Fire Door Safety Week 2026: A Duty Holder’s Checklist for Industrial Fire Shutters and Lithium-Ion Battery Risks
7 September 2026
Fire Door Safety Week (21–25 September 2026) is an annual campaign led by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) to raise awareness of the critical role fire doors play in protecting lives and property. This year’s campaign continues to highlight an increasingly important issue – the growing fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries and the need to ensure all passive fire protection systems perform exactly as intended in the event of a fire.
While much of the campaign focuses on pedestrian fire doors, industrial and commercial buildings also rely heavily on fire-resistant roller shutters and fire curtains to compartmentalise buildings and prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke.
For duty holders, ensuring these systems remain compliant, operational and properly maintained is not just good practice—it is a legal responsibility.
Industrial fire shutters are designed to automatically close when a fire alarm activates, creating a fire-resistant barrier between compartments. This helps to:
Unlike standard security shutters, fire shutters are life safety systems and must operate correctly every time.
The increasing use of lithium-ion batteries in warehouses, manufacturing facilities and commercial premises has created a new fire safety challenge.
Common workplace sources include:
Lithium-ion battery fires develop rapidly, burn at extremely high temperatures and can reignite after appearing to be extinguished. Research highlighted by the British Woodworking Federation shows growing concern over these fires, making effective compartmentation more important than ever.
Where charging areas are located inside industrial premises, correctly specified and maintained fire shutters can play a vital role in slowing fire spread while allowing occupants time to evacuate and emergency services to respond.
As part of Fire Door Safety Week, HAG recommends every responsible person includes industrial fire shutters within their fire safety inspections.
Confirm Certification
Ensure every fire shutter is correctly certified, appropriately rated for its location and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Test Automatic Operation
Fire shutters should close automatically upon activation of the fire alarm system. Routine testing should verify:
Inspect for Damage
Look for:
Even relatively minor damage can affect fire performance.
Keep the Opening Clear
Never store pallets, machinery or stock beneath a fire shutter.
Obstructions can prevent full closure and compromise compartmentation during an emergency.
Check Smoke and Fire Seals
Where applicable, inspect seals for deterioration, gaps or damage that could allow smoke or flames to bypass the barrier.
Review Maintenance Records
Fire shutters should be inspected and maintained by competent engineers at appropriate intervals in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and relevant British Standards.
Keep maintenance records readily available as evidence of compliance.
Assess Lithium-Ion Charging Areas
If lithium-ion batteries are charged or stored on site:
Whether managing a warehouse, manufacturing plant, distribution centre or commercial building, passive fire protection only works when every component performs as intended.
Fire shutters are often overlooked until an emergency occurs, yet they are one of the most effective methods of containing fire within industrial buildings.
Regular inspection, planned maintenance and timely repairs help ensure they remain ready to protect people, property and business continuity.
At HAG, we install, inspect, maintain and repair industrial fire shutters across the UK. Our experienced engineers help duty holders remain compliant while ensuring critical fire protection systems operate when they’re needed most.
Whether you require planned preventative maintenance, emergency repairs or advice on upgrading existing fire shutters, our team is here to help. 0800 072 3444 or Contact us HERE.
Fire Door Safety Week is the perfect opportunity to review your fire protection strategy. If your industrial fire shutters haven’t been inspected recently, now is the time to act.
HAG offers a wide range of products and services, if you would like further information call 0800 072 3444 now to speak to a member of our team.
