GB2538520B

GB2538520B - Anti-barricade fire door

Info

Publication number: GB2538520B
Application number: GB1508580.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reid Alister
Original assignee: Galeid Ltd
Current assignee: Galeid Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-19
Filing date: 2015-05-19
Publication date: 2019-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-19
Also published as: GB2538520A; GB201508580D0

Description

Anti-Barricade Fire Door

The present invention relates to an anti-barricade fire door.

Anti barricade fire doors, for use internally or externally within a building, are known in the art. These doors can be securely locked from at least one side, which is typically the outside of a room, but can provide reliable entrance into the room even if the door is barricaded from the inside of the room or is otherwise blocked from entrance into the room.

For example, anti-barricade fire doors may be used in prisons as cell doors. If the door leaf of a prison cell is mounted within the door frame so as to open inwardly into the cell, it is necessary to provide that ingress into the cell is not prevented by a barricade being disposed against the internal face of the door leaf, for example by furniture being stacked against the door leaf.

Anti-barricade fire doors may also be also used in hospitals and nursing homes, and in other institutions which may wish to control access to a room. In hospitals and nursing homes, again there is a need to ensure access to a room having an inwardly opening door leaf in the event that the door is blocked from opening, for example by a patient having collapsed onto the floor adjacent to the internal face of the door leaf.

In many installations a fire door is required which provides a barrier against flames, smoke and heat. The use and typical construction of fire doors is generally known, for example the use of fire resistant material for the door leaf and intumescent material around a periphery of the door leaf which expands upon exposure to heat to form a barrier between the door leaf and the door frame. When the door interconnects a room and a corridor, for example in a hospital or nursing home, the door is required to open into the room so as not to block the corridor during a fire. Furthermore, when such fire doors are provided, it is generally required for the door to be provided with a door closer mounted between the door leaf and the door frame which provides a permanent closing force on the door leaf which ensures that the door leaf remains in a closed position other than when being opened during use, and thereby provides fire protection to the occupants of the building. A number of prior patent specifications have disclosed anti-barricade arrangements for doors. WO2011/110811 Al discloses various anti-barricade fire door assemblies. In one embodiment a door leaf is mounted on a door frame, in the form of a doorjamb fitted within a wall opening, by an intermediate frame for the door leaf. The door leaf is hinged!y fitted to the intermediate frame about a first vertical hinge axis and the intermediate frame is hingedly fitted to the door frame about a second vertical hinge axis. The first and second vertical hinge axes are on the same vertical edge of the anti-barricade fire door assembly and have opposite rotational opening directions. In normal use the door is opened inwardly into the room by hinged opening of the door leaf relative to the intermediate frame about the first vertical hinge axis. In an antibarricade mode, in which it is not possible to open the door leaf inwardly, the door is opened outwardly away from the room bv hinged opening of the door leaf and the intermediate frame relative to the door frame about the second vertical hinge axis.

This embodiment is cumbersome, bulky and expensive, requiring two frames. Also, the antibarricade fire door assembly has poor aesthetic appeal when used in buildings such as hospitals and nursing homes. W02011/110811A1 discloses another embodiment of an anti-barricade fire door assembly which requires the door to have two vertically adjacent door leaves. This embodiment is also cumbersome, bulky and expensive, and requires an enlarged wall opening to accommodate the non-standard width of the door assembly. The anti-barricade fire door assembly also has poor aesthetic and practical appeal when used in buildings such as hospitals and nursing homes because of the excessive width of the twin adjacent door leaves and associated loss of wall length for the location of furniture and storage length. GB2450676A discloses an anti-barricade hinge to provide a selectively lockable intermediate door leaf. The hinge incorporates a double rotational movement to allow the hinge when locked to be openable in one rotational direction, for example in a normal opening mode, and when unlocked to allow the hinge to be openable in the opposite rotational direction, for example in an anti-barricade mode. The hinge is complicated and requires fitting to a non-standard door jamb. Furthermore, such a double rotational movement of the hinge prohibits the fitting of a door closer to the door, and so the door cannot be used as a fire door. GB2515455 A discloses an anti-barricade lock for fitting to a door leaf. However, the lock does not overcome the problem of opening a door leaf inwardly into a room in the event that furniture or a person is against the inner face of the door leaf preventing inward rotation of the door leaf. GB2413068A discloses an anti-barricade fire door handle having a tapering configuration to prevent material to be attached to the handle, which provides an anti-ligature function. However, the handle does not overcome the problem of opening a door leaf inwardly into a room in the event that furniture or a person is against the inner face of the door leaf preventing inward rotation of the door leaf. GB2489065A discloses a door with an emergency access door in the form of a removable panel. WO92/01854A1 discloses a hermetically closing safety door capable of opening in two directions.

