34 • DOOR CLOSERS & HINGES
THE HIDDEN BENEFITS OF CONCEALMENT
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SAMUEL HEATH HAS BEEN AT THE forefront of concealed door closer technology for more than 60 years . In this article for The Locksmith Journal , the company reveals the hidden benefits of concealment …
Door closers play a critical role in assuring the safety of a building ’ s occupants . Their use on fire doors is enshrined in legislation and governed by Building Regulations and performance standards covering fire safety and accessibility .
Choosing the right door closer , however , relies not only on ensuring that it complies with relevant legislation and performance standards , but also on other factors which can improve aesthetics , reduce risk and enhance the safety , comfort and well-being of users .
PERFORMANCE MATTERS
The key areas of fire safety and accessibility are governed by a plethora of building regulations , performance standards and best practice guides .
Where fire safety is concerned , various requirements come to bear when selecting a door closer , including Approved Document B of the Building Regulations ( Technical handbook 2 in Scotland and Part E in Northern Ireland ), BS EN 1154 ( and BS EN 1155 in the case of Free Swing devices ), which governs the performance of controlled door closing devices , and BS EN 1634-1 , the fire door testing standard . Door closers that are suitable for use on fire doors must carry the CE mark .
With accessibility , parliamentary instruments such as the Equality Act and the Special Education Needs and Disability Act apply in conjunction with Approved Document M of the Building Regulations ( Section 4 in Scotland , Part R in Northern Ireland ) and BS 8300 , which stipulates maximum opening forces for doors on accessible routes .
It should be noted that these requirements apply to the entire door assembly , so no individual component can claim compliance .
However , a door closer ’ s operating efficiency will have a significant bearing on a door ’ s ability to achieve the performance standards , and manufacturer ’ s efficiency claims should be supported by independent torque curve certification .
Some compression spring-operated door closers cannot meet these requirements simply because the more compressed the single spring becomes in the opening cycle , the greater the force required to open the door .
Powermatic solves this by using a unique , patented twin-power configuration to maintain opening forces within the desired levels and still return an efficiency which facilitates a door ’ s compliance with the accessibility standards .
HIDDEN BENEFITS
In addition to the various performance standards and regulations , successful door closer selection will rely on other considerations according to the specific application .
These factors can have a significant effect not only on the ability of the door closer , and fire door , to perform reliably , but also on the quality of the building ’ s user experience in terms of the safety , comfort and well-being of its occupants , and the aesthetics of the building .
Jamb-mounted , concealed door closers , such as Powermatic , are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the many additional benefits that come from the fact that the door closer is totally concealed when the door is closed .
Concealment means that , unlike surfacemounted devices , the concealed door closer will not have a detrimental effect on the finish of the door or overall interior , thereby helping to retain a desired appearance . In addition to enhancing aesthetics in hi-spec projects such as hotels and apartments , this also helps to create a less-institutionalised , more therapeutic environment in health and care situations .
Where safety is concerned , jambmounted , concealed door closers such as Powermatic , are the preferred solution for many anti-ligature applications .
The risk of door controls being vandalised can also pose a very real risk to the safety of a building ’ s occupants , as a damaged door closer can prevent a fire door from working . Here again , a concealed door closer provides a useful solution , as it presents very little opportunity for the would-be vandal to damage its mechanisms and render the door useless .
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Once a door closer ’ s suitability for an application is assured , for the locksmith , door closer selection will be influenced by ease of installation , the quality and reliability of the product and manufacturer support .
Jamb-mounted , concealed door closers fit nicely into the locksmith ’ s skill set . Installation uses the techniques and equipment with which the locksmith will already be familiar for mortice locks .
Product quality and reliability will , obviously , vary from manufacturer to manufacturer , but maintenance-free performance and a manufacturer ’ s 10-year guarantee should be expected from any reputable company , as should dedicated support for product selection , installation and use .
DOOR CLOSERS & HINGES | MAY / JUN 2017 Sponsored by UNION