Fire safety is an important consideration when designing or renovating commercial buildings, warehouses or car parks. In such situations, fire-resistant overhead doors are often the first solution that comes to mind. And rightly so: these doors combine accessibility with fire compartmentalisation. However, they are not always the most efficient or cost-effective solution. In this article, we introduce an alternative that combines aesthetics, functionality and safety: the Compact door in combination with a fire screen.
The limitations of traditional fire-resistant overhead doors
Fire-resistant overhead doors serve daily operations but, in the event of a fire, they must seal off an area to stop flames and smoke from spreading. These doors generally offer fire resistance of EI60 (equivalent to 60 minutes fire resistance according to UK standards) to EI90 (equivalent to 90 minutes fire resistance according to UK standards), which is sufficient for many applications, but not for every situation. Sectional doors take up a lot of space on the ceiling or roof – a disadvantage in the case of technical installations, sprinklers or limited height.
Another disadvantage is that fire-resistant overhead doors are expensive. If you need specific features such as custom appearances, windows, or wicket doors, your options quickly become limited. In addition, these doors often have a shorter lifespan when used intensively on a daily basis due to their weight and limited ease of use.
Compact door + fire screen: a powerful combination
An innovative and increasingly popular solution is to combine a Compact door with a fire-resistant roller shutter. In this configuration, the fire shutter is installed on the inside of the building and the Compact door on the other side of the wall – this can be either inside or outside. This creates an aesthetic and practical industrial door for everyday use, while ensuring fire compartmentalisation.
In the event of a fire, the screen closes automatically. The Compact door is not connected to the fire alarm and remains in the position it is in. There are fire screens certified up to EI120 in accordance with EN 1634-1 (equivalent to 120 minutes fire resistance according to UK standards) – a significantly higher level of protection than many overhead doors offer.
Why choose this solution instead of fire-resistant overhead doors?
- Higher fire resistance: Up to 120 minutes of protection (EI120), compared to a maximum of EI90 for many standard doors.
- Ease of use and versatility: The Compact door is quiet, low-maintenance and can be fitted with windows, a wicket door or any RAL colour you desire.
- Space-saving: No rails or ceiling systems required.
- Cost-effective: Often more economical than a fully fire-resistant overhead door.
- Unique solution from a single supplier Rolflex is the only supplier to offer this combination as a complete, integrated solution – no separate components, but a single proposal and a single point of contact.
Case: De Melkhal in Enschede
A good practical example is the De Melkhal project, where a supermarket is located in an industrial hall. Here, fire screens were chosen for the hall and Compact doors for the inside of the shop. This keeps the shop space tidy, without rails or disruptive elements, and fire-safe.
In conclusion
Are you an architect or building owner looking for a solution for fire compartmentalisation that can also be used on a daily basis? Then a Compact folding door with fire screen is an attractive alternative to the traditional fire-resistant overhead door. You benefit from greater flexibility, lower costs, higher fire resistance and a more attractive end result.
🔎 Curious to find out whether this solution is suitable for your project? Contact Rolflex for tailored advice.