Fire-rated roller shutters come in two types: steel and inorganic-fabric. The inorganic type splits into rolled and lift types; the rolled inorganic-fabric shutter is the common one.
a. Steel fire-rated shutter is made of steel, two steel layers with aluminum silicate in between; that’s the composite steel fire-rated shutter.
b. The inorganic-fabric shutter curtain is a non-metal material treated and sewn; flexible and high tensile. Against the steel shutter (with sprinkler), its premium version beats it on corrosion and moisture resistance and on fire performance. Large malls, offices, and subway stations commonly install it. It resists high heat, has a thin curtain that takes little space, and runs quietly.
Lift fire-rated shutter uses the lift method, made of inorganic fabric. Good for large, long openings, best above 10 m. Curtain weight no more than 5 kg/m², one fifth of steel, lowering the load demand on the building.
Rolled fire-rated shutter uses inorganic fabric in drum form; simple and easy, one of the most used. Best within 10 m openings. Thin non-metal curtain, little space, raises usable space in the same building, and lowers the ceiling-height demand. No water curtain needed; no supply pipes or control gear, less fire water, and a much lower project cost.