Hospital fire doors come under close scrutiny

Posted on March 15, 2016

A Manchester hospital has been ordered to tackle fire safety breaches in its operating theatres following a routine fire service check that discovered numerous serious failures that included wedged open hospital fire doors.

It can be tempting to wedge open fire doors to help free movement around a busy building, such as a hospital or care home. However well intentioned, wedging open fire doors is illegal and provides no protection for a building and its occupants should a fire break out, allowing smoke and flames to rapidly spread.

New generation, wire-free, digital door technology that’s a clever innovation
Geofire’s new wire-free Agrippa range of fire door holders and ‘swing free’ door closers use advanced digital technology that uniquely ‘listen and learn’ the sound of a specific fire alarm. This ensures the device’s release action is triggered only in reaction to the precise sound of the fire alarm rather than extraneous loud noises, so false activations are virtually eliminated. Agrippa wire-free devices are designed for ease of installation and can be fitted quickly to any door.

Solving the persistent wedged door problem
The Agrippa acoustic, magnetic fire door holder is designed to be mounted behind the door at either floor level or at the top of the door. It will not cause damage to flooring, and can be reapplied or moved with minimal fuss. It requires only two C cell batteries (which last for 12 months), has battery life indication and low battery warning. It is approved to EN1155 and CE Marked. The Agrippa fire door closer is an overhead battery powered acoustic ‘swing free’ door closer. Its closer’s closing speed is adjustable, with a holding angle of 65-105 degrees, and can be programmed for daily release. The closer is approved to EN1155, EN1154 and CE Marked.

UK manufacturer Geofire specialise in the manufacture of a wide range of electromagnetic door holders and other activation devices used widely as part of fire, security or ventilation systems, designed and produced at the company’s state of the facility in North East England.

To view our range of Agrippa products, click here.