Can Freedor or similar devices be used for flat entrance doors

[Suttonfire]

Hi,

I have a client who has some elderly occupants In a general needs block of flats, who have removed overhead self closers fitted to doors as they claim not to be able to open the doors properly with them fitted.

Have any of you come across an alternative closer which may be usable in this situation, i.e. a Freedor device or similar linked wirelessly to a smoke alarm within the flat? thanks

[Tom Sutton]

Have you consider cam action door closer much cheaper option. Check out http://cisa.com/EN/products/DoorClosers/Pages/CamActionDoorClosers.aspx and http://productsearch.bdonline.co.uk/Which%20Door%20Control-file022424.pdf

[kurnal]

Am I right in suggesting there appear to be two approaches possible, one being a self closing device with reduced closing force (30 N rather than 80N) but which is operational all the time, or the swing free self closer that must be used in conjunction with smoke detectors on each side of the door in accordance with BS 7273-4.  The latter option is the most expensive but is liklet to prove the most reliable and effective.  I have visited very many high rise blocks in which 80N closers cannot compete with wind pressures so the 30N versions would not stand a chance.

[Suttonfire]

But then you would be putting a smoke alarm in the common areas, which goes against the stay put policy to which the building has been designed to adopt?

[kurnal]

The smoke detectors need only operate the self closing device. It need not give an audible warning.

[wee brian]

The smoke detectors need only operate the self closing device. It need not give an audible warning.

I agree, no different from the detectors for AOVs etc.

[Tom Sutton]

I fully agree with what Kurnal has said but if the premises in question is not subject to high wind pressure then cam action self closer could still be a consideration.

[Tom W]

The smoke detectors need only operate the self closing device. It need not give an audible warning.

Obviously Freedor is acoustically activated so it needs an audible signal to take it out of Freeswing mode. Also there is no "Must" about putting smoke detectors either side of the door. Carry out a risk assessment.

[kurnal]

Hi Piglet. I wondered if you have any suggestions on the matters that should be considered in a risk assessment in such circumstances?

[Tom W]

With the limited detail it's just a case of the standard routine K. There is obviously the very good flats guide, what fire resistance are the doors, how many stairwells are there, is there any combustibles in the stairway?

It's worth remembering fire doors injure more people than they save, 30,000 children alone are injured by fire doors each year. So the idea of having no force whatsoever is very advantageous.

Freedor (as most of you are aware I work Fireco who manufacture them) exceeds the requirements of EN1155 & EN1154 so it does better than what the European testing standards require and passed the fire test (EN1634) of 60 minutes +10%.

Freedor is battery operated, battery consumption is worked out at two years on the basis of 200 activations a year which is massively over estimated as most of the time they will just sit there.