A charity group who took up the running and maintenance of the historical building, Alford Corn Exchange, in Alford Lincolnshire in 2014. Alford is a small market town within a rural farming community.
The hall has expanded what it can offer to hirers, with the purchase of banqueting tables and plush chairs, the organisers have been able to offer packages for weddings, funeral teas and parties. The kitchen is situated at the back of the building and caterers have to walk from the kitchen through the Theatre Bar into the main hall to serve food and drinks at larger functions. On route are two heavy fire doors with strong door closers fitted.
When volunteers carry food and refreshments from one room to the other at functions they find the fire doors difficult to open, sometimes resulting in spillages and the doors close very quickly behind them. The heavy doors also mean that people with impaired mobility struggle to access all areas of the Corn Exchange.
The Trustees of the Alford Corn Exchange decided that the free-swing Freedor door closer offered them the best solution to their problem. The Freedor is fitted to the top of the door as any door closer but it incorporates the technology of a door retainer inside the casing.
The device is wireless which makes installation simple, easy and cost effective. The unit has the ability to hold the fire door open in any position and allows it to swing freely as any other door. Freedor listens for the fire alarm and on hearing it, automatically closes the fire door and reverts back to functioning as a normal door closer until reset in free-swing action.
Visitors of all ages and all levels of mobility can now move with ease from one room to another. Caterers and volunteers are able to carry trays of food and drinks from one room to another without difficulty. Janet Taylor, Vice Chair said "I would like to say what a difference the new door closers have made to me and other volunteers ,working and serving food at the functions." Janet also said that “It was never easy carrying trays etc. into the main hall, turning round and the door had closed again. I am sure that other caterers who hire our facilities will also appreciate the new Freedor.”
The Freedor allows fire doors to be kept open legally, allowing a flow of fresh air when hot outside. The addition of these units gives the Trustees piece of mind that hirers can keep the rooms cool without breaching fire safety legislation.
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