The fast reaction of Dorgard fire door hold-open devices from Fireco prevented a blaze at Uplands Registered Nursing Home at Maisemore in Gloucestershire from spreading and possibly causing loss of life.
The fire occurred in February on the first floor, and shown was the value of the efficiency of listening devices fixed to fire-doors at the ends of an upper corridor leading to five residents' rooms. The fire doors promptly closed when the alarm bell sounded. Because of this automatic response, no one occupying the adjoining bedrooms suffered any harmful effects of smoke inhalation – a hazard which has proved fatal in nursing home fires where fire door retainers have not been installed. Graham Rigby, the owner of Uplands, said: "The Dorgards did a brilliant job in closing the fire doors. The fire brigade attended our emergency call within a few minutes. The corridor concerned was compartmentalised as a fire zone so only five residents' rooms were affected. The fire inspector commended the activation of the Dorgards and, following the inspector's recommendations, we intend to install the products on all our residents' doors, in addition to the corridor firedoors."