Roller security shutters are not a set it and forget it sort of product. Like anything with moving parts, they need an attentive approach to keep them working in a healthy manner. Having a roller security shutter system that is looked after properly can result in a lifespan of 15-20 years. Neglect shutter systems and you will be faced with costly repairs, or a full replacements in just 5 years after full break down of the system.
To get started, you need to keep them clean. Neglect the cleaning of roller security shutters and you will get build up of dirt and debris. Dust and dirt build up in the guide rails fairly quick, especially in busy urban, or roadside areas. Every 4 weeks or so, you need to do a vacuum of the guide rails, and wipe them down with a moist cloth.
The slats need attention as well. During rainfall, dirt is washed from the scape, and dirt can settle and stain the slats. Having the slats washed with soapy water is a great practice. You can spot damage early this way too. Avoid rough brushes and cleaners and negative consequences will be avoided. Abrasive cleaners and brushes scratch the protective powder coating and will cause it to break. If this happens, corrosion will be a problem.
Look your slats over every couple of months for any damage. Look for dents, cracks, or missing coatings over metal. Minor damage is easy to repair – it is usually a small gap that a slat can be replaced. When left unaddressed, however, bigger issues arise. It becomes a water trap, rusting, and you’ll need to get entire segments replaced. The bottom metal shutter on your shutter endures the hardest battle. Every time the shutter is closed, it thuds to the ground, and it is the part of the shutter that people can kick – carts and shoppers can clang on the edge by accident. So, ensure that the rubber seal on the bottom bar is intact and doing its job. If it is old or worn, get a new one – it is a small cost to preserve a big part of your shutter.
The motor drives the electric shutters. Almost all modern motors are quite advanced. However, they are also quite touchy, and do not appreciate having to overwork themselves. If the shutter is having difficulty opening, closing, making strange noises, or stopping randomly, do not just keep pressing the button and hoping it will all magically resolve itself. It will not, and you will only continue to ruin the motor working it with no intention. It is out of alignment, dirt is stuck in the tracks, or damaged slats are getting caught on something, they are all common issues.
Other types of shutters also require attention. For manual shutters, it is important to pay attention to the gear mechanism. It should not require an excessive amount of force to initiate movement. If you are having to disrupt, that should prompt an investigation on your part. They should not be frayed or stuck, and you should also ensure that the lock is working. It is not just an inconvenience that a lock does not function correctly, but it also poses a security risk and could prevent you from making insurance claims if something happens.
Lubricating your equipment is vital to keeping in running smoothly, but it is important that you do so in a calculated way. Make sure you use your products where they belong. Silicone spray is effective for moving parts and guide rails. Don’t use any heavy oils or grease, because they trap dirt and worsen your lubrication issues. Lubricating with a light spray on your guide rails every couple months will keep your rails running smoothly. If your equipment has an electric motor you will need to read the instructions on lubrication. Some electric motors are sealed units that should never be opened, but they will also provide other lubrication maintenance points.
At the top of the system, the curtain slats box contains the tube that the slats wind onto. You need to make sure that water does not get into that box. It should come with drainage holes, but they do get blocked. While doing other maintenance, make sure to keep your maintenance schedule from allowing water to sit in your curtain box for too long. Water will sit and cause the curtain box to develop corrosion and other motor problems.
We sell shutters that comply with all applicable parts of EN 13241, which means our shutters have built-in systems such as obstacle detection. Test these every once in a while. Try placing a cardboard box in the path of a shutter as it’s closing. If the shutter stops when it makes contact, the safety system is functional and working. If the shutter moves past the obstacle, service the system immediately. Those features are installed for a reason, and are there just so you can check a box.
The extent of regular maintenance for these systems depends on the volume of traffic these shutters endure. In an office setting, where the shutters are opened and closed twice a day, we recommend a yearly service maintenance schedule. In a residential setting, where the shutters remain closed in the evening, you can get away with a servicing every 2 years, although yearly servicing is best. A service includes a review of all mechanical parts, exercising the safety systems, adding lubricant to the parts that move, and calibrating everything to the applicable standards.
Make sure to keep a detailed maintenance schedule. This is for insurance purposes. If you have a claim and the insurers request proof that your security equipment has been properly maintained, service records demonstrate that you have done your part. For shutters with a Sold Secure rating or LPS 1175 certification, you have to keep the equipment in good working order to maintain those standards.
Pay attention to signs that service is due. These include slower shutter movements while opening & closing, increased operational noise, uneven movements, partial opening or closing, or rust on any metal parts. These all indicate that something is amiss and should be resolved promptly to prevent future aggravation.
One service that is frequently neglected is checking fixings. The brackets which hold the guide rails to the wall, and the bolts which secure the curtain box, can work themselves loose over time, especially on outside walls which experience temperature fluctuations. These should be given a visual check every six months on outside walls. If it looks loose, tighten it up. Loose fixings are a source of unnecessary stress on the components and can lead to failure.
Another service that some people overlook is the battery backup system on electric shutters. If the power fails, you should still be able to use the electric shutter. Switch off the power supply from time to time to check if the backup system is indeed operational. Batteries need to be replaced every three to five years or so, depending on the system, so if you haven’t replaced the battery in a while, it would be a good time to install a new one.
Yes, being simple works in people’s favor. It’s super simple to do to people, but doing stuff works. Most people have to do stuff. For most people, twenty minutes every few months is a simple enough task. So it’s a great deal of value to most people. It’s a super simple task, but accomplishing it saves them a ton of value, saves them a ton of stress, and saves them a ton of money. Plus, as a little bonus, stress and money and value is saved even more by getting to do stuff in a timely and responsible manner. It’s simple. If it looks broken, focus on getting stuff done about it. It’s broken. Simple as that.