HARDWARE & SECURITY
GAI strongly advises that anyone
considering specification of anti-microbial
and anti-bacterial products should:
1. Thoroughly research the differing
options available;
2. Discuss your chosen product with the
manufacturer and seek out as much
background information and test
evidence as you can;
3. Check out any independent
laboratory tests;
4. Review case studies on projects where
the product has been supplied;
5. Be very careful what claims you make
when promoting anti-microbial and
anti-bacterial furniture in respect
of Covid-19 unless you have solid
evidence of the products’ efficacy
against it.
Closing devices
In order to minimise physical contact
with a door people may be tempted to
keep the door held open. This is a serious
risk in respect of fire doors. Fire doors
should never be held open through any
means including mechanical hold open
arms, door wedges, cabin hooks, foot
operated door holders or other sundry
items which prop them open.
Any modifications to a fire door which
hampers its ability to close properly into
its frame will inhibit its proper function.
Always remember that a fire door which
does not close correctly will not work in
the event of a fire.
However, the following options are
available and can be safely specified:
• Electromagnetic hold open units.
These are often used to hold open
fire doors on circulation routes.
Once the fire alarm is activated the
electromagnetic control will release
the door, enabling the door to close
securely. These units can be either
in an electro-magnetic unit such as
an overhead or concealed closing
device or floor spring, or else as an
independent electro-magnet which
can be surface or flush mounted.
• Swing free closing devices. These
allow a door to operate without
resistance, as if the closer were
not present. This means the door
can be left open in any position
and therefore does not need to be
frequently touched. Again, when
the fire alarm is activated the
electromagnetic control releases the
door so it closes securely. These are
available in overhead and concealed
units and floor springs. Models are
also available with anti-slam finger
protection.
Door automation
Although a more expensive option,
power-operated pedestrian door
operators could be considered as part
of an ironmongery specification. Please
note that installation of automatic
operators must be by professionals
who are fully trained to BS EN 16005
under the Machinery Directive and if
you are unaccustomed to specifying
these products always consult with the
manufacturer.
Door operators can be sliding, folding,
balanced or swing type and should be
activated by either:
• A manually activated device which is
controlled by a push pad, coded entry
system, card swipe or remote control
device.
• An automatically activated device
controlled by a motion sensor or a
hands-free proximity reader.
The best default activation option
is for overhead sensors as no physical
interaction with the door is needed.
Where this is not appropriate, touch-free
or anti-bacterial coated activation buttons
could be considered.
Access Control
Consider the following when specifying
access control in this new normality:
• Lock activation requiring physical
contact such as digital keypads and
biometric readers may not be the best
option. Instead proximity devices
(which the user has exclusively) such
as fobs, cards or bluetooth devices
including mobile phones should be
considered;
• Mechanical exit buttons for egress
through a door can be replaced with
touch free buttons or a sensor to auto
unlock the door;
• Mechatronic cylinders will reduce
physically touching mechanical
cylinders and thumbturns. They also
provide low cost audited time bound
access to increase control where
conventional hard wired access
control is too costly;
• Electronic motor locks are an option
for access controlled doors as when
combined with door automation
mean the door can be unlocked and
opened with no physical contact.
Seals
• Whilst perimeter seals are rarely
touched on doors it is possible to
specify anti-bacterial versions.
• Where transmission of air-borne
particles is a very real concern,
consider specifying acoustic
perimeter seals and drop seals.
Washrooms
• Consider specifying touch free soap,
toilet roll and paper towel dispensers
to minimise direct contact with
surfaces in the washroom.
• Disabled grab rail kits are also available
with antibacterial protection.
Retrofit products
Retrofit products such as devices which
allow a door to be opened by foot instead
of by hand are available. There are also
products which can be clamped to lever
handles to allow them to be opened by
elbow or forearm. Whilst these and other
products may provide a solution, care should
always be taken on the following points:
• Always ensure that any product fitted
to a fire door has the correct fire test
evidence for the type of door it is to
be fitted to. Fitting a device which is
untested can result in unauthorised
modification of life safety equipment,
that the fire door is no longer “as tested”
and that any third-party certification for
the fire door is nullified.
• Fitting a product to a lever handle
could have an impact on the
certification of this item. This can
include EN 1906 as well as EN 179.
• Retrofitting a product to a door can
impede the clear opening width
which is stipulated in BS 8300 2. This
is because the clear opening width is
measured from the frame stop on the
door closing side to the first physical
feature on the hinge side, which can
be projecting door furniture.
Further detail on this issue is in a GAI
Technical Briefing which is available in
the members’ section of the GAI website.
www.gai.org.uk
JUL/AUG 2020
53
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