The present invention at. least partially aims to overcome these problems of known antibarricade fire door assemblies.

The present invention accordingly provides an anti-barricade fire door comprising: a door leaf, the door leaf having an outer part defining upper and lower edges of the door leaf and opposite first, and second side edges of the door leaf, the first side edge being adapted to be fitted by at least one hinge to a door jamb and the second side edge being adapted to engage the door leaf against the doorjamb, the outer part defining a central opening; a central anti-barricade panel located within the central opening, wherein the anti-barricade panel is hingedly mounted to the outer part by at least one secondary hinge having a hinge axis extending along a first side edge of the anti-barricade panel, wherein the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel is proximal to the first side edge of the outer part; a lockable fitting between the anti-barricade panel and the outer part to permit the anti-barricade panel selectively to be locked in a closed position within the central opening or to be unlocked so as to open the central opening, wherein the lockable fitting is located at a second side edge of the anti-barricade panel which is opposite to the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel and the lockable fitting includes a lock mounted in the outer part of the door leaf which has one or more retractable or movable locking elements selectively engageable with the second side edge of the anti-barricade panel; a locking mechanism for locking the door leaf into the doorjamb at the second side edge of the door leaf; and a fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer part.

In some embodiments, the outer part of the door leaf is annular and the central opening is surrounded by the outer part of the door leaf. In other embodiments, the outer part of the door leaf is substantially in the shape of an inverted U and the central opening extends to the lower edge of the door leaf. Typically, the anti-barricade panel is adapted to be moved, from the closed position to open the central opening, in a first opening direction of the anti-barricade panel away from a first face of the door leaf and an opposite second face of the door leaf is oriented towards a second opening direction of the anti-barricade fire door, the first and second opening directions being opposite.

Preferably, the lockable fitting is completely concealed from view at the inner face of the door leaf.

Preferably, the at least one second hinge is completely concealed from view at. the inner face of the door leaf.

The anti-barricade fire door may further comprise at least, one fixed security bolt at the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel, the security bolt extending between the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel and the door leaf in in the closed position. Typically, the at least one fixed security bolt is completely concealed from view at the inner face of the door leaf.

The lockable fitting may include at least one of a keyhole and a release handle mounted on the outer part.

Optionally, the lockable fitting comprises a first multipoint locking system. Typically, the first multipoint locking system includes an elongate slidable element mounted on the outer part and having a plurality of locking members thereon, the locking members being selectively engageable with respective catch members on the anti-barricade panel when the first multipoint locking system is actuated. In a preferred embodiment, the first multipoint locking system is mounted at a side edge of the anti-barricade panel.

Optionally, the lockable fitting is electronically actuated, optionally by a contactless key.

The locking mechanism may be electronically actuated, optionally by a contactless key.

Optionally, the locking mechanism and the lockable fitting are operated by a common key. The locking mechanism and the lockable fitting may be mechanically or electronically interconnected.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a single point locking system mounted on the outer part.

