A fire door hold-open device keeps a fire door open during everyday use and releases it to close automatically when the fire alarm operates. Electromagnetic hold-opens are commonly to BS EN 1155, with the alarm interface designed under BS 7273-4. They are the safe alternative to wedges and hooks.
Why doors get wedged
Busy corridors, care homes and schools have doors that people need open all day. If there is no safe way to hold them, they get wedged, which defeats the door completely. A hold-open device or free-swing closer solves the problem properly.
Types of hold-open
Electromagnetic door holders are wall or floor magnets wired to the fire alarm. Hold-open closers combine the closer and the hold-open in one unit. Free-swing closers let the door move freely and close it on alarm. Some battery units listen for the alarm sound; these must be suitable for the alarm system and the building. The right choice depends on the door, the alarm and how people use the space.
Working with your alarm contractor
Hard-wired hold-opens need an interface with the fire alarm, which is usually designed and certified by your fire alarm contractor. We fit and commission the door side and coordinate the interface, then test that every device releases when the alarm operates.
Specification at a glance
- Standard
- BS EN 1155 electromagnetic hold-opens
- Alarm interface
- Designed under BS 7273-4
- Options
- Wall/floor magnets, hold-open closers, free-swing
- Battery units
- Sound-activated, where suitable
- Typical uses
- Care homes, schools, corridors
- Testing
- Release on alarm, recorded
What's included
- Assessment of door use and alarm system
- Electromagnetic holders to BS EN 1155
- Hold-open and free-swing closers
- Coordination of alarm interface
- Release testing with the alarm
- Record of devices and test results
How the installation runs
- Survey the doors and the fire alarm arrangement
- Choose device type for each door
- Agree interface work with the alarm contractor
- Fit and commission the devices
- Test release on alarm activation
- Record results and hand over
How much does it cost?
£180 – £450 per door ex VAT
£180–£450 per door for the device, excluding fire alarm interface work, ex VAT. These are guide figures; your price is fixed after a free survey. See all guide prices or try the guide-price tool.
Questions about fire door hold-open devices
Is it legal to wedge open a fire door?
Wedging a fire door open defeats its purpose and is likely to breach the duties under fire safety law. A hold-open device that releases on alarm is the safe alternative.
Do hold-open devices need the fire alarm?
Hard-wired devices are released by the fire alarm system. Some battery units detect the alarm sound instead; they must be suitable for the building and its alarm.
What is the difference between a hold-open and a free-swing closer?
A hold-open keeps the door at a fixed open position. A free-swing closer lets the door move freely, as if no closer were fitted, until the alarm sounds.
Who tests hold-open devices?
They should be tested with the fire alarm as part of the routine testing arrangements. We test them at installation and record the results.