Fire door closing

[SeaBass]

I've been told by an architect that he didn't  include any design consideration for the opening forces on the fire doors of the junior school that he was working on because no one told him that the doors would be used by Children.

I know that the closing forces are set out in ADM and BS 8300, and that these contradict each other somewhat, but is there any guidance on the length of time that it should take for a fire door to move under the influence of the closer, from fully open to fully closed?

I dunno, Architects eh!. You can't live with 'em and……..... no that’s it. You can't live with them.   

[jayjay]

There is a difference in the requirement for closer force and closer speed. Dorma used to have a handy little booklet on Door Closers and also produced a large sheet with measurements that was laid on the floor at the specific door to give guidance on the speeds as it is usually in two stages an initial faster closing then a slower more gentle closing onto the rebate.

Not sure  if these are still avialable check the web site

http://www.dorma.com/en/

[deaconj999]

Try,

BS EN 1154 it will tell you all you need to know

7.3.6.3 Closing time
Adjust the door closer regulator(s) to give the minimum closing speed and verify that the closing time from
90 degrees open - to fully closed is not less than 20 s.

However, in  a school wouldn't closing forces be considered and in terms of opening force hold open devices be fitted?

BB 100 will also tell you

Door closing devices should not have an opening moment in excess of the
following values unless the doors are held open on electro-magnetic hold-open
devices:
 
 infants and juniors ≤ [10] years and disabled - (36) Nm
 
 pupils ≥ [10] years - (47) Nm   

[SeaBass]

Thanks to both.

I can’t find the references to the opening moment in BB100, but the figures you have kindly provided GFSM, exceed those set out in ADM and the BS, so I’ll go with the latter.  I have also been told that ADM was revised last year and the figures given in that document now match those in the BS.

I’ve been in touch with Dormer about closing speeds. Thanks for the idea Jayjay.They were very helpful, and while there is a maximum time for closing (25seconds) they are still trying to find guidance on the minimum time and have promised to get back to me.   

As you can imagine in a junior school, as with a care home or similar, the speed with which the doors close can be a real safety issue. As it stands at the moment, if the doors that  I’m looking at where to come into contact with a school boy the effect would be very similar to that which a Pinball machine flipper paddle has on the ball bearing.
Entertaining, but dangerous.