News & Events

Secure and Fireproof: Unveiling the Benefits of Fire Resistant Roller Shutters

20th May 2024

Understanding Fire Curtains

Fire curtains, or fire resistant roller shutters, play an integral role in fire protection strategies for various establishments, including village halls, bars, hotels, and clubs, particularly where kitchen serveries are involved.

Function of Fire Curtains

Fire curtains are designed to rapidly descend in the event of a fire, forming a barrier that helps prevent the spread of fire and smoke to other areas of a building. Crafted from fire-resistant materials, such as fibreglass, these curtains not only provide an effective fire containment solution but also aid in smoke control and enhance escape routes for building occupants.

When they are not in use, fire curtains can be concealed within the building's structure, thereby preserving aesthetics while not obstructing views or access. These versatile solutions can be customized to fit different architectural designs and openings, making them an ideal choice for various settings.

Integration with Fire Safety Systems

Beyond their primary function, fire curtains can be integrated with other fire safety systems, such as sprinkler systems and smoke detectors, to create a comprehensive fire protection strategy. Such integration allows for a tailored approach, meeting the specific needs of each building.

The presence of fire curtains may also lead to reduced insurance premiums, as they are seen as an effective fire safety measure that can minimise damage in the event of a fire. Furthermore, compared to traditional fire doors, fire curtains require less maintenance, providing a cost-effective and reliable solution.

To understand more about fire resistant roller shutters, explore our articles on fire rated window shutters, fire rated roller doors, and fire rated security shutters. If you're considering installing fire curtains, our installation guides on and fire rated shutters cost can provide useful insights to help you make an informed decision.

Advantages of Fire Curtains

Fire curtains, offer numerous benefits, including maintenance advantages and insurance implications. In this section, we'll delve into these aspects to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their benefits.

Maintenance Benefits

Fire curtains require less maintenance compared to traditional fire doors, which can be advantageous in terms of cost and reliability. They're designed to compartmentalise spaces and prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke. Rigorously tested and certified, fire curtains are known to withstand intense heat and flames for a specific period of time.

In addition, fire-rated roller shutters provided by Security Direct UK have been independently tested and certified by Exova to meet fire standards of 30mins, 60mins, 120mins, and 240mins, depending on the fire strategy. This rigorous testing ensures their reliability in critical fire scenarios, making them a crucial component of fire protection systems.

Insurance Implications

The presence of fire curtains may lead to reduced insurance premiums as they are seen as an effective fire safety measure that can minimise damage in the event of a fire. In addition, installing fire-rated shutters can demonstrate a commitment to fire safety and offer compliance with building codes, which require their installation in specific applications like fire exits, kitchens, or areas containing flammable materials.

Again, this could potentially lead to reduced insurance premiums, providing a cost-saving advantage for businesses. For more information on fire-rated shutters and their benefits, visit our page on fire rated shutters benefits.

Investing in fire curtains or fire resistant roller shutters can not only enhance the safety and security of your premises but also bring financial advantages in terms of maintenance and insurance costs. For advice on the best fire-rated products for your needs, you can contact us.

Industrial Fire Shutters

When it comes to protecting your village hall, bar, hotel, or club, particularly in areas like large kitchen serveries, industrial fire shutters are a vital consideration. These fire resistant roller shutters are specifically designed to offer superior protection against the spread of fire.

Design and Features

Industrial Fire Shutters are robustly designed to stop the spread of fire from 1-4 hours, and are able to cover larger openings up to 12m wide. What sets these shutters apart is the use of Single (240V) or 3 Phase (415V) Inline Industrial Motors. These shutters are equipped with a Fusible Link that melts at 67 degrees to automatically close the shutter in a fire situation.

In terms of aesthetics, these shutters come standard with a Galvanised finish. However, they can be powder-coated in any BS or RAL colour to match specific colour schemes and blend seamlessly with your existing decor.

These shutters can also be installed in locations with no power, and will still close using the fusible link in a fire situation, ensuring your premises remain protected at all times.

Certification and Testing

The safety and reliability of these shutters are of utmost importance. That's why our industrial fire shutters have been independently tested and certified by Exova to Fire Standards BS476 and BS EN 1634. This ensures that they meet the highest safety standards and offer optimal protection against fire.

In terms of operation, Industrial Fire Shutters are only available electrically operated and can be connected to a fire alarm system for automatic closure when an alarm signal is received. This enhances safety measures and ensures prompt response in the event of a fire.

In addition, the shutters are supplied with a Fusible Link that melts at 67 degrees to close the shutter automatically in case of fire. They also feature a Solenoid Release that allows connection to the fire alarm for enhanced safety measures.

