FIRE SAFETY
Decision-makers also need to bear in mind standards such as BS EN 1154:1997, which covers the specific requirements for controlled closing devices for swing doors. The standard classifies door- closers using a six-digit system, with the third digit relating to the door mass and size. Depending on the width and mass of the door, the related door-closer power size can be easily identified. For example, if a door width is 950 mm, the maximum mass of the door shouldn’t exceed 60 kg, and the required door-closer power size is EN 3. However, it’s important to note
that for any fire doorset fitted with a door-closer, EN 3 is the minimum door-closer power size allowed, regardless of what the door width is. To comply with the guidelines governing inclusive design and fire regulations, it is thus critical to opt for a door-closer that delivers a minimum closing force of EN 3, but still satisfies the opening force requirements detailed earlier.
the ongoing cost and management of an asset, and fire doorsets are no different. In fact, they should be viewed like tyres on a car, and – as a result – they require a tailored maintenance programme, which considers how often and where within a building they are used, since this may have implications for the expected lifecycle of a fire doorset and its need for refurbishment, maintenance, and even replacement. For example, a system installed in a high-traffic route, like a hospital, which might be subjected to hard use or occasional abuse, will need more regular maintenance reviews than other installations. In addition, a more frequent maintenance programme can help to identify potential issues before they become so serious that they might compromise safety, or restrict the use of the building so that it might compromise the level of patient care.
A ‘dangerous’ tactic Some suppliers will try to overcome the challenges surrounding opening and closing forces by winding down the door-closer and its spring to the power setting of EN 1. Yet, particularly for fire doorsets, this is a dangerous tactic that does not comply with the guidelines set out in Approved Document B.
Fire doorsets should be checked regularly as a matter of course, but particularly in buildings such as healthcare facilities that have high numbers of users.
Maintaining performance All fire doorsets must be installed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, and must meet their testing stipulations (into blockwork but not steelwork, for example). If not installed properly, there may be knock-on effects. If the installed hinges, for example, do not perform as intended, then the door leaf itself could drop. This may then mean that there are incorrect gaps between the leaf and the frame, locks are not aligned, or the door leaf drags along the floor. All of this means that additional force is required from the door-closer, so the door doesn’t operate as easily as it should, and so on. Once installed, a fire doorset is subject
to varying demands and pressures. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are busy environments, with many people passing through them every single day. Fire doorsets should be checked regularly as a matter of course, but particularly in buildings that have high numbers of people using their facilities. If neglected, these issues can cause fire control systems to fail, increasing the risk to staff, patients, and visitors, and, ultimately, putting lives at risk.
66 Health Estate Journal May 2022
Common doorset maintenance issues Common fire doorset maintenance issues include damaged door-closers; general wear and tear over time; increased gaps between leaf and frame; warping of door leaves; damaged seals or beadings; incorrect ironmongery being installed, and impaired hinges and latches. Most specifications take into account
New best practice guide To help meet this need, Assa Abloy has published a new best practice guide on how to specify, install, maintain, and inspect, certified fire doorsets, downloadable free
from
www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.
co.uk/en/whitepapers It has been compiled based on the knowledge and expertise of Assa Abloy’s FDIS-trained inspectors, and insights from a range of third-party accreditation bodies and trade associations, including the Door & Hardware Federation, the Fire Industry Association, and Secured By Design.
David Hindle and The Door Hardware Group
David Hindle is head of Door Controls and PED at Assa Abloy Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, which offers ‘a renowned and extensive portfolio’ of innovative door hardware solutions for the healthcare sector. David has 25 years’ experience in the fire door and door hardware market. The Door Hardware Group, a business unit of Assa Abloy Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, offers a comprehensive range of security and safety solutions. Its portfolio comprises mechanical and electro-mechanical ranges. It said: “Combining reliability with innovation, we provide solutions, expertise, and consultative advice, to specifiers, trade distributors, door OEMs, and system integrators, working in the healthcare, commercial, and education sectors.”
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