Fire Shutters
Fire Shutter Suppliers & Installers
Fire Rated Shutters are an increasingly popular option and offer fire protection at up to 4-hours greater than would be the case for a standard non-fire rated door or shutter.
They can be used to section off and protect a particular part of a building, the whole building, or even provide protection between floors (horizontal fire shutters).
With over 30 years experience of supplying and installing security and fire shutters, we have seen in recent years an increase in fire rated shutters often connected with building regulations and insurance requirements.
Fire Shutters help many businesses to ensure that they protect their goods, buildings and employees from the threat of fire by offering potentially significant delays to the spread of fire.
If you are a business owner and take the security and safety of your business, premises and staff seriously, you may be surprised to know that every year many businesses are forced to close as insurance companies can refuse to meet claims on the grounds that building regulations and Loss Prevention Council requirements have not been met in relation to fire spread.
Fire Shutters from A&A are the perfect way to ensure compliance. Talk to our expert team before you decide and call to arrange a fire shutter survey - 01392 311766
For a free fire shutter survey call us today on 01392 311766
Fire Rated Roller Shutters
All our fire shutters are manufactured and produced in accordance with the parameters and technical respects indicated within the specification, which was submitted to the Warrington Fire Research Establishment. The shutters are constructed to Warrington Fire Research Centre WARRES No 192095, the test is in accordance with of BSEN 1634-1 : 2008.
Self Coiling Operation
All manual fire shutters are designed that they should be left in the open position and close only under fire conditions.
The self coiling manual fire shutter is under sprung so that it closes quickly in the event of a fire.
The self coiling shutters have secondary guide channels to govern a drop bar; this falls under its own weight once the fusible link has been activated.
- Maximum overall shutter size 2850mm wide x 3000mm high
- The barrel is spring assisted and allows the door to be lifted and closed
- This manual fire shutter is designed to be left in the open position and to close under fire conditions.
- Frequent use is not recommended, the shutters are under sprung to enable the door to close quickly under fire conditions.
- Activation of this door is by means of fusible link only, this is a soldered link designed to melt at 68 degrees centigrade, this releases the drop bar and closes the door under its own weight.
- 300mm head plate.
Chain Operation
All manual fire shutters are designed that they should be left in the open and close only under fire conditions.
The chain operated fire shutter is opened and closed through the JM500 manual unit, which incorporates a controlled descent facility.
The unit has the facility to simulate a fire test via a pull and reset cord.
- Maximum opening size 4000mm wide x 4000mm high
- The manual unit incorporates a controlled descent function, on activation the shutters closure speed is controlled through the gears being constantly engaged, the closure speed is approximately 100mm per second.
- Activation is by either a fusible link mechanism, which closes under temperature, or manual solenoid release unit, which is linked into the fire alarm and is released by a signal from the fire alarm.
Electrical Operation
There are three main methods of automatic operation. Firstly, fusible links involving the use of solder wire as connection in the activation circuit. With its relatively low melting point the heat radiated from a nearby fire will cause it to melt and this activates the door.
Secondly, a fire relay means that the fire shutter or door is connected to the fire alarm system. When the alarm is sounded, the fire shutter activates. Finally, there is an audio/visual warning that is used in connection with the fire shutter that is connected to the alarm system. It usually operates with a time delay in conjunction with the fire relay. During this delay an additional alarm is sounded, warning those in close proximity to the door that is about to close, thus allowing them to exit the affected area.
Building regulations require that openings in fire resisting walls or partitions must have a door with an equivalent fire rating to that of the wall or partition. Otherwise the integrity of the wall is undermined.
All electric fire shutters are available in 3 phase, 415volts, 50hz or 1 phase, 240 volts, 50hz.
The shutters are driven by a geared electric motor, which has an integral controlled descent mechanism, emergency hand chain facility and push button starter.
The shutters rate of descent is controlled through the gears being constantly engaged, the closure speed is approximately 100mm per second. The clutch can be reset and the door can be raised and lowered in a normal manner. Each motor incorporates a relay inhibitor to prevent the solenoid 'burning out' if the signal is still coming from the fire alarm.
For information on solenoids and fusible links see modes of activation.
- Maximum opening size 7000mm wide x 7000mm high
- Activation is generally by means of a fusible link, solenoid release or both.
- Units available in 1 phase or 3 phase.
- The motor unit has the facility to simulate a fire test via a pull and reset cord.
Find out more about fire shutters automation
Modes of Activation
Fire Relay
Principally the commonly used means of release, the characteristics mimic the use of the solenoid on the conventional fire shutter, again linked to the fire alarm, the shutter rather than closing manually through the gearbox will of course be powered down.
The unit will require a maintained supply; if this is not possible a separate battery back up unit can be provided. 200mm long x 130mm wide x 70mm deep. A volt free signal is required from the fire alarm.
Fusible Link Release
On activation the link which is a soldered link separates and releases at 68 degrees centigrade, on the manual shutter this will release the drop bar and the shutter will close under its own weight, on the electric shutters the manual brake release is activated and the shutter will close under a controlled manner.
Manual Solenoid Release
All solenoid release mechanisms are designed to be linked into the fire alarm, the signal required from the fire alarm is 24 volt D.C. 0.5amps on activation.
The signal from the fire alarm will trigger the manual brake release and allow the door to close under a controlled descent.
Auto Solenoid Release
Again this is linked to the fire alarm and the ampage requirements are as above, this is the most commonly used activation allowing for frequent testing and re-setting, when the door is returned to the open position (after removal of the fire signal), the solenoid can be automatically reset.
Audio Visual Warning (FDI)
Principally this unit is designed to delay the closing of the fire shutter, generally the fire alarm is linked to the audio visual unit and from the audio visual unit into the solenoid.
On activation from the fire alarm the unit starts to flash & sound, this unit contains a programmable timer which effectively delays the signal to the solenoid to close the door.
Battery Back-up Unit
Principally the tube motor fire shutter requires a maintained supply, if this cannot be achieved then effectively the shutter will require a battery back up unit.
Fundamentally if under fire conditions there is a power failure the shutter must have a means of ensuring closure, the unit provided will give the facility for at least one operation under fire conditions.
The unit must remain plugged into the mains at all times, or alternatively you can wire this into a fused spur.
In effect the shutter should always receive a signal from the fire alarm, under British Standards the fire alarm must have a battery back up, in the unlikely event of a power failure under fire conditions i.e. alarm has been triggered and the door is closing, if there is a power failure at that particular time the battery pack provided will continue to close the door.
When using the shutter under normal conditions, if there is a power failure the unit can be used again for at least one operation to open or close the shutter manually via the key switch, please bear in mind the unit will require a recharging period of up to 8 hours.
- The maximum stand by period for this unit is 4 hours.
- It is recommended that you only use the modified battery back up unit provided by A1 shutters, the use of any other unit would problematic and could nullify the warranty.
- The unit comes complete with a wall mounting bracket, the unit must be mounted at high level next to the motor.
- The physical dimensions of the unit are 280mm long x 170mm high x 90mm high.
- The typical battery lifetime is 3-6 years depending on the number of cycles and operating temperature, replacement batteries can be ordered when required.