By installing industrial fire shutters, you can provide an extra layer of protection for your premises, whilst complying with safety regulations. Check out our range of fire rated shutters, or contact us for more information.

Integration of Fire Shutters

In order to maximise the protective capabilities of fire resistant roller shutters, they must be properly integrated into the existing fire safety systems of a building. These include connecting the shutters to a fire alarm and ensuring proper fusible link activation.

Connection to Fire Alarm

Fire rated roller shutters are not standalone systems. They are designed to be a part of a comprehensive fire safety strategy, working in tandem with other fire protection measures such as sprinkler systems and smoke detectors.

The Industrial Fire Shutters that we offer are electrically operated and designed to automatically close when a fire alarm signal is received. All our shutters can be connected to a fire alarm via an interface panel, ensuring automatic descent in the event of an alarm signal.

Our Compact Fire Shutter offers an even broader range of control options. It is equipped with a Single Phase Tube Motor and can be fully automated, connected to the Fire Alarm and Battery Backup in case of a power failure. Additional control options include an Audio Visual Panel, Staged Descent, Emergency Release Switches, and Manual Override.

Fusible Link Activation

In addition to connecting to a fire alarm, fire resistant roller shutters also employ a fusible link for activation. This is a critical feature that enhances the safety measures of a building.

The Industrial Fire Shutters we offer are supplied with a Fusible Link that melts at 67 degrees. This triggers the automated closure of the shutter in the event of a fire.

The fusible link is an essential component of the shutter system and must be regularly maintained and checked for functionality. This ensures that the fire resistant roller shutters can perform their vital role in protecting your property and its occupants during a fire incident.

For more information on how to integrate fire resistant roller shutters into your fire safety systems, and guidance on how to maintain them, visit our pages on fire rated shutters benefits and fire rated shutters compliance.

Compact Fire Shutters

Compact fire shutters are a specialised type of fire resistant roller shutters that are designed to provide robust fire protection for smaller openings. They are manufactured and tested to the highest standard, ensuring they can withstand intense heat and flames for a specific period of time.

Ideal Applications

Compact fire shutters are an excellent choice for establishments like village halls, bars, hotels, and clubs, especially when looking to install fire protection over kitchen serveries or reception counters. These shutters are designed to compartmentalise spaces and prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke, thereby ensuring the safety of the property and its occupants. For more information on the different types of fire rated shutters, check out our articles on fire rated window shutters, fire rated roller doors, and fire rated security shutters.

Design and Control Options

Compact fire shutters are constructed from fire-resistant materials like steel and are equipped with advanced fire detection and suppression systems. These systems can quickly detect the presence of fire and automatically activate the shutter, providing an effective barrier against the spread of flames.

The compact fire shutter curtain slat is supplied with a Single skin 76mm (3'') curved steel slat. The wall thickness varies depending on the fire rating and size of the opening.

When it comes to control options, the Compact Fire Shutter comes with a Dual Pole Surface Mounted Keyswitch & Battery Backup for self-closing in case of a power failure. It's only available with a Single Phase Tube Motor and can be fully automated, connected to the Fire Alarm and Battery Backup in case of a power failure. Other control options available include Audio Visual Panel, Staged Descent, Emergency Release Switches, and Manual Override.

Compliance with Regulations

When it comes to fire safety, adhering to the appropriate regulations is not just a matter of good practice, it's a legal requirement. Fire resistant roller shutters are no exception to this rule. There are specific requirements and legislations that these types of shutters need to meet, specifically CE marking requirements and certain government legislations.

CE Marking Requirements

As of November 1, 2019, the new Government Legislation states that it is mandatory for all fire resistant roller shutters to be CE marked. The CE mark indicates that the product complies with all relevant European health, safety, and environmental protection standards. It is now prohibited by law to use products tested to 2008 certification. Fire-rated roller shutters must be certified to the new fire standards BS EN 16034:2014 and CE Marked to BS EN 13241-1:2003, ensuring they are compliant and effective in case of fire emergencies.

Government Legislation

The new Government Legislation introduced on November 1st, 2019, not only mandates the CE marking but also prohibits the use of products tested to old certifications. This means that fire shutters tested to the 2008 certification are no longer legal.

This legislation aims to ensure the highest level of fire safety in commercial establishments. Compliance with these regulations is essential to protect your property and the people within it from fire hazards.

For more information on fire-rated shutters compliance and regulations, visit our page on fire rated shutters compliance and fire rated shutters regulations. If you're considering installing fire-rated shutters, make sure to understand the costs involved by checking out our page on fire rated shutters cost.

Staying compliant with the latest regulations is not just a legal necessity, but it also assures the safety of your premises and the people within. By choosing CE marked and regulation-compliant fire resistant roller shutters, you're investing in a safer future.

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