Why fire shutters fail
Fire shutters spend most of their life open, so problems often go unnoticed: obstructions under the curtain, damaged guides, seized governors, failed release units, disconnected alarm links or batteries in fail-safe motors that no longer hold a charge.
What a drop test checks
The release mechanism, the closing speed and governor, that the curtain closes fully in its guides with nothing in the way, and the release itself, whether a fusible link, heat detector or fire alarm interface. The shutter is then reset and the result recorded with photos.
The test is coordinated with the building's management and, where the shutter is linked to the alarm, with the alarm contractor, so nobody is surprised by a shutter coming down.
Who is responsible
- In England and Wales, the responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- In Scotland, the duty holder under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
- In Northern Ireland, the appropriate person under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Records and repairs
Keep the service report with your fire safety records so you can show the shutter has been maintained. If a defect is found, it should be repaired promptly and your fire risk assessment reviewed in the meantime, because a fire shutter that will not close leaves a gap in the compartment.
How often
At least once a year is the usual minimum. Busy sites, shutters that are often triggered by false alarms, or insurers' requirements can mean more frequent checks. Between services, add a quick visual check that nothing is stored under or in the line of the curtain to your routine fire safety walk-round.
Sources
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
- Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; check with the relevant authority for your property.