Rolling shutters offer multiple benefits to business owners, from theft deterrence to protecting against severe weather. However, all shutter installations have to follow the appropriate building codes and regulations. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the most important codes and policies to follow before and after you purchase your commercial shutters.
Check Your Local Planning Department First
The first thing to know is that local building codes are constantly being updated. Before you add shutters or anything else to your building, consult your city and county’s zoning and permitting departments. This simple step can save you time and money down the road.
Important Code Items to Consider
Let’s dive into some of the most common regulations that apply to rolling shutter installation.
Egress Requirements
In an emergency, you want your employees and customers to be able to exit via the shortest path possible. Depending on the size of your building, type of business, and number of people within the building, you may be required to classify one, two, or more exits as designated emergency exits or “required means of egress.”
Rolling shutters cannot block an emergency exit. If the power goes out and an electric rolling shutter is lowered in front of the main entrance of your business, those inside need a way to manually open the shutters or exit through another door.
All of our products at SoCal rolling shutters can be manually raised in case of an emergency, so there’s no need to worry about egress code violations.
Wind Load Standards
In Southern California, we can experience high winds that appear out of thin air. Buildings must be designed to withstand minimum wind loads for their respective area. These regulations factor in conditions such as coastal versus inland location, building height, exposure, and more.
Additions to buildings, including rolling shutters, may need to prove that they also meet these minimum wind load requirements. SoCal Rolling Shutter products are tested to withstand winds up to 188 miles per hour—far higher than any local building requirements.
Fire Ratings
A shutter’s fire rating requirement will differ depending on where it’s installed. Rolling shutters that act as a fire door in buildings like warehouses and workshops will need to be certified to withstand more intense heat.
Depending on your business and location, your shutter may be required to have a 45-minute, 90-minute, or 180-minute fire rating. You can contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to see if your rolling shutter falls under this classification.
ADA Considerations
Rolling shutters still need to comply with accessibility requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Motorized shutters are a great choice because they can be raised or lowered at the flip of a switch or touch of a button. For manual options, there are hand-crank shutters that require very little physical effort and can be operated with one hand.
Protect Your Business and Stay Compliant with SoCal Rolling Shutters
At SoCal Rolling Shutter, we’ve been installing security shutters to full building compliance for over 40 years. Learn more about our simple installation process and how you can protect your business today.