I am trying to get a definitive position on how often hold-open devices on fire doors should be released for testing purposes (and to prevent warping of the door).

I have always thought this to be weekly (done in conjunction with the weekly fire alarm test), but I've just been referred to BS 9999:2008 Annex V.2.5, which states: "All doors that are held open by automatic release mechanisms should be released daily". This seems excessive and for large buildings, such as the ones we manage, extremely resource intensive around re-opening all the doors every day.

However a Google search seems to suggest that common practice remains weekly, and this may be backed up by BS 7234-4. Unfortunately I haven't got a copy of BS 7234-4 so can't check.

Rather than line BSI's pockets, can someone give me an authorative position on this. The buildings I am referring to are office buildings and educational establishments.

Tim like you we do this on a weekly basis when we test the fire alarms and we are a further education college. This has satisfied the local fire service as after our recent re-furbishment I invited them down to go over all arrangements we had put in place.

We have these fitted at our HQ and satellite offices and they are checked during the weekly fire alarm test.

I often think some British Standards are "belt and braces / gold plating" and in this respect I do not think daily is reasonably practicable!

We've had our Fire Safety arrangements checked / audited by Fire Officers and Fire Safety Consulsants and no issues have been raised or mentioned.

Thanks for the responses. It appears to me that general practice is weekly, in conjunction with fire alarm testing, as we are currently doing. However compliance with BS 9999 remains daily, unless anyone can help me prove that we are not in contravention of BS 9999 in doing it weekly (it is to resolve a contractual dispute with a client who says we have to comply with the exact requirements of the standard).

Colin

I admit my lack of knowledge in this area - hence my posting which you seam to totally misunderstand.

I thought these devises kept the doors open, but in an emergency situation they automatically let the doors close.

My point was that if you simulate a fire situation where the doors should shut automatically, but you allow anyone to re-open them how do you know they have actually shut or remained open during your test?

I would be happy if someone could give me a logical answer as to where I have gone wrong but with respect "cannot agree with this" is of no help to anyone.

Brian

I think the point that Brian is trying to make is a reasonable one, in so much as how do you know that the doors have shut. The device failing to safe is irrelevant if for example the door sticks, which admittedly is not a device failure as the release mechanism may have operated, but the door may be at fault.



With the utmost respect Chris I understand your point, but think you are taking quite a blinkered view here, the doors could form part of a high traffic area or be in an area where goods/materials/etc are regularly transported therefore stopping to open doors may impose additional hazards.

Regards

Tom

Brian, its best practice for fire alarm system operation for you to be able to put the building door closers on a timer so that they all close at say 6.0 pm. and re-energise in the morning so staff open them onto the hold-open plate or similar.
This helps to ensure the building is fully compartmented during the night and would fulfill your daily test without any extra effort!!!!
Saves a bit of electricity as well as all these units do require power - if you need to convince powers that be of costs of installing timers to door relays. You might find your system already has this function and it is not being used?

Tim, it this is a Client led requirement and they want to obey the BS then why are you trying to do otherwise? Their requirement is better than what you want to give them so why not go with it?

The answer lies in what you have already said re the client says you have to comply with the exact requirement.

I will add that BS is not a Regulation anyway and if your fire risk assessment allows flexibility it is your decision (or that of the fire risk assessor).

If you are working for the client and they are requiring the work involved with opening all those doors after a daily test then why not make some money from the work?

TDS I see where you are coming from and there are occasions when fire doors need to be open, thanks for pointing that out.

If you look at the guide to fra for offices and shops, appendix A.1 example maintenance - these devices are mentioned in the Weekly checks along with smoke curtains.

That suggests to me that it is good enough for rrfso so it would be good enough for me.

No mention of BS but there is a mention of recommendations of manufacturers and installers.

I've had a change of position on this issue now having done some reading.

You really do have to have a visit to every door that has been held open to ensure that no warping has/is taking place. This will depend on the location of the device i.e. if at the bottom it will be working against the door closer with more potential for warping than if located at the top of the door.

You should be checking that the gap between door and frame is consistent all around.

Further, have you considered doors that definitely should not be held open, i.e. higher fire risk areas, final door to a single stairway etc.?

I have a simple gap tester obtained from www.bwf.org.uk (tel: 0844 209 2610). I first heard about this through this forum - and it works!

Is it possible to put a test switch in circuit on the door mech alone? If a key switch is used in series with the retaining circuit then a test can be made without setting off the alarm. The key retained by the assigned person. After testing the key is then returned to the 'run'position.

Not sure about this.

Bob