Fire Protection Products for UK Means of Escape

Ensuring safe and compliant means of escape is a cornerstone of fire safety in UK buildings. Fire shutters, curtains, and doors play a pivotal role in this, providing both compartmentation and facilitating evacuation. This guide explores how these systems can be designed to meet UK regulations and standards.
 

🔥 Understanding 'Means of Escape' in UK Fire Safety

A 'means of escape' refers to a continuous, unobstructed path from any point in a building to a place of safety, typically outside. This encompasses corridors, stairways, doors, and other exit routes. The UK's Building Regulations, specifically Approved Document B (ADB), outline the requirements for these escape routes, emphasising:

•    Adequate Widths: Escape routes must be wide enough to accommodate the maximum expected occupancy.
•   Fire Resistance: Elements forming the escape route should resist fire and smoke to prevent spread and ensure safe passage.
•   Clear Signage and Lighting: Escape routes must be clearly marked and illuminated to guide occupants during an evacuation.

ADB Volume 2 provides detailed guidance for non-domestic buildings, including specifications for fire-resisting doors and shutters used in escape routes.

🛡️ Key Fire Protection Products for Escape Routes
 

1. Fire Doors

Fire doors are essential in compartmentalising buildings and protecting escape routes. They must:

•    Achieve Appropriate Fire Ratings: Common ratings include FD30 (30 minutes) and FD60 (60 minutes), indicating the duration they can withstand fire.
•   Be Self-Closing: To ensure they are always closed during a fire, preventing the spread of flames and smoke.
•   Be Fitted with Intumescent Seals: These expand under heat, sealing gaps to prevent smoke ingress.

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, regular checks are mandated to ensure fire doors, especially in multi-occupancy residential buildings, are in good working order .
 

2. Fire Curtains

Fire curtains are flexible barriers that deploy in the event of a fire to compartmentalise spaces and protect escape routes. They are particularly useful in open-plan designs where traditional walls or doors are impractical. Key standards include:

•    BS 8524-1:2013 - Specifies requirements for the performance of active fire curtain barrier assemblies.   
•   BS 8524-2:2013 - Provides guidance on installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
•   BS EN 16034:2014 - Covers the performance characteristics of fire-resisting and/or smoke control doorsets, including fire curtains.

Fire curtains must be integrated with the building's fire detection and alarm systems to ensure timely deployment.

3. Fire Shutters

Fire shutters are similar to fire curtains but are typically constructed from steel and used in areas like service counters or openings in walls. They must:

•    Meet Fire Resistance Standards: Such as BS EN 16034:2014, ensuring they can withstand fire for a specified duration.
•   CE Marked: Indicating compliance with European safety standards.
•   Maintained Regularly: To ensure they function correctly during an emergency.

Proper integration with fire alarm systems is crucial for automatic operation during a fire event.

🏗️ Compliance: Key Considerations

When incorporating fire protection products into building designs, consider the following:

•    Escape Route Widths: Ensure that fire doors and shutters do not impede the required widths for escape routes.
•   Installation and Maintenance: Follow manufacturer guidelines and relevant standards for installation. Regular maintenance is essential for continued compliance and functionality.
•   Integration with Fire Systems: Fire curtains and shutters should be connected to the building's fire detection and alarm systems for automatic activation.
•   Certification and Documentation: Maintain records of product certifications, installation, and maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance during inspections.

✅ Next Steps

Ensuring effective means of escape involves more than just providing exit routes; it requires integrating fire-resistant products like fire rated doors, fire curtains, and fire shutters that comply with UK regulations. By adhering to standards such as BS 8524 and BS EN 16034, and ensuring proper installation and maintenance, building owners and designers can enhance safety and meet legal obligations.

For expert advice and compliant fire protection solutions, Contact Security Direct UK today.