Door hardware

Relcross Solve Door Closer Problems at John Ferneley College

Building Products Index Ltd March 27, 2019 Door hardware Leave a Comment

Relcross recommended LCN 4111 door closers to solve problems affecting three sets of double doors at the John Ferneley College in Leicestershire.

Standing impressively on a hillside above Melton Mowbray, the John Ferneley College is an 11-16 secondary academy and part of the Mowbray Education Trust. Named after local resident and the leading equine painter of the early 19^thcentury, the college has performed extremely well in academic terms over the past few years, with GCSE results in the top 10% of schools nationally.

The layout of the school is divided into separate learning zones with double doors leading through from the main corridor into the Enterprise zone – for Business Studies, the Performance zone for Arts and P.E. and the Communication zone for Maths and English. These three sets of double doors provide access for a large volume of users on a daily basis, some perhaps more concerned with getting through quickly than ensuring the doors are treated gently. In other words the doors and closers are operating in one of the harshest environments in terms of usage.

The closers originally fitted proved inadequate for the job and the excessive wear and tear resulted in the doors firstly opening too far causing damage to the structure of the doors and subsequently not closing properly which is a major problem for these fire doors. Estates Manager Jeff Challis turned to door hardware specialist Relcross who recommended the LCN 4111. The bodies of these CE marked door closers are made from cast iron, the internal components are stainless steel and the units have been independently tested to 10 million cycles.

The extra duty forged steel arms are standard as are the double heat treated steel pinions. They are also filled with an all weather fluid that eliminates the need for seasonal adjustments and, should any adjustments be needed at other times, the LCN® Fast™ Power Adjust system makes them quick and easy.

Relcross Sales and Marketing Director Stuart McMaster commented “In high traffic locations it is essential the door closer specified is up to the job, although I must admit we get a lot of sales from installations where the chance of an initial cost saving has tempted someone to install a closer that just won’t cope. Instead they should have considered the whole life costs and recognised the long term savings of fitting what, we are confident, is the best closer on the market.”

This series of closers is LCN’s best performing heavy duty closer designed specifically for institutional and other rugged high traffic applications. For further information call Relcross on 01380 729600 or visit www.relcross.co.uk or email sales@relcross.co.uk

Von Duprin Show the Way

Building Products Index Ltd December 20, 2018 Doors, Fittings Leave a Comment

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Relcross have employed their problem solving experience by supplying Von Duprin 99QEL exit devices to Advanced Diesel Engineering (ADE) of South Kirkby in Yorkshire. ADE are experts in acoustic containers for generators and their products can be found in an increasing number of data centres throughout Europe. Data Centres have banks of generators on stand-by, ready to come online in seconds in the event of a power failure. But generators, especially un-containerised diesel generators, are very loud. So loud that they present a substantial problem for anyone nearby and a large number in close proximity would be totally unbearable. A silent generator operates inside a sound proof container or generator enclosure which muffles the sound heard by workers, employees, customers and members of the public.

But like so many problem solving technologies, the solution to the main problem creates other problems to be solved along the way. One of the many that ADE have had to overcome is how to safely and securely open and close the heavily insulated steel doors that provide essential access to the generator and other equipment inside the enclosure. It’s not a problem that most people would anticipate but ordinary door hardware just would not work. The doors are too thick and, apart from access control for security, emergency exit from the enclosure must also be provided in the event of fire or other such eventuality.

Normal entry and exit is controlled by a swipe card system that disengages the door alarms while recording the details of who has entered or exited the container. A key operated lock can then be used to open the door by releasing the latch on the Von Duprin device installed on the inner surface of the door.

When exit is required the swipe card is used in the same way before the touch bar is used to release the door latch. The Von Duprin 99 QEL features motorised latches rather than magnetic solenoids which, together with the famous Von Duprin fluid dampener that decelerates the touch bar on its return stroke, eliminates most of the noise associated with exit device operations. In the event of an emergency the touch bar can be used independently and without any delay. In such instances the alarm will also sound to alert security. As a further safety feature, the touch bar is covered with a luminous material to provide guidance to people trying to escape from the enclosure if the lighting fails or vision is inhibited by smoke. The Von Duprin 99 QEL, with so many unique features, provides the safe and secure answer in a wide range of demanding installations.

For more information call Relcross on 01380 729600, email sales@relcross.co.uk or visit www.relcross.co.uk.

Door exit devices Door hardware motorised latches Relcross Von Duprin 99QEL exit devices

Privacy Door Latch Improves On Traditional Products

Building Products Index Ltd March 26, 2018 Doors, Fittings Leave a Comment

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The Pemko Privacy Door Latch is a simpler, more effective and easier installed alternative to a security chain or swing bar on a hotel bedroom door.

Many hotel guests feel much safer when they are away from home with an additional security device on their bedroom door that opens enough to see who is outside – and even examine an ID pass – but stops intruders from opening the door enough to gain access without the occupiers’ consent. Many people have also experienced other guests entering their rooms by mistake, sometimes even issued with the wrong keys at reception.

The commonly used chain or swing bar designs need to be attached to both the door and the frame (and correctly aligned) and both these options can sometimes allow the door to open enough for them to be defeated. In comparison, the Pemko PDL, distributed in the UK by Relcross, has many advantages.
The PDL consists of a single bracket with a strong steel flap that can be opened to completely stop the door from opening more than 56mm or closed to allow free access. It is very simple to operate even by those with limited dexterity making it practical for use in rooms adapted for disabled use as well as standard rooms.

It is only attached to the frame leaving the door untouched and pristine. There’s only one bracket to be fixed and no two parts to be aligned. This means it’s easily fitted in just minutes. Fixing to the frame gives a much stronger anchorage and does not rely on a chain or bar secured to a relatively thin and lightweight door. Additionally, it cannot be used to try and keep the door open and so reduces the opportunity for damage to the door and frame by misuse.
The Pemko Privacy Door Latch is available in 5 finishes to harmonise with almost any colour scheme making it even more unobtrusive.

Success in the hotel market in the USA has also led to a growing market for the PDL for use on private residential doors, particularly with its easy D-I-Y installation.

For further information call Relcross on 01380 729600, email sales@relcross.co.uk.

visit www.doorhardware-online.co.uk or, the main Relcross site at www.relcross.co.uk

Door hardware Pemko PDL Pemko Privacy Door Latch Relcross single bracket steel flap