Approved Document M

Amongst other things, Approved Document M of the Building Regulations (Access to and use of buildings 2004) stipulates requirements for maximum forces required to open doors and is particularly important in ensuring that buildings do not contravene the Disability Discrimination Act.

A Technical Memorandum to Approved Document M, issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in March 2005, stipulates opening forces not exceeding 30N from the closed position and 22.5N between 30° and 60°.

Perko Powermatic® meets these requirements comfortably, whilst also satisfying the closing force requirements of BS EN 1154: 1997, thereby making the closer compliant with Approved Document M, covering disabled access, and Approved Document B, covering fire regulations.

In addition, specification advice issued by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers states that only closers classed as "extra efficient" (65%+ efficiency) should be used where fire doors are fitted on accessible routes. With Perko Powermatic® delivering an efficiency of 80%, this offers further assurance of the closer's suitability for a wide variety of applications in commercial, public, health and leisure situations.