Most business owners buy shop shutters in a panic, the week following a break-in. They make an inconvenient and poorly informed choice, which often results in the unexpected cost of planning permission. I’m hoping this section provides enough information to alleviate the stress of having to make a sudden decision.
What type of shutter are you buying?
The most important aspect to consider when looking at roller shutters, is the material they are made from. The three broad types differ in protection, and sometimes, planning permission. Steel shutters are impenetrable. From a planning authority’s point of view, shutters obstruct the street scene and should not be used on high-street stores. Perforated and punched shutters are made from slats, which, when closed, protect the store and allow people to see out. Tube and link shutters allow the most restriction.
Security grilles are made from a lattice of horizontal bars and, when opened, are parallel to the door or window. For houses, grilles are used to protect door and window openings, and closed at night. Grilles, when opened, allow the unobstructed passage of people and goods through doorways.
Plans and Permissions can catch you out
changing the appearance of a street means that in most cases of the UK planning permission will be required. Fitting a shutter inside the glass of a shop front will not require planning, although listed buildings and buildings within conservation areas will have different considerations, so it is always best to check. There are a number of local authorities that have guidance notes in relation to shop fronts and displays and if shutters are included in those, it will avoid disagreements. Planning permission is not required if an enforcement notice has been served.
Security of Shutters
LPS 1175 Section 8 is the standard that the insurance industry is most concerned with. From this standard, the shutter will have a rating that will look something like B3. This will indicate that the shutter will withstand a category B tool attack for a period of 3 minutes. A rated shutter will give a rating for a number of years, however, other factors will affect the useful life of the shutter, for example, guide rails that have been fixed to a wall will fail before the shutter will.
It is not always necessary to install a rated shutter. In the case of a shutter to a lock up garage or a stock shutter, an unrated shutter will be adequate and the funds should be spent on the shutter that will give the best security.
Shutter faults
Small problems with shutters are common and will get worse if they’re not dealt with. Motorized shutters will usually make a different type of noise or stop working altogether. Manual shutters will become very heavy and hard to open and closing guides may become jammed with dirt. Listening to the guides and removing obstructions is not difficult, but if a spring becomes too weak, it can break and injure the person attempting to adjust it.
What’s covered
This chapter covers the different types of shutters (perforated, lattice, punched, solid, etc.), shutters (internal, external), and what shutters may mean to an insurance company. The cost and LPS 1175 ratings of shutters and grilles in the UK are included. Noise and other problems with shutters is also covered.
Also covered
This chapter covers security grilles for home use, shutters for homes and London, security shutters, stuck or noisy shutters, shutters for houses, and planning permissions for shop shutters.
When shutters meet the requirements of the insurance company and planning permissions, choose the shutters and grilles.
