HARDWARE & SECURITY
Finger Trap Protection Devices
According to the NHS, around 80,000 accidents occur each year in the UK
involving primarily children who have trapped their fingers in doors, leading
to serious injury, and even amputations. In addition, an estimated 28,000
children under the age of 15 visit hospitals in the Republic of Ireland for the
same reason, with many more accidents of this nature going unreported.
» INJURIES OF THIS TYPE CAN CAUSE
huge distress and pain as well as ongoing
problems with manual dexterity which
can last a lifetime. In addition, such
injuries can result in costly compensation
claims, which must be met by insurance
companies, building owners and
managers.
Thankfully, there are a number of
products available which help to reduce
the risk of such finger related injuries
in respect of doors. Known as finger
trap protection devices, they are widely
specified and supplied into many public
buildings by architectural ironmongers.
These devices are of such importance
that the Guild of Architectural
Ironmongers (GAI) has produced a CPD
seminar on the topic which was delivered
via its IAI Branch Network throughout
2019. In addition, the GAI has produced a
guide on the subject for its members.
Definition
A finger trap protection device is
defined in BS EN 16654:2015 as a ‘Device
intended to minimise the risk of crushing
injuries to fingers between (part of ) door
leaf/leaves and the door frame when the
door leaf is moving’.
Types of devices
There are many different types of finger
protection device available; some cover
the gap between door and frame, others
are integrated within the door system
itself.
One of the more popular devices is the
roller blind device which covers the gap
at the exposed side of the hanging stile
and is available for timber and glazed
doors. It is also possible to cover this gap
using devices which are made of PVC or
aluminium, which form a rigid shield.
The area at the hinge knuckle itself can
also be protected, which means the risk
Images courtesy of Norseal
of finger trapping can be reduced at both
sides of the hanging stile.
Finger protection can be integrated into
the door itself, either through a device
which can be integrated into the hanging
stile of the door or else through the design
of the door itself.
The standards
There are two standards which have
been published in respect of these
devices:
• BS 8613:2017 - Finger Protection
Devices for Pedestrian Doors:
Specification, safety requirements
and test methods.
• BS EN 16654:2015 - Child protective
products. Consumer fitted finger
protection devices for doors. Safety
requirements and test methods.
Finger trap protection is also a
compulsory part of BS EN 16005 2012
which is an obligatory standard under
the machinery directive. This states that:
“Power operated pedestrian doorsets
shall be designed so that hazards due to
crushing, shearing, impact and drawing-in
during the opening and closing cycles are
avoided or so that safeguards against such
hazards are provided.”
The BS 8613 standard covers test
methods for durability, strength and
effective function of finger trap devices
and is for devices fitted to side hung or
pivoted swing doors. It is therefore not
applicable to sliding or revolving doors.
Its aim is to prevent inadvertent injury.
There are devices which are available on
the market place which have been tested
to this standard.
BS EN 16654:2015 is a European
Standard which specifies requirements
and test methods for consumer fitted
finger protection devices. This covers
devices that are designed to be mounted
on hinged doors in the domestic
environment inside buildings in order
to prevent crushing injuries to children
as a result of the door closing. Finger
protection devices intended to be installed
by professionals or that are an integral
part of the door system are beyond the
scope of this standard. This is therefore a
standard which is not intended for devices
which are to be used commercially.
Conclusion
Bearing in mind the importance of
fingers and the costs in both human
suffering and financial terms it is of huge
importance that we do all we can to keep
our fingers intact and in full working order.
There is therefore a need for increased
awareness, specification and use of finger
protection devices, particularly in public
buildings.
www.gai.org.uk
JAN/FEB 2020
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