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Understanding legislative complexities
Fitzpatrick understand the complexities of doorset legislation and
guidance and will help you understand what is necessary 
As part of Leaderflush Shapland, the UK's leading
performance doorset manufacturer, Fitzpatrick can
draw on many years' experience of legislative issues
and the expertise of influential members of advisory
committees and panels which have helped to inform
major initiatives such as Approved Document M/BS8300
for accessibility and standard specifications, layouts
and dimensions for school buildings as set out by the
Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
Legislation and Building Regulations surrounding the
specification of doorsets is wide and varied. Using our
knowledge we have reviewed all relevant documentation
to highlight any areas required for special consideration by
specifiers or design teams, these are as follows:
- Effective Clear Widths (ECW)
- Minimum zones of visibility
- Ironmongery positions
- Opening forces
Additionally, we realise that design guidance and Building
Regulations are continually under review and are subject
to change. So subsequently we monitor these changes and
any effect they may have on our working practices. The
following information provides an overview of the key areas
considered.
Effective clear widths
'Clear opening width' is measured up to any projecting door
item including furniture, weatherboards, etc., as shown below.
A space of at least 300mm is generally required next to the
leading edge of the door to enable wheelchair users to
reach and grip the handle, unless the door is power operated.
Door opening furniture should be operable with one hand
(e.g. lever action).
Approved Document M, Table 2 Minimum Effective Clear Widths
| Direction and width of approach |
New Buildings (mm) |
Existing Buildings (mm) |
| Straight-on (without a turn or oblique approach) |
800 |
750 |
| At right-angles to an access route at least 1500mm wide |
800 |
750 |
| At right-angles to an access route at least 1200mm wide |
825 |
775 |
| External doors to buildings used by the general public |
1000 |
775 |
Opening forces
When using traditional closers, every effort is made to
minimise the opening forces required on the doorset through
the following:
- Engineered factory tolerances
- Efficient adjustable door closers
- Low friction hinges
- Smoke seals
However, opening forces of 30N are difficult to achieve
given the requirement for smoke and acoustic seals and air
pressure differentials utilising traditional overhead closers. An
alternative solution would be to utilise an electro hold-open
device. Electro hold-open devices are powered by 24V DC
power supplies and will hold the door open until the fire alarm
is activated and the power to the closer is terminated.
Minimum zones of visibility
Glazed vision panels are often used within door leaves
to let light into a room, for aesthetic reasons or for safety
(i.e. allowing people using the door to be seen).
Vision panels should be towards the leading edge and with
vertical dimensions including at least the minimum zones
shown, either with or without a horizontal rail.
All entrance doors; doors across corridors and within lobbies;
and where appropriate internal doors, require vision panels
for door leaves and side panels wider than 450mm.
Ironmongery positions
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