EN 1634-1 vs UL 10B Fire Shutters: What the Ratings Mean
EI 120 and EI 240 under EN 1634-1 versus a 180-minute UL 10B rating: how CUBIXY's EN and UL steel fire roller shutters differ in rating, slats and specs.
Published By CUBIXY
An EN-rated fire shutter is classified by integrity and thermal insulation over time: the CUBIXY EN Steel Insulated Fire Roller Shutter is specified to EN 1634-1:2014+A1:2018 with EI 120 or EI 240 ratings. A UL-rated fire shutter carries a fire-resistance rating under UL 10B, which for the CUBIXY UL Steel Fire Shutter Door is 180 minutes. Both are steel roller shutters for the fire compartmentation areas of industrial, commercial and public buildings; they differ in the test standard, the rating and the curtain construction.
What the ratings mean
- EN 1634-1 is the European fire-resistance test for door and shutter assemblies. In the European classification, E stands for integrity (keeping flames and hot gases from passing) and I for thermal insulation (limiting the temperature rise on the unexposed side). The number is the time in minutes: EI 120 = 120 minutes, EI 240 = 240 minutes.
- UL 10B is the UL standard for fire tests of door assemblies. The CUBIXY catalogue gives the UL shutter a fire-resistance rating of 180 minutes (3 hours). The catalogue does not state a separate insulation (I) rating for the UL shutter.
The two systems are tested and classified differently, so one rating cannot simply be converted into the other. Specify the rating that your project's fire strategy or the authority having jurisdiction requires, and ask for the certificate copies and test reports that cover your door size and configuration.
EN vs UL fire shutter: side-by-side
| Specification | EN Steel Insulated Fire Roller Shutter | UL Steel Fire Shutter Door |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (per CUBIXY catalogue) | EN 1634-1:2014+A1:2018 | UL 10B |
| Fire rating | EI 120 or EI 240 (≥120 min / 240 min) | 180 min (3 h) |
| Curtain slats | EI 120: GDI 60 or SDI 60; EI 240: GDI 100 or SDI 100; EI 120 slats 0.7 mm, all with fireproof filler | Standard configuration: PPS 100, 1.5 mm |
| Guide rail | Not listed | Standard configuration: 2.0 mm aluminum-zinc coated steel |
| Installation | Inside mount / side mount | Inside mount / side mount |
| Opening / closing speed | 0.1 m/s / 0.1 m/s | 0.1 m/s / 0.1 m/s |
| Safety devices | Thermal release device; smoke & heat detector (optional) | Thermal release device; smoke & heat detector (optional) |
| Control | Push button / fire alarm interlock | Push button / fire alarm interlock |
EN shutter: insulated slats for EI 120 and EI 240
The EN shutter is an insulated design: its curtain slats are steel with a fireproof filler (0.7 mm for the EI 120 slats). The slat profile depends on the rating:
| Rating | Slat options | Construction |
|---|---|---|
| EI 120 | GDI 60, SDI 60 | 0.7 mm + fireproof filler |
| EI 240 | GDI 100, SDI 100 | Fireproof filler |
UL shutter: standard configuration listed in the catalogue
The catalogue lists the UL shutter's standard configuration as a PPS 100 curtain slat 1.5 mm thick running in 2.0 mm aluminum-zinc coated steel guide rails, with a fire-resistance rating of 180 minutes.
What both shutters share
Both CUBIXY fire shutters open and close at 0.1 m/s, can be installed inside the opening or on the side of the wall, and are controlled by push button or by interlock with the building's fire alarm system. The safety devices listed in the catalogue are a thermal release device and smoke & heat detectors (marked optional).
What to include in an enquiry
- The required standard and rating (EN EI 120, EN EI 240 or UL 10B 180 min).
- Opening width and height, and whether the shutter is mounted inside the opening or on the wall face.
- Whether the shutter must be interlocked with the fire alarm, and whether smoke and heat detectors are needed.
- Quantity and project location.
For fire-rated doors rather than shutters, see the Steel & Fire Door. Send your requirements to receive a proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does EI 120 mean on a fire shutter?
- In the European classification, E is integrity and I is thermal insulation, and the number is minutes. An EI 120 shutter maintains integrity and insulation for 120 minutes; CUBIXY's EN Steel Insulated Fire Roller Shutter is offered as EI 120 or EI 240.
- What fire rating does the CUBIXY UL fire shutter have?
- The CUBIXY UL Steel Fire Shutter Door is specified to UL 10B with a fire-resistance rating of 180 minutes (3 hours). Its standard configuration is a PPS 100 slat, 1.5 mm thick, in 2.0 mm aluminum-zinc coated steel guide rails.
- Which slats are used for EI 240?
- For EI 240 it uses GDI 100 or SDI 100 slats; for EI 120 it uses GDI 60 or SDI 60 slats of 0.7 mm. All have a fireproof filler.
- How are CUBIXY fire shutters closed in a fire?
- Both the EN and UL shutters are controlled by push button or by interlock with the fire alarm system, and list a thermal release device and smoke & heat detectors (optional) as safety devices. They open and close at 0.1 m/s.
