The original and the best. Now even smarter.

There’s a device sitting quietly at the bottom of fire doors in hospitals, schools, care homes, hotels and offices across the world. Most people walk past it every day without giving it a second thought. But in the event of a fire, it could be the difference between life and death.

That device is Dorgard – and after 30 years, over a million units sold, and a brand new upgrade, we think it’s long overdue its moment in the spotlight.

What is a Dorgard fire door retainer?

A Dorgard fire door retainer is a wireless device that holds a fire door open legally and safely, then releases it automatically when the fire alarm sounds. It sits at the base of a fire door, listens for a continuous alarm signal, and does its job without any wiring, any complex installation, or any ongoing maintenance headaches.

In short: it lets you keep fire doors open for ease of access and ventilation whilst meeting all regulatory requirements. 

It’s the original acoustic fire door retainer; we invented it here at Fireco and we believe it’s the world’s number one.

Why do fire doors need to be held open?

It’s a question worth asking, because fire doors are designed to be closed. That’s the whole point – a closed fire door slows the spread of fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving people more time to get out safely.

But anyone who works in a busy building knows that closed fire doors create real problems. They’re heavy. They interrupt the flow of people and equipment. In a care home, a frail resident may struggle to push their way through. In a school corridor, a fire door closing on a child is a genuine hazard. In a hospital, staff moving patients or equipment need doors to stay open. In an office or hotel, a constantly slamming fire door quickly becomes a source of frustration.

So what do people do? They wedge them open.

And there’s the problem. A wedged fire door is an illegal fire door. If an inspector finds it, there are consequences – fines, enforcement notices, and in serious cases, prosecution. More importantly, a wedged-open fire door cannot do its job when it matters most.

The legal answer is to use a fire door retainer – a device specifically designed to hold the door open in a way that releases automatically when the alarm goes off.

What makes Dorgard different from other fire door retainers?

Fire door retaining devices come in different forms to suit different buildings and budgets. Dorgard’s particular strength is its simplicity – and for many buildings, that simplicity is exactly what’s needed.

Here’s what sets it apart:

It’s acoustic. Dorgard listens for your fire alarm – specifically a continuous alarm tone of 65dB or more lasting 14 seconds or longer. When it hears it, the retaining foot retracts and the door closes under its own door closer. No wiring to the alarm panel. No integration required. It simply listens.

It installs in under five minutes. A screwdriver, four screws, and you’re done. No specialist tools, no electrician, no disruption to the building. Any competent member of staff or maintenance engineer can fit Dorgard in minutes – making it one of the most practical and cost-effective fire door retainers available.

It’s wireless. No cables means no limitations on where it can go. Dorgard runs on standard batteries (typically lasting around 12 months), so there are no running costs beyond a battery change once a year. It’s an ideal choice wherever a wired installation isn’t practical or simply isn’t needed.

It meets all regulatory requirements. Dorgard is certified to EN 1155, carries CE marking, and fully complies with BS 7273-4 and Building Regulations Approved Document B. When a fire risk assessor or building inspector asks whether your fire doors are held open legally, Dorgard is the answer.

What’s new? Dorgard’s enhanced sound listening technology

We’ve been making Dorgard for over 30 years, and it has always been excellent at what it does. But we don’t like to rest on our laurels.

The latest generation of Dorgard features enhanced sound listening technology, improving the device’s ability to detect fire alarm tones accurately in challenging acoustic environments. This matters more than ever in modern buildings, where open-plan spaces, background noise, hard flooring and high ceilings can all affect how sound travels.

The upgraded sound detection means Dorgard is more reliable in busy or noisy environments – think school canteens, hotel lobbies, large open-plan offices, and hospital wards – where background noise levels are often high. It still only releases on a genuine continuous alarm signal, not on a door slam, a shout, or a burst of music, meaning you get the same rock-solid reliability alongside smarter, more sensitive alarm detection.

This is the Dorgard you already know and trust. It’s just got better.

Who is Dorgard for? Sectors that benefit from acoustic fire door retainers

The short answer is: any building with fire doors. But here are the sectors where Dorgard is particularly valuable:

Schools and educational settings

Fire doors in schools are a constant challenge. Children push through them, prop them open, and can be injured by heavy self-closing mechanisms. Dorgard keeps fire doors open safely throughout the school day, improving airflow and circulation, while ensuring every door closes the moment an alarm sounds. It’s used in primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities across the UK.

