Are fire doors retainers required in residential homes?
Commercial buildings that operate as residential centres must fully comply with strict regulations regarding fire safety. For care homes ensuring that correct features are in place is essential. Depending on the nature of residents in the care home, specific challenges may be presented to the owners and managers. Particular risks are apparent in care homes for the elderly as residents may not be able to evacuate a building quickly and without aid. Fire doors are required by law in this type of residential dwelling and different rated doors may be required in different areas of the building.
One common problem with these doors is simply that people prop them open. In residential dwellings residents may wish to leave the doors to their rooms open at different times of the day, which may contravene fire regulations. Normally the doors from rooms will need to be fire doors and therefore kept closed. Door retainers can help to overcome the problem and help fire safety officers in their job to maintain a safe environment. Automatic fire door closers are available either as ones that close when the door is released or those that close on the sounding of the fire alarm. Fire door retainers allow for more flexibility than traditional self-closing doors and can be easily retro-fitted to existing doors.
Fire door retainers operate when the fire alarm sounds. Using wireless technology they do not require complex new wiring or any building work. The units are battery powered so, like smoke detectors, their batteries will need to be checked regularly and changed periodically. However, compared to the need for constantly checking that safety doors have not been left open illegally, they offer a perfect solution.
Residential properties for the elderly can benefit from using retainers as they allow for easier access to different areas of the building. Traditionally fire doors are 'heavy' and can be difficult to open for older people. Automatic push button doors are excellent for those with mobility issues, but if they are not already installed they can be a costly option requiring considerable building and wiring work. Fire door retainers offer the perfect solution allowing for easy access to communal areas, corridors and stairways under normal circumstances, but closing quickly in the event of an emergency.
In addition, consideration needs to be given to residents of a care home who are hard of hearing. To ensure that all residents will hear a fire alarm when it sounds, it is also recommended that a fire alarm system is installed, which incorporates a flashing beacon and residents have an under pillow vibration pad to alert them to a fire alarm.
One common problem with these doors is simply that people prop them open. In residential dwellings residents may wish to leave the doors to their rooms open at different times of the day, which may contravene fire regulations. Normally the doors from rooms will need to be fire doors and therefore kept closed. Door retainers can help to overcome the problem and help fire safety officers in their job to maintain a safe environment. Automatic fire door closers are available either as ones that close when the door is released or those that close on the sounding of the fire alarm. Fire door retainers allow for more flexibility than traditional self-closing doors and can be easily retro-fitted to existing doors.
Fire door retainers operate when the fire alarm sounds. Using wireless technology they do not require complex new wiring or any building work. The units are battery powered so, like smoke detectors, their batteries will need to be checked regularly and changed periodically. However, compared to the need for constantly checking that safety doors have not been left open illegally, they offer a perfect solution.
Residential properties for the elderly can benefit from using retainers as they allow for easier access to different areas of the building. Traditionally fire doors are 'heavy' and can be difficult to open for older people. Automatic push button doors are excellent for those with mobility issues, but if they are not already installed they can be a costly option requiring considerable building and wiring work. Fire door retainers offer the perfect solution allowing for easy access to communal areas, corridors and stairways under normal circumstances, but closing quickly in the event of an emergency.
In addition, consideration needs to be given to residents of a care home who are hard of hearing. To ensure that all residents will hear a fire alarm when it sounds, it is also recommended that a fire alarm system is installed, which incorporates a flashing beacon and residents have an under pillow vibration pad to alert them to a fire alarm.
