What are the fire shutter maintenance regulations?
Fire safety in the workplace is one of the most important precautions you can take to keep yourself and employees safe. Installing the right fire shutters is the first step to minimising damage in the case of a fire, but you need to take good care of your fire shutters if you want to reap the benefits. It’s important
5 tips for fire shutter maintenance
1. Regular checks
Whenever you get a spare moment, it’s quick and easy to check over your fire shutters to ensure they’re free from obstructions and still working properly. Look out for any possible faults caused by wear and tear or other damage, and contact a professional immediately with any concerns. A fire can happen at any time, so it’s essential that any problems with your fire safety plan are identified straight away.
As well as checking the fire shutters yourself, schedule maintenance from a qualified engineer on a regular basis. This can be in intervals of 3 months, 6 months or a year, depending on how much of a fire risk your building is.
2. Take care when operating
There are a few different types of fire shutters, and you should be familiar with how to operate your own fire shutter properly. No matter the type of fire shutter, you should always be careful when operating them to protect the quality and longevity of your fire shutter. This includes not allowing the door to slam shut, as this can lead to loose screws and broken mechanisms. Ensure that other employees are cautious not to bang into the shutter or cause any damage to it. If they do, it should be reported instantly so that you can check that the fire shutter is still in good working shape.
3. Repair faults ASAP
A fault in your fire shutter is not a job that you can put off until a later date. If a fault has been identified with your fire shutters, you should contact a professional as soon as possible. Even the smallest problem with your fire shutter could escalate, so you’ll be saving yourself money in the long run to fix it straight away. What’s more, you can never predict when a fire might happen, so just that one day that you leave a faulty fire shutter could be the very time that you need it most.
When you’re getting repairs and checks done for your fire shutters, it’s helpful to keep receipts and documentation. Keeping a record of your fire shutter maintenance history lets you keep on top of what’s already been checked and will avoid mistakes going forward.
4. Keep them clean
As well as keeping your workspace clean and presentable, fire shutters should be kept clean for practical reasons. If too much dirt builds up, it can cause jerky movements when opening and closing the shutters, and could stop them from moving altogether. To prevent this, use a stiff bristled brush to clear ventilation holes and tracks – this is the most important part of the shutter to keep clean. When cleaning the rest, a wet sponge and some mild soap will do.
You should clean your fire shutters about once every 3 weeks to avoid too much buildup in the meantime. You may have to do this more often if your warehouse gets particularly dusty or grimy. If your fire shutters have been painted, make sure you’re also careful that paint doesn’t build up in the parts of your shutters that move. Like with the buildup of dirt, this can impact the fire shutter’s effectiveness.
5. Grease the mechanisms
Friction, rust and dirt will all contribute to poorly functioning fire shutters. To keep them running smoothly, use a lubricant on the moving parts of the shutter. Greasing the mechanisms of your fire shutters will make them work better for longer, so it’s an important tip to remember.
If you want some more expert advice on all things fire shutters, or if you’re keen to explore our range of industrial doors, we have over a decade of experience. Contact a member of our team today to enhance your business’s safety and security.
