part of a complete system. The shutter curtain, guides, fixings, supporting wall or steelwork and landing or cill detail can all affect its fire performance.

Using the wrong shutter for the wall construction, or changing the tested fixing arrangement, may mean the stated fire classification no longer applies.

Not sure which system you need?

Send us the wall construction, opening dimensions and required fire rating and our team can help identify whether a Flexible Structure or Rigid Structure fire shutter is appropriate.

Fire rated roller shutters are life safety systems. Their installation and maintenance must strictly follow the manufacturer’s certified specification and the building’s fire strategy to ensure continued compliance and protection.

Installation Requirements

Installation to the Tested / Approved Configuration

Fire shutters and curtains must be installed exactly as per their tested configuration.

This includes:

• Approved fixing methods and structural supports
• Certified guide rail and headbox arrangements
• Correct curtain configuration and clearances
• Installation into suitable fire-rated substrates

Any deviation from the tested detail can invalidate the fire rating.

Structural and Compartment Integrity

The surrounding wall or structure must provide the required fire resistance. The shutter or curtain is only one element of the fire compartment, the supporting structure must also meet the required rating.

Activation and Control System

The shutter must be installed with the activation and control arrangement specified in the fire strategy and supported by the product documentation. Where a fire-alarm connection is required, it must be correctly interfaced with the building’s fire-alarm panel. Installation and commissioning may include:

• Fire-alarm signal wiring or another approved activation device
• Correctly configured control equipment
• Battery backup or another specified power-failure arrangement
• Controlled descent settings where required
• Manual controls, reset facilities and warnings where specified

Commissioning must confirm that the shutter deploys, stops and resets in accordance with the approved cause-and-effect sequence. Any required power-failure operation must also be tested and recorded.

Electrical Installation

Motorised systems must comply with current electrical regulations and machinery safety requirements. Final electrical connection should be completed by a qualified electrician.

Maintenance Requirements

Regular Inspection

Fire shutters and curtains should be visually inspected to ensure:

• Curtain condition is intact
• Guide rails are secure
• Control panels show no faults
• Power supply and battery backup are functional

Routine Servicing

Fire rated systems typically require at least annual servicing, though higher-use environments may require more frequent inspection. Servicing includes:

• Testing automatic deployment
• Checking descent speed
• Inspecting motor and control systems
• Testing integration with the fire alarm
• Drop Testing and Functional Testing

Periodic operational testing (in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and fire strategy) should confirm correct deployment and reset functionality.

Maintaining Certification

Replacement parts must match the original certified components. Unauthorised repairs or modifications can invalidate the fire rating and compromise compliance.

When professionally installed and properly maintained, fire rated roller shutters and curtains provide dependable, compliant fire protection that supports life safety and regulatory obligations.

The cost of fire rated roller shutters depends on the required fire classification, opening size, motor and control system, and integration with the building’s fire alarm. As certified life safety systems, pricing reflects both product performance and installation requirements.

Fire Rated Roller Shutters (Steel)

• E60 Fire Shutters
  From £2,500 – £3,500 installed
  Suitable for smaller compartment openings and service areas.
• E90–E120 Fire Shutters
  From £3,000 – £5,000 installed
  Commonly specified for commercial units, warehouses, and internal compartment walls.
• E240 Fire Shutters (where available)
  From £4,500 – £7,500+ installed
  Typically used in higher-risk industrial or large commercial environments.

What Affects the Final Price

Final costs will depend on:

• Fire resistance period required (60, 90, 120, 240 minutes)
• Opening width and drop height
• Single or multiple drops
• Integration with fire alarm and BMS systems
• Battery backup and control panel requirements
• Structural fixing and compartment construction
• Access and installation complexity

Getting an Accurate Quote

Because fire rated shutters must align with the building’s fire strategy and certified installation details, a site survey is strongly recommended. This ensures the system is correctly specified, compliant with Building Regulations, and fully integrated with the building’s life safety systems.

To get an accurate price, use our product quote builder or give our team a call.