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Holding your fire door open

Wedged or propped open fire doors are a common problem. Fire doors can be heavy, restrict access through buildings, and prevent a free flow of air, which is why people prop them open. However, fire doors have a very important purpose — preventing the spread of fire — so wedging one open is dangerous and illegal. Fire door retainers safely hold fire doors open and automatically close them in the event of a fire alarm, ensuring compliance with fire regulations. But how do you decide which door retainer suits your needs best?

Dorgard fire door retainer

Dorgard units are placed at the bottom of fire doors to legally and safely hold them open using a plunger. Once an alarm is activated, the plunger automatically releases, closing the doors. This is a wireless system and therefore requires batteries.

Ideal for: Retrofit situations as the wireless technology minimises disruption during installation. Dorgard units can also be used on heavier fire doors.

Free-swing door closer

Free swing overhead door closers, such as Freedor safely hold fire doors open and automatically close them in the event of a fire alarm, ensuring compliance with fire regulations. They have the additional benefit of removing weight from the fire door and can be held open at any angle. These are installed at the top of the door.

Ideal for: Care homes, hospitals, hotels, or any application where people may find heavy fire doors difficult.

Magnetic fire door retainers

This type of system has a wall-mounted electro-magnetic plate that links to a metal disc on the back of the door to hold it open. Once an alarm activates, the fire doors are automatically released. There is a manual release button if required.

Ideal for: As this type of system is hardwired into a building, it is more cost-effective to install in new-build situations where other construction work is already taking place.

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