29 May How Does a Roller Shutter Door Work?
When was the last time you checked the condition of your roller shutter doors?
Whether you manage a busy warehouse, a school, or a storage facility, these barriers are essential to your daily operation, yet they’re often overlooked until something goes wrong.
In this guide, we’ll explain how roller shutter doors work, why roller shutter door servicing matters, and how to ensure your industrial or commercial roller shutters stay safe, compliant, and reliable all year round.
How do roller shutter doors work?
Roller shutter doors are a secure solution used across countless industries, in settings ranging from warehouses and factories to garages, schools, and storage facilities. But how do they work?
Made from horizontal slats (typically steel or aluminium) interlocked to form a sturdy curtain, roller shutters open vertically and roll up neatly into a coil above the opening. This design makes them ideal for areas with limited space.
Roller shutters can be either manually or electrically operated. Electric models are powered by a motor and can be controlled via wall-mounted switches or remote systems, adding convenience and improved security.
Key components of roller shutter doors include:
- Curtain/Slats – the rolling body of the door.
- Side guides/Tracks – keep the shutter aligned during operation.
- Barrel assembly – houses the shaft and mechanism that allows the shutter to roll.
- Motor/Gearing – used in electric shutters for smooth opening and closing.
- Safety brake – mandatory on powered doors to prevent uncontrolled descent.
- Bottom rail – reinforces the structure and helps seal the doorway.
- Control panel – for operating electric models and connecting safety features.
Modern industrial doors often include additional safety features like sensors, emergency stop mechanisms, and edge protection to meet health and safety regulations.
Why servicing roller shutter doors is essential
While it might seem like a fairly minor aspect of your business, roller shutter door maintenance is essential to keeping your operation running smoothly. Regular serving ensures:
- Compliance with workplace safety regulations, including PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998).
- Fewer breakdowns and reduced downtime, preventing disruptions to business.
- Extended lifespan
- Continued validity of insurance policies that require evidence of proper upkeep.
Under PUWER, powered doors like roller shutters must be:
- Maintained in a safe condition.
- Inspected regularly.
- Operated by trained individuals.
Put simply, roller shutter door servicing should never be taken lightly. Your roller shutter doors protect your premises and staff and impact your compliance and finances.
How to service a roller shutter door
So, how do you service a roller shutter door? While some maintenance tasks can be done through a simple inspection, full servicing should always be carried out by qualified professionals. Here’s what a typical service includes:
- Visual inspection – Check for wear and tear, rust, misalignment, dents, or damage.
- Operational check – Open and close the shutter to ensure smooth, consistent movement. Listen for scraping or hesitation.
- Lubrication – Apply grease or oil to moving parts, tracks, and bearings.
- Electrical components – Test the motor, control panel, switches, and backup power (if fitted).
- Safety features – Test the safety brake, edge sensors, and emergency stop systems.
- Fasteners and fixings – Tighten any loose brackets, bolts, or guide rails.
- Cleaning – Clear dirt and debris from tracks and housing units.
- Reporting – Document the inspection with a maintenance log for compliance and insurance records.
All industrial roller shutters, especially fire-rated and high-security roller shutter doors, require this level of attention to ensure they are in the best condition.
How often should a roller shutter door be serviced?
A common question we get is how often should roller shutter doors be serviced? The answer depends on how frequently they’re used:
- High-traffic doors (e.g. in busy warehouses or loading bays): Every 3–6 months.
- Low-traffic doors (e.g. in small units or backup access points): At least once a year.
At RDS, we offer tailored planned maintenance services to suit the needs of your premises, ensuring your roller shutters remain compliant and in the best condition year-round.
What to do in an emergency?
Even with regular maintenance, unexpected issues, such as stuck doors, motor failure, or accidental impact damage, can occur. When that happens, RDS is here to help.
Our 24/7 emergency call-out service offers:
- Nationwide coverage
- Rapid response times
- Expert engineers with access to key parts and components
Whether you’re dealing with commercial roller shutter doors in a retail unit or industrial doors in a factory, we’re on hand to get you back on track.
Why choose RDS for roller shutter installation and servicing?
With over 25 years of experience, RDS is a trusted provider of roller shutter door installation, servicing, and emergency repairs. Our CHAS-accredited engineers work with high-quality materials to deliver:
- Fast turnaround times
- Nationwide support, 24/7
- Reliable servicing and repairs
- Custom installations to suit any site
From fire-rated roller shutter doors to insulated and high-security roller shutters, we supply, install, and maintain a full range of solutions trusted by public sector bodies and major commercial brands.
For more information on professional roller shutter door installation or a tailored servicing plan that keeps your doors safe, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.