Spec Finish

Closing devices In order to minimise physical contact with a door, people may be tempted to keep the door held open. This is a major consideration in respect of fire doors. Fire doors should never be held open through any mechanical means including mechanical hold open arms, door wedges, cabin hooks, foot operated door holders or other sundry items which prop them open. Any modifications to a fire door which hampers its ability to close properly into its frame will inhibit its proper function. Always remember that a fire door which does not close correctly will not work in the event of a fire. The following options are available: • Electromagnetic hold-open units: These are often used to hold open fire doors on circulation routes. Once the fire alarm is activated the electromagnetic control will release the door, this enables the door to close securely. These units can be either in an electro-magnetic unit such as an overhead or concealed closing device or floor spring, or else as an independent electro-magnet which can be surface or flush mounted. • Swing free closing devices: These allow a door to operate without resistance, as if the closer were not present. This means the door can be left in any position, hence the door not requiring to be frequently touched. Again, when the fire alarm is activated the electromagnetic control enables the door to close securely. These are available in overhead and concealed units and floor springs. Models are also available featuring an anti-slam finger protection function. Door automation Although this can be a more expensive means of inhibiting physical contact with doors, power-operated pedestrian door operators could be considered as part of an ironmongery specification. Please note that installation of automatic operators must be by professionals who are fully-trained to BS EN 16005 under the Machinery Directive and if you are unaccustomed to specifying these products always consult with the manufacturer. Door operators can be sliding, folding, balanced or swing type and should be activated by either of the following means: • A manually-activated device which is controlled by a push pad, coded entry system, card swipe or remote control device. • An automatically-activated device controlled by a motion sensor or a hands- free proximity reader. The best default activation option for an automatic operator is for overhead sensors as no physical interaction with the door is needed at all. Where this is not deemed to be appropriate, the usage of touch-free or anti-bacterial coated activation buttons could be considered. Access control Consideration should be given when specifying access control in this new normality to the following: • Means of lock activation requiring physical contact such as digital keypads and biometric readers may not be the preference on a specification. This means that proximity devices (which the user has exclusively) such as fobs, cards or bluetooth devices including mobile phones can be used instead. • Mechanical exit buttons for egress through a door can be replaced with touch free buttons or a sensor to auto unlock the door. • Mechatronic cylinders may also be an option to reduce physically touching mechanical cylinders and thumbturns. This also provides low cost audited time bound access to provide increased control where conventional hard wired access control is too costly. • Electronic motor locks could be considered as an option for access controlled doors as this solution when combined with door automation will mean the door can be unlocked and opened without physically having to touch the door at all. Seals The specification of seals can also be considered as follows: • Whilst perimeter seals are rarely touched on doors it is possible to specify anti-bacterial versions. • Where transmission of air-borne particles is a very real concern, consideration could be given to specification of acoustic perimeter seals and drop seals. Washrooms • Consider the specification of touch free soap, toilet roll and paper towel dispensers thus inhibiting direct contact with surfaces in the washroom. • Disabled grab rail kits which are often specified as part of an ironmongery specification are also available with antibacterial protection. Consideration on retrofit products Retrofit products such as devices which allow a door to be opened by foot as opposed to by hand are available. There are also products which can be clamped to lever handles to allow them to be opened by elbow or forearm. Whilst these and other products may provide a solution, care should always be taken on the following points: • Always ensure that any product fitted to a fire door has the correct fire test evidence for the type of door it is to be fitted to. Fitting a device which is untested can result in unauthorised modification of life safety equipment, that the fire door is no longer “as tested” and that any third-party certification for the fire door is nullified. • Fitting a product to a lever handle could have an impact on the certification of this item. This can include EN 1906 as well as EN 179. • Retrofitting a product to a door can impede the clear opening width which is stipulated in BS 8300 2. This is because the clear opening width is measured from the frame stop on the door closing side to the first physical feature on the hinge side, which can be projecting door furniture. Further detail on this issue is in a GAI Technical Briefing which is available in the members’ section of the GAI website. Technical FIND OUTMORE To download the GAI specifier’s guide visit www.gai.org.uk/GAI/Technical for details. i www.thefis.org 19 Consider touch-free specification to inhibit direct contact with surfaces in washrooms.