Fire shutter servicing & drop tests
Drop testing and servicing that keeps fire shutters working as part of your fire precautions.
Fire shutter servicing is the regular drop testing, inspection and maintenance of fire-rated shutters so they close correctly in a fire. Because they are part of a building's fire precautions, the person responsible for fire safety must keep them in efficient working order.
- Install, repair & upgrade
- From £145 + VAT
- UK-wide
Book a visit
Tell us what the shutter is doing. We confirm the price before an engineer visits.
How fire shutter servicing & drop tests works
A drop test checks that the shutter closes fully, at a controlled speed, when the fire signal or release is triggered. The fusible link, alarm interface, governor, curtain, guides and bottom rail are all inspected. Fire safety law in each UK nation requires fire precautions, including fire shutters, to be maintained. Manufacturers and industry guidance typically call for testing at least once a year, and more often for busy or critical shutters.
A shutter that sticks, closes too fast or stops short can leave an opening unprotected in a fire. Each visit is recorded with a certificate-style report for your fire safety log book. Faults found on test are reported straight away with a price for the remedial work.
We can test shutters linked to the fire alarm in coordination with your alarm contractor. Counter-height and kitchen fire shutters need the same testing as large shutters. Regular testing also gives staff a chance to see how the shutter behaves and keep the area clear.
Options we can specify
- Full drop test under fire signal or release
- Closing speed and governor checks
- Fusible link and alarm interface checks
- Curtain, guide and bottom rail inspection
- Written report for your fire log book
- Remedials priced on the day
- Coordination with your alarm contractor
- Counter, hatch and large fire shutters
Typical specification
| Test | Drop test with closing speed and full closure check |
|---|---|
| Checks | Fusible link, alarm interface, governor, curtain, guides, bottom rail |
| Records | Written report for the fire safety log book |
| Frequency | At least yearly in most cases; follow the manufacturer's instructions |
| Law | Part of fire precautions under the fire safety law for your nation |
How much does fire shutter servicing & drop tests cost?
Most fire shutter servicing & drop tests jobs cost £145 to £280 ex VAT (£174 to £336 inc VAT), depending on the fault, the parts needed and access. We confirm a fixed price before starting once the cause is known.
| Option | Ex VAT | Inc VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Remedial repairs found on test | After survey | After survey |
| Additional shutters on the same visit, each | £95 to £180 | £114 to £216 |
| Fire shutter service and drop test, per shutter | £145 to £280 | £174 to £336 |
Guide prices assume normal access and standard parts. Your price is agreed before any parts are fitted.
Work out your own guide price
Enter the width and height, choose the operation and lath type, and the quote tool draws your shutter to scale with a price range.
Rules that apply
What the law and planning system expect, by nation. We check these at survey.
Fire safety law and fire shutters
England
In England fire shutters form part of a building's fire precautions under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must keep them maintained in efficient working order and good repair, which in practice means regular drop testing with written records.
Wales
In Wales the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 also applies. Fire shutters are part of the fire precautions, and the responsible person must keep them maintained in efficient working order, with regular drop testing and records.
Scotland
In Scotland the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require the duty holder to keep fire safety measures, including fire shutters, maintained in efficient working order and good repair.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 require the appropriate person to keep fire precautions, including fire shutters, maintained in efficient working order.
What happens next
Describe the fault
Tell us what the shutter is doing, the make if you know it, and send a photo or video.
Engineer visit
An engineer inspects the shutter, finds the cause and makes it safe.
Fixed repair price
You get the repair price before parts are fitted; simple fixes are often done on the first visit.
Tested and reported
Limits and safety devices are checked, and you get a note of what was done.
Fire shutter servicing & drop tests: common questions
Is fire shutter testing a legal requirement?
Fire shutters are part of a building's fire precautions, and the fire safety law in each UK nation requires those precautions to be maintained in efficient working order. Regular drop testing with records is how that is shown.
How often should fire shutters be drop tested?
Most manufacturers and industry guidance call for at least one test and service a year, with more frequent checks for busy or critical shutters. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and your fire risk assessment.
Will the test set off my fire alarm?
We coordinate with you and your alarm contractor so the shutter can be tested without unwanted alarm calls.
What happens if a shutter fails the test?
We report it straight away, make it safe where possible, and give you a price for the repair so the opening is protected again.
Is the survey free?
Yes, for new shutters, grilles and doors: the survey and written quote are free and there is no obligation to go ahead. Repair and servicing visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we visit.
Are your prices fixed?
Yes. After the survey you get a written price for the agreed specification, confirmed before anything is ordered or any work starts. If you change the specification, or a hidden problem such as a weak lintel is found during fitting, we price it and agree it with you before carrying on.
Related services
Fire shutters
Fire-resisting roller shutters that close automatically on a fire signal to hold back fire.
Shutter servicing & maintenance
Planned servicing that keeps shutters safe, reliable and in line with workplace duties.
Counter & hatch shutters
Compact shutters for serving hatches, bars, kiosks, receptions and canteens.
Roller shutter repairs
Repairs to stuck, noisy, damaged and broken shutters of any make.
Who uses fire shutter servicing & drop tests
Fire shutter servicing & drop tests near you
Choose your county or area for local details and towns we cover.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- County Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Scotland
Ready for a fixed price?
Free survey, made-to-measure shutters and a written quote before any work starts.