While today’s Wordless Wednesday modification solved a fire door issue, it created a tripping hazard. I would have specified this a little differently…how about you?
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
While today’s Wordless Wednesday modification solved a fire door issue, it created a tripping hazard. I would have specified this a little differently…how about you?
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
These mag hold open devices are a tripping hazard.
Does the industry make a simple hold open/door closure that can be tied into a fire alarm and smoke detector? I know an operator can perform this function, but the auto open feature may not be needed so it would add a lot of cost compared to a mag hold open device.
Hi Charles –
Yes – there are many products that combine the closer and holder, like the LCN 4040SE and 4310/4410ME series.
https://www.lcnclosers.com/en/products/fire-life-safety.html
– Lori
Lori, would you use a 3130SE series if you wanted the holder/closer concealed on these special design fire wood doors?
Hi John –
I’m not a huge fan of concealed units, but yes – I have used them.
– Lori
May I ask why you are not huge fan of concealed closer/open devices?
I guess I’ve seen too many “retrofit solutions” for when the concealed closer has a problem, or concealed closers on doors without an auxiliary stop, and especially when the closer body is concealed within the door instead of the frame – the closer is so tiny with a big job to do! I prefer surface mounted closers whenever possible. Most people don’t even notice them so I think trying to make them invisible is not worth the trade-off.
– Lori
WOW, and check out the different finishes…
The magnetic hold open devices probably should have been mounted to the wall, so the boxes don’t create a trip hazard.
Actually, I believe there is a code issue if the governing code authorities have adopted ANSI A117.1 as their accessibility code standard. 307.2 does not allow protrusions into the circulation space beyond 4″ off the wall. I am assuming that these are fire doors since these are magnetic hold opens. One option (perhaps unsightly) is to drop the magnetic hold opens from a rod hung from the ceiling. The other option would be to install an electrically controlled closer on each door like the LCN Sentronic Series.
You’re 100% correct, Christopher! I had my “fire door” hat on when I was writing this late-night post…the position of the magnets do cause a tripping hazard. I tweaked the text a bit – THANKS!
– Lori
Technically these “protrusions” are below the 4″ rule, height above the floor. However, I suggest that this tripping hazard is unacceptable in best practice and an electronic hold-open closer would be the appropriate route. Even better might be a Won-Door product for this application.
Should have painted them in a mottled combination of black, white, and gray, so that people who trip on them won’t be able to see why they fell down [ sarcasm off ]
😀
My only issue I have had in the past with the electronic Fire hold open closers in the past is the release of the door from the closer. There is a small hole with a button that needs to be pushed in order to release the closer. Most users do not know this, so they just pull the doors closed. This can damage the closer and/or the door. If they place a decorative bollard and have the floor hold open installed in that, it will look better, solve the trip hazard issue and still allow the doors to meet code.
I would have specified stop arm closers with LCN’s electronic track 4040SEH.
Me too!
– Lori
This solution falls under “when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail”. Having only seen wall mounted mag hold open, the engineer tried to adapt that to their situation.
Electrified closer release would be a top option. In a retrofit situations, cost is almost always a major concern. At this point of the installation, the most cost effective would most likely be bollards.