The security product manufacturer, Allegion, is encouraging facilities managers, fire safety managers and maintenance supervisors, as well as others in charge of safety in public sector buildings, to assess their door closing devices, in case an adjustment is necessary.
The firm points to a recent warning from The Department of Health about public sector buildings’ heavy fire doors closing too fast. The warning was prompted by an accident within a hospital when 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 maintained regularly.
The Department of Health has suggested risk assessments be carried out on all fire door closing devices to assess the appropriate closing time, taking into account the occupancy of the building. 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 doors safely, the firm says.
Jo Milne-Rowe, specification manager at Allegion, said: “Thousands of electromagnetically hold-open door closers are fitted every year and never encounter any issues. Still, we can’t stress enough how important it is that closing speeds are regularly checked and adjusted to suitable speeds for building users. For example, a less-abled person may need the door to stay open for a longer time, to allow them to pass through it. At Allegion, we offer the additional function of delayed action that can be incorporated on an electromagnetic hold-open door closer, allowing a delay between the magnet releasing on the activation of the fire alarm and the door actually beginning to close.
“Allegion products are designed to require the lowest possible level of maintenance, but the working life of these products will be significantly reduced should standard maintenance procedures not be carried out, especially where items are subject to high levels of use.
“The safety of people using our products is paramount, and we want to encourage people to maintain them, ensuring the closing speed and delayed action is suited to the situation.”
Besides checking the closing speed of door devices, door hardware needs to be regularly serviced and maintained, the firm adds.
You can try out a door closer for free through Allegion’s Try Me Product Programme, which allows the security provider to set up a door closer to its optimum performance, allowing customers to experience the different performance of the door. The company says it can also show maintenance and facility management teams how to install and adjust closers correctly and efficiently to guarantee safety. Visit www.allegion.com/uk.
