Fire safety measures in buildings are crucial for protecting lives and property. These measures help prevent fires from starting, control their spread, and ensure safe evacuation if a fire occurs.
Fire shutters and fire-rated windows are critical elements in fire protection for buildings, helping to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, and providing a safe environment for occupants.
Fire Shutters:
What is a fire shutter?
Fire shutters are fire rated closures made from fire-resistant materials, designed to automatically close off openings such as doors, windows, or passageways when a fire triggers them.
The primary purpose of fire shutters is to contain the spread of fire and smoke within a building, limiting damage and protecting occupants. By closing off specific areas, fire shutters create fire compartments that slow the fire’s progression, allowing more time for evacuation and reducing the risk of fire spreading to other parts of the building.
The two (2) main types of shutters are Residential Fire Shutters and Commercial Shutters.
Residential Fire Shutters:
Application:
Residential fire shutters are designed to be installed within existing window openings, ensuring a seamless and non-intrusive aesthetic that blends effortlessly with the home's design.
Where are they typically used:
Window openings in fire escape stairs
Window openings near refuge balconies
Window openings near tenant evacuation routes
Window openings near neighboring buildings
Fire Resistance Rating:
Residential fire shutters are rated for 45 minutes, surpassing the Ontario Building Code's required 20-minute fire rating for residential retrofit fire rating.
How they work:
Residential shutters are held open by a fusible link that will melt once there is a fire capable of harming occupants or property outside the window.
Installation:
Residential shutters are designed for outdoor installation only. While this offers benefits for the building's occupants, it can present additional challenges for the installers.
Commercial Fire Shutters:
Application:
Commercial fire shutters are designed for larger and more specialized openings, offering a higher fire rating compared to those typically found in residential applications.
Roller Shutters can accommodate any opening:
Patio Doors
Service Counters
Arena / gym doors
Unique Windows
Fire Resistance Rating:
Roller fire shutters have fire ratings ranging from 45 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the specific model.
How they work:
Using the same concept as Residential Shutters, a fusible link is attached to the opening mechanism and once a fire triggers and melts the link, the fire shutter will close.
Installation:
Commercial shutters can be installed both indoors and outdoors, with each option offering its own set of advantages and challenges.
Fire Rated Windows
What is a fire rated window?
Fire-rated windows are another type of fire rated closures made from specially designed materials and special glass that is built to withstand high temperatures and prevent the passage of flames for a specified period. These windows are often integrated into fire-resistant walls or partitions.
The primary purpose of fire-rated windows is to contain fire and smoke within specific sections of a building, slowing the fire's spread and providing occupants with more time to evacuate. They help maintain the integrity of fire-resistant barriers, preserving the safety and structural stability of the building during a fire.
Materials:
These windows are often made with tempered glass that is treated to resist heat and flames. It can typically endure high temperatures for a specific period, such as 60, 90, or 120 minutes, depending on the fire rating required.
Thermal Georgian wire mesh is also a specialized type of glazing in a fire-rated window that incorporates a metal wire mesh embedded within the glass. This type of glass offers both fire resistance and thermal insulation, making it a valuable option for maintaining fire safety in buildings.
How they work:
Fixed fire rated windows act like a simple fire rated assembly while openable fire rated windows require a closure system.
The closure system is most often a fusible link setup similar to the fire shutter's system. A fire alarm triggered closure can also be provided.
Fire Resistance Rating:
Tempered glass typically has a fire rating of up to 90 minutes to 120 minutes, depending on its specific application and thickness.
Thermal Georgian wire glass can offer fire ratings typically ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of wire mesh used, and the overall construction.
Installation:
The installation process can be more invasive, especially if the removal of an existing window is required.
Comparison of Fire Shutters vs. Fire-Rated Windows
Cost:
Residential Fire Shutters: Lowest cost
Residential Fire shutters tend to be more cost-effective for typical window openings due to the nature of installation and materials required.
Commercial Fire Shutters: Middle ground
Roller Fire Shutters being more expensive than residential fire shutters, still end up being mostly less costly than Fire Rated Windows. However, the cost can vary depending on the material, size, and fire rating. Roller fire shutters with advanced systems may increase the price.
Fixed Fire-Rated Windows: Middle ground
Fixed fire-rated windows are generally less expensive than their openable counterparts due to the specialized materials and the complexity of the closure system.
Openable Fire Rated Windows: Highest cost
Openable fire-rated windows are the most expensive options, due to the materials used and the closure systems required to close the window when there is a fire.
Maintenance:
Fire Shutters: Annual maintenance & testing required
Fire shutters, specifically the commercial roller fire shutters require regular maintenance to ensure that the mechanism is functioning properly. This includes checking for smooth operation, testing the fire alarm connection, and ensuring no obstructions.
Fire-Rated Windows: Little maintenance
Fire-rated windows generally require less maintenance compared to shutters, though they should still be inspected periodically for any signs of damage or wear, particularly with the glazing, seals and closing mechanisms if present.
Aesthetics:
Residential Fire Shutters: Seamless, visible metal slats are present
Residential Fire shutters have a virtually seamless installation that blends with your building's design. As they are fire shutters, they do involve visible metal slats, mechanisms, or boxes.
Commercial Fire Shutters: Not ideal for aesthetics
Commercial Fire Shutters do have the presence of 10" box above the opening which can be less than ideal if aesthetics are your goal.
Fire-Rated Windows: Seamless, most natural option
Fire-rated windows are typically more visually appealing as they allow for transparency and natural light. They blend seamlessly with the building’s architecture and are often preferred in spaces where aesthetics and light are important.
To conclude
Both fire shutters and fire-rated windows are essential components in ensuring the safety and protection of a building during a fire emergency. While fire shutters offer robust protection by preventing the spread of flames and smoke, fire-rated windows provide more visibility and a less aesthetically invasive approach while still maintaining the same fire resistance.
The choice between the two ultimately depends on your budget and the requirements of the building.
Visit our website at Ottawa Fire Safety for more information or contact us for assistance with your project. With over 40 years of experience with fire shutters and fire rated windows, we humbly assure you that everything will be properly taken care of.