BS 8524:2025 and Active Fire Curtains

BS 8524-1:2025 and BS 8524-2:2025 were published on 21 November 2025. The previous 2013 editions were withdrawn on the same date.

Many active fire curtains currently installed or available within the UK were tested against BS 8524-1:2013 before the revised standard was introduced.

Evidence against BS 8524-1:2013 does not, by itself, demonstrate that a product meets BS 8524-1:2025. A product supported only by evidence against the 2013 edition must not be described as tested, certified or compliant with the 2025 edition.

Withdrawal of the 2013 edition does not automatically mean that an existing fire curtain is unsafe, unlawful or unsuitable. However, its suitability must be assessed against the requirements of the individual project.

As at August 2026, Security Direct has not been provided with evidence that any active fire curtain manufacturer has completed testing against, or holds accredited third-party product certification to, BS 8524-1:2025.

This position may change as manufacturers, testing laboratories and certification bodies complete their work under the revised standard.

Any supplier claiming that a fire curtain meets BS 8524-1:2025 should be asked to provide current documentary evidence identifying:

• the applicable standard and edition;
• the product and configurations covered;
• the test and classification reports;
• the certification body, where certification is claimed;
• the scope of the certificate; and
• the accreditation applicable to the claimed testing or certification.

A fire test report, a manufacturer’s declaration and independent third-party product certification are different forms of evidence and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Security Direct is no longer offering the FC8 fire curtain or other active fire curtains supported only by evidence against BS 8524-1:2013 for new projects.

We have taken this decision because fire curtains are life safety products and we do not believe products supported only by evidence against the withdrawn edition should be offered as meeting the current 2025 standard.

We will review this position when suitable products and supporting evidence against BS 8524-1:2025 become available.

If a BS 8524 fire curtain is included within your specification, fire strategy or Building Control approval, we recommend that you:

1. Make your architect, fire engineer and Building Control aware of the change to BS 8524.
2. Confirm whether the specification expressly requires BS 8524-1:2025.
3. Establish what test, classification and certification evidence is required.
4. Ask the proposed supplier to provide the complete supporting evidence.
5. Obtain written approval for the proposed solution before placing an order.

Security Direct cannot determine whether evidence against BS 8524-1:2013 is acceptable for a particular building. That decision must be made by the suitably qualified professionals responsible for the project and its fire strategy.

Depending on the project requirements, an operable fabric fire curtain tested to other recognised fire-test standards may provide an alternative.

This may include a fire curtain with appropriate evidence to:

• BS EN 1634-1 for fire-resistance performance; and
• BS EN 1634-3 where tested smoke-control performance is required.

BS EN 1634-1 expressly includes operable fabric curtains within its scope. However, testing to BS EN 1634-1 does not demonstrate compliance with BS 8524-1:2025.

BS 8524 addresses additional aspects of an active fire curtain system, including operational reliability, repeated deployment, controls, power failure, ancillary equipment and maintenance. The standards must not therefore be treated as directly interchangeable.

Before accepting a BS EN 1634-tested fire curtain, its supporting evidence should be checked to confirm that it covers:

• the required fire and smoke classifications;
• the proposed opening width and drop;
• the curtain assembly and operating configuration;
• the supporting construction and fixings;
• the motor, controls and power arrangements;
• the fire-alarm interface; and
• any permitted field-of-application limitations.

Where BS 8524 has already been specified, the proposed BS EN 1634-tested alternative must be referred to the project’s architect, fire engineer and Building Control. Written approval should be obtained before an order is placed.

Withdrawal of a British Standard does not automatically make a previously tested product illegal, unsafe or unsuitable.

However, acceptance of a product supported by evidence against a withdrawn standard will depend on the particular project, including:

• the wording of the specification;
• the approved fire strategy;
• the required fire-resistance classification;
• the date and contractual basis of the design;
• the proposed supporting construction;
• the opinion of the project’s fire engineer;
• Building Control requirements; and
• the quality and scope of the available test and assessment evidence.

Where a project expressly requires BS 8524-1:2025, evidence against BS 8524-1:2013 should not be presented as meeting that requirement.

Any proposed use of evidence against the 2013 edition should be disclosed clearly and accepted by the relevant designer, fire engineer or Building Control body before an order is placed.

BS 8524 is a British Standard rather than legislation.

However, compliance may be required by:

• the approved fire strategy;
• the project specification;
• Building Control;
• the architect or fire engineer;
• the client or principal designer;
• an insurer; or
• contractual requirements.

The correct standard and supporting evidence must therefore be established for each project.

Security Direct can provide information about alternative operable fabric fire curtains tested to BS EN 1634-1 and, where required, BS EN 1634-3.

If a BS 8524 active fire curtain has been specified, please send us:

• the project specification;
• the relevant fire-strategy drawings;
• the required fire and smoke classifications;
• the opening dimensions;
• details of the supporting construction; and
• any product-certification requirements.

We can provide the available technical and test evidence for consideration by your architect, fire engineer and Building Control.