How do Fire Safety Shutters Work During a Fire?

Fire safety shutters play a crucial role in contemporary fire protection systems. They are aimed at improving the safety of structures, the people inside them and the protection of vital areas like escape routes.

What is a Fire Shutter​?

A fire safety shutter serves as a safety feature aimed at stopping the spread of fire throughout a structure. Constructed from fire-resistant materials, it is usually placed in openings like doors, windows, or wide corridors to help contain or restrict the flow of fire from one area to another.

While fire shutters are often seen in commercial and industrial environments, they are also important in residential properties where fire safety is a key concern.

How do Fire Shutters Work​?

Typically, fire safety shutters are triggered by smoke detectors or fire alarm systems strategically placed throughout the premises. These detection systems are designed to monitor the environment continuously, ensuring that any signs of smoke or heat are detected quickly. 

Fire shutters have a heat-sensitive trigger that detects high temperatures. When this occurs, the alarm system sends a signal to the fire safety shutters, causing them to activate. When triggered, the fusible link melts or the sensor picks up the heat, leading to the automatic closing of the shutter. This system can also be connected to the building’s fire alarm or sprinkler system.

A fire rated roller shutter is constructed from materials that can withstand heat and flames for a designated time frame. This can typically range from 30 to 120 minutes based on its rating. This feature is essential for containing fires within a specific area, effectively stopping them from spreading to other sections of the building.

Additional Fire Shutter Functions

In addition to their primary function of fire containment, fire safety shutters also serve several other important purposes. By sealing off sections of a building, they help to create safe evacuation routes. This allows people to exit the premises without encountering hazardous conditions. 

These fire resistant roller shutter doors​ can also protect critical infrastructure such as electrical systems and valuable equipment from fire damage. This reduces the overall impact of a fire as it stops it spreading quickly to other sections of the building, ultimately protecting lives and property.

Fire rated roller shutters usually stay closed until the threat has passed or they are reset. Once the fire is put out, certain fire shutters can automatically reset. However, some designs may need to be reset and reopened manually.

Fire Shutter Manufacturers​

At Excel, our fire-rated roller shutter doors are designed to comply with the strictest fire safety regulations. They have been tested for up to four hours and come equipped with a speed-safe gearbox, ensuring a smooth and controlled descent during fire emergencies. With our fire security shutters, you can rest easy knowing that your business premises and employees are protected. 

Excel is a family-owned business that started in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, back in 1988. Over the years, we have built a strong reputation for our expertise in designing, manufacturing, and installing high-quality fire security shutters, window grilles and bars, industrial doors, and domestic shutters. 

For more information, please get in touch with us today.