In the event of a fire, how can you ensure that your building is sufficiently protected? It is the business owner’s responsibility to make a working environment as safe as possible to protect staff wellbeing, and to avoid the financial cost that comes with repairing a fire-damaged building. A sure-fire way to improve a building’s safety and security is to install a fire-safe industrial door that will prevent the spread of harmful flames and smoke. However, with a
Fire shutters and fire curtains are just two of our fire safety products. We’ll be uncovering the differences between them, as well as highlighting their unique benefits – all to make your decision process that bit easier.
What are fire shutters?
Here at SSS Industrial Doors, we offer two different types of UKCA and CE marked fire shutters: flame armour fire shutters and insulated fire shutters.
With a similar design to that of roller shutters, fire shutters are made of metal, and can be fastened onto a building’s exterior windows or doors. When closed, they help to reduce the impact of a fire, containing it within a specific area for a certain period of time- this will vary depending on the fire rating.
Insulated fire shutters are similar to flame armour fire shutters, but they offer an additional radiation rating (EW) and a fire integrity rating (E). These fire shutters will prevent radiated heat passing through the building, which could cause any flammable materials nearby to combust.
How do fire shutters work?
If a fire occurs in your building, the shutters will be activated once the fire alarm system is triggered. Alternatively, they can be connected to a heat/smoke detector. The fire shutter will then either close shut to contain the fire, or it can open completely to be used as an emergency exit. This will enable all those inside the building to escape quickly and safely.
What are fire curtains?
A fire curtain is a flexible protective barrier that can be hidden away in a small, discrete box until needed. Just like roller shutters, they are constructed with the highest quality, fire-protective materials that prevent the spread of smoke and flames.
How do fire curtains work?
If the alarm system is triggered, the fire curtain will activate – closing either vertically or horizontally to contain smoke and to provide fire protection for up to two hours.
What are the differences between fire shutters and fire curtains?
Operation
Fire shutters are similar to roller shutters in design, but to ensure that their effectiveness isn’t compromised under fire conditions, they come equipped with additional safety features. In the event of fire, a fire alarm system will automatically trigger the shutter’s operation by sending a volt-free signal to the fire shutter control panel. Depending on the control panel’s setting, the shutter will either ‘open’ or ‘close’ respectively to prevent the spread. Upon hearing the alarm, all those inside the building will be able to evacuate quickly and safely.
Fire curtains also activate upon an alarm signal, closing either vertically or horizontally to contain smoke and prevent the spread of fire.
Material
Our fire shutters are constructed using materials of the highest quality stainless steel to guarantee complete durability.
Similarly, our fire curtains are made from reinforced stainless steel wire and are coated with a fire retardant coating for an additional layer of protection.
Aesthetic
We understand that, just as your building’s safety is critical, aesthetics can also influence your decision. If the visual appearance of your building is important to you, our fire curtains are designed to be equal parts discrete and effective. Out of the two, they’re thought to be more aesthetically pleasing – when they’re not in use, they’re able to roll into a smaller, overheadbox. Therefore, their design allows you to keep the premises neat and tidy. Not only this, the guides and hood are available in a range of different colours for an additional cost, all to ensure that the fire curtains blend into their environment seamlessly.
However, for buildings that would benefit more from a fire shutter, these can be designed to match the aesthetic of your premises effortlessly with high-quality powder-coated finishes.
Fire protection
Our fire shutters can provide protection for one hour (E60), two hours (E120), or four hours (E240). Depending on the fire rating level, the number of minutes the shutter is able to provide fire protection for will vary.
A fire curtain’s main focus is to contain smoke and prevent it from travelling through the building, but thanks to their robust stainless steel Kevlar thread, they can withstand fire for up to two hours.
Suitability
If smoke is a major concern in your workplace, a fire curtain is encouraged. Fire curtains might be installed inside retail buildings, entrances to large public buildings, or throughout premises with a higher capacity, where there are highly flammable materials present.
Fire shutters are versatile, but are ideally suited to kitchens (especially in those that have deep-fat fryers), gas storage facilities, and car garages. For businesses in a commercial, industrial, or non-domestic sector, the government advises that areas with extensive catering facilities should be in a separate building. If this isn’t possible, however, fire-protective devices – such as fire shutters – should be installed to keep areas separate.
It’s essential that, as a business owner, you do all you can to optimise workplace fire safety to ensure the safety of those inhabiting the building, alongside protecting the building itself. If you think a fire shutter, or a fire curtain, could be right for your business, contact us today for a first class installation and maintenance service. Alternatively, if you’d like to further explore our extensive range of industrial doors, a member of our team will be able to help.
