Fire Roller Shutters Over Serveries: UK Compliance, Testing Height & Certification Scope

Fire roller shutters are widely used to protect serving hatches between kitchens and occupied spaces in schools, care homes, community centres, and commercial buildings. On paper, the solution appears straightforward: fit a fire-rated shutter over the opening and rely on it to contain fire and hot gases if an incident occurs.

However, recent industry guidance has highlighted a critical compliance issue: a fire shutter tested and certified to close to finished floor level (FFL) may not automatically be certified for installation over a servery hatch where it closes onto a countertop.

The Door & Hardware Federation (dhf) has addressed industry concerns following certification audits, stating that some certification bodies have concluded that their existing certification does not cover shutters that do not close to the floor — such as those used on serveries — unless additional testing and certification has been obtained

For building owners, designers, and installers, this is not a minor technicality. It goes directly to product scope, Declaration of Performance (DoP), CE/UKCA marking, and legal risk.

This guide explains:

• Why shutter height matters in fire testing
• What the dhf guidance says
• Where compliance risk arises
• What evidence you should request
• Practical options if your existing installation is unclear

What Does the dhf Guidance Say?

The document titled “dhf guidance on servery” responds directly to concerns about fire-rated roller shutters installed over serving hatches.

The key statement driving the controversy is:

• Some certification bodies have concluded that their certification does not cover fire shutters which do not close to the floor (e.g. a servery hatch).

The guidance explains that:

• EN 1634-1 fire testing must align with EN 1363-1 general furnace requirements.
• EN 1363-1 does not contain provision for a door that does not close to the floor.
• The relevant extended application standard (EN 15269-10 for steel rolling shutters) does not contain a rule allowing this variation.
• Therefore, unless further testing is undertaken, this configuration may fall outside certification scope.

The implication is clear: a shutter tested to floor level cannot automatically be assumed compliant when installed to close onto a countertop.

Why Testing Height Matters (Engineering Explanation)

This issue is not purely administrative. It is rooted in how fire resistance testing works.

Furnace Pressure Varies with Height

Under EN 1363-1, fire resistance tests are conducted in a furnace where pressure varies vertically. Accredited test reports commonly reference:

• Pressure measurement approximately 500 mm above the base of the specimen

• Control conditions equating to around 20 Pa at the head of the assembly

   

This means:

• The lower part of a doorset may be in a lower-pressure or neutral zone.
• The upper portion experiences more positive pressure.

In a standard “closing to floor” shutter:

• The bottom rail sits at finished floor level.

• The closure line is below or near the neutral plane.

   

In a servery hatch installation:

• The bottom rail closes onto a countertop, typically around 900 mm above floor.
• That closure line sits higher in the furnace pressure profile.
• It may therefore experience greater positive pressure, pushing hot gases through any gaps at the bottom seal line.

From a fire integrity perspective, that change is significant.

The dhf position is that current standards do not include an extended application rule that allows this variation without direct test evidence.

The Certification and Marking Implications

Fire-resisting roller shutters placed on the UK market under designated standards generally require:

• A Declaration of Performance (DoP)
• CE and/or UKCA marking (depending on jurisdiction)
• Supporting fire test evidence
• Classification report
• Certificate of Constancy of Performance
• Factory Production Control under audit

The dhf guidance states that without relevant certification for the specific configuration, a manufacturer cannot legitimately CE/UKCA mark or issue a DoP covering that use.

This creates a potential compliance gap where:

• The brochure lists “servery hatches” as an application.
• The test evidence only supports floor-level closure.
• The EXAP rules do not extend to raised closure lines.
• The certificate does not explicitly include countertop configurations.

If a fire strategy depends on that shutter for compartmentation, this becomes more than paperwork — it becomes a liability exposure.

What Is Happening in the Market?

Industry response indicates a split in approach:

1. Floor-Level (FFL) Certified Shutters

Some manufacturers recommend installation only to finished floor level, aligning strictly with tested configurations and EXAP scope.

2. Servery-Specific Variants

Other manufacturers now offer separate “servery hatch” variants backed by:

• Direct fire test evidence
• Defined dwarf wall configurations
• Specified countertop materials (often non-combustible)
• Explicit scope statements covering elevated bottom rails

This suggests the issue is recognised as technically material rather than theoretical.

Practical Compliance Checklist

If you are specifying, installing, or maintaining a fire shutter over a servery, request the following:

1. Declaration of Performance (DoP)

Confirm it covers the product supplied — not a generic family document.

2. CE/UKCA Marking

Check labelling matches certification documentation.

3. Fire Test Report

Verify:

• Bottom rail configuration
• Closure line condition
• Supporting construction type
• Direction of exposure

4. Classification Report (EN 13501-2)

Confirm achieved rating (E, EW, EI) and scope limitations.

5. Extended Application (EN 15269-10) Documentation

Check whether raised closure lines are explicitly permitted.

6. Installation Instructions

These should define:

• Countertop material
• Height range
• Supporting wall type
• Fixings
• Any required dwarf wall construction

If this documentation cannot demonstrate countertop closure is within scope, you have a risk exposure.

What If Your Existing Servery Shutter Cannot Be Proven?

This situation is common, particularly in older buildings.

Recommended approach:

1. Audit documentation
   Collect DoP, test reports, certificate, installation instructions.
2. Check scope language carefully
   Look for explicit reference to raised sill, servery, or countertop installations.
3. Consult manufacturer in writing
   Request confirmation that your exact configuration falls within certification scope.
4. If unclear or outside scope, consider:
   1. Re-specifying so the shutter closes to floor level in front of the counter (a configuration dhf suggests may create a clearer compliant pathway)
   2. Project Overview - Blogs
   3. Replacing with a servery-specific certified product
   4. Alternative fire-resisting closure systems

Do not ignore the issue. Fire risk assessments increasingly flag missing evidence for serving hatch protection.

Design Considerations for Future Projects

If designing a new servery installation:

• Decide early whether you want a countertop closure or full-height closure.
• If countertop closure is essential, treat it as a separate product category.
• Build supporting construction and countertop materials into the specification.
• Make certification scope a contractual requirement.
• Document acceptance criteria at handover.

From an operational perspective, this avoids incomplete installs, disputes, and later compliance questions — especially where Building Control or insurers request evidence.

Summary

A fire roller shutter over a servery hatch is not automatically equivalent to one tested closing to the floor.

The dhf guidance makes clear that, under current standards, certification bodies may not consider raised bottom-rail configurations within scope unless separately tested and certified

For building owners and duty-holders, the key principle is simple:

Match the installed configuration to the certified configuration — and be able to prove it.

If the evidence chain does not explicitly cover a countertop closure line, you should assume there is a compliance gap until proven otherwise.

If you are specifying or reviewing a fire shutter over a serving hatch and want to confirm compliance:

Contact Security Direct for advice or a quote for a new Servery Fire Shutter. We can assess:

• Opening size
• Countertop height and material
• Supporting construction - Rigid or Flexible
• Trigger method and integration
• Certification scope

And provide clear, practical recommendations to reduce compliance risk.