Effective fire door closers are essential for the safety of people in social housing, mental health institutes, healthcare facilities, education and other facilities with a high number of users or residents.
Powermatic is the leading brand of fire door closers, from Samuel Heath. The world-leading Powermatic R100 fire door closer is known to specifiers for its exceptional performance, engineering design and reliability.
Fire door closers automatically close doors in public buildings and private facilities in the event of a fire to prevent the spread of flames and smoke. Samuel Heath’s Powermatic R100, Powermatic R108 and Perkomatic R85 are all concealed fire door closers that are neatly hidden between the door and frame. Their design is a modern alternative to traditional overhead fire door closers.
What are fire door closers?
Fire door closers automatically close doors when not in use. Traditional fire door closers with a mechanical arm are surface mounted above the door. Concealed fire door closers are installed in the door frame and inside the door to connect the two.
For over fifty years, Samuel Heath has designed and manufactured concealed fire door closers which have revolutionised the fire safety of multi-occupancy and public buildings.
How fire door closers work
Overhead fire door closers pull the door closed using its spring-loaded mechanism and articulated mechanical arm. The operation of concealed fire door closers is far more discreet, using a spring-loaded piston within a fluid-filled chamber, hidden within the door and door frame, to control the movement of the door.
Benefits of specifying concealed fire door closers
In addition to performance levels, there are several benefits of specifying concealed fire door closers.
- Anti-ligature
Concealed fire door closers do not pose the ligature risk associated with overhead fire door closers
- Reduced vandalism
Because they are concealed and far more difficult to damage, concealed fire door closers are not as susceptible to vandalism which can lead to safety risks and potentially the cost of replacing the entire door
- Hygiene
Concealed fire door closers don’t attract and withhold as much dust, dirt and detritus as the surfaces of traditional fire door closers
- Improved aesthetics
Overhead door closers are automatically associated with institutional spaces. Concealed fire door closers provide a more homely aesthetic which makes users feel more comfortable and relaxed
- No door clearance restrictions
Concealed fire door closers don’t require the space around a door that is need for the installation of a traditional fire door closer.
Why fire door closers are essential for safety
Fire door closers are essential for safety because they automatically close doors and hold them firmly in the frame to create a highly effective seal against the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants time to safely evacuate a building.
By containing fire and smoke, fire door closers keep stairwells and other escape routes free from harmful smoke and toxic gases, allowing occupants and firefighters to move swiftly within the building.
Forgetting to close doors allows flames and smoke to move at pace. When doors are closed automatically, the potential for human error is removed.
Types of fire door closers and their applications
At Samuel Heath we supply concealed fire door closers to clients across the world:
The Powermatic R100
The Powermatic R100 is the only jamb-mounted, concealed fire door closer with Certifire certification, an independent third-party passive fire product certification scheme.
The Powermatic Axis R108
For use with concealed hinges, the Powermatic Axis R108 was designed to work with the Tectus concealed hinge system from Simonswerk.
Both the Powermatic R100 and Powermatic Axis R108 are specified globally by facilities management teams and architects for buildings such as hotels, social housing, education sites, healthcare facilities, high rise apartments and care homes.
Concealed fire door closers for social housing
Local authorities are increasingly specifying concealed fire door closers for social housing properties. This is primarily because they are less likely to be vandalised or damaged which keeps maintenance, repair costs and safety risks to a minimum. If an overhead fire door closer is damaged it can impact the integrity of the entire door resulting in its replacement.
An invisible fire door closer also makes social housing accommodation feel more relaxing and homely.
Concealed fire door closers for mental health institutes
Concealed fire door closers for mental health institutes make a significant difference when it comes to safety. Clinicians, healthcare facility managers and designers are now far more likely to specify concealed fire door closers because overhead fire door closers are notoriously associated with ligature and barricade risk.
Being out of sight, the concealed fire door closers are instrumental in creating a less institutionalised environment, which can be crucial for psychiatric care and recovery.
Fire safety regulations for door closers
Fire safety regulations for door closers ensure fire doors latch-close properly to create the seal that prevents the spread of fire and smoke. The latch must never be compromised.
Fire door closers must conform to the performance criteria of BS EN 1154 standard which covers aspects such as closing speed and power.
BS EN 1634-1 is the fire safety standard for the fire resistance of complete door and shutter assemblies, including hardware such as closers.
How to choose the right fire door closer
Before choosing a fire door closer you must see evidence of compliance with fire safety regulations for any products under consideration. You should also consider the building in which the fire door closer is being installed and the needs of the building’s occupants.
Samuel Heath experts can advise you on this. Our detailed product selector table also provides important information regarding features and benefits of our fire door closer products.
Installation guidelines for fire door closers
Installation guidelines for fire door closers can be downloaded from the Samuel Heath website. Here, you will find fitting instructions for both the Powermatic R100 and Powermatic Axis R108, along with other helpful videos and documentation.
Specify concealed fire door closers with Samuel Heath
Contact Samuel Heath to discuss your project and our concealed fire door closer products.
FAQs
Do Samuel Heath fire door closers conform to legislation and performance standards?
Yes. You can download the specifications here.
Is the R100 fire door closer Certifire approved?
Yes. The Powermatic R100 is the only jamb-mounted concealed fire door closer to be awarded a Certifire certification. This means it has been tested and approved for fire safety by a highly reputable, independent body.
Are concealed fire door closers installed in high rise accommodation?
Yes. Our concealed fire door closers offer many benefits for high rise accommodation. Find more information about this here.
