A solution to the problem of automatic fire doors closing during a fire drill

Recently SSP Direct have been approached by one of our customers with a far from unique problem.

Every Friday between 9.30 and 10.00am this major hospital in South Manchester test their fire alarm system. Being a fully integrated system one of the things the fire drill is testing for is that all 26 fire doors are released from their wall restraints into the closed position.

It is worth noting that fire doors serve a critical function in that they are designed to stop the rapid spread of fire around building. These heavy doors, with their intumescent strips, are designed to contain a fire to one section of the building.

Although it is vital that the doors are tested to ensure they are released without a problem, fire doors closing automatically does present a very real hazard to visitors, staff and patients as they move around the building.

To help warn all people in the hospital that the door will start closing when the alarm sounds, we have developed this free standing sign (right). Stating, ‘Fire alarm testing – STAND CLEAR – Fire doors will close automatically’, the sign should be positioned by the automatic fire doors. Ideally it should then serve two purposes; Not only does this inform those in the building that the fire alarm sound is nothing more than a fire drill, it will also hopefully prevent anyone from becoming panicked or, worse, injured by a closing fire door.