In busy environments such as hospitals, schools, and public buildings, fire doors are essential to safety — but they can create challenges. Heavy, constantly swinging doors may restrict access, reduce airflow, and become high-contact touchpoints, affecting both comfort and hygiene. Frustrated users may even wedge them open, creating serious fire risks and damaging the doors themselves.
Fireco, a leader in fire safety innovation, is tackling these issues with trusted, compliant solutions that enhance safety while supporting accessibility and hygiene.
Smarter, Safer, Simpler: Fireco’s Solutions
Fireco offers a comprehensive range of fire safety products — from intelligent fire door closers and wireless retainers to full installation services. A cloud-based platform allows for remote monitoring and control, giving users confidence, efficiency, and peace of mind.
Among the standout innovations are DorMag SmartSound and DorMag Pro, designed to meet the needs of buildings where accessibility, airflow, and safety must work together.
DorMag SmartSound: Discreet Technology for Safer Ventilation
DorMag SmartSound holds open fire doors legally, closing them automatically when the fire alarm sounds. Its discreet design fits neatly behind doors, ideal for areas with uneven floors or where a subtle hold-open device is preferred.
It uses sound recognition to distinguish real fire alarms from background noise like vacuums or chatter, ensuring it only triggers when needed.
Beyond compliance, DorMag SmartSound enhances natural ventilation, improving air quality and hygiene — essential in health-conscious environments. By keeping doors open, it also reduces physical contact, minimising the risk of cross-contamination.
Installation is fast and flexible. Battery-powered, it requires no hard wiring or cabling. The unit mounts to the wall, and a keeper plate attaches to the door. Its compact form allows for varied fitting positions, making it a convenient retrofit option.
DorMag Pro: Advanced Protection for High-Risk Areas
For higher-risk areas such as stairwells, corridors, and kitchens, DorMag Pro provides a robust solution. This wireless magnetic door retainer disengages immediately when the fire alarm is activated.
Controlled via Fireco’s ProHub — connected directly to the fire panel — DorMag Pro ensures high compliance. Radio activation makes it ideal for noisy spaces where acoustic systems may struggle. Optional Site Manager software also enables remote monitoring from any internet-connected device.
DorMag Pro doesn’t just offer safety. By holding doors open, it improves access for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, reduces strain on staff, and supports better airflow — enhancing comfort and hygiene across a site.
The DorMag Difference
These hold-open devices offer a “set and forget” function, keeping doors open for ease of movement, and automatically closing either manually or via a timer. Most critically, they respond instantly to fire alarms, maintaining compliance without constant supervision.
User feedback has been strongly positive. Maintenance teams highlight their reliability, with no reported incidents of unintended release. The wireless setup also eliminates the need to run power cables, simplifying installation and maintenance.
As Matt Ball, designer and developer at Fireco, explains:
“Most of the magnetic retainers on the market at the moment are wired-in solutions. So the thinking behind our DorMag magnetic door retainer is that it would be wire-free. It's operated by battery packs: three lithium iron disulfide cells. The idea is a nice, easy installation and a wire-free solution.”
Case Study: Eastbrook School’s Transformation
At Eastbrook School in Sussex, heavy fire doors were proving difficult for pupils to manage.
“The children were finding it difficult to use them because of their weight,” explains Sharon Morgan, Premises Manager. “Just getting to the toilet could be an issue.”
After a parent recommended Fireco, the school installed DorMag Pro units — with excellent results.
“After having the DorMags fitted, it became much easier for the children to enter and exit the classrooms. They’re easily the best additions we’ve ever put in,” says Sharon.
She also praised Fireco’s support: “Our experience with Fireco has always been good and they’ve always been there for us. The staff are very helpful and good at listening. Whether by email or phone, the support is always outstanding.”
Leading the Way in Fire Safety
James Cox, Head of Sales UK at Fireco, is enthusiastic about the impact DorMag is already having: “I am so proud of this product and excited by the reception it has already received. When you delve down into the technology it’ll soon become clear how DorMag has taken door magnets to the next level.”
By combining smart technology with practical insight into real-world accessibility and safety challenges, Fireco is helping organisations create safer, more user-friendly environments — without compromising compliance.
To find out more about DorMag SmartSound, DorMag Pro or any other Fireco solution, visit www.fireco.uk or speak to their DorMag expert Glenn Lester on 01273 320650.