In other embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a second multipoint locking system mounted on the outer part. The second multipoint locking system preferably includes at least, one of a second keyhole, and a second release handle mounted on the outer part. Typically, the second multipoint locking system includes a second elongate slidable element mounted on the outer part and having a plurality of second locking members thereon, the second locking members being selectively engageable with respective catch members or cavities of a door jamb when the second multipoint locking system is actuated. In a preferred embodiment, the second multipoint locking system is mounted at the second side edge of the door leaf.

Typically, the anti-barricade panel has a height of at least 1000 mm and a width of at least 450 mm, more typically a height of at least 1500 mm and a width of at least 600 mm. A biasing device is preferably fitted between the anti-barricade panel and the outer part to urge the anti-barricade panel out of the opening when the anti-barricade panel is unlocked. Optionally, the biasing device comprises at least one mechanical spring located between the anti-barricade panel and the outer part. The at least one mechanical spring typically comprises an elongate cantilever spring.

Typically, the fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer part at least partly comprises a serpentine joint between adjacent edges of the central anti-barricade panel and the opening. Additionally or alternatively, the fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer part at least partly comprises a strip of intumescent material between adjacent edges of the central anti-barricade panel and the opening.

Typically, at least a part of an outer peripheral edge of the outer part is provided with a strip of intumescent material.

The anti-barricade fire door is preferably provided with a mounting for a door closer. The antibarricade fire door may have mounted thereon a door closer, the door closer being an internal door closer partly concealed within an edge of the outer part or an external door closer mounted on a major face of the outer part.

In use, the anti-barricade fire door is hingedly mounted within a door jamb by at least one primary hinge.

Preferably, the at least one primary hinge is an anti-ligature hinge having an upper downwardly-inclined edge revealed at least on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door. Alternatively, the at least one primary hinae may be concealed from view at least on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door.

Preferably, no part of the lockable fitting is exposed on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door. Preferably, no part of the locking mechanism is exposed on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door. A strip of intumescent materia! may be located between the outer part and the door jamb. An internal door closer or an external door closer may be mounted between the outer part and the doorjamb.

Embodiments of the present invention will now' be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an anti-barricade fire door which is hingedly mounted within a door jamb in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the anti-barricade fire door of Figure 1 with an antibarricade panel thereof in an open configuration;

Figure 3 is a schematic front view, partly in phantom, of the outer face of the anti-barricade fire door of Figure I showing a locking mechanism for locking the door leaf into the door jamb and a lockable fitting between the anti-barricade panel and an outer part of the door leaf;

Figure 4 is a schematic rear view of the inner face of the anti-barricade fire door of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a schematic sectional view on line A-A of the anti-barricade fire door of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of an anti-barricade fire door in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an anti-barricade fire door not in accordance with the present invention 'with an anti-barricade panel thereof in an open configuration; and

Figure 8 is a schematic front view of an anti-barricade fire door in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 io 5 there is shown an anti-barricade fire door in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The anti-barricade fire door 2 comprises a door leaf 4 hingedly mounted within a door jamb 6. The door iamb 6 is conventionally fitted with in an ODening of a wall (not shown).

The door leaf 4 has an annular outer part 8 defining a central opening 10 therein. A central antibarricade panel 12 is located within the central opening 10. The central opening 10 is surrounded by the outer part 8 of the door leaf 4.

The anti-barricade panel 12 is adapted to be moved, from the closed position to open the central opening 10, in a first opening direction A of the anti-barricade panel 12 away from an outer face 13 of the door leaf 4. An opposite inner face 15 of the door leaf 4 is oriented towards a second opening direction B of the anti-barricade fire door 12, the first and second opening directions A, B being opposite.

The outer part 8 defines upper and lower edges 14, 16 of the door leaf 4 and opposite first and second side edges 18, 20 of the door leaf 4. The first side edge 18 is adapted to be fitted by at least one hinge 22, having a vertical hinge axis X-X, to the doorjamb 6. The second side edge 20 includes a locking mechanism 24 for locking the door leaf 4 into the doorjamb 6.

