Author Topic: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors  (Read 10860 times)

Offline GB

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Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« on: February 04, 2016, 03:31:11 PM »
I have a residential care home with phased horizontal evacuation as you may expect in this type of occupancy.
Bedroom doors are all self closing, 30 minute doors with smoke seals and intumescent strips.
The gaps at the bottom of the door when closed can be as much as 25mm when closed however almost are held open by the carpet when open into the bedroom due to uneven floors.
Has anyone come across a solution which doesn't involve relaying the bedroom floor to make it level?
I obviously want to avoid any type of threshold strip on the corridor side as the old folks would be tripping over it all the time!
Any ingenious suggestions? ::)

Offline kurnal

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2016, 04:10:01 PM »
You can obtain retractable door threshold seals in which a button presses against the frame when the door is fully closed allowing the seal to drop. The attached link is an example of such a product but there are many variations available from other suppliers.

https://www.firesealsdirect.co.uk/door-seals/drop-down

However many assessors may consider this is not a major problem taking into account the neutral plane, the size of the bedroom compartment, comprehensive detection and expected staff response. The gap under the door is more likely to feed oxygen to the fire in the room rather than allowing smoke into the corridor. That's bad news for the occupant - but it's always going to be a judgement call and many others will disagree, justifying the fitting of seals to all doors because to do otherwise would breach BS / EN standards of test.
« Last Edit: February 04, 2016, 04:14:21 PM by kurnal »

Offline GB

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2016, 10:31:04 AM »
Many thanks Kurnal - that is a very interesting device. Do you know if it works on an angle where there is say a gap of 3mm at one end and 10mm at the other?
I agree in the limited difference it will make to tenability within the bedroom however it has become a local FSO's trademark item which he likes to promote!


Offline kurnal

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2016, 11:36:14 AM »
Hi GB the strips are spring loaded, when the door is fully closed they will drop at an angle to meet a sloping gap at  the threshold if required and as soon as the door is opened off its rebates the springs will raise the seal to its full height and clear of a sloping floor, some have a higher clearance than others, you should find something to meet your needs if you shop around. If you mount at an angle I guess there may be a risk that the operating plunger may stick or wear unevenly but that is something you could check with the supplier. Let us know how you get on. 

Offline Tom Sutton

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2016, 02:19:14 PM »
GB you will need to look elsewhere than the link Kurnal provided, they only fill a threshold gap 13/15mm you said you need 25mm.
All my responses only apply to England and Wales and they are an overview of the subject, hopefully it will point you in the right direction and always treat with caution.

Offline GB

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2016, 02:40:46 PM »
Thanks Tom, I will try one of the items on the link Kurnal sent and see how that works - mean time I will look for a similar device to cover the larger gap.

Offline stevew

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2016, 03:47:16 PM »
It's all very well assessing the situation but does this include accepting poor workmanship due to little or no understanding of the standards required.

One of my clients has confirmed that they will raise the matter with their lead authority through the fire service partnership scheme.  The premises in question were constructed 5 years ago.  It will be interesting to see their written response.

Offline Davo

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2016, 09:53:35 PM »
Hi GB

Can the doors be planed individually and rehung to suit?

davo


Offline GB

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2016, 09:53:09 AM »
No, the latch side of the door is where the gap is which then is in danger of sticking on the carpet when the door is open.

Offline col10

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Re: Gap at bottom of bedroom doors
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2016, 02:45:37 PM »
Rehang the door to open outwards.