Invisible 'virtual fire door' in care homes

Coopers, specialists in fire and smoke control systems, has designed and developed the only really effective alternative to traditional heavy fire doors.

A major problem that all care home owners have to face is the ever-present risk of injury to frail residents.

Serious injuries or even death can result from compromising between reducing health and safety risks and providing adequate fire protection.

Although heavy fire doors with automatic closure mechanisms comply with current regulations in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, they can present a constant safety hazard to the elderly and frail.

Within the care home environment fire doors are often wedged open to allow residents easier access throughout the building - a practice that is not only dangerous but contravenes fire regulations and could lead to prosecution.

Countless numbers of lives are put at unnecessary risk each year because fire doors have been left open allowing smoke and fire to sweep through a building.

It is an age-old problem that has been crying out for a solution.

Coopers, the Hampshire based specialists in fire and smoke control systems, has now designed and developed the only really effective alternative to traditional heavy fire doors - The invisible 'Virtual Door' Fire Barrier.

The Virtual Fire door is a fireproof, motor driven barrier, that once fitted into an existing door opening is virtually invisible and remains continually in the open position, and only activates in the event of a fire.

Discarding traditional fire doors in favour of Virtual Door dramatically reduces the risk of frail or handicapped residents injuring themselves or falling whilst trying to negotiate heavy dividing doors.

This revolutionary alternative ensures the care facility remains within the restrictions imposed by the Disability Discrimination Act 2004.

(The Discrimination Act 2004 states that circulation within buildings should be free from hazards) The Virtual Door is slim, lightweight, easy to install and available in standard sizes for up to a 2m wide doorway.

It is protected with the Coopers' gravity fail-safe system, which ensures that it will move into its safe position even when the power is cut.

Every door is 2hr fire resistance tested to BS 476 Part 22 and smoke control tested to BS 7346 Part 3: BS EN 1363-1.

Automatic retraction and a range of intelligent protections are available.

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