Dorgard FAQ

Dorgard FAQ

The aim of this FAQ is to aid you the customer in making the best decision when purchasing a Dorgard. Below are a few factors to consider when purchasing a Dorgard

What do I need to know before installing a Dorgard?

There are a few factors to consider before installing a Dorgard to your fire door, these include:

• The closing force of the door – The heavier the door the higher the closing force. A door that that weighs over 120kg and/or has a closing force of excess 120 Newton metres will require the floor plate to be installed.
• The surface of the door that the Dorgard is being fitted too – Ensure that the surface of the door is smooth and flat so that the Dorgard can be installed properly.
• The door itself has door closer fitted – The Dorgard release the door to allows the door closer to shut the door, it does not physically close the door.
• The Fire door closes tightly against the door jamb – ensure the fire door can close properly therefore providing maximum protection.
• The Dorgard forms part of your fire risk assessment – This is required by the fire precautions (workplace) regulations 1997.
• Checking your current fire alarm system is working – the sounders in your alarm system will need to be functioning when the alarm is activated as well as sound at the right level.

Is the Dorgard easy to install?

The Dorgard is very simple to install. The Dorgard comes with a fitting template and to install the Dorgard you simply follow these steps:

1. Close the Fire Door and attach the template to the bottom corner of the door, ensure that the template is fitted to the side of the door that closes against the door frame. (Basically ensure the template is installed as shown on the diagram on the template).
2. Mark Pilot holes using the template and if you want to switch the Dip switches to activate the automatic night release if required.
3. Make provisions for the floor surface and the weight of the door, if the floor plate is needed install this by screwing it to the ground.
4. Attach the Dorgard to the door, first using 2 screws to fasten top (so that the height of the Dorgard can be adjusted to suit the floor) and then fasten the bottom with the remaining screws once the right height is chosen.
5. Then simply open the battery compartment and insert the batteries and then close the compartment the Dorgard should beep and make a motor sound. (You may choose to do this first if you would like to make sure that the Dorgard work before attaching it to the wall)

Does the Dorgard only listen to sounds at 65db (Decibels)?

The Dorgard listen for a constant sound above or at 65db. The Dorgard can be setup so that it is more or less sensitive and this can be done by adjusting the sensitivity in the adjustment hole in the front. Although we do recommend that it be kept at 65db or higher it can be adjusted lower if the sounder is a bit further away however the door may close more often if the background noise creeps up. The higher sensitivity should only be used in nosy environments where a 65db constant sound level is exceeded i.e. a place that plays loud music. The maximum is 80db but should your premises have a background noise of this or higher it is unlikely that you will hear a 65db fire alarm sounder.

How does the Automatic night time release work?

This facility is useful feature of the Dorgard as it automatically releases your doors at a programmed time. This is extremely useful for properties with a large number of fire doors and/ or large buildings. The reason for the automatic night time release is that buildings at night tend not to be occupied and therefore are more susceptible to fire spreading undetected. Setting up the automatic release time is a simple process, simply power up the device at 12 noon and adjusting the dip switches will allow for different preset times to release the door, these are as follows:

• Dip Switch 1 – ON – Release at 20:00hrs , Operational 08:00
• Dip Switch 2 – ON – Release at 21:00hrs, Operational 07:00
• Dip Switch 1 & 2 ON – Release at 22:00hrs, Operational 06:00

These pre-programmes are based on the Dorgard being set up at 12 noon, however times can be adjusted by setting up the Dorgard at different time i.e. If you need the door to release at 12am then you would power up the device at 4pm. Factors to keep in mind is that if this function is used the Dorgard will not operate during the release time. We also recommend that you check the Dorgards on a weekly basis to ensure that they are closing at the right time.

How do you test the Dorgard?

The Dorgard can be tested in two ways. The Dorgard itself does a self test once every 7 days. It checks for possible defects and problems and emits a beep if any are detected. The second method is to test the Dorgard by activating the fire alarms. Simply activate your fire alarm for at least 30 seconds, wait for approximately 20 seconds for the door to close (a LED on the Dorgard it self should be blinking every second to show it can hear the fire alarm). The Dorgard should sound a warning tone and then close, after this has happened allow for a 10 seconds reset and then reactivate the Dorgard. If the Dorgard does not activate then it is possible that the Dorgard is not sensitive enough. In this case adjust the sensitivity and test again. It is recommended that this test is done every week to ensure that they work.

Is it simple to maintain the Dorgards?

Yes, to ensure that the Dorgard provides you with maximum protection it is advised that you test the Dorgard. This should be done on a weekly, monthly, 6 monthly and yearly basis. Each maintenance is detailed below:

• Weekly – Test the Dorgard by sounding the alarm and ensuring it closes within 20seconds of activating the alarm.
• Monthly – Perform weekly test as well checking the microphone on the unit for dust and cleaning the Dorgard. Also if a floor plate was fitted ensure that it is still secure.
• 6 Monthly – Perform weekly and monthly test but also check the ferrule (the rubber foot) and ensure that the Dorgard is still attached firmly to the door.
• Yearly – Carry out the 6 monthly schedules and replace the batteries.

What does BS 7273-4 category C mean?

The BS 7273-4 relates to the British Standard for Door release mechanisms. This standard has 3 categories A, B and C.

• Category C basically means that there is no direct connection between the device and the alarm system i.e. functioning on acoustical sound.
• Category B means that there should be a direct connection to the panel and it should be fail safe. This system would allow doors to close not only when the alarm is sounding but when certain faults arise from the panel. This category states that doors should close if there is an open or short fault as well as two other monitoring requirements i.e. power failure.
• Category A is also a fail safe system but a direct connection is needed. Like Category B the system should be triggered by a open or short fault but in Category C it is compulsory to have 13 other monitoring requirements.

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