Doors in flats fitted with self closer cannot open easily.

[Tom Sutton]

A question that I am getting more and more is the opening of doors in flats fitted with self closer. It appears extremely difficult for the older in-firmed  person and the options appear to be, reduce the door closing momentum to minimum, which maybe still to much or Free Swing Door Closer, but you need a fire alarm. Is there any other solutions.
 

[nearlythere]

In relation to fire safety are we not giving enough consideration to the fact that people are living longer and with that comes more people with less mobility?

Self closing doors in institutions for the elderly have always been an issue which has been reasonably addressed but, in the private dwelling environment, not as much if at all.

Some advocate that stay put is the answer but only as far as people are happy to remain in their flats whilst a fire is burning below or next door to them.

Evacuation strategies in care homes must not factor in the arrival and assistance of the fire service for obvious reasons so why would they be for a block of flats? But the chances are that, regardless of what is going on elsewhere, there would most likely a FS attendance within the half hour in most cases.

Perhaps free swing with localised detection is one way forward but that could create a problem for those in the flat of origin.

[William 29]

Cam action self closers could be the answer.

The general feeling seems to be an acknowledgement that there is a conflict between complying with the recommendations of both Approved Document Part B for fire doors and Approved Document Part M for access.

If the doors in question are to be designated fire rated doors, then under ADB they require a door closer CE marked and conforming to all the requirements of BS EN 1154.
However as these are external doors it is unlikely that these doors if fitted with a self closer will be easy to open by many people – see ADM extract below.

ADM states that "a non-powered manually operated entrance door, fitted with a self-closing device capable of closing the door against wind forces and the resistance of draught seals, is unlikely to be openable by many people"

For external doors, ADM recommends that a powered door operator,[ in this instance using press button pad release to activate] is the most satisfactory solution but this is going to be impractical from a cost perspective as we would be talking close to £1,000.00 per door.

 

In situations where there is a conflict between security, access and safety, safety must always take priority and subject to a fire risk assessment on the particular buildings, a self closer should probably be installed.

According to Building Regulations Approved Document B, the definition of a self-closing device is a device capable of closing the door from any angle over any latch fitted. This self closing device also should carry the appropriate fire test evidence. The Construction Products Regulation states that where a product meets the criteria of a European Harmonised Standard, it must be CE marked. According to the only standard for self closing devices, EN1154 the minimum power size to be CE marked is EN3  

A self closer with an adjustable power valve from en 3 upwards should be considered and this would therefore exclude all ‘perko/chain type’ closers. Those offering the easiest opening action and which are capable of meeting the opening force requirements of DDA/ADM are cam action type. However these can be more expensive than a normal self closer so if it applies to several doors it could be a cost issue.

[Tom Sutton]

Thanks William never heard of cam action door closer but it seems to be an answer. Price is high, but perko powermatic is as well, however  for one off's it may be considered acceptable.

http://www.doorstuff.co.uk/doorclosers/geze-ts3000b-slimcam-guide-rail-door-closer.php