Fire Roller Shutters vs Fire Curtains

Fire roller shutters and fire curtains are two of the most effective, high performance passive fire protection measures available on the market right now. 

Both are widely used in commercial and industrial buildings, to keep sites safe against the risks of fire, and keep fire damage to the absolute minimum. 

While they are both similar in their use cases, fire roller shutters and fire curtains have some differences, making them both designed for slightly different use cases. 

To help you find the best match for your property, our experts have outlined the key differences between fire roller shutters and fire curtains, and explained the specific use cases of each. 

What are fire roller shutters?

Fire roller shutters are automatic steel doors. They are made from fire-rated steel slats, which roll downwards from above the door’s opening. 

If they detect a fire, these doors are designed to close automatically, thereby compartmentalising the building and significantly slowing down the spread of fire and smoke. 

Thanks to their secure design, fire roller shutters are a popular investment in buildings where high fire safety and security standards are both top concerns. They also allow property managers to ensure secure compartmentation can be achieved across key areas of the building.

As a result, they are commonly used in:

• Industrial units
• Warehouses and storage areas
• Loading bays 
• Hospitals 
• Schools
• Retail units 

What are fire curtains?

Fire curtains consist of a fire-resistant fabric which – when a fire is detected – deploys from a discreet, concealed headbox. 

Fire curtains are lighter and less bulky than fire shutters, and offer more flexible installation options. However, they don’t add to a property’s physical security standards. 

These properties make fire curtains a great addition to open-plan buildings, such as public and commercial buildings, and buildings where these safety features shouldn’t be too visually obtrusive. 

As a result, they are commonly used in: 

• Offices 
• Reception areas
• Retail spaces
• Cinemas and theatres
• Stairwells, lift lobbies and escape routes 
• Corridors

Which should you choose for your property?

Both fire roller shutters and fire curtains offer a high fire rating, and ensure extremely effective fire protection. 

The main differences – and what you should base your choice on – lie in their levels of physical security, and their aesthetics. 

• If you need a solution that provides both fire protection and physical security, then fire roller shutters are the best investment. 
• If you want to keep your fire safety measures as discreet as possible (e.g. in a public-facing area where you don’t want to distress visitors, or an open-plan area where such an installation may look very obtrusive), fire curtains are a great safe yet visually seamless solution. 

Alternatively, many buildings use both of these fire safety features in conjunction. You can use both fire roller shutters and fire curtains throughout your site, e.g. with shutters installed at the entrance points, and fire curtains positioned in larger rooms or key strategic interior spaces.

Speak to the experts

Access Innovations are trusted, professional suppliers and installers of both fire-rated roller shutters and fire curtains. 

Our fully qualified, specialist team can work with you to determine the specific needs of your site, and develop a bespoke fire safety solution that ensures full compliance with all UK fire safety standards. 

So, to find out more about either of these fire safety solutions, speak to the Access Innovations team today.