Meeting the Requirements of the DDA - Which Door Control?

With the publication of 'Which Door Control?' DORMA are now able to state which of their door closers conform to the latest guidance on Approved Document M (ADM) by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

The most common question DORMA has been asked over the past few years is "Does this door control help meet the requirements of the DDA?".

If the door was controlled by an automatic door operator, the answer was relatively simple. However, if it was a manual door it was impossible to answer!

To comply with BS8300 the closing force of the door could not exceed 20N.
To comply with ADM the opening force of the door could not exceed 20N.

Under the laws of physics a 100% efficient door closer cannot be manufactured; hence the difficulty in answering the question. However, now, we can give you a definitive answer!

The latest guidance issued on 3rd March 2005 from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) provides clear advice with regard to door closer specifications:

“The opening force, when measured at the leading edge of the door, should be not more than 30 N from 0° (the door in the closed position) to 30° open, and not more than 22.5 N from 30° to 60° of the opening cycle.”

The new opening force limit aims to satisfy both the disabled access requirements of Part M and the fire regulations set out in Part B, and relates to doors to accessible entrances, manually operated non-powered entrance doors, and internal doors.

DORMA has produced a guide 'Which Door Control?' which will help you select the correct door control for your application. It also includes information on which DORMA door closers comply with the recent guidance at different door widths.

DORMA has consistently led the industry in giving advice on how best to meet the requirements of the DDA. We are the first company to give the full picture regarding which of our products comply with the ODPM guidance and are confident that DORMA have the widest range of products which comply.

For more information, please contact your local DORMA salesperson, call 01462 477600 or email dda@dorma-uk.co.uk.

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New brochure: Which Door Control? (Adobe Acrobat file)

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	A range of DORMA closers meet the required opening forces of the latest ODPM guidance. download view picture