The door leaf 4 and the anti-barricade panel 12 may be independently composed of any material suitable for manufacturing doors, which material is selected based upon the particular installation. For example, for hospitals or nursing homes the door leaf 4 and anti-barricade panel 12 may be composed of timber, being either natural wood or a timber-product such as a laminated board. The door leaf 4 and the anti-barricade panel 12 may be independently solid or hollow in construction.

For prisons or other secure buildings, the door leaf 4 and anti-barricade panel 12 may be composed of or faced with metal, such as solid steel or steel sheeting.

Correspondingly the door jamb 6 may be of conventional wood or metal construction.

The door leaf 4 can have standard dimensions, for example a height of 2100 mm and a 'width of 800,900 or 1000 mm, and can be fitted into a conventional doorjamb 6. Typically, the antibarricade panel 12 has a height of at least 1000 mm and a width of at least 450 mm, more typically a height of at least 1500 mm, for example 1800 mm, and a width of at least 600 mm.

The sill height of the door leaf 4 beneath the anti-barricade panel is typically from 50 to 300 mm, for example from 100 to 200 mm. A lockable fitting 26 is provided between the anti-barricade panel 12 and the outer part 8. The ami-barricade panel 12 is hingedly mounted to the outer part 8 by at least one second hinge 28 having a hinge axis Y-Y extending along a first side edge 30 of the anti-barricade panel 12. Preferably, the at least one second hinge 28 is completely concealed from view at the inner face 15 of the door leaf 4, and preferably is completely concealed from view at the outer face 13 of the door leaf 4 (although for clarity of illustration Figure 3 shows hinges 28).

The first side edge 30 of the anti-barricade panel 1.2 is proximal to the first side edge 18 of the outer part 8.

The lockable fitting 26 permits the anti-barricade panel 12 selectively to be locked in a closed position within the central opening 10 or to be unlocked so as to open the central opening 10. The lockable fitting 26 is located at a second side edge 32 of the anti -barricade panel 12 which is opposite to the first side edge 30 of the anti-barricade panel 12.

Preferably, the lockable fitting 26 is completely concealed from view at the inner face 15 of the door leaf 4.

The lockable fitting 26 includes a lock mounted in the door leaf 4 which has one or more retractable or movable locking elements 31 selectively engageable with the second side edge 32 of the anti-barricade panel 12. The lockable fitting 26 may include at least one of a keyhole 27 and a release handle 38 mounted on the outer part 8.

The anti-barricade fire door 2 may further comprise at least one fixed security bolt 17 at the first side edge 30 of the anti-barricade panel 12. The security bolt 17 extends between the first side edge 30 of the anti-barricade panel. 12 and the door leaf 4 in in the closed position. Typically, the at. least one fixed security bolt 1.7 is completely concealed at the inner face 15 of the door leaf 4.

The lockable fitting 26 comprises a first multipoint locking system 34 which includes an elongate slidable element 40 mounted on the outer part 8 and having thereon a plurality of locking members as the retractable or movable locking elements 31. The locking members 31 arc selectively engageable w'ith respective catch members 44 on the anti-barricade panel 12 when the first multipoint locking system 34 is actuated. The first multipoint locking system 34 is mounted at the second side edge 32 of the anti-barricade panel 12.

Optionally, the lockable fitting 26 is electronically actuated, optionally by a contactless key.

In this embodiment, the anti-barricade fire door 2 further comprises a locking mechanism 24 for locking the door leaf into the door jamb 6 at the second side edge 20. The locking mechanism is not required for some doors, for example outermost washroom doors. The locking mechanism 24 may be electronically actuated, optionally by a contactless key. The locking mechanism 24 and the lockable fitting 26 may be operated by a common key. The locking mechanism 24 and the lockable fitting 26 may be mechanically or electronically interconnected.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 24 comprises a single point locking system mounted on the outer part 8.

