Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all.
I have been asked by a client in an office building if they can the 'doorguards' to fire doors which automatically release when the alarm goes off. In principal I am fine with this as long as they are fitted and maintained correctly. However, the landlord of the building has asked that I put this on the fire risk assessment that I carried out a few weeks ago. So ball in my court!!
I am IFE trained and are fully verse in the DCLG guidance. However, I have not been asked about these before and have not seen any guidance outside of the normal advertising.
The client wants 3 of them placed on ground floor office fire doors leading to the main protected staircase/escape route. At present, all travel distances to the staircase are well within the 18 meters. It is a 2 storey building with this staircase being the only means of escape from the first floor.
I have not taken a measurement from the furthest point on the first floor to the front door but suspect that it is probably around 20-25 meters.
I am not sure if doorguards can be used in this scenario (single means of escape).
I would appreciate anyone opinions. Better still, has anyone any guidance on using these.
many thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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We use 'Dorgards' but only in exceptional circumstances. The thing to remember with them is that they are not fail safe. That is to say that if the fire alarm for some reason failed to activate because of a power issue the 'Dorgard' would not activate, whereas a 'Maglock' would. Your means of escape may then be compromised.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Chas.
I've googled these and although I had a vague idea of the 2 different types, I have a better idea. The Maglock is the one that would need to be istalled by the fire alarm contractor. I will recommend that one.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Dorgards are not recommended for use where fire doors are protecting a single staircase MOE
Even Chubbs who sell them state:
There are some cases where the use of Dorgard may be inappropriate, eg on doors protecting a single staircase building
http://www.chubb.co.uk/u...2%26siteId%3D403,00.html
On the other hand, where such door will inevitably be wedged or tied open due to the processes carried on, then you may be able to risk assess a dorgard is the safest option.
I did a FRA on a 3 storey single staircase pub with a 1st floor kitchen and sleeping above. Staff needed to carry plates to the ground floor pub area so could not open the fire doors to the stairs. If dorgards had not been fitted the doors would be held open by staff or the pub would have had to close the kitchen and inevitably go out of business.
Instead, dorgards with timers were fitted. The timers closed the door at 21:00, some 30 minutes after the kitchens closed. In addition, a plastic faced break glass MCP was fitted in the kitchen so the chef could raise the alarm and close the doors with minimum delay
The fire service passed this control measure as suitable and sufficient on a later fire safety audit
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Doorguards are excellent where disabled and old persons are present and cannot open heavy fire doors.
Just ensure someone closes all the firedoors before the premises empty for the evening/weekend.
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