Secure front doors and frail elderly residents are not always a happy combination. In sheltered housing blocks the individual apartment doors will usually be fire doors and so need to have some form of closer fitted. This is also a good idea for conservation of heating and security as well as fire safety but can create difficulties for elderly or infirm residents to open or negotiate, particularly with wheelchairs or Zimmer frames.
To alleviate these problems, South Lakes Housing decided to fit LCN door closers at their Birthwaite sheltered housing and extra care facility in Windermere. LCN door closers are supplied by Relcross Ltd and they were able to advise South Lakes on the best specification for their circumstances and the 1461 model, some with delayed action, was chosen.
The LCN 1460 series has been designed to be used on metal or timber, hinged, commercial, interior/exterior doors and is ideally suited for hospitals, nursing homes, sheltered housing, educational and institutional applications. These are standard duty, non-handed, universal fixed closers that can be fully adjusted on site to suit the door size and required closing force.
The LCN 1461 is designed for reduced opening force and can be set to a strength that makes it suitable for use by people who are frail, aged or disabled. This closer can operate at between 14-20Nm from initial opening up to 90°.The speed at which the door closes can also be adjusted to allow the appropriate momentum to close the door in a safe and secure manner. Closing speed adjustment operates from the maximum opening to 15° from where the latching speed takes over to close the door quietly and firmly. Latching speed is also adjustable to assist with the final stage of the closing cycle to help overcome stubborn latch bolts or air pressure conditions.
Like many high quality, fire rated door closers, a backcheck feature is included to provide a cushioning effect when the door is opened up to its maximum extent to prevent damage to the closer, door and frame. The backcheck adjustment allows the level of resistance in the latter stage of opening (from 75°) to be set at the level required.
But perhaps the most attractive feature of the LCN 1461, and a key requirement at Birthwaite, is the option for delayed action. This enables the door closing action to be delayed for an adjustable period of time up to a maximum of one minute before resuming normal closing. This allows slow moving traffic to pass through in safety and without disruption.
The Birthwaite sheltered housing and extra care scheme is set in delightful grounds in Windermere in the heart of the beautiful Lake District. The 45 one and two bedroom flats benefit from communal facilities such as a hairdressing salon, computer room, laundries and a large lounge overlooking the gardens. There is also daily contact from South Lakes Housing staff should tenants request it. South Lakes Housing is an independent, not for profit charitable Registered Provider of social housing which was set up by South Lakeland District Council. They are the main providers of affordable rented housing in an area covering 600 square miles and including the towns of Kendal, Windermere, Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston as well as parts of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
For more information contact Relcross on 01380 729600, visit www.relcross.co.uk or email sales@relcross.co.uk
