COMMERCIAL SECURITY
HOW CAN HOLDING OPEN DOORS PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 ?
» REDUCING THE SPREAD OF GERMS and bacteria has never been more essential in the current climate . Holding open internal doors provides an easy and effective method of infection control within your building , but it is important that this does not impact your fire safety .
Reducing door handle contact
A study by the New England Medical Journal , which researched the survival of coronavirus on a number of surfaces , identified that the virus was still detectable on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel 72 hours later . While regular cleaning can help combat transmission , the inevitable use of door handles means that they can quickly become a hotspot for the spread of germs .
Improving visibility and aiding social distancing
While lock down restrictions remain uncertain , social distancing measures are expected to stay for some time . Holding open internal doors facilitates social distancing by allowing improved vision when entering or leaving a room , or when travelling through a corridor . Not to mention the post-COVID etiquette of whether or not you should hold the door open for the person behind you .
Increasing ventilation
Workplace guidance published on 11th May 2020 identified ways employers and employees can work safely during the pandemic . One of the recommendations included the requirement for increased ventilation which can be achieved by opening windows and doors .
The Health and Safety Executive ( HSE ), said : “ Good ventilation can help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus , so focus on improving general ventilation . Where possible , consider ways to increase the supply of fresh air , for example , by opening windows and doors ”
The solution Geofire ’ s Agrippa door holder allows a door to be hygienically held open in a fixed position , preventing the need to touch the door handle . The Agrippa door closer ’ s free-swing feature allows a door to be held open at any angle . Using ‘ listen and learn ’ technology , the Agrippa suite of products will automatically release the door on the sound of the building ’ s fire alarm .
Wedges or homemade devices should never be used to hold open a fire door and is illegal should a fire occur . Building operators have a legal responsibility to ensure fire doors are not illegally wedged open to ensure that they can prevent the spread of smoke and flames . The Agrippa wire-free fire door holder and closer are fully compliant to the requirements of BS 7273-4 for standard actuation of fire doors , and third party tested and approved to EN1154 and EN1155 .
Andy Collinson , CEO at Geofire said : “ Wedging open a fire door removes its ability to stop the spread of fire , putting lives at risk . There are legally compliant solutions readily available if ease of movement around a building or increased ventilation is required .
“ From new builds to listed buildings , we have products to suit every installation ; conventional hard wired , radio wire free and the Agrippa fire door holder and closer allow ‘ dual mode ’ installation , meaning you can install straight from the box and programme our innovative ‘ listen and learn ’ patent technology at a more convenient time ”.
Geofire , home of Agrippa and Salamander , began life in 1972 and has , since then , been designing and manufacturing a wide range of electromagnetic activation devices , including fire door holders and closers . The Agrippa wire-free , fire door holders and closers offer an alternative , batterypowered solution . The devices ‘ listen and learn ’ the sound of the fire alarm , closing the door upon hearing the pre-recorded sound of the alarm .
To learn more about Agrippa and how it can help infection control within your building , visit www . geofire . co . uk / agrippa-covid19-solution /.
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NOV / DEC 2020
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