Hi All,

I have been asked to fit a fire shutter to a bakery door. The only concern I have is that there is no other route of exit should there be a fire. Is it saticfactory that there will be a visual/audio panel and obviously a delay before the shutter begins to operate.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks

Hi,

The simple answer is yes. It will be linked to the fire alarm system.

I hate saying a definite NO to anything without thoroughly assessing and researching the issue. But for the life of me, I cannot understand how a shutter (or fire curtain) across the soul means of escape can ever be acceptable. Then its the escape route from a kitchen? 

Why are they using a shutter rather than a fire door???

Shutters and curtains are often deployed to protect a means of escape and are only acceptable across an escape route if an alternative escape is available. I have seen curtains (not shutters) that are fitted with an emergency release button with battery back up, but again never across a single MOE. I have seen two across escape routes that spring to mind, but both provided an alternative route:

The first was a retail shop with a staircase with a curtain that deploys to protect the stairs to a posh gentleman’s club/hotel above.Those coming down the stairs couldn't escape via the shop as they would wish to, but would need to continue to the basement and out - so an alternative MOE was available.  

The second was a very long shop with a single 4 storey staircase at the back which could not be protected by normal means as shoppers needed to pass through the 40m long shop unit. In this case, a curtain would deploy across the stairs to separate the shop and stairs, whilst directing customers to a torturous escape route along an external service alleyway. Its was far from perfect but the only solution in this landlocked city centre building. 

Have you seen a risk assessment for this job? The premises FRA will certainly need reviewing and in this case, perhaps doing this prior to installation would be wise. 

The only time I have ever seen close to this was a high security premises with security shutters that dropped rapidly in an attack. Even then, there were overrides and numerous alternative escape routes should a shutter be (accidentally) down during a fire evacuation.

I cannot imagine a bakery having the same security needs as the premises I highlighted above.

Ask the occupier how someone would escape if the shutter is down.  Don't let them fob you off saying there are heat detectors in the kitchen and they act slower than smoke detectors. Its true but irrelevant. If you are not satisfied, either walk away or write (email) your concerns to the customer before proceeding.

Please do come back on here and let us know how you got on