ASSA ABLOY UK has launched a certified door closer that provides what the makers call minimum opening forces, while retaining required closing forces, for fire and smoke protection doors. The DC700G-FM is said to be the first door closer for door widths up to 1400mm that combines a free-swing function with Cam-Motion technology, allowing users to operate fire doors with the same low forces as non-fire doors. This replicates the absence of a door closer, but offers closing in the event of a fire.
David Hindle, Head of Door Closer Sales at ASSA ABLOY UK, said: ”Door closers on fire and smoke protection doors can be a complex matter since they must present the user with the lowest possible opening forces, whilst still retaining a high closing force in line with legislation. Both of these requirements are met with the DC700G-FM Free-Motion door closer, which makes a controlled fire door as easy to use as an uncontrolled free-swing door. The Free-Motion function is available from 0 degrees, ensuring low opening forces throughout the doors opening or closing movement, for all user types.”
Suitable the multi-national says for providing barrier free access, the door closer satisfies the British Standard BS8300, helping towards meeting the requirements of Approved Doc M and The Equalities Act 2010 for building owners, users and visitors. The product is also suitable the firm adds for use in in schools, hospitals or residential homes where the young, elderly or infirm may struggle with the forces associated with conventional door controls.
The closer is designed to resume controlled closing operation via a signal from a fire or smoke alarm system, or as an added safety benefit, in the result of power failure, ensuring fire or smoke compartmentalisation is assured at all times in all conditions, the makers claim.
David Hindle, added: “The DC700G-FM is just one of many innovative products within ASSA ABLOY’s class-leading door closer range, showcasing our forward thinking and world-class engineering expertise. We are proud to be the first to bring such a well thought through product to the market place, which epitomises ease of use, with maximum safety for the user.
“There are existing ‘free-swing’ products in the marketplace which use rack and pinion type closers, generally to a fixed power strength (EN4). So in a fire situation, when people panic or are preoccupied with what to do or where to go, they may try to operate a door which has been working as a free swing type, this door will offer resistance beyond BS8300. With the DC700G-FM’s advanced Cam-Motion technology these forces are now reduced as low as possible, aiding the escape of those involved.” Visit http://www.assaabloy.co.uk/Door-closers.
