The easiest option would be to use hardwired alarms from Aico / Ei Electronics in conjunction with their relay bases. The
Ei140 series (alkaline backup) and
Ei3000 series (lithium backup) mains-powered smoke, heat, and combination alarms interlink with each other and are compatible with the
Ei128R 5A relay base and
Ei128RBU 5A relay with backup battery. The relays must be connected to the alarms via a wired interlink but are flexible in terms of location: they can be installed separately from the alarm in a convenient place to connect with the retainer system, or between the alarm's mounting base and ceiling to "hide" the relay.
If a wired connection to the alarm is not feasible or desirable, but mains power is available, the
Ei428 radio-interlink relay with backup battery instead connects wirelessly with any RadioLINK-capable alarm from Aico or Ei Electronics. This would allow for both mains-powered (
alkaline /
lithium) and
battery-powered alarms to be used to operate the magnetic door retainer system.
These relay bases are triggered when the connected alarm activates, and would be installed and connected to the magnetic door retainer system (by a competent electrician) in such a way that the retainer is deactivated or power to the retainer is cut. This would allow the automatic door closer to do its job: closing the fire door and slowing the spread of smoke and fire through the building, helping occupants to escape safely.
Please Note: If the magnetic door holder has a backup power source so that it continues to operate during mains power failures, relays with their own backup batteries, such as the
Ei128RBU or
Ei428 relay, are required.
