The simple answer is yes, Roller Shutters and Fire Roller Shutters do need servicing! As with anything mechanical, the better you maintain it, the fewer breakdowns and resulting disruptions you'll have. Because regular servicing not only ensures the shutter's continuous smooth and safe running, you'll extend its operational life as well.
But even more importantly, it's a legal requirement.
Health and Safety laws mean your Roller Shutter doors and their components must be professionally inspected and serviced at least every 12 months. And each service signed off and certified by the engineers carrying out the work.
These regulations are even more stringent for Fire Roller Shutters and Fire Curtains.
Because of the vital fire protection role Fire Roller Shutters (and Fire Curtains) play, servicing must be undertaken every six months. And, as with standard roller shutters, a record of the service is issued. All this ensures you're fully compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
For both Roller Shutters and Fire Roller Shutters, regular maintenance will also mean you'll meet other legal obligations such as the current Health and Safety Act 1974 Regulation 18. This stipulates that all equipment should be:
• Suitable for its intended use
• Safe to use
• In good repair, and
• Subject to regular inspection and maintenance by a qualified person and records kept These measures ensure that equipment and facilities remain reliable, efficient, and compliant with relevant safety standards. It is essential to evaluate all components for hazards and functionality, particularly in critical systems. For instance, understanding what are life safety systems is crucial, as they encompass fire alarms, emergency lighting, and sprinkler systems, all of which play a vital role in protecting lives during emergencies. Regular assessments further guarantee that these systems perform as designed when needed most.
Fire Roller Shutters are there to contain the spread of any fire and to create safe evacuation routes for those inside a building. So the potential consequences of a Fire Shutter failing due to lack of maintenance are immense. At best, damage to your premises. At worst, injury or even death.
And in the event of injury or death due to a faulty Fire Roller Shutter (applies to standard Roller Shutters, too), you may well find yourself open to prosecution. This could mean a substantial fine or even imprisonment. And quite possibly both.
Other potential consequences include invalidating any warranties that came with your shutters. And, perhaps more significantly, any insurance cover too.
So, as you can see, skimping on regular servicing and maintenance simply isn't worth it. But what does servicing actually involve?
You'll be pleased to know that neither require a great deal of maintenance. Especially when you use a reputable company to install them in the first place.
Because standard Roller Shutters are intended to be used on a regular basis, wear and tear is obviously more likely to occur. And so will be picked up during a service more often as a result. However, this may mean nothing more than perhaps replacing a worn bolt or cleaning or lubricating part of the shutter's mechanism.
But you should also be doing your own regular checks in between services to spot any problems.
Whether for a Roller Shutter or Fire Roller Shutter, professional servicing involves the same extensive range of inspections, checks and tests being carried out. They include...
Although your Fire Roller Shutters will also require one additional set of tests.
Because Fire Roller Shutters are connected to a Fire Alarm System – which can include heat and/or smoke detectors – this system must also be included as part of the regular service every six months. Testing is done by manually triggering the Fire Alarm System. Once activated, the service engineer can then check that each Fire Roller Shutter operates as it should.
This same test should also be carried out by your company's 'responsible person' on a regular basis in between scheduled servicing. Forming part of your Fire Safety Risk Assessment, this should be undertaken at the same time you test and check the other fire safety equipment and procedures you have in place for your business.
Regular servicing and maintenance of your Roller Shutters and Fire Roller Shutters is vitally important. But with everything else going on, it's something easily forgotten.
That's why, here at Blake Fire & Security, we offer all our customers an ongoing servicing and maintenance contract following the installation of their Roller Shutters.
And yes, for that extra peace of mind, we offer to take over any existing Roller Shutters, Fire Roller Shutters, and Fire Curtains you have fitted.
You don't have to take up the offer, but it ensures that not only will your shutters run safe and smoothly, they will fully comply with all legal requirements. Best of all, you don't have to remember when each service date is due!
All our service engineers are fully trained and qualified. We also have DHF accreditation. Meaning you can be sure the safety and interests of your business will always come first.
If you're based in Essex, London and the South East, we can help.
Click the Get Your Quote button below and one of our experts will get back to you ASAP.
