Specialist security manufacturer, Allegion, is encouraging facilities managers, fire safety managers, maintenance supervisors, and others in charge of safety in public sector buildings, to assess their door-closing devices, in case an adjustment is necessary.
It explained: “A recent Department of Health warning highlighted issues in public sector buildings with heavy fire doors closing too fast – prompted by a tragedy within a hospital where an electromagnetic hold-open door closer was released due to a power failure and closed too quickly, despite being compliant with the British Standard BS EN 1155/4, and having been maintained regularly.
“The DH suggests risk assessments on all fire door closing devices to assess the appropriate closing time, taking into account building occupancy. To avoid such tragedies, adjustments should be made, where appropriate, to lengthen the closing time to the higher end of the tolerance, and allow enough time for occupants to pass through safely.”
Jo Milne-Rowe, Allegion’s specification manager, said: “While thousands of electromagnetically hold-open door closers are fitted annually, and never encounter any issues, it is still vital that that closing speeds are regularly checked and adjusted to suitable speeds for building users. For example, a disabled person may need the door to stay open for a longer time. We offer the additional function of delayed action that can be incorporated on an electromagnetic holdopen door closer, allowing a delay between the magnet releasing on activation of the fire alarm, and the door actually beginning to close.”
