Security Grille Regulations

The primary regulatory driver is:

• Building Regulations – Approved Document B (Fire Safety)
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Escape routes must:

• Be available at all material times
• Open easily in the direction of escape (where required)
• Not require a key to exit
• Not be obstructed or locked shut

A grille may create non-compliance if:

• It blocks a designated escape door
• It requires a key to open from the escape side
• It cannot be opened quickly in an emergency
• It reduces escape width below required minimum
• It is locked during occupied hours

If a grille covers a final exit door, it must not prevent safe and immediate escape.

Where a grille protects an escape door:

• It should be open and secured in the open position during trading hours
• It must not require a key to open from the inside when occupied
• It must be integrated into the fire risk assessment
• Emergency release mechanisms may be required
• Fire officers routinely inspect this during audits.

Accessibility is governed by:

• Approved Document M (Access to and Use of Buildings)
• Equality Act 2010

Security grilles must not:

• Prevent accessible entry
• Restrict wheelchair access
• Create trip hazards
• Obstruct compliant door clear widths

Clear Opening Width

Escape and entrance doors must maintain required minimum clear widths.

A grille must not reduce usable width.

Thresholds & Floor Tracks

Tracked grilles must:

• Avoid raised thresholds
• Not create barriers for wheelchair users
• Not create trip hazards

Low profile or recessed tracks are often required.

Operating Force

Manual grilles must not require excessive force to operate, particularly where part of an accessible entrance.

For retail environments:

• Grilles must not obstruct emergency escape routes
• Mall grilles in shopping centres must comply with centre management fire strategy
• Locked-down grilles must be open during occupied hours

In some shopping centres, grilles must integrate with fire alarm systems.

Security grilles are not fire-rated unless specifically tested.

They must not:

• Interfere with fire shutters
• Obstruct smoke ventilation
• Block automatic fire doors
• Compromise compartmentation

Always check interaction with the building’s fire strategy.

For security grilles protecting final exits:

• Internal emergency release may be required
• They must not trap occupants
• They must integrate with panic hardware where applicable

If the door behind is fitted with BS EN 1125 panic hardware, the grille must not negate that function.

In some locations (particularly town centres or conservation areas):

• Planning permission may affect external grilles
• Solid grilles may be restricted
• Open lattice grilles are often preferred

Local authority requirements should be checked.

We frequently see:

• Grilles padlocked across fire exits
• Final exits reduced in width
• No internal emergency override
• Heavy manual grilles installed on accessible entrances
• Floor tracks creating trip hazards
• Escape doors obstructed after refurbishment

These can result in enforcement notices.

• During shop refurbishments
• When changing building use
• After a fire risk assessment
• Before a fire authority inspection
• When upgrading shopfront security

If you are installing or upgrading:

• Shopfront roller grilles
• Internal security grilles
• Counter shutters
• School security grilles

We can advise on:

• Escape compliance
• Accessibility requirements
• Fire strategy integration
• Insurance considerations

Contact us to discuss your project.