Dorgard

Posted on 24 October 2008

The illegal and dangerous practice of wedging open fire doors to increase air circulation during hot summer months could be brought to an end thanks to the development of a new product.

Dorgard is a device designed to hold doors open safely and allow them to close automatically upon the detection of an alarm, thereby containing the threat of any fire.

According to the Discovery Channel, closed doors can prevent the movement of smoke through a house and prevent a building from burning down. The news provider recommends that people must never simply open doors when a fire is burning, but should instead check their temperature with the back of their hand and leave them closed if they are hot.

Dorgard is able to hold open doors while 'listening' for a continuous fire alarm with a sound level of over 65 decibels. After around 14 seconds it will release, allowing the fire door to close under the pressure of the overhead door closure, restricting the area into which fire and deadly fumes can spread.

The invention is already employed at safety-conscious businesses and organisations across the country, including all 73 Toys 'R' Us stores nationwide and last year's FA Cup winners Portsmouth Football Club.

A spokesperson for the team said: "We are very aware of our responsibilities under new fire safety law such as ensuring that fire doors are not wedged open and exits not obstructed. The neatness of the Dorgard concept gets around this problem very effectively."

Retail giant Toys 'R' Us commented: "In most cases, the Dorgards are installed in our stores on fire doors between the storage and sales areas. They are also fitted on fire doors in our distribution centres."

The spokesperson added wall-fixed magnetic door closers had previously been used at outlets across the country, but whereas these had proved impractical, often being sheared off during the transport of goods through doorways, the Dorgard circumvents such problems so effectively it is now being specified for new-build stores as well as established properties.

Dorgard can be used to hold doors open by simply pressing down a knob on its top using your foot, which activates the bump stop of the floor plate, keeping the door open against the force from the door closer.

The device can then be manually released by lightly kicking the black knob back towards the door.

Dorgard is currently also being employed at the University of Brighton, which stated that the practice of keeping fire doors open illegally had previously been all too common during the summer.

Stuart Wilson, of hardware supplier Ironmongery Direct, said: "Wedging open fire doors is illegal and dangerous. Dorgard is the safe, legal and cost effective solution to prevent the spread of fire and smoke."

The device can be installed within five minutes according to a spokesperson for the university, meaning doors can easily be kept open guilt free during the summer, improving the safety of establishments and employees.Othes: Dorgard, Yale Wirefree Alarms, Pocket Door