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Fire Shutters
What is a fire resisting rolling shutter?
A traditional single skin fire resisting rolling shutter looks and operates
in a similar way to a standard steel rolling shutter.
The physical differences are that materials used are heavier and there
are more fixings required. Syston Doors can also
provide alternative physical fire shutter products as shown on this website.
Fire Shutter Structural Recommendations
The structure supporting the rolling shutter must be a fire resistant
separating element (to BS476, Part 20, 21, 22, 1987),
having a fire resistance equal or greater than that required of the rolling
shutter itself and must be capable of supporting the
rolling shutter for the required fire resistance period without compromising
the fire performance of the rolling shutter.
Consideration must be given to the loads imposed by the various rolling
shutter components, i.e. end plates and the barrel
support brackets.
Fixing to Masonry Openings
Opening to be constructed from masonry, reinforced concrete or dense
concrete blocks and have a fire resistance equal or greater
to that of the door.
Lightweight and hollow blocks are NOT suitable.
All concrete/masonry elements must be designed in accordance with BS5628:
Part 3:1985 and have a density of >600kg/m³.
Lintels spanning the structural opening should comply with BS8810: Part
1:1997.
Client to ensure that openings are plumb and square and that the structure
will accept rawlbolt type fixings without cracking.
Subject to the fire shutter being fitted to a flat surface, gaps of up
to 6mm are acceptable (for a distance of 150mm), but if, due to
an uneven structural finish, larger gaps are apparent, they must be sealed
with a suitable fire retardant material, e.g. plaster, fire
retardant mastic seal (non-intumescent). Syston Doors do not include
this sealing.
Fixing to Steel Openings
Where fire resisting rolling shutters are fitted to steel the steel must
be insulated and thermal bridging effects considered where
insulation has been breached.
It is recommended that a critical steel temperature of 400°C and steel
sections with an Hp/A below 230m-1 are used for designing
fire resisting steel supporting structures.
Fixing to Timber Partitions
Fire resisting rolling shutters can be fixed to non-loadbearing timber
framed or steel framed partitions up to 2750mm wide x 3250mm high,
(maximum area 10m²), for up to 60 minutes under cover of BRE test certificate
FG 7941 N. The opening must be capable of
carrying the weight of the shutter and be equal or greater than the fire
resistance of the rolling shutter assembly.
It is most important that the Contractor adheres to the opening
construction details, as these are also
covered by the assessment and as such become the CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY.
Fire testing
We do not as standard include for a return journey involving a fire test
after the original installation. We can include this at extra cost.
Maintenance
Please note that it is a requirement under Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005, that fire resisting Rolling Shutters are
tested every six months. Access should therefore be allowed to the mechanism
to enable this to be carried out. Syston
Doors can offer routine testing and maintenance contracts on application.
If no contract is entered into we cannot take any
responsibility for the working condition of the shutters after the guarantee
period.
Fire Shutters over fire exits and escape routes
As required under Appendix B of the Building Regulations Approved Document
B, fire resisting rolling shutters across a means of escape should only
be released by a heat sensor, such as a fusible link or electric heat
detector, in the immediate vicinity of the rolling shutter. Closure
of rolling shutters in such locations should not be initiated by smoke detectors or a fire
alarm system, UNLESS the rolling shutter is also intended
to partially descend to form part of a boundary to a smoke reservoir.
Note
Removable guides, bottom rubber seals, safety edges and wicket gates
cannot be fitted to fire shutters.
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