Fire Curtains uk – Compliance Requirements
Fire curtains uk are an essential addition to the safety features of buildings of any size. They are engineered to contain a fire, hinder its spread and provide time for evacuation and emergency response. They also help to mitigate damage and keep smoke to a minimum, helping with ventilation and channeling it towards fire fighting equipment.
In the UK, there are a number of regulations that must be adhered to when selecting and installing fire curtains and other fire barriers. Depending on the curtain’s intended use, additional requirements might be in place.
Exploring Fire Curtains in the UK: Functionality and Installation
The current standard for fire curtains is BS 8524. This provides direction on the specification and installation of these life-saving safety systems. Under BS 8524 Parts 1 and 2, fire curtains must be third-party certified to gain compliance. Third party certification is achieved through the appointment of an assessing body by the fire curtain manufacturer. This organisation must be UKAS accredited to carry out the paperwork, checks and assurance that comes with a third-party accreditation of this nature.
As well as adhering to the BS 8524 standard, all new fire and smoke curtains must be CE marked. This is because they are classed as ‘machines’ under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC). Having a CE mark shows that your active fire curtain has passed all tests and has met all the requirements to be classed as compliant. You can be confident that you are getting a quality product when you choose an installer with the relevant CE marks.