16. Approved hold open devices not physically linked to the fire alarm system

1.1. Devices that are designed to hold open fire doors that are self-contained and battery powered are available, these devices are normally fixed to the base of a fire door. These devices’s work by "hearing" the fire alarm and operating accordingly.

1.2 Only devices that have been tested to B.S. 5839 : Part 3 : 1988 (Specification for Automatic Release Mechanisms for Certain Fire Protection Equipment) and achieved a pass will be accepted. (or an equivalent testing methodology)

2.1 The North East Region Fire and Rescue Service’s will accept the fitting of the above devices to doors normally required to be kept shut i.e. self closing fire doors, which are causing a problem to the free movement of residents within such premises as residential care homes.

2.2 Any hold open device is not considered acceptable to rooms of high fire risk where rapid fire spread is likely and the room in question is fitted with fire detectors of the HEAT sensitive type.

2.3 The above device is not considered acceptable to rooms not fitted with a smoke detector conforming to B.S. 5839 : Part 1 i.e. linked to a fire alarm system.

2.4 The above device may be fitted to a door forming part of a stairway enclosure providing the following criteria is met.

1.1 Fire-resisting, self-closing doors can often present difficulties to persons using them. This is particularly the case in residential care premises and nursing homes where elderly or infirm persons have to negotiate the doors.

1.2 One aim of any means of escape scheme in such premises should therefore be to reduce to a minimum the need for residents to have to pass through fire-resisting, self-closing doors in the course of their normal movements about the premises. It follows that toilets and communal rooms should, wherever possible, be accessible to residents without the need to negotiate fire-resisting doors.

 

1.3 However, in adapted premises, it is often not possible to achieve the ideal and situations arise whereby residents frequently have to pass through one or more fire-resisting doors in the course of their daily activities. This has an adverse effect on the quality of their lives and presents a risk of injury.

1.4 Such problems can be resolved, in part, by fitting automatic door releases to the fire-resisting doors but, until recently, such devices have not be recommended for those doors which form part of a staircase enclosure because of the importance of keeping the staircase enclosure free from smoke and the uncertainty of where to site smoke detectors to ensure sufficiently rapid actuation of the release mechanism.

1.5 However, publication of British Standard 5839 : Part 1 (Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings, Part 1, Code of Practice for System Design, Installation and Servicing), which specifies automatic fire warning systems for life safety, has led to the formulation of criteria which are suitable for enabling the acceptance of automatic door releases on fire doors giving access to stairway enclosures. These criteria are described in the appendix to this note.

1.6 This guidance should be borne in mind when using the Draft Guide to Fire Precautions in Existing Residential Care Premises and the Guide to Fire Precautions in Hotels and Boarding Houses which require a Fire Certificate, however each individual case should be dealt with on its merits with a risk analysis being carried out prior to accepting automatic door releases on fire doors to staircase enclosures.

 

1.7 If Hoteliers intend to provide specific accommodation for disabled persons or the elderly, and in the case of residential care premises, the Fire Authority may consider that door-closing devices are of the delayed action type.

1. As a general rule, no form of automatic door release should be used to render the self closing device on a fire resisting door inoperative if the door forms part of a staircase enclosure, especially single stair buildings and high rise buildings.

2. However, where the self closing door causes major difficulties for occupants or creates a real risk of injury, e.g. in residential care premises where the door is in regular use by residents and there is no other viable solution, consideration may need to be given to permitting the use of such a device.

3. If it is considered that the major difficulty or risk to residents from using any fire resisting door is sufficient to justify relaxation of the general rule and automatic door releases are permitted, the following criteria should be applied:-

(a) The door release mechanism should conform to British Standard 5839 : Part 3 : and be fail safe (i.e. in the event of a fault or loss of power the release mechanism should be triggered automatically).

(b) All doors fitted with automatic door releases should be linked to a full cover life safety automatic fire warning system complying with B.S. 5839 : Part 1 (i.e. category L1).

(c) All automatic door releases in the premises should be triggered by any of the following:-

 

• the actuation of any automatic fire detector;
• the actuation of any manual fire alarm call point;
• any fault in the fire warning system;
• any loss of power to the fire warning system.

 

(d) Automatic door releases must be provided with a ready means of manual operation from a position at the door.

(e) Each door fitted with an automatic door release should be closed at a pre-determined time each night and remain closed throughout the sleeping hours. Or, if for reasons of management this is impracticable, it should be the specific responsibility of a competent member of staff to operate the release mechanisms at least once each week to ensure:-

i) that the mechanisms are working effectively;

and

ii) the doors close effectively onto their frames.

(f) The fire warning system and the automatic door release mechanisms should be subject to an effective maintenance contract with a competent maintenance contractor.