Self closing devices for flat doors in sheltered schemes

[JC100]

All,

Does anyone know of a suitable self closing device that can be used on flat doors within sheltered schemes? Residents of these schemes are quite vulnerable in some cases and need walking frames etc t move about. Recently, some residents have been injured as a result of a door self closing and hitting them as they lack the strength to keep the door open while moving through or even opening it full stop.

I'm after a standard rack & pinion door closer rather than a concealed, floor sprung or swing free type device. 

If anyone knows of a tried and tested closer that works in this type of environment i'd be grateful for details.

Thanks

[nearlythere]

All,

Does anyone know of a suitable self closing device that can be used on flat doors within sheltered schemes? Residents of these schemes are quite vulnerable in some cases and need walking frames etc t move about. Recently, some residents have been injured as a result of a door self closing and hitting them as they lack the strength to keep the door open while moving through or even opening it full stop.

I'm after a standard rack & pinion door closer rather than a concealed, floor sprung or swing free type device. 

If anyone knows of a tried and tested closer that works in this type of environment i'd be grateful for details.

Thanks

Would a free swing auto closer be suitable? Freedor?

[Midland Retty]

Free swing would be your best bet.

Bear in mind is that some enforcing authorities prefer "traditional" wired swing free devices linked to the fire alarm system. This is so that the doors close on both fire and fault signals from the fire alarm system.

Some get edgey if battery powered accoustic hold open devices are fitted on doors protecting dead-ends or single staircase conditions for example. 

It is all about risk assesssment of course, but my advice would be to ask your local fire officer and see what type of devices are "preferred" as the brigade may have localised policies on door closing devices, rightly or wrongly! That way you know how the land lies.

[JC100]

Do free swing devices have to be linked into the the Part 1 system covering the communal parts or can they be linked to the Part 6 system in each flat?

If it is the Part 1 system, this will be a non starter as it would mean extending the fire alarm system into the flats which would cause excessive UWFS as there is no staff on site to manage.

[nearlythere]

Do free swing devices have to be linked into the the Part 1 system covering the communal parts or can they be linked to the Part 6 system in each flat?

If it is the Part 1 system, this will be a non starter as it would mean extending the fire alarm system into the flats which would cause excessive UWFS as there is no staff on site to manage.

Does the door not open into the common area? You would need to measure the sound level at the relevant door.

[JC100]

Yes, all flats open on to the communal area.

[nearlythere]

So why a non starter unless you have carried out an audibility test for 65 decibels or higher which failed?

[JC100]

I was under the impression that swing free devices were wired into the alarm system rather than operating on the audibility of the alarm.

I'll look into this.

[JC100]

Thanks for your help.

[Dinnertime Dave]

Dealt with a sheltered housing scheme that fitted Freedor, more info here -

http://www.info4fire.com/sponsoredproductprofile-content/full/freedor-the-world-s-first-wireless-free-swing-door-closer

Didn`t put them on every flat fitted them based on an assessment of need.

Do free swing devices have to be linked into the the Part 1 system covering the communal parts or can they be linked to the Part 6 system in each flat?

The reason for the FR door and self closer is to prevent a fire in the flat comprimising the escape route so it must operate when the flat is on fire.

[Dinnertime Dave]

I was under the impression that swing free devices were wired into the alarm system rather than operating on the audibility of the alarm.

I'll look into this.

they can - but the freedor works on sound.

[Midland Retty]

Im suprised you already haven't got the part 1 system extended into each individual flat. Normally sheltered schemes should be fitted with L2 coverage - any reason you know of why this scheme wasn't fitted with an L2 system?

[JC100]

Some of our sheltered schemes have a heat detector in each flat located in the lobby that is part of the communal system, in others, which is probably most common, is that the Part 6 system in each flat is connected to the warden call system which the alarm can be raised through without raising the alarm through the whole building.

Most of these systems have been designed in the past to provide detection to the occupants but limit UWFS.

[Tom W]

Free swing would be your best bet.

Bear in mind is that some enforcing authorities prefer "traditional" wired swing free devices linked to the fire alarm system. This is so that the doors close on both fire and fault signals from the fire alarm system.

Some get edgey if battery powered accoustic hold open devices are fitted on doors protecting dead-ends or single staircase conditions for example. 

It is all about risk assesssment of course, but my advice would be to ask your local fire officer and see what type of devices are "preferred" as the brigade may have localised policies on door closing devices, rightly or wrongly! That way you know how the land lies.

Freedor is a category B (BS7273-4) product. I would be wary about asking the fire service what they "prefer" as they will of course prefer a cat A product, however BS7273 states one of the reasons to consider when specifying is economy, Cat A devices are more expensive so it comes down to your risk assessment. I would be more inclined to ask your risk assessor what they would prefer as they will have properly assessed the site(s), It is unfair to ask a fire officer to comment on a site he/she has not audited. Freedor is sound adjustable so the products can be tuned in to the site if you are not achieving 65db.

Freedor won the prestigious Mechanical Product of the Year category of 2011’s British Engineering Excellence Awards. It also won won the Best Passive Protection Product award at the 2011 Fire Excellence Awards

**I work for Fireco**

[nearlythere]

Free swing would be your best bet.

Bear in mind is that some enforcing authorities prefer "traditional" wired swing free devices linked to the fire alarm system. This is so that the doors close on both fire and fault signals from the fire alarm system.

Some get edgey if battery powered accoustic hold open devices are fitted on doors protecting dead-ends or single staircase conditions for example. 

It is all about risk assesssment of course, but my advice would be to ask your local fire officer and see what type of devices are "preferred" as the brigade may have localised policies on door closing devices, rightly or wrongly! That way you know how the land lies.

It is unfair to ask a fire officer to comment on a site he/she has not audited.

In NI the Fire Service will not commit to an opinion other than that the installation of such devices should be subject to a FRA.