Hold-open systems by dorma & geze

Hold-open systems keep fire or smoke barriers open and ensure that the doors are closed in case of smoke or fire development. Fire and smoke doors must always be closed. Opening these doors is a hurdle due to their heavy weight, especially for elderly people and children, and poses a serious danger in case of fire. The only exceptions are doors that are equipped with an appropriate hold-open system. These keep fire and smoke doors open. If the connected smoke detector detects smoke or fire, the hold-open system is de-energised. The door closes.
Hold-open systems essentially consist of the following components:

• a hold-open device, e.g. an electromagnet or a door closer with hold-open device
• a component for detecting the development of fire or smoke, e.g. a smoke detector or a smoke detection panel with integrated or connected smoke detector
• a manual release button with which the door can be closed manually
• and an appropriate power supply

In Germany, hold-open systems require general approval by the building authorities, which is granted by the DIBt - Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (German Institute for Building Technology). The operator of the system is obliged to have the installed hold-open system checked for proper functioning by a specialist before it is put into operation. The record of the successful acceptance test must be kept by the operator of the hold-open system.

DIN 14677 on the maintenance of electrically controlled hold-open systems for fire and smoke protection closures regulates the maintenance, testing and servicing of the system. The hold-open system must be serviced once a year and the proper interaction of all components must be checked.