Door Industry Journal - Spring 2016

102 THE door industry journal spring 2016 building hardware Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk The designer’s closing choice The concealed door closer has long been the designer’s preferred option when it comes to retaining the aesthetics of an interior, with Samuel Heath’s Powermatic door closers establishing a reputation as the leading product in the field. Where surface-mounted door closers feature control arms and mechanical boxes that can spoil the appearance of doors and interiors, Powermatics are jamb-mounted, fitting neatly between the door and frame. They are invisible when the door is closed and particularly unobtrusive when the door is open, presenting little more visible surfaces than a door hinge. British designed and manufactured, the Powermatic range currently features two models; the original controlled, concealed door closer and a free swing version, appropriately named Powermatic Free Swing. Both door closers are CE marked and have been engineered to meet the industry’s requirements for fire and accessibility, with independent certification providing the assurance of performance, quality and reliability demanded by architects and control officers. The benefits of enhanced aesthetics are recognised not only in high-end, design-conscious interiors, such as hotels and luxury apartments, but also in other applications, such as mental health facilities and care homes, where visible mechanical devices can create an undesirable, functional atmosphere that instils feelings of institutionalisation. Other benefits delivered by Powermatic’s concealment include enhanced reliability, improved hygiene and heightened safety, thanks to a reduced risk of vandalism and ligature. These benefits become clearer when one considers the challenges faced by the products’ application in the various sectors of the building industry:- Education The risk of a surface-mounted door closer being damaged is particularly high in most educational establishments, whether schools, colleges, universities or accommodation units; the protruding arms and control boxes can present a very tempting target for the would-be vandal or prankster. Damaged door closers will cost money to replace and these costs will increase if the door has been damaged. A damaged door closer can also render a fire door ineffective, with potentially dire consequences in the case of fire. Additionally, whilst not a risk immediately associated with mainstream educational establishments, the risk of door closers being used as a point of ligature might also be a consideration in product selection. Powermatic concealed door closers remove much of the temptation and opportunity for vandalism or misuse, reducing the likelihood of increased costs for repair and replacement and making facilities safer and more reliable. Health and care In many ways, the healthcare sector benefits from the use of Powermatic in a similar fashion to the education sector. However, due to the variety of situations encountered and specialist needs of health and care facilities, the case for using Powermatic is more emphatic in three key areas of safety, hygiene and comfort:- Safety From the safety perspective, in addition to the consequences that a vandalised door closer might present, specialist areas of the health sector, such as psychiatric care, demand that particular attention be paid to the safety of vulnerable people. Anti-ligature solutions are vital in many such areas, and Powermatic can make a valuable contribution. It is the preferred door closer for many continuous hinge anti-ligature solutions and is also recommended for use in anti-barricade systems. Hygiene Hygiene and cleanliness are vital in every health establishment. With minimal surfaces on show. the jamb-mounted door closer attracts very little detritus when in service. This feature, together with its low mounting height normally no higher than the centre point of the door), make inspection and cleaning procedures quick, easy and effective.