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INTERIORS The key to control
Safe and seamless movement in our built environment ‘hinges’ on accurately specifi ed and installed door hardware, as Russell Marks of Boss Door Controls explains.
Door hardware plays an integral role in the safety, security and accessibility of our buildings
W
ith millions of doors used every day, it’s important to recognise the details behind effective
access and egress. Whether it’s the regular composite doors found in our homes, the electromechanical access points located in public settings, or the emergency exit fi re doors that keep us safe in our work and leisure spaces; door hardware plays an integral role in the safety, security and accessibility of our buildings. Doorsets are assembled in a variety of
confi gurations, sizes and styles, yet their operation is always reliant on door control components such as hinges, locks, latches and door closers. Take fi re doors for example, which are designed to stop the spread of smoke and fi re when closed and provide an effective means of escape when open. When operating as intended, a fi re door will work in tandem with each of its hardware components, but should one area fail, its fi re resistant capabilities become compromised, leaving a building and its
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occupants at risk. With that in mind, just how signifi cant is accurate specifi cation and installation?
Suitable specifi cation Incorrect hardware specifi cation is a common problem associated with building safety. Door controls will directly infl uence the functionality, accessibility and durability of doors, and as such it’s essential to understand a building and its users’ needs when choosing between hardware options. Considering factors such as fi re safety and inclusive design, specifi ers and decision makers are urged to review the door application itself, confi rming the chosen hardware meets the required performance ratings, fi re ratings and the latest building standards. Where many buildings require escape routes for example, it is necessary for all doors located on those routes to have suitable exit hardware installed – which is determined by a number of factors including the building’s size
ADF JANUARY 2025
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