Hold-open system
A hold-open system ( FSA ) or door hold-open ( TFA ) is a device for keeping open fire terminations (z. B. fire doors , smoke control doors , rolling gates or smoke barriers between fire zones ).
The hold-open system ensures that fire protection barriers or smoke barriers are kept open, but close securely in the event of a fire or smoke development .
construction
A hold-open system essentially consists of the following components:
- Energy supply (evaluation / control center)
- Locking device, e.g. B. Magnet with anchor plate or door closer with internal or external hold-open device and, if necessary, automatic gate and door drives
- at least one fire detection element fire alarm , e.g. B. optical smoke detector or smoke switch
- at least one manual release button for manual closing (this can only be omitted if the hold-open can also be canceled by applying slight pressure to the door leaf).
The buttons for manually closing the door / gate must be red (at least 16 cm² in size) and have the label "Close door or gate".
As fire detectors in hold-open systems, optical smoke detectors based on the scattered light principle or (not permitted for smoke protection barriers), less often heat differential detectors, are used today .
In the past, ionization smoke detectors were also used as fire detectors because they were more secure against interference ( water vapor , dust, etc.) . Due to their radioactivity, these have almost completely disappeared from the market. In addition, they are to be treated as hazardous waste and registered in Germany with their serial number and installation location at the state offices for environmental protection.
Some systems are equipped with rechargeable batteries in case the 230 V supply voltage fails . The failure of the supply voltage - and possibly also the battery voltage - must lead to the closing of the smoke or fire protection barrier.
The hold-open systems can also be controlled by fire alarm systems in accordance with DIN 14675 . A connection to a fire alarm system is permitted, but not forwarding the signal from the hold-open system, e.g. B. to the fire department . Hold-open systems are independent systems that must have their own fire detection elements (smoke detectors or heat detectors). This also applies if they are controlled by a fire alarm system. In the course of escape routes and emergency exits are mandatory fire detectors that respond to smoke, to use.
Admission
In Germany, a hold-open system requires proof of usability in accordance with the building regulations list A, Part 1, no. 6.25 a general technical approval (abZ). This is issued in Germany by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). It is usually valid for five years and can be extended upon request. If the general building authority approval for a hold-open system expires, the basis for use as a hold-open system in the sense of the state building regulations is no longer given and the system may no longer be installed in buildings from this point in time. Existing systems can, however, continue to be operated, provided they meet the original requirements and are regularly checked and serviced. It is therefore necessary for the operator to keep the acceptance report of the company that installed the system and the certificate of usability (here: abZ).
It is currently stipulated in the general building inspectorate approvals for hold-open systems that the requirements of the DIBt guidelines for hold-open systems (as of October 1988) with regard to installation, operation, acceptance and maintenance must be observed. The European standard on hold-open systems DIN EN 14637, as of January 2008, available as white print, can only be used if it is anchored in the general building inspectorate approvals.
Every hold-open system must undergo an extensive suitability test before it can be approved. This must prove that the DIBt requirements have been met. The suitability test is carried out by an approved test center. In principle, only complete hold-open systems are tested. All parts of the system must be tested and approved together. If individual components are exchanged for those not listed in the approval, the entire hold-open system is not approved.
Hold-open systems in potentially explosive areas
A special area of application for hold-open systems are potentially explosive areas (Ex areas), zones 1 and 2. Such systems must be specially designed; all components are specially approved and tested again (EX). Hold-open systems in Ex areas must always be equipped with gas warning devices.
Excerpt from DIN EN 14637 (page 31 / A.2): “On doors of rooms in which an explosive atmosphere can arise from flammable gases, vapors or mist, hold-open systems should only be used if the hold-open devices are additionally equipped with a gas warning system to be triggered. The gas warning system and hold-open system must be electrically connected to one another. Elements, components and connection cables of hold-open systems that are installed in these rooms must be intrinsically safe. "
Acceptance according to DIBt guidelines
The built-in system must be checked to ensure that it functions properly and that it has been installed correctly. After the acceptance test according to the DIBt guidelines, an acceptance plate must be affixed in the area of the installed hold-open system, on which the date of acceptance is documented. This acceptance test is to be initiated by the operator of the system and can only be carried out by the manufacturer of the hold-open system, a person certified by the manufacturer or a designated test center (currently only VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH).
The successful acceptance test is a protocol must be made out. This must be kept by the operator of the system and presented on request (e.g. at the fire inspection by municipal authorities, fire brigade).
Since the state building regulations do not recognize the concept of grandfathering , a hold-open system with defects or incomplete documentation of the installation must be removed from the fire protection closure and replaced by a system that complies with the approval. This applies to systems that have not been accepted and for which the approval notices have expired and to systems that have been accepted with a successful acceptance report, but which have significant defects that cannot be remedied by repairs or maintenance work.
Obligation to maintain hold-open systems
A new German application standard ( DIN 14677 - Maintenance of electrically controlled hold-open systems for fire and smoke protection barriers) has been regulating maintenance since March 1, 2011, in particular regular testing and maintenance. The operator must now keep the hold-open system operational and regularly check that it is working properly in accordance with the approval notice of the individual systems. In addition, the operator is obliged to have an inspection carried out once a year to ensure that all devices are working properly and without interference, as well as having maintenance carried out, unless a shorter period is specified in the approval notice. It is the operator's duty to either employ a certified maintenance technician (referred to in the standard as “specialist for hold-open systems”) or to commission a specialist company with this competence to maintain the hold-open system. The type and scope of maintenance must be recorded and added to the system documentation.
The archiving of the standard-compliant maintenance documentation in accordance with Appendix B of DIN 14677 is now also mandatory.
This documentation must contain:
- the description of the location of the hold-open system in the building,
- the acceptance report,
- a building authority approval,
- the maintenance instructions and
- Scope, time and result of the maintenance measures
The documentation must be kept and must be presented on request.
In addition, DIN 14677 contains specifications for the maximum operating times of the smoke detection elements: detectors without triggering threshold adjustment must be replaced after five years, detectors with contamination indicator and triggering threshold adjustment after eight years at the latest.
This standard has now been incorporated into the latest DIBt approvals for hold-open systems, so that its application is now legally binding. The DIBt was involved in the creation of this standard.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
literature
Hans-Paul Mink: Fire protection in detail: doors, gates, windows . FeuerTRUTZ Network GmbH, Cologne 2010, ISBN 978-3-939138-77-8