Door Industry Journal - Spring 2015

90 THE door industry journal spring 2015 building hardware Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Hidden benefits of concealment Designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Samuel Heath, Powermatic controlled, concealed door closers are enjoying increasing popularity in both private and public sectors of the building industry thanks to their outstanding performance characteristics and the many benefits they provide. Available in standard and Free Swing versions, the door closers are installed neatly between the door and frame, presenting little more exposed surfaces than a hinge. They are totally concealed when the door is closed and particularly unobtrusive when the door is opened. It is this level of concealment and discreet fitting that delivers a host of highly desirable benefits to a wide range of applications in hotels, health, education and social housing applications. Assured performance Both versions of Powermatic comply with relevant fire performance standards and enable doors to comply with accessibility requirements. The door closers are manufactured under processes and systems that comply with BS EN 9001, and meet the requirements of BS EN 1154, whilst Powermatic Free Swing also meets the requirements of BS EN 1155. As such, the door closers carry the CE mark. Beautiful interiors Designers have long-admired Powermatic’s ability to retain a clean, unhindered appearance to the door, without intrusion from the unsightly boxes and mechanical arms which are an unavoidable feature of surface mounted door closers. In commercial situations, such as hotels, restaurants, apartments and offices, the appeal is mostly down to creating a great looking interior. However, in clinical applications, particularly psychiatric units, mental health facilities and care homes, enhanced aesthetics can deliver some very real, practical benefits in improving the well-being of patients and residents by creating a more homely, less institutionalised environment. The benefits of concealment go far beyond aesthetic considerations:- Reduced vandalism Many buildings are susceptible to vandalism, particularly schools, social housing, healthcare facilities and other public buildings where the users’ duty of care may not be as high, or where constant supervision is impractical. A damaged door closer not only increases maintenance costs, but can have dire consequences for a building’s occupants if it prevents a fire door from performing its intended function. Invisible when the door is closed, Powermatic offers less of a target for the vandal or would-be prankster. Even when the door is open, the opportunity for Powermatic to be vandalised is limited thanks to the fact that its major mechanical parts are concealed within the door. Anti-ligature and anti-barricade Powermatic is the perfect choice where anti-ligature and anti-barricade measures need to be taken. It is particularly well-suited for use with continuous hinges. The risk of ligature can be present in any door installation that is not constantly monitored, whether in psychiatric facilities and secure accommodation or even schools and other educational establishments. Powermatic’s total concealment, as well as the absence of surface mounted control arms and boxes, obviously mean the door closer is out of sight when the door is closed and cannot be used as a point of ligature. Additionally, Powermatic can be installed within 300mm of the bottom of the door, a height at which harm through ligature is considered unlikely in most circumstances.