Fire safety and accessibility don’t need to be at odds. Smart, compliant solutions like Fireco’s DorMag range are proving how modern UK buildings — from hospitals and schools to retrofit projects — can deliver on both
In today’s built environment, fire doors are essential for protecting occupants and ensuring compartmentation — but they can also cause day-to-day challenges. Heavy doors often hinder access, restrict airflow and, in high-traffic zones, become inconvenient touchpoints. The result? Users wedge them open or prop them unsafely — increasing fire risk and undermining compliance.
For building control professionals, FM teams and specifiers, this creates a recurring tension: how do you uphold safety standards without compromising accessibility, hygiene or ease of movement?
Fireco, a UK fire safety innovator, is tackling this with DorMag — a wire-free magnetic hold-open system that meets BS 7273-4 standards while improving usability across busy environments.
Wire-free compliance for retrofit and refurbishment
DorMag products are designed to integrate with existing fire alarm systems, making them ideal for both refurbishments and new builds — particularly where minimal disruption, speed of install and visual discretion are priorities.
Battery-powered and wireless, DorMag units require no hardwiring or specialist cabling, reducing install time and cost. With sustainability and building efficiency increasingly central to UK construction, this supports modern, low-impact approaches to compliance.
As Matt Ball, designer and developer at Fireco, explains: “Most of the magnetic retainers on the market at the moment are wired-in solutions. So the thinking behind our DorMag magnetic door retainer is that it would be wire-free. It’s operated by battery packs: three lithium iron disulfide cells. The idea is a nice, easy installation and a wire-free solution.”
DorMag SmartSound: Acoustic activation, discreet design
Designed for communal spaces and sensitive environments like hospitals and care settings, DorMag SmartSound is a discreet, sound-activated door retainer that releases automatically when the fire alarm sounds.
It fits neatly behind doors, making it ideal for spaces with uneven floors or where aesthetic considerations matter. The system uses intelligent sound filtering to distinguish between real alarms and background noise such as conversation or vacuum cleaners, reducing false activations.
Beyond compliance, DorMag SmartSound supports natural ventilation and reduced contact, promoting better air quality and hygiene, especially important in post-Covid building design.
DorMag Pro: High compliance for high-risk zones
For more complex or high-risk settings — such as stairwells, corridors or kitchens DorMag Pro provides enhanced protection via radio-controlled activation. It’s ideal for areas where acoustic systems might struggle due to background noise.
Controlled through ProHub, Fireco’s central controller linked directly to the fire panel, DorMag Pro provides instant responsiveness to alarms. Optional integration with Fireco’s Site Manager software adds a digital compliance layer, enabling remote monitoring from any internet-connected device.
This helps FM teams and building owners demonstrate compliance more easily and manage multiple sites or zones with confidence.
Case study: Eastbrook School – simple, effective transformation
At Eastbrook School in Sussex, traditional fire doors were causing difficulties for younger pupils.
“The children were finding it difficult to use them because of their weight,” explains Sharon Morgan, premises manager.
When a parent recommended Fireco, the school installed DorMag Pro — with immediate impact.
“After having the DorMags fitted, it became much easier for the children to enter and exit the classrooms. They’re easily the best additions we’ve ever put in,” says Sharon.
She also praised Fireco’s customer support: “Our experience with Fireco has always been good and they’ve always been there for us. The staff are very helpful and good at listening. Whether by email or phone, the support is always outstanding.”
Real-world results, trusted technology
DorMag systems are “set and forget” — holding doors open during normal use and closing them either manually or automatically when needed. Critically, they respond immediately to fire alarms, maintaining compliance without requiring ongoing oversight.
User feedback has been consistently strong. Maintenance teams praise the reliability and simplicity of installation, noting the benefits of a cable-free setup and zero reported false activations.
DorMag also improves accessibility for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, reduces strain on staff, and enhances building flow — all while supporting key fire safety objectives.
James Cox, head of sales UK at Fireco, believes DorMag represents a step forward in hold-open technology: “I am so proud of this product and excited by the reception it has already received. When you delve down into the technology, it’ll soon become clear how DorMag has taken door magnets to the next level.”
Simple to specify, easy to trust
In a construction landscape increasingly focused on performance, compliance and user experience, DorMag offers a smart, scalable solution. It helps buildings stay accessible and efficient while meeting their legal obligations and improving fire safety outcomes.
To find out more about DorMag SmartSound, DorMag Pro or any other Fireco solution, visit www.fireco.uk or call 01273 320650.
Please note: This is a commercial profile
