Open Sesame: Keeping Fire Doors Open with Dorgard

Thursday, September 3, 2009 | Printer Friendly

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It's a problem any business owner or premises manager is familiar with. When the sun shines in the UK, every instinct in our sun-starved staff cries out for doors to be flung open, to salvage every last ray of sunshine they can. Of course, the problem with this enthusiasm is your obligation to ensure fire doors can be closed at all times, which is where a Dorgard can save time, frustration - and lives.

Dorgard: No More Hole in the Wall Gangs!

The temptation to prop open a fire door is overwhelming, and the usual solution of magnetic door holders can prove both expensive and a maintenance headache. (How many holes in walls do you have from doors being yanked shut when kept open with these holders? Exactly)

Sometimes spelled as Doorgard, Doorguard or Dorguard, they eliminate the need for illegal doorstops (usually your fire extinguishers, in our experience), or for expensive and hard-wired magnetic holders - and endless wall repairs.

How a Dorgard Works

The Dorgard is a wireless, battery-operated unit that holds the door open securely when required, and then releases the door when a fire alarm sounds. To keep the door open, you just press down on the top knob with your foot, and a rubber foot grips the floor, holding the door open The Dorgard will only release the door if it detects a fire alarm sounding at over 65 decibels for more than 14 seconds, in which case it retracts the rubber foot, and the door swings shut. It's that simple.

Easy To Fit, Easy to Maintain

The Dorgard comes with full fitting instructions, and using the template supplied, you can fit one in under 5 minutes. Two C-size batteries are included in the box, which will last for at least 12 months in normal use. Maintenance is easy; a year after fitting your Dorgard, just replace the batteries and the rubber foot ferrule (to make sure the foot still has grip), and you're done! If you have a fire alarm maintenance contract with a service company, they should include checks and battery replacement for Dorgards in their annual service, much as they would for magnetic door retainers.

Dorgards on Non-Carpet Floors

Clearly, a Dorgard is most effective where its rubber foot can get a good grip. In every Dorgard box you'll find a footplate that provides the Dorgard foot with a secure and non-slip surface, if required. The foot plate features a bump stop of the door and a recess into which the rubber foot slots, and takes just 4 screws to attach to the floor. You should fit this Dorgard floor plate if:

• your floor surface is smooth, such as laminates, vinyl, planed wood or Amtico
  
  
• your door weighs more than 120kgs
  
  
• your door has a mains-powered closer
  
  
• any door creeps shut when held open by a Dorgard, perhaps due to unlevel floors

Dorgards: Smart, Stylish, Effective

Over the last ten years, manufacturers have finally realised that fire safety equipment doesn't have to look ugly! The Dorgard comes in a variety of finishes to match your office or venue decor, including black, mahogany, red, white, plus brushed aluminium and brass, two finishes particularly popular for prestige venues and premises. If you've already got single colour unit, you can retrofit new aluminium or brass covers, which are unbranded and look extremely smart.

Dorgards: Smart, Stylish, Safe

Every Dorgard unit is also approved, accepted by UK Fire Authorities and has been tested to and complies with BS EN 1155: 1997, EN61000-6-1:2001, EN61000-6-3:2001+A11:2004, BS 7273-4: category C, USA Patent no: 5525963, European Patent no: 0635092

Dorgard Discounts

Being an approved distributor, Fire Protection Online offer generous volume discounts for Dorgards, covers and replacement rubber feet, so you can fit out an office, premises or venue for less.

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