Clarifying BS 8524-1 in the UK fire curtain industry

A1S Fire & Smoke Curtains has addressed ongoing confusion within the UK fire curtain industry regarding BS 8524-1 compliance following the International Fire Consultants’ (IFC) withdrawal from the standard in June 2023.

According to A1S, some manufacturers and resellers have used this situation to make misleading claims about fire curtain compliance.

The company has collaborated with industry experts to review the situation and provide accurate information on fire curtain standards in the UK.

BS 8524-1 remains the UK’s primary fire curtain standard

BS 8524-1 remains the only UK standard specifically designed for active fire curtains, distinct from BS EN 16034, which covers a broader range of fire barriers, including doors and shutters.

Sweco, an independent building standards consultancy, reviewed the matter and stated: “It is our opinion that fire curtain products with valid third-party certification to BS 8524-1 remain valid beyond the 9 June 2023 date of withdrawal, subject to: no changes in design or manufacturing process, continued ISO 9001 accreditation, and certification validity beyond 2023.”

Sweco’s findings align with guidance from the Association of Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), which confirmed that BS EN 16034 does not regulate fire curtain deployment speeds, initiation devices, or warning mechanisms, all of which BS 8524-1 covers.

BS EN 16034’s role in fire curtain regulation

While BS EN 16034 is recognised in the European market, it does not replace BS 8524-1 for most fire curtain applications in the UK.

The ASFP clarified that BS EN 16034 applies to various fire and smoke barriers but does not include operational testing for fire curtains.

The standard lacks key testing requirements such as cycle durability tests, barrier assembly reliability, and elevated temperature motor operation tests.

A1S states that using BS EN 16034 alone could introduce risks, as it does not evaluate the operational reliability of fire curtains under sustained use.

Industry response to misleading claims

A1S Fire & Smoke Curtains has warned against unverified claims by certain manufacturers regarding compliance with BS 8524-1.

The company advises industry professionals to verify certification documents, ensure they originate from a recognised notified body, and conduct due diligence when specifying fire curtains.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has reviewed the applicable fire curtain standards in the UK, aligning with the ASFP, Sweco, and the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Their guidance confirms that BS 8524-1 certification remains valid beyond June 2023, provided products maintain third-party certification, design consistency, and ISO 9001 accreditation.

UK fire curtain standards: A1S Fire & Smoke Curtains addresses BS 8524-1 compliance – Summary

A1S Fire & Smoke Curtains has addressed industry concerns over BS 8524-1 compliance following the IFC’s withdrawal in June 2023.

The company highlights that BS 8524-1 remains the primary UK standard for fire curtains, as confirmed by industry bodies such as Sweco and ASFP.

BS EN 16034, while applicable in Europe, does not cover operational performance criteria essential for fire curtain reliability in the UK.

The OPSS has clarified that BS 8524-1 certification remains valid under specific conditions, reinforcing its continued relevance.

A1S advises professionals to verify certification claims to ensure compliance with recognised standards.