In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 24 comprises a second multipoint locking system 46 mounted on the outer part 8 which typically includes at least one of a second keyhole 48 and a second release handle 50 mounted on the outer part 8. The second multipoint locking system 46 also includes a second elongate slidable element 52 mounted on the outer part 8 and having a plurality of second locking members 54 thereon. The second locking members 54 are selectively engageable with respective catch members 56 or cavities of the door jamb 6 when the second multipoint locking system 46 is actuated. The second multipoint locking system 46 is mounted at the second side edge 20 of the door leaf 4.

Referring to Figure 5 which is not to scale for clarity of illustration, a biasing device 60 is fitted between the anti-barricade panel 12 and the outer part 8 to urge the anti-barricade panel 12 out of the opening 10 when the anti-barricade panel 12 is unlocked by unlocking the first multipoint locking system 34. In the illustrated embodiment the biasing device 60 comprises at least one mechanical spring 62 located between the anti-barricade panel 12 and the outer part. 8. The at. least one mechanical spring 62 may be fitted to either of the anti-barricade panel 12 or the outer part 8. Typically, the at least one mechanical spring 62 comprises an elongate cantilever spring 62. The elongate cantilever spring 62 may have a generally V-shaped cross-section, with a first leg 63 of the V-shaped cross-section fitted against an internal surface of the peripheral edge of the anti-barricade panel 12 or the central opening 10 and a second leg 65 having a free end extending outwardly therefrom. When the anti-barricade panel 12 is in the locked position, the biasing device 60 is compressed and provides an outward bias in the direction of arrow C.

As shown in detail in Figure 5, a fire-resistant fitting 66 is provided between the central antibarricade panel 12 and the outer part 8. The fire-resistant fitting 66 between the central antibarricade panel .12 and the outer part 8 at least partly comprises a serpentine joint 68 between adjacent edges 71, 72 of the central anti-barricade panel 12 and the central opening 10 in the outer part 8. Additionally or alternatively, the fire-resistant fitting 66 between the central antibarricade panel 12 and the outer part 8 at least partly comprises a strip of intumescent material 74 between the adjacent edges 71, 72 of the central anti-barricade panel 12 and the central opening 10 in the outer part 8.

Also, at least a part of an outer peripheral edge 75 of the outer part 8 is provided ’with a strip of intumescent material 76 located between the outer part 8 and the doorjamb 6.

The anti-barricade fire door is furthermore provided with a mounting for a door closer. As shown in phantom in Figure 4, the anti-barricade fire door 2 may have mounted thereon a door closer, the door closer being an internal door closer 77 partly concealed within an edge of the outer part 8 and mounted to the door jamb 6 or an external door closer 78 mounted on a major face 79 of the outer part 8 and mounted to the door jamb 6.

In normal use, the door leaf 4 is fitted within the door jamb 6 in a conventional manner so that tire anti-barricade fire door 2 selectively provides access to a room, and the anti-barricade fire door 2 is configured to open inwardly with respect to the room. In a facility such as a hospital in which rooms are provided off a corridor, the internal doors are typically required (In some countries by Government Building Regulations) to open inwardly into the room so that the open doors do not block the corridor in the event of a fire, thereby restricting emergency egress from the building. The door leaf and the anti-barricade panel may be made fire resistant using known fire, smoke and toxicity (FST) resistant systems. For example, an intumescent strip may be incorporated into peripheral edges of the door leaf and the anti-barricade panel.

The anti-barricade panel 12 is locked in a closed configuration by the first multipoint locking system 34. The keyhole 27 and release handle 38 of the first multipoint locking system 34 may be provided on only one face 13, intended to be the outer face in use, of the door leaf 4. Therefore the anti-barricade panel 12 can only be locked and unlocked from outside the room to which the anti-barricade fire door 2 provides access. The anti-barricade panel 12 is configured to open outwardly with respect to the room in the direction of arrow A.

