Key factors to consider for specifying door closers

When choosing the right door closers for a care home, there are a whole host of factors to consider. These include not only who will be using them and the opening force, but whether they are to be fitted on internal or external doors. Other important questions include: What size are the doors and do they open inwards or outwards? What volume of traffic uses them? What closing force is required? How will they be mounted?  While all these questions need to be addressed, there are three key factors to bear in mind when selecting new door closers for a care home - certification, performance and flexibility. 

One of the key standards for a care home to take into account when choosing fixtures and fittings is BS 83002:2018. BS 8300 sets out how buildings should be designed, constructed and maintained in order to create an accessible environment for those with a disability; it was first introduced in 2009 and was last updated in 2018. The standard is consistently updated to take account of important legislation, such as the Equality Act 20101and Approved Document M.2 

While the overall aim of BS 8300 is to ensure that anyone can use an environment, previous versions of the standard have focused more on the provision of accessibility solutions specifically for people with a disability. By contrast, the latest update focuses on making sure the whole environment is more universally accessible, rather than simply adding on separate facilities for those with a disability. Put simply, a building should be accessible to all, without restriction or the need for assistance.