Dorgard and Other Fire Door Holders

A fire door retainer holds your fire door open during everyday use, then releases it automatically in the event of a fire. This means you get the benefits of an open door - better ventilation and easier access - without compromising safety. When your fire alarm sounds, the retainer releases the door instantly. The door closer then shuts the door completely, creating a barrier against smoke and flames. This gives people more time to evacuate safely.

The Dorgard listens for your fire alarm using acoustic sensors. When it detects a sound exceeding 65dB for 14 seconds or more, it automatically releases the door. You simply press the plunger down with your foot to hold the door open at any angle. The battery-powered device sits on the floor and needs no wiring to your fire alarm system. It's that simple. The Dorgard is certified to BS EN 1155, ensuring it meets all safety standards for electrically powered hold-open devices.

Yes, you can install a Dorgard yourself in most cases. It's designed for easy installation, eliminating the need for electrical work or fire alarm connections. The device is simply attached to the base of your fire door with screws. You don't need to drill holes or run cables into your walls. Just make sure the fire alarm sound level reaches at least 65dB where you place the Dorgard. For the Pro model that connects to your fire alarm system, a qualified electrician is required to install it properly.

Acoustic retainers, such as the standard Dorgard, listen for the sound of your fire alarm. They're battery-powered and don't need any wiring. This makes them perfect for retrofitting in existing buildings. Wired retainers connect directly to your fire alarm system. When the alarm activates, it sends a signal to release the door immediately. These need professional installation but offer more reliable triggering. Both types work brilliantly, but individual circumstances are crucial. For example, wired models are required for category A installations and acoustic models are easier to install.

You should test your fire door retainer monthly to ensure it's working correctly. Simply activate your fire alarm and wait a minimum of 14 seconds to allow for your fire door retainer to activate. The retainer should release the door within seconds, and if it doesn't, check the battery or contact us for support. Regular testing is crucial because these devices play a vital role in protecting lives. A monthly test takes just a few minutes but could save lives in an emergency.

There are a couple of options available for this scenario in order to keep your doors open legally.

• Dorgard – holds the door open permanently and releases the door upon hearing the fire alarm, allowing for your door to close.
• Free-Swing Door Closers – allows your fire door to function like a normal door, as if it did not have a door closer fitted. When the fire alarm sound, it will automatically close the fire door.

Depending on the type of door holder will determine how they should be installed and activated. Here is a couple of examples:

• Geofire Floor Mounted Door Holders – wired directly to the fire alarm panel, these are released automatically when the fire alarm sounds. Power is cut to the holder and the door closes.
• Dorgard Fire Door Retainer – wirelessly fitted, battery operated, and activated by the continuous sound of the fire alarm panel. The plunger releases and the door closes.

Due to the way that the Dorgard is activated, by fire alarm sound, it is listening for the sound of the alarm system every 4 seconds. When the alarm sounds for a continuous 14 seconds, to ensure that it is an alarm rather than a short one off sound, the plunger is released and allows the door to close.

The simplest solution is to use hardwired alarms from Aico/Ei Electronics with their relay bases. The Ei140 series (alkaline backup) and Ei3000 series (lithium backup) mains-powered smoke, heat, and combination alarms can interlink with the Ei128R 5A relay base or Ei128RBU relay with backup battery. Relays must be wired to the alarms but can be installed conveniently, either away from the alarm or discreetly between the mounting base and ceiling.

If a wired connection isn't possible but mains power is available, the Ei428 radio-interlink relay with backup battery connects wirelessly with any RadioLINK-capable alarm. This setup allows for both mains-powered and battery-powered alarms to activate the magnetic door retainer system.

These relay bases trigger when an alarm activates, allowing the automatic door closer to function effectively, closing fire doors to slow the spread of smoke and fire. Note that if the magnetic door holder requires backup power during outages, relays like the Ei128RBU or Ei428 with their own batteries are necessary.

Fire doors should never be propped or wedged open as the fire door would not be able to close in the event of a fire. A safe and legal solution to holding open fire doors is to install a fire door holder also known as a retainer. Fire door retainers can be easily installed onto existing doors and allow the door to be held open at any angle. They comply with regulations because when the fire alarm sounds, the door retainer releases the fire door to close, preventing the spread of fire. Fire doors should never be propped or wedged open to improve ventilation.

Yes, but only with an approved fire door retainer like Dorgard. Propping open a fire door with another object, like a chair or a fire extinguisher, is unsafe because the door will not be able to prevent the spread of flames and smoke throughout the building in the event of a fire. Holding a fire door open like this is therefore a criminal offence.

Dorgard complies with the standard for low voltage hold open devices, BS EN 1155. It also conforms to British Standards EN 1634, covering fire resistance and smoke control tests for door assemblies, and BS 7273-4 for the actuation of release mechanisms for doors.