Geofire’s wire-free technology helps manage fire doors at the Fairfax Academy in Birmingham

Geofire’s advanced, wire-free technology offers the most reliable way to legally ease access in these busy environments

Agrippa wire-free fire door holders have been installed at one of Birmingham’s largest schools, enabling fire doors in school corridors to be legally held open, releasing them in the event of a fire alarm to protect students and staff.

With over 1400 students and 270 Sixth Formers, Fairfax Academy in Sutton Coalfield is typical of many larger, busy schools that have to balance access with safety. Geofire’s advanced, wire-free technology offers the most reliable way to legally ease access in these busy environments.

Facilities Manager Brian Fox recognises that for many students fire doors can be a barrier to access, particularly for wheelchair users and people with restricted mobility. "The Agrippa fire door holders have proved to be the perfect solution – compact, easy to fit and programme. Additionally, their ‘learning’ of the specific fire alarm means that they work perfectly with our alarm bells and there have been no false closures due to any loud noises."

Geofire’s advanced digital technology enables the Agrippa door holders to uniquely ‘listen and learn’ the sound of a specific fire alarm. This ensures the holder’s releasing trigger reacts only to the precise sound of the fire alarm rather than extraneous loud noises, so false activations are virtually eliminated.

As it’s installed at the top of the fire door, the Agrippa holder does not cause damage to flooring. Its unique learning function optimises settings to suit the installed position, and it can be programmed for timed daily releases. It requires only two C cell batteries (which last for 12 months), has battery life indication and low battery warning. It is approved to EN1155 and CE Marked.

The holder is part of the Agrippa Acoustic Products Range that includes an acoustically triggered fire door closer. UK manufacturer Geofire specialise in the manufacture of a wide range of electromagnetic door holders and other activation devices used widely as part of fire, security or ventilation systems.