The second multipoint locking system 46 is of a conventional construction and engages the door jamb 6 at the opening edge of the door leaf 4. The second keyhole 48 and the second release handle 50 of the second multipoint locking system 46 are mounted on either only the outer face 13 of the door leaf 4, for example when no lock access is to be provided on the opposite inner face 15 such as in a secure building such as a prison, or both faces 13, 15 for example when lock access is to be provided on both faces 13, 15 such as in a hospital or nursing home.

Preferably, no part of the lockable fitting 26 is exposed on the inner face 15 of the anti-barricade fire door 2 which is oriented towards the opening direction of the door. This provides that the anti-barricade panel 1.2 cannot readily be discerned at the inner face 15 of the door. The also provides reduced ligature support. Preferably, no part of the locking mechanism 24 is exposed on the inner face 15 of the anti-barricade fire door 2 which is oriented towards the opening direction of the door. This provides a secure inner face without lock access and reduced l igature support.

The second multipoint locking system 46 permits the door leaf 4 to be locked and unlocked in a conventional manner.

In the event that access to the room is barricaded and it. is not possible to open the door leaf 4 inwardly into the room, the first multipoint locking system 34 can be operated to unlock the anti-barricade panel 12. A key can be used to unlock the first multipoint locking system 34, and for convenience this key may be the same as the key employed to operate the second multipoint locking system 46. When the anti-barricade panel 12 is unlocked, the biasing device 60 urges the free unhinged vertical edge of the anti-barricade panel outwardly to facilitate opening of the anti-barricade panel 12 thereby revealing the central opening 10. The partly opened anti-barricade panel 12 can be readily engaged manually and fully opened to reveal the central opening 10. The anti-barricade panel 12 can be opened fully about the at least one second hinge 28, and the central opening .10 is shaped and dimensioned to permit ready access into the room. The sill height of the anti-barricade panel 12 and the height of the central opening 10 permit a user to walk, through the central opening 10. The width of the central opening 10 typically permits access by a stretcher bearer for emergency access to the room.

By providing a central opening 10 concealed by an anti-barricade panel 12, an easy-to-use and aesthetically pleasing construction can be provided. The anti barricade panel 12 is not particularly visible as a separate door element, and only the handle and/or keyhole of an additional locking system is visible, and optionally only on the outer face of the door leaf.

By providing the combination of the first and second multipoint locking systems 34,46, similar conventional locking systems are employed which reduces the cost and complexity of the antibarricade fire door. The use of the multipoint locking systems allows standard commercially-available parts to be employed and no customised ironmongery or door furniture is required to manufacture the anti-barricade fire door. If a single key can operate both multipoint locking systems 34, 46, again this reduces the complexity and enhances the usability and convenience of the anti-barricade fire door.

As shown in Figure 6, in a further modification the the locking mechanism 24 and the lockable fitting 26 are interconnected. In particular, a common handle and keyhole arrangement 80 may be provided on the outer door 8. Operation of the handle and key in a first mode may open/close the door leaf 4 and operation of the handle and key in a second mode may open/close the antibarricade panel 12. A latch or switch mechanism 82 may be provided to enable switching between the first and second modes.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the anti-barricade panel is hingedly mounted to the outer part.

However, in an alternative anti-barricade fire door as shown in Figure 7, which is not according to the present invention, the anti-barricade panel 84 may comprise a removable panel 86 which is completely removable from the central opening 88 in the outer part 83 of the door leaf 90. The lockable fitting 85 is located at one edge 87 of the anti-barricade panel 84 which is proximal to the first side edge 91 of the outer part 83. At least one fixed security bolt 94 is located at an opposite edge 89 of the anti-barricade panel 84. The security bolt 94 extends between the edge 89 of the anti-barricade panel 84 and the door leaf 90 in in the closed position. The lockable fitting 85 includes a lock mounted in the door leaf 90 winch has one or more retractable or movable locking elements, selectively engageable with the edge 87 of the antibarricade panel 84, in the form of one or more locking bolts 92.

