Commercial & Industrial Roller Shutter Doors Best Practice

Guidance for Roller Shutters

Health and Safety Executive Guidance for Roller Shutter Doors

Commercial and industrial roller shutter doors pose a significant threat to health and safety. Below are just a few examples of how over the years of a number of fatalities and serious injuries that have been attributed to roller shutter doors.

  • A worker suffered injuries to the body including broken ribs when the roller shutter door unexpectedly dropped, pinning the driver to the vehicle by the chest.
  • A factory worker was struck on the head knocking him unconscious after a roller shutter door he was standing near closed on to him.
  • A site operative became entangled in the door curtain lifting him a few metres off the ground. As the man tried to free himself he fell causing severe head injuries.
  • A child was killed when after being struck by a roller shutter that dropped without warning.

  • As a result of the continued injuries and fatalities, the Health and Safety Executive have issued best practice guidance on the safe use of vertically operated roller doors.

    In cases where the door is of adequate strength to lift a adult or small child, risk assessments should be carried out by either landlords or tenants. The associated risks should be noted and the necessary precautions taken to ensure safety.

    It is particularly important that the required safety measure should be in place when it is envisaged that children will have access to the roller shutters that are capable of lifting them using an electrically operated motor. BS EN 12453:2001 outlines the potential for hazards and provides the best practice safety recommendations.

    Extruded aluminium security roller shutter with a ligh grey powder coated paint finish.
    Dark green powder coated security window shutter fitted to a school building to secure classrooms from theft and vandalism.

    Risk Assesments

    It is recommended that a risk assessment is carried out to recognize any potential threats posed and then select the most appropriate and effective solution to ensuring that safety remains paramount at all times. This is usually done through a combination safety measures.

    Where roller shutters and roller shutter doors are to be modified in such a manner that it varies significantly from its original design, then the installer engineer will be required to CE mark the work.

    Some examples that constitute “significant alterations” include;

  • Retrofitting automatic operating systems
  • The provision of additional safety features such as photo cells
  • Changes in the operating voltages of the motor

  • Many areas of work are exempt from such additional CE marking and can include some of the following;

  • Repair and replacement of parts on a like for like basis
  • The replacement of the roller shutter curtain of individual door laths.

  • When specifying electrically operated roller doors and roller shutters, it is good practice to consider some of the following;

  • What product will provide the best all round security?
  • Which door is best suited to the intended application?
  • What location will the roller doors be installed?
  • Who will have access to the roller shutters?
  • How often will the roller doors be used?
  • What safety precautions must be in place to ensure the safety of operatives?
  • What safety precautions must be in place to ensure safety of other people in the vicinity of the roller shutter doors?

  • It is also recommended that anyone planning on installing a new roller door carries out a risk assessment to limit the potential for injury to occur.

    Where roller doors are to be installed as a means of securing entry to a building, the risk of injury occurring is at its highest where electrically operated roller shutter doors are easily accessible to the public. Please note the risk is even greater where children may also gain access to the roller doors.

    A means of complying with the Supply of Machinery Regulations 1992 as amended, is to ensure that all new roller doors and roller shutter doors are manufactured in accordance with BS EN 12453 : 2001

    Powder coated extruded aluminium roller shutter used to protect a low level window from criminal activity.
    Security shutters fitted over windows and doors to secure a sports pavilion.

    Where the spread of smoke and fire is part of the requirement of the roller shutters, the fire authority and building control should be consulted to ensure the correct specification of roller door is installed to meet the required standards.

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    Commercial & Industrial Roller Shutter Door Products

    Here at Roller Doors Ltd we have a vast selection of roller shutter doors designed for commercial and industrial applications. Take a look at the products below to find out more or contact us now for help and advice.

  • Bar, Kiosk & Shop Front Shutters
  • SeceuroVision Roller Shutters
  • SeceuroShield 38 Roller Shutter
  • Industrial Roller Shutter Doors
  • To obtain a quote call 0844 804 5577 or email your enquiry to sales@rollerdoors.co.uk