As high-rises multiply, fire risk is well known, and fire trucks cannot reach those heights — so fire equipment is a must. The fire rated roller shutter protects life and property. But not every “fire rated” shutter actually resists fire. A real one does, and unlike an ordinary shutter it also stops fire and smoke from spreading because it is built from fire-resistant material. The build and the materials differ too.
When you weigh a fire rated vs ordinary roller shutter decision, the difference shows up in both safety and look. This guide breaks down the fire rated shutter vs normal options so you can choose with eyes open.
Fire Rated Roller Shutter vs Ordinary Roller Shutter: The Material Split
For indoor high-rise partitions, you will use the inorganic-fabric fire rated roller shutter. Steel fire rated shutters generally do not suit those indoor splits. The section below shows what the inorganic-fabric build actually contains.
What the Inorganic-Fabric Shutter Is Made Of
The inorganic-fabric shutter stacks four jobs into its curtain:
- Top layer: a blue flame-retardant fiberglass cloth. It holds from −70°C to 230°C.
- Fire-resistant cotton: sits under the top cloth. A special-process material that barely burns and self-extinguishes once the source is gone.
- Fiber flame-retardant treatment: inorganic and organic polymers compound and interpenetrate, so the retardant sits in the fiber at nano scale. You keep the fiber strength and get low toxicity, low smoke, no melt-drip, and no harm to the environment.
- Refractory felt: made from calcined bauxite, spun and set. Low thermal conductivity and heat capacity, good thermal stability and impact resistance. Its tensile strength is low, but it insulates well, resists fire, and absorbs sound. It stands up to 1100°C–1260°C.
Ordinary Shutter Materials and Where They Fall Short
Ordinary shutters use stainless steel or PVC, hollow or transparent. They look far better than fire rated shutters but fall well short on safety. Which to buy is your call — it comes down to what you actually need.
Fire-Resistance Duration: The Real Divide
Fire rated shutters carry a rated fire-resistance duration; ordinary shutters carry none. Standard durations run 1.5 hours and 2.0 hours. Composite steel models reach 2.5 hours and 3.0 hours.
Older steel shutter grading does not require measuring the unexposed-side temperature rise. Newer rules make the unexposed-side temperature rise the judging condition when the shutter works as a compartment element. So a shutter that meets all judging conditions — including unexposed-side temperature rise — with a duration of 3.0 hours or more is a premium build. Any shutter tested without using unexposed-side temperature rise as the condition is an ordinary build.
Related Articles
- What Is a Fire Rated Roller Shutter?
- Fire Rated Roller Shutter Quality and Where to Install
- How Many Types of Fire Rated Roller Shutters Are There, and Which Is Most Common?
- New Technical Specification Requirements for Fire Rated Roller Shutters (Compiled with Care)
Ready to upgrade your facility? RHIDOOR builds fire rated roller shutters to order — MOQ 1 pc, 15-day lead time — and we provide on-site guidance, not just a product. Reach our team at +86 18938501256, WhatsApp wa.me/8618938501256, or email ruihua@rhidoor.com.