Back checks prevent door collisions
Well thought-out space design in the new Lebenshilfe building in Regensburg
In the new Lebenshilfe building in Regensburg (Germany), 24 new spots have been allocated for assisted housing. In the process, planners were repeatedly faced with tough challenges. For example, all rooms had to be barrier-free and wheelchair accessible to offer enough room to move. To ensure that as many units as possible fit in the space, every inch had to be optimally used.
Each room has its own bathroom located in the front area. If the bathroom door is more than 90° open, the entrance door to the room would hit against it when opened from the outside. Also, a stopper on the floor is not admissible here, due to the potential risk of accidents.
Without a back check, the entrance door and restroom door could collide if the bathroom door opens more than 90°
Together with DICTATOR, this problem could be easily and efficiently solved. The bathroom doors were fitted with a back check, which ensures that the doors cannot open more than 90°.
Also, the back check can do even more: If the door were to open quickly and be stopped at 90°, damage to the door hinges would be unavoidable. Furthermore, a person entering the room at that moment could risk injury because of the opening door. The DICTATOR back check not only limits the opening angle, but also slows down the opening movement without difficulting the normal opening and closing of the door – an essential requirement for an smooth operation.
The new Lebenshilfe residence in Regensburg (Germany) built in 2019, houses 24 new occupants for assisted living
The access door to the restroom is wheelchair-accessible, i.e. wider than normal doors. Therefore – without a back check – it could collide with the entrance door to the room if opened more than 90°.
Back checks prevent door collitions by ensuring that the door cannot open more than 90°. It also slows the door down if opened too quickly.
When the door is closed, the back check is only visible from the inside of the bathroom – although it is hardly noticeable. On the other side it is not noticeable at all.
Products used
Back checks
Back checks are used on doors or windows that can be blown open by wind, draft or even during normal operation. They dampen doors/windows in the opening direction and limit the opening angle. This prevents doors and windows from swinging open without control, prevents damage and protects people standing next to the door.
Various models cover a wide range of applications: from lightweight interior doors and windows to very large/heavy doors with high loads. Many models can be used in combination with overhead door closers and are optionally available with an integrated hold-open in the open position.
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