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Location:  Publications > Communiqués > 96-030 Communique

96-030

SELF-CLOSING HARDWARE ON RESIDENTIAL SUITE DOORS

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has received several inquires from fire departments and the public regarding self-closing hardware on residential suite doors. While both the Ontario Building Code and the Fire Code identify many locations in buildings where self-closing hardware is needed, the inquiries related particularly to retrofit requirements for residential suite doors that are detailed in Sections 9.3, 9.5, 9.6 and 9.8 of the Fire Code.

Last year, in response to a concern that self-closing hardware inhibits or prevents frail, elderly or physically challenged people from vacating their premises in the event of fire, the OFM published an article entitled, "Door Closers and the Physically Challenged," in the September/October 1995 issue of the Ontario Fire Service Messenger.

The OFM subsequently met with representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Underwriters’ Laboratories Canada, Ontario Residential Care Association, the fire service, Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors, as well as a door hardware distributor and a retirement home operator, to examine issues related to self-closing devices. As the need to raise public awareness was identified, the OFM prepared a Public Service Announcement (PSA) and "Questions and Answers" on door closers.

The PSA addresses three key points:

1. A door closer is hardware that is installed on a residential suite door to close the door after it is opened.

2. A door closer is installed for safety reasons, primarily to prevent the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building.

3. A door closer must not be removed.

A copy of the attached PSA has been distributed to the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council’s media partners to help promote fire safety in Ontario. Fire departments are encouraged to contact the media in their community and to distribute the PSA through other available venues.

A copy of the "Questions and Answers" which provides more detailed information on self-closing devices is also attached to this Communiqué;. This document explains the purpose of self-closing hardware, why they are required and who is responsible for the installation and maintenance of these devices. In addition, the various features of different types of door closers are identified.

The information on self-closing devices will assist the fire service in educating building owners and tenants about the importance of this hardware. For example, fire departments may wish to distribute the information to owners and tenants during routine inspections or have the material posted on building bulletin boards, attached to lease agreements or included in the Fire Safety Plan.

For additional information or inquiries, please contact the OFM’s Research and Standards Section at (416) 325-3100.