Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me the photos below, and I would love to know your thoughts on this application. This device is attached to the door with double-sided tape, and the other part is magnetic. These are fire doors (yes, the wreath is a problem) in an assisted living facility, in an area for memory-care patients. The staff flips the device open when the resident is out of their room, and the magnet attaches it to the frame. If the resident comes back to their room, the device closes, indicating that the room is occupied.
If you were the fire door assembly inspector, would you consider this device a sign?
Do you think this is a good way for memory-care facilities to track their residents in case of emergency?
WWYD?
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Not sure it should not be mounted a little higher but other then that would it not just count as a sign and it is sure under 5%
I don’t see a problem unless it’s installed incorrectly and has the potential to interfere with proper door operation . Otherwise, it complies with NFPA-80 4.1.4.
I think it was a great idea for the salesman that sold it. I can’t imagine in an actual or even simulated evacuation situation that staff would not open the door to insure that the space is actually unoccupied.
In the “memory support” unit where my mother lives, most of the residents are ambulatory (including my mom. the staff does not always accompany them when they leave the room. My mom likes to roam around throughout the day (and sometimes in the middle of the night). This may work for some facilities, but would not work for all.
I don’t think I would trust it to be accurate. Is the idea that you don’t need to check the room to ensure full evacuation? If so, No, doesn’t work for me.
My opinion would be NO..I have worked on security for Alzheimer’s units and the residents play with everything. Just because a staff member flipped it to say the room was vacant, there is no way to be sure that someone didn’t roll by in his wheelchair and play with that cute yellow thing. If there were a real emergency and the staff chose to ignore checking this room because the sign said vacant, a real failure could result in a patient being missed.
A terribly bad idea fairly equal to the good ole’ boy inventors of school barricade devices.
Anyone who thinks this sign is a good idea, give me a call. I’ve got lots of examples of DNR signs that were put up, intended for patient 1, and then left in place when patient 2 was brought in. Who wants to take a wild guess at what happened to patient 2?
Anyone who would suggest or approve such a vacancy sign should have their employment horizons broadened and outside of the health care industry.
is that still the orange construction core? (maybe Best) or maybe a colour coding system for the hospital requirements?