DORMA Free Swing and Hold-open Solutions for Fire Doors An alternative to Fire door keep shut
Permanently closed fire doors can present an obstacle to building occupants, particularly on circulation routes, in heavy traffic areas and for people with disabilities. Because of this they are often wedged open which in terms of fire safety is a highly dangerous act and illegal. More than 50% of all deaths resulting from fire are caused by smoke and gas inhalation. If fire doors are wedged open they allow smoke and fire to spread throughout the building. However, if fire doors are properly closed they contain the flow of smoke and fire within the area it started enabling people to exit safely and limiting the fire damage. All fire doors must be properly closed at the time of fire in order to be effective. However, provision for ease of access within buildings is just as important and this is highlighted in the recent changes to BS8300:2001 Incorporating Amendment No. 1, Approved Document M (ADM) in England and Wales / Section 3 in Scotland / Part R in Northern Ireland (Access to and use of buildings) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 & 2005. DORMA has a range of fire door control products that offer a solution to this problem with the reassurance that the fire door will close properly in the event of an emergency - electromagnetically controlled: free swing door closers hold-open closers. There are different considerations for selection on circulation routes compared with those on individual rooms. This brochure outlines solutions for both these situations. DORMA door closers, locks and panic hardware are CERTIFIRE Approved for fire doors. The selected products outlined in this brochure meet the requirements of the fire regulations (EN 1154, EN 1155 and Approved Document B in England and Wales / Section 2 in Scotland / Part E in Northern Ireland), whilst helping to provide ease of access for all building users.
Solutions for circulation routes Fire doors on circulation routes can present a barrier to all users when kept in their closed position. Such doors can be kept open during normal use; they can easily be held-open with electromagnetic hold-open door closers or with independent electro-magnets. Hold-open Closers DORMA offer a range of EMF surface mounted closers, concealed closers and EMB floor springs which enable the door to be heldopen at any angle between 75º 180º by means of electromagnetic control. These hold-open closers are electrically linked to the fire alarm system, so if the alarm is activated or in the event of a power failure, the hold-open is released and the fire door becomes self-closing once more. EMF OVERHEAD CLOSERS General Features TS93 EMF Features Cam action technology EN 2-5 or EN5-7 adjustable Slide channel arm closing force Adjustable sweep speed Max. door width 1250mm (EN 2-5) Adjustable latching speed or 1600mm (EN 5-7) Choice of finishes and covers Adjustable delayed action Successful independent testing Adjustable backcheck to BS EN 1154 and BS EN 1155 TS92 EMF Features CE marked EN 2-4 adjustable closing force Choice of finishes and covers Max. door width 1100mm available TS91 EMF Features EN 3 fixed force Max. door width 950mm ITS96 Concealed Cam Action Closer Features Cam action technology Closer body and slide arm are concealed within the door leaf and frame EN 2-4 or EN3-6 adjustable closing force Minimum door thickness 44mm for EN 2-4 and 54mm for EN 3-6 Max. door width 1100mm (EN 2-4) or 1400mm (EN 3-6)
Solutions for circulation routes continued... TS73 EMF Rack and Pinion Closer Features EN 4/5/6 fixed power sizes Max. door width 1100mm (EN 4), 1250mm (EN 5) or 1400mm (EN 6) Adjustable sweep speed Adjustable latching speed Successful independent testing to BS EN 1154 and BS EN 1155 CE marked Choice of finishes and covers available BTS80 EMB Features EN 4/5/6 fixed power sizes Max. door width 1100mm (EN 4), 1250mm (EN 5) or 1400mm (EN 6) Max. door weight 300kgs Adjustable sweep speed Adjustable latching speed Fixed backcheck Successful independent testing to BS EN 1154 and BS EN 1155 CE marked Cover plate available in a choice of finishes Electromagnetic Hold-open closers with integrated Smoke sensor Where a building does not have a hard wired fire alarm system, DORMA have a range of closers with an integrated smoke sensor our EMR feature. Choose from the DORMA TS93 EMR, TS92 EMR, TS91 EMR and the TS73 EMR. Independent Electro-magnets Ideal for retro-fitting, discrete electro-magnets can be used in conjunction with existing door closers or floor springs to provide