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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
January 11, 2019

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Whitepaper: Multi-residential access management – The move to digital

CES 2019: IoT version of fire-safety device LifeDoor in development

An IoT version of LifeDoor, an automatic door closer created by firefighters, is in development.

Featured in our coverage of CES 2018, the original product is being showcased at the world’s biggest electronics show once again. It is now almost ready for retail, with a March 2019 launch pencilled in.

The IoT or connected version, which will communicate with your Wi-Fi router via Zigbee or Z-Wave, is expected to launch in the summer. It will be able to integrate with third-party home automation systems like Samsung SmartThings, Wink and Logitech Harmony.

Attached to the hinge, LifeDoor automatically closes interior doors at the sound of a smoke detector, via a spring-loaded coil.

In the event of a fire, closed doors slow down the spread of flames, smoke and noxious fumes, as well as depriving the fire of oxygen.

LifeDoor increased the time window to escape by 15 minutes

The product, which was the brainchild of firefighter Joel Sellinger, was inspired by several studies showing the benefits of closed versus open doors during a fire. During tests that replicated a fire in a two-bedroom residential house LifeDoor increased the time window for escaping a fire by 15 minutes compared to an open door.

Wedged-open fire doors are a perennial headache for those responsible for protecting a commercial or residential building’s occupants. Some people like to sleep with their door open, sometimes doors are left open to facilitate airflow during hot weather, sometimes people simply don’t think to close them.

LifeDoor also illuminates the room so occupants can navigate their way out of the building if fire breaks out while they’re sleeping or if the power supply is cut.

A second audio alarm optimised for the hearing frequencies of children also sounds. A study found that 80% of children aged between 3-12 sleep through standard smoke alarms.

The patent-pending technology won first place at the 2018 Tech Stars pitch competition and was named Julie Jacobson’s Best of Pre-CES 2018 Sight Unseen.

2023 Fire Safety eBook – Grab your free copy!

Download the Fire Safety in 2023 eBook, keeping you up to date with the biggest news and prosecution stories from around the industry. Chapters include important updates such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and an overview of the new British Standard for the digital management of fire safety information.

Plus, we explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.

FireSafetyeBook-CoverPage-23

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