18.
(1) Doors and gates shall be suitably constructed (including being fitted with any necessary safety devices).
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), doors and gates shall not comply with that paragraph unless
(a) any sliding door or gate has a device to prevent it coming off its track during use;
(b) any upward opening door or gate has a device to prevent it falling back;
(c) any powered door or gate has suitable and effective features to prevent it causing injury by trapping any person;
(d) where necessary for reasons of health or safety, any powered door or gate can be operated manually unless it opens automatically if the power fails; and
(e) any door or gate which is capable of opening by being pushed from either side is of such a construction as to provide, when closed, a clear view of the space close to both sides.
Door Safety Products Comparison showing a short example section of door/frame fitted with comparison sample sections of an UNSAFE (Example ONE) and a SAFE (example TWO) proprietary door safety products.
Example ONE as with the majority of door safety shields is seen here (fig. 3) as UNSAFE
( Fig. 1 - door closed)
Shields that implode and/or use perforating fixings such as nails, screws, rivets etc. that can affect fire door integrity by penetrating the doors fire rated surface are considered unsafe. A further liability is that a door manufacturer's warranty can become void if used.
Example ONE seen as UNSAFE with shield imploding into the injury zone ( Fig. 3 - door closing)
Example ONE ( Fig. 2 - door open)
Product Safety Liability - without forcing, or bending the rigid sections on this example the flexible section can be reversed as the door closes thereby imploding the shield (and fingers) into the injury zone.
Example TWO seen as SAFE ( Fig 4 - door closed)
No perforating fixings are used so fire door integrity and manufacturer's warranty remains unaffected by application. This product is considered suitably and has Design Council Endorsement not achieved by the alternatives.
Example TWO ( Fig 5 - door open) 
Example TWO seen as SAFE ( Fig 5 - door open and closing) 
When shield is pushed towards the danger zone it remains safely convex resisting mechanical implosion across the whole of the shield's surface. We found this to be safe at any door opening, or closing position.
This is a modular system uniquely patented to work on standard, rising and declining hinges from 18mm to 100mm thickness to 180 degree opening angle.
Checklist: which doors to safety-proof? (LA Opinion)
NB -All pictures used are of manufacturers sample sections.
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Door Safety Criteria considerations |
*All doors should be considered to be safety-proofed except those that are kept locked most of the time, not opened or closed whilst accessible to those protected from risk.
*Fire doors that are closed at all times, not used for ventilation, general personnel through traffic, or used only for fire escape or maintenance access do not necessarily need to be safety proofed.
*Door Hinge area (opening gap) Should always be considered for safety proofing
*Door Hinge area (knuckle side) of hinge. Should always be safety proofed where doors have an opening of over 100 degrees or the area is easily accessible.
*Door shielding products whether folding or roller blind style should logically not be a cosmetic safety solution. Good shielding should affectively resist *determined or accidental finger access to the danger zones. Anything less can only be considered a risk and liability.
*Shields that detrimentally restrict fire doors closing into the door frame retaining mechanism safety should realistically be considered a liability.
The above is an example only. Genuine FAQ's are being compiled these will be answered confidentially as a matter of opinion only. Tel: 0870 774 4006 where one of our advisors will take your questions confidentially. These FAQ's will not be retained or published as a matter of policy.
NB. The information available on this site shows examples and opinion than can be confirmed by obtaining manufacturers sample sections. There are various devices on the market. It is strongly recommended that you carefully research and identify for yourself the safest option based upon the simple testing method shown above. Liability Alert is a non-profit making organisation.
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