When the locking bolts 92 are released by key access on the outer face 96 of the door leaf 90, the biasing device 98 between the door leaf 90 and the anti-barricade panel 84 pushes the anti barricade panel 84 outwardly from the central opening 88 so that the anti -barricade panel 84 can be readily engaged manually and removed from the central opening 88. The locking bolts 92 and fixed security bolts 94 have low visible impact on the aesthetic appearance of the antibarricade fire door and are standard door furniture items, reducing the cost and complexity of the anti -barricade fire door.

As shown in Figure 7, as for the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5, a fire-resistant fitting is provided between the central anti-barricade panel 84 and the outer part 83, which fire-resistant fitting at least partly comprises, for example having a construction as shown in Figure 5, a serpentine ioint 93 between adiacent edges of the central anti-barricade panel 84 and the central opening 88 in the outer part 83 and, additionally or alternatively, a strip of intumescent material 100 between the adjacent edges of the central anti-barricade panel 84 and the central opening 88 in the outer part 83.

Also, at least a part of an outer peripheral edge of the outer part 83 is provided with a strip of intumescent material (not shown) located between the outer part 83 and the door jamb.

The anti-barricade fire door may furthermore be provided with a mounting for a door closer as described above with reference to Figure 4.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the door leaf 104 is substantially in the shape of an inverted U and the central opening 106, in which the anti-barricade panel 108 as described in any embodiment above is located, and with any lock system, extends to the lower edge 110 of the door leaf 104. This permits wheeled access, for example for a wheelchair, when the antibarricade panel 108 is opened.

As for the previous embodiments, the embodiment of Figure 8 may be provided with a fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer part and also a strip of intumescent material located between the outer part and the doorjamb. The anti-barricade fire door the embodiment of Figure 8 may he furthermore provided with a mounting for a door close, as described above for the previous embodiments.

In each of the anti-barricade fire door of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the door leaf can have standard external dimensions. The door jamb can have a standard construction. The anti-barricade fire door can incorporate standard door furniture and fittings. The cost and complexity of the anti-barricade fire door can be low, and the aesthetic appearance can. be high.

