With an estimated 80 per cent of infections spread through touch, Dorgard offers an easy and legal way to hold fire doors open and thus reduce the risk of cross infection.
Ensuring that residents of care and nursing homes maintain a high standard of personal hygiene, such as thorough hand washing, to prevent cross-infection of viruses, is very difficult for staff to monitor. Many residents are able to move freely around their care setting from room to room, which enables them to maintain a level of independence and boosts their mental and physical health. However, this freedom can create problems at times when viruses are spreading aided by residents touching surfaces.
As an estimated 80 per cent of infections are passed on through contact with contaminated surfaces, by removing the need to open doors to access different parts of a care home, providers will drastically reduce the risk of viruses spreading. However, it is paramount that fire doors are held open in the correct way to ensure that they function correctly in the event of a fire, closing to restrict the spread of fire and toxic fumes, and compartmentalising the building. Dorgard fire door retainers offer a quick and simple way to legally hold fire doors open and, being battery operated, they can be retrofitted to existing fire doors without the need for an electrician.
Dorgards operate by listening out for the sound of a fire alarm. On hearing the alarm, the device releases the foot plunger holding the fire door open, and instructs it to retract, allowing the door to swing closed via the overhead door closer.
Dorgards are offered in a range to cater for all needs. For small to medium care settings with average noise levels, the original Dorgard is perfectly suited. For a setting where the noise levels are higher than average, and where enhanced sound recognition would be beneficial, the Dorgard SmartSound is a great choice. With fire doors held open in this way, providers will meet fire safety requirements as well as reduce the risk of cross infection –allowing residents to continue to enjoy the freedom of the home they live in without fear of contracting a virus from touching contaminated door handles.
To find out more about how Dorgard can help you with your action plan to reduce the risk of viruses such as COVID-19 spreading, call 0800 612 6537 to speak to the Dorgard customer help team or visit www.safelincs.co.uk.