an electrically-controlled hold-open solution and reduce the inconvenience of fire doors in corridors. As an alternative to hold-open closers, any door closer or floor spring can be used in conjunction with independent hold-open magnets. These devices hold fire doors open until in the event of a fire alarm or power cut, the hold-open magnet is de-energised, releasing the door so that it becomes self-closing once more. The DORMA EM electro-magnet range comprises of wall or floor mounted or flush-fixed solutions, all compatible with a range of armature plates. EM Magnet Features Surface or flush mounted 100N or 500N holding force Polarity reversal protection Successful independent testing to BS EN 1155 Power supply unit available separately (DORMA PSU8) CE marked Self-closing manual fire doors There are always situations where fire doors cannot be held open and must remain self-closing at all times, for instance, for reasons of privacy, noise reduction or energy control. In these circumstances, manual doors fitted with a self-closing door control should have an opening force which, when measured from the leading edge of the door, should not exceed 30N from 0º (the door closed position) to 30º open, and not more than 22.5N from 30º to 60º of the opening cycle. DORMA have wide range of manual door controls which comply with this guidance. For more information on which door closers to select, please ask for our Which Door Control? brochure.
Solutions for individual room access Where a fire door forms the entrance to a person s room, conventional door closers can be restrictive, making room occupants feel shut in or institutionalised. As a result, doors are often wedged open with dangerous implications for fire safety. Free swing door closers provide the ideal solution. What is Free Swing? A free swing door closer enables a door to operate without any resistance, just like a door without a door closer. This allows the door to be left in any position, such as ajar if preferred, until on activation of the fire alarm the electromagnetic control releases enabling the door closer to function and close the door securely. A free swing door closer ensures that no matter what position a fire door is left in, it will, when required, perform the job it is designed to do - close positively to prevent the spread of smoke and flames. Free swing is a popular solution for individual room access within hospitals, nursing homes or residential care situations where the door is not part of a circulation route. WITHOUT FREE SWING A standard door closer can be a hindrance to room access as the fire door is kept shut by the door closer. Often this leads to fire doors being wedged open. WITH FREE SWING If a fire then breaks out, because the door is wedged open, the fire door and door closer cannot perform their function so deadly smoke and fire can enter the room. During normal use a free swing door closer When the fire alarm is activated, the door The fire door is firmly shut, containing the spread gives no resistance so the fire door can be closer is electronically released, and the of smoke and fire and giving time for the personal left at any preferred angle. The free swing fire door is closed properly. egress plan to be initiated. closer is connected by electrical wiring to the fire alarm system. Free Swing Door Closers TS73 EMF FL Features TS99 FL Features BTS80 FLB Features EN 4/5/6 fixed power sizes EN 4 EN 4/5/6 fixed power sizes Max. door width 1100mm (EN4), Max. door width 1100mm Max. door width 1100mm (EN 4), 1250mm (EN 5), or 1400mm (EN 6) Can be linked to a fire or smoke 1250mm (EN 5), or 1400mm (EN 6) Can be linked to a fire or smoke detection system or supplied complete Max. door weight 300kgs detection system or supplied complete with an integrated smoke detector Adjustable sweep speed with an integrated smoke detector Slide channel arm for improved Adjustable latching speed Adjustable sweep speed aesthetics Fixed backcheck Adjustable latching speed Tested and approved to BS EN1155 Successful independent testing to Tested and approved to BS EN1155 CE marked BS EN 1154 and BS EN 1155 and BS EN1154 Choice of finishes available CE marked CE marked Cover plate available in a choice of finishes Choice of finishes and covers available
DORMA UK Limited Door Controls Division Wilbury Way Hitchin Hertfordshire SG4 0AB Tel: 01462 477600 Fax: 01462 477601 E-mail: hardware@dorma-uk.co.uk www.dorma-uk.co.uk DORMA Ireland Limited 19 Sandyford Office Park Foxrock Dublin 18 Tel: 01 295 8280 Fax: 01 295 8284 E-mail: dormadublin@dorma.ie www.dorma.ie