The Locksmith Journal Nov-Dec 2017 - Issue 53 | Page 64

64 • FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY
PROUD SPONSORS OF THIS FEATURE

10 QUICK-FIRE DOOR CHECKS YOU SHOULD BE UNDERTAKING NOW

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OFFICIALLY , THERE IS NO LEGAL obligation to inspect fire doors and check these are operating correctly throughout your site . Neglecting to do this can , however , put people ’ s lives and property seriously at risk , which is why we suggest periodic checks should be carried out every six months . These recommendations are included with fitting instructions and should be retained by the building owners or users after installation .
For fire doors that are heavily used on a day-to-day basis , inspections should be undertaken even more regularly , to ensure they remain in good working condition .
But when it comes to fire doors , what checks should building owners and managers be performing ? While there are no official fire door inspection requirements currently in place , it can be difficult to determine whether a fire door has been installed and maintained safely or not .
Here are our top 10 tips to quickly ensure your fire doors are performing as expected :
1 . Look for a label , plug or similar marking that shows the fire door is certified
2 . Check the door leaf isn ’ t damaged , warped or twisted
3 . Ensure the door closes correctly around all parts of the frame 4 . Check that the closer seals and latches the door from any position ; we suggest about 75mm from the closed position
5 . Make sure the gap around the door frame is constant , with no excessive gaps ; it should be about 3 – 4mm
6 . Ensure all ironmongery is firmly screwed into the door and frame , with no missing screws
7 . Make sure the seals at the top and sides of the door are not damaged or missing
8 . Check any glass is fitted firmly , making sure any beads holding the glass in place are secure
9 . Confirm the door is not wedged or propped open unless with a release system
10 . Check the fire door is finished correctly with the appropriate signage
By following these quick and easy steps , you can make sure your fire doors are operating correctly and safely .

Technical Bulletin – Corrosion Resistance for Door Closers

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CONSIDERING WHETHER A DOOR closer meets the necessary corrosion resistance standards can save vital costs in the long run .
Alison Aston , Category Manager for Door Closers & PED at UNION , outlines why checking the corrosion resistance of a door closer is so important .
When you are looking for a door closer , you will first want to make sure it works with the size and weight of the door and check if it is certified for use with fire doors , including checking the door material and time specified .
Those have long been the two main considerations for specifiers and installers alike , and rightly so ; a door closer needs to be up to the job and not fall foul of a fire inspection .
But , when looking at the EN 1154 or EN 1155 certification of a door closer , how often would you look at the last number in the CE table ? This is for corrosion resistance , and can be rather more vital than you may think .
Understanding the corrosion resistance of a door closer is highly important . CE certification gives a grading to how long a door closer can be expected to last , which is stated in 6 grades as defined in EN 1670 : 0 – No discernible resistance 1 – Mild resistance ( for internal applications with a dry atmosphere )
2 – Moderate resistance ( for internal applications where condensation may occur )
3 – High resistance ( External applications exposed to occasional rain or dew )
4 – Very high resistance ( External applications with severe weather conditions )
5 – Exceptionally high resistance ( External , extreme weather conditions )
ASSA ABLOY
Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
Bildstockstraße 20
10
72458 Albstadt
1162-CPD-0484 EN1154:1996 + A1:2003
4
8 4
2
1 1
4
Dangerous substances : None
Considering the corrosion resistance of a door closer is therefore a critical step in specifying the most suitable door closer for the environment in which it is to be installed . If a door closer is needed in a harsh environment – for example , a swimming pool or oil rig – then the potential exposure to salt air demands that a door closer to grade 4 be specified . But this would also be vital for a door closer being fitted to an external door , or to a door accessing ( or near to ) a kitchen or launderette .
It ’ s now even more important to check this grading , as some door closers and / or their covers are being made from lower grade metals . This may make them appear to be better value , but their lower expected operating lifespan can result in early replacement – a situation you will doubtless wish to avoid in the future .
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | NOV / DEC 2017