Magnetic Locks

[Peter123]

Hello all,

I've always found myself on this forum when I have questions surrounding fire doors so I thought I'd join the community and sign up to be a part of the knowledge sharing and hopefully better my understanding of this industry.

My question today is surrounding magnetic locks, and the one in question I will attach photos of, albeit not very good quality as it's been pulled from a survey.

Without any extra information on the doorsets, the survey says it should be removed and a repair technique to fix the void should be used.

My question then is, why has the surveyor said it needs removing and repairing, and I'm not sure there is a repair technique to cover the void left. Full replacement, or does the maglock look acceptable?

Thanks for the help in advance. 

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

The mag-lock appears to interrupt the intumescent seals in the head of the door frame for some distance. If it does, I believe the surveyor is correct to recommend removal and suitable repairs. Ask the surveyor to provide a specification for a compliant repair. 

[Peter123]

On 22/07/2024 at 16:40, Neil Ashdown MAFDI said:

The mag-lock appears to interrupt the intumescent seals in the head of the door frame for some distance. If it does, I believe the surveyor is correct to recommend removal and suitable repairs. Ask the surveyor to provide a specification for a compliant repair. 

Thanks for this Neil, I will see what information I can get. I was just under the impression that if this wasn't manufactured and tested this way then the void left by the magnetic locks would be too deep and long to have any suitable repair methods. We'll see what they say.

 

Thanks for getting back to me.

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

 "I was just under the impression that if this wasn't manufactured and tested this way then the void left by the magnetic locks would be too deep and long to have any suitable repair methods."

It may be that the void can be filled with suitable timber and adhesive, or replacement may be necessary. Without seeing the door assembly first-hand, its not possible to say. There are some fire door-set and maglock system combinations that are suitably evidenced. Contact some fire door-set suppliers or ask the fire door inspector for assistance.

[Peter123]

Thanks for this Neil. I will do my best to obtain the manufacturers details for this door and what the best approach would be. I would think that a double doorset construction to a high standard in this way was manufactured with the maglock before installation. Although as we see on many occasions, without and documentation to back it up, how are we able to do our jobs and maintain the doorset and certify the work to the fire resistance rating needed.

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

Yes that's right. Without documentary evidence of fire performance for that type of maglock in that type of door, its up to the Fire Risk Assessor to decide about suitability on a risk-assessed basis.