How can holding open doors prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Posted on July 10, 2020

Reducing the spread of germs and bacteria has never been more essential. Holding open internal doors provides an easy and effective method of infection control within your workplace or business.

The Agrippa door holder provides a hygienic and legally compliant solution to hold open internal fire doors, supporting infection control as well as your building’s fire safety.

Reducing door handle contact

A study by the New England Medical Journal, which researched the survival of coronavirus on a number of surfaces, identified that it was still detectable on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel after 72 hours. While regular cleaning can help combat transmission, the inevitable use of door handles means that they can quickly become a hotspot for the spread of germs.

The Agrippa door holder allows a door to be hygienically held open in a fixed position, preventing the need to touch door handles. The Agrippa door closer’s free-swing feature allows a door to be held open at any angle. Using ‘listen and learn’ technology, the Agrippa door holder and closer will automatically release doors on the sound of the building’s fire alarm.

Increasing ventilation

Workplace guidance published on 11th May 2020, identified ways employers and employees can work safely during the pandemic. One of the recommendations identified included the requirement for increased ventilation, which can be achieved by opening windows and doors.

“Good ventilation can help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus, so focus on improving general ventilation… where possible, consider ways to increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors” The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 2020.

However, wedges or homemade devices should never be used to hold open a fire door, as this is illegal and puts lives at risk should a fire occur. Building operators have a legal responsibility to ensure fire doors are not illegally wedged open to ensure that they will prevent the spread of smoke and flames, in the event of a fire. The Agrippa wire-free fire door holder and closer are fully compliant to the requirements of BS 7273-4 for standard actuation of fire doors, and third party tested and approved to EN1154 and EN1155.

Improving visibility and aiding social distancing

While the lifting of the remaining lock down restrictions is still uncertain, social distancing measures are expected to stay for some time. Holding open internal doors facilitates social distancing by allowing improved vision when entering or leaving a room, or when travelling through a corridor. This reduces the risk of people walking into each other and breaking the two meter distancing guideline, as well as ensuring spacing is maintained around the building. Not to mention the post-COVID etiquette of whether or not you should hold the door open for the person behind you!?

To learn more about Agrippa and how it can help infection control in your workplace, visit www.geofire.co.uk/agrippa-covid19-solution/ or get in touch at enquiries@geofire.co.uk.