Care homes and residential settings

In care homes, fire door accessibility is a genuine safeguarding issue. Residents with limited mobility may struggle with heavy fire doors. Dorgard allows doors to remain open comfortably during the day, supporting dignity and independence, without ever compromising evacuation safety.

Hotels and hospitality

Hotel corridors can feel oppressive when fire doors are constantly swinging shut. Dorgard keeps back-of-house and circulation doors open for staff convenience and guest comfort, with automatic closure guaranteed on alarm activation.

Hospitals and healthcare

The sheer volume of foot traffic in hospitals mean fire doors are under constant strain. Dorgard provides a compliant, low-maintenance solution that keeps clinical environments functioning efficiently while remaining safe.

Offices and commercial buildings

Open-plan working, shared spaces and hot-desking have transformed office design – but fire doors remain a legal requirement. Dorgard lets modern offices keep the open feel without legal or safety compromise.

HMOs and residential blocks

Landlords and building managers face increasing scrutiny over fire door compliance. Dorgard is a cost-effective way to ensure HMO and apartment block fire doors are never illegally wedged open.

Frequently asked questions about Dorgard

Is a Dorgard fire door retainer legal?

Yes. Dorgard is a fully certified, legally compliant fire door hold-open device. It meets BS 7273-4 and EN 1155 standards and complies with Building Regulations. Using Dorgard to hold a fire door open is entirely legal; using a wedge, a brick or any unapproved device is not.

Does Dorgard need to be wired into the fire alarm?

No. Dorgard is completely wireless and self-contained. It works acoustically – listening for the alarm – so no connection to the fire alarm panel or electrical supply is needed.

How long do the batteries last?

Typically around 24 months, depending on usage. The device gives a low battery indicator so you know when a change is needed. However, the standard recommends changing the batteries once a year when doing your annual door inspection. 

Can Dorgard be used on any fire door?

Tested up to Power size 7, Dorgard is suitable for the vast majority of fire doors. It fits to the bottom of the door and requires a door closer to already be fitted (as all compliant fire doors should have). It works with both single and double doors.

Will Dorgard release on any loud noise?

No. Dorgard is specifically calibrated to respond to a continuous alarm tone – 65dB or more sustained for 14 seconds or longer. This prevents false releases from everyday noise. The enhanced sound listening technology in the latest generation makes this detection even more reliable.

How quickly does Dorgard release when the alarm sounds?

Within seconds of detecting the qualifying alarm signal, Dorgard’s retaining foot retracts and the door is free to close under its own door closer. Response is rapid and reliable.

How easy is it to install Dorgard?

We’ve touched on this above, but it’s worth emphasising: Dorgard installs in under five minutes.

There’s no wiring. No specialist tools. No need to book a contractor. The device screws to the base of the fire door using four standard screws, and that’s it. Load the batteries, set the device, and Dorgard is operational. A building manager, a maintenance engineer, or a competent member of staff can install it.

This ease of installation is one of the reasons Dorgard has become the preferred choice for facilities managers and fire safety professionals alike. When you have 50 fire doors across a site that need retaining devices fitted, the simplicity of Dorgard installation translates directly into time and cost savings.

The Fireco Lifetime Replacement Initiative

If you’re an existing Dorgard customer and your device has broken or reached the end of its working life, we want to make sure it gets replaced – and that your fire doors remain compliant.

That’s why we offer our Lifetime Replacement Initiative: simply send back your broken Dorgard to us, and we’ll send you a brand new replacement directly at the discounted price of £75.00.

It’s our way of saying thank you for over 30 years of loyalty, while making sure no fire door is left unprotected due to a failed device. To take advantage of this offer, contact the Fireco team directly.

Why Dorgard? Because fire door compliance shouldn’t be complicated.

Fire safety is one area where corners cannot be cut. But that doesn’t mean compliance has to be difficult, expensive or disruptive.

Dorgard has been proving that for over three decades. No wiring. No specialist installation. No compromise on safety. Just a reliable, certified, acoustic fire door retainer that works – every single time.

Whether you’re managing a school, a care home, an office, a hotel or a residential block, Dorgard fire door retainers offer the simplest, most cost-effective route to fire door compliance. And with the latest sound listening upgrade, they’re now better than ever.

Ready to get started? View the Dorgard fire door retainer and order directly from Fireco, or get in touch if you’d like to talk to our team about your building’s requirements.

Dorgard is manufactured by Fireco, who invented the acoustic fire door retainer. With over a million units sold worldwide, Dorgard remains the original and the best.