Various other embodiments of the anti-barricade fire door of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. An anti-barricade fire door comprising: a door leaf, the door leaf having an outer part defining upper and lower edges of the door leaf and opposite first and second side edges of the door leaf, the first side edge being adapted to be fitted by at least one hinge to a door jamb and the second side edge being adapted to engage the door leaf against the doorjamb, the outer part defining a central opening; a central anti-barricade panel located within the central opening, wherein the antibarricade panel is hingedly mounted to the outer part by at least one secondary hinge having a hinge axis extending along a first side edge of the anti barricade panel, wherein the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel is proximal to the first side edge of the outer part; a lockable fitting between the anti-barricade panel and the outer part to permit the anti-barricade panel selectively to be locked in a closed position within the central opening or to be unlocked so as to open the central opening, wherein the lockable fitting is located at a second side edge of the anti barricade panel which is opposite to the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel and the lockable fitting includes a lock mounted in the outer part of the door leaf which has one or more retractable or movable locking elements selectively engageable with the second side edge of the an ti-barricade panel; a locking mechanism for locking the door leaf into the door jamb at the second side edge of the door leaf; and a fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer part.
2. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 1 wherein the outer part of the door leaf is annular and the central opening is surrounded by the outer part of the door leaf. 3. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 1 wherein the outer part of the door leaf is substantially in the shape of an inverted U and the central opening extends to the lower edge of the door leaf. 4. An anti -barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the antibarricade panel is adapted to be moved, from the closed position to open the central opening, in a first opening direction of the anti-barricade panel away from a first face of the door leaf and an opposite second face of the door leaf is oriented towards a second opening direction of the anti-barricade fire door, the first and second opening directions being opposite.
5. An anti- barricade fire door according to claim 4 wherein the lockable fitting is completely concealed from view at the inner face of the door leaf. 6. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 5 wherein the at least one secondary hinge is completely concealed from view at the inner face of the door leaf. 7. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims I to 6 further comprising at least one fixed security bolt at the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel, the security bolt extendine between the first side edge of the anti-barricade panel and the door leaf in in the closed position. 8. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 7 when appendant on claim 4 wherein the at least one fixed security bolt is completely concealed from view' at the inner face of the door leaf. 9. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein. the lockable fitting includes at least one of a keyhole and a release handle mounted on the outer part. 10. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the lockable fitting comprises a first multipoint locking system. 11. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 10 wherein the first multipoint locking system includes an elongate slidable element, mounted on the outer part and having a plurality of locking members thereon, the locking members being selectively engageable with respective catch members on the anti-barricade panel when the first multipoint locking system is actuated. 12. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the first multipoint locking system is mounted at a side, edge of the central opening. 13. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the lockable fitting is electronically actuated. 14. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the locking mechanism is electronically actuated. 15. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims I to 14 wherein the locking mechanism and the lockable fitting are operated by a common key. 16. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the locking mechanism and the lockable fitting are mechanically or electronically interconnected. 1Ί. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a single point locking system mounted on the outer part- lS. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a second multipoint locking system mounted on the outer part.
19. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 18 wherein the second multipoint locking system includes at least one of a second keyhole and a second release, handle mounted on the outer part. 20. An anti-barricade fire door according io claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the second multipoint locking system includes a second elongate slidable element mounted on the outer part and having a plurality of second locking members thereon, the second locking members being selectively engageable with respective catch members or cavities of a doorjamb when the second multipoint locking system is actuated. 21. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the second multipoint locking system is mounted at the second side edge of the door leaf. 22. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein the antibarricade panel has a height of at least 1000 mm and a width of at least 450 nun. 23. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 22 wherein the anti-barricade panel has a height of at least 1500 mrn and a 'width of at least 600 mm. 24. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 23 further comprising a biasing device fitted between the anti-barricade panel and the outer part to urge the anti-barricade panel out of the opening when die anti-barricade panel is unlocked. 25. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 24 wherein the biasing device C- o comprises at least one mechanical spring located between the anti-barricade panel and the outer part.
26. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 25 wherein the at least one mechanical spring comprises an elongate cantilever spring. 27. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1. to 26 wherein the fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer part at least partly comprises a serpentine joint between adjacent edges of the central antibarricade panel and the opening. 28. An anti- barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 27 wherein the fire-resistant fitting between the central anti-barricade panel and the outer Dart at least partly comprises a strip of intumescent material between adjacent edges of the central anti-barricade panel and the opening. 29. .An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 28 wherein at least a part of an outer peripheral edge of the outer part is provided with a strip of intumescent material. 30. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims I to 29 which is provided with a mounting for a door closer. 31. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 30 which has mounted thereon a door closer, the door closer being an internal door closer partly concealed within an edge of the outer part or an external door closer mounted on a major face of the outer part. 32. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 1 to 31 wherein the antibarricade fire door is hingedly mounted within a doorjamb by at least one primary hinge. 33. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 32 wherein the at least one primaryhinge is an anti-ligature hinge having an upper downwardly-inclined edge revealed at least on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening, direction of the door. 34. An anti-barricade fire door according to claim 32 wherein the at least one primary hinge is concealed from view at least on an mner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door. 35. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 32 to 34 wherein no part of the lockable fitting is exposed on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door, 36. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 32 to 35 when appendant on claim 12 wherein no part of the locking mechanism is exposed on an inner face of the anti-barricade fire door which is oriented towards an opening direction of the door. 37. An anti-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 32 to 36 when appendant on claim 29 wherein the strip of intumescent material is located between the outer part and the door jamb. 38. An anil-barricade fire door according to any one of claims 32 to 37 when appendant on claim 31 wherein an internal door closer or an external door closer is mounted between the outer part and the door jamb.