Fire Door Mechanism

72chevy4x4

Hello-I'm not sure of the proper place to post this...a commercial setting (large church) has fire doors throughout separating partitions. The doors have stops mounted on them, which I'm not sure if that is ok according to the fire marshal, but I'm looking into the electro-magnetic door latch which would be wired into the fire alarm system and release the door upon signaling of an alarm thereby shutting down the partitions.

The question being, does anyone have experience with these? Are they a low-level voltage type of system. Did the control for the solenoids branch off a local siren/strobe or does new control need to be run from the alarm panel?

mdshunk

I've only done two such installations, and I only ran the pipe for the door release. There's an alarm guy that checks this site pretty regularly who should be able to tell you for sure. My gut tells me that it is it's own output, since you really want your strobes and sirens to work, and you don't want a shorted door release to kill your audible warning devices.

Pearce Services

A fired rated door is typically UL listed or FM approved. They are a system of components from one manufacturer that rely on that fact to maintain the rating. It is not a good idea to install anything on your doors that are not approved by the manufacturer of the door. That being said, the device you need when used in a fire rated rolling steel door is available in 120vac, 24vac, and 24vdc.

The manufacturer of the door systems do not require a dedicated circuit. for more info see www.cooksondoor.com

MSSI

If I remember correctly. The door release comes off terminals in the control or annunciator panel and are seperate from strobes and such. They can be low OR line voltage.

RobertWilber

I have installed and repaired these LOTS of times.
A common practice is to install a PAM relay at a strobe or horn location. Basicly, what you have then is a normally closed relay that opens when the horn is activated, disconnecting power to the door holder magnet.
Piece of cake...
Only question I have then is: since they are installing fire doors with mag holders, have they got controlled barrier dampers in the air conditioning at these fire walls?