23 January 2026 | Fireco

Smarter Access, Seamless Safety - How Wiltshire College Found a Better Way with DorMag SmartSound

A safer, more accessible campus. Smarter fire door management helped Wiltshire College improve accessibility while protecting doors from daily wear and tear. Discover how DorMag SmartSound delivered safer, more practical spaces across campus.

Wiltshire College & University Centre welcomes over 9,000 students and 750 staff across four busy campuses. With so many people moving through its buildings each day, balancing accessibility and fire safety was crucial - yet traditional fire door retainers weren’t the perfect fit for the college’s varied spaces and high-traffic areas.

The Challenge: When Compliance Creates Compromise

Like many forward-thinking institutions, Wiltshire College wanted to keep its doors compliant while maintaining easy movement throughout its buildings. However, some areas faced daily frustrations:

Standard retainers didn’t fit every door type

Fire doors had to stay closed to remain compliant

Repeated door damage created unnecessary costs and maintenance headaches

As Gerry Fordham, Finance and Maintenance Manager, explains:

“Some of our fire doors had to stay closed because other retainers wouldn’t fit properly. In a college with lots of young people, that meant doors were getting damaged far too often.”

The college needed a smarter, simpler way to manage fire doors - one that protected people and property while making everyday life easier.

The Solution: DorMag SmartSound - Simplicity That Solves

By installing 46 DorMag SmartSound units, the college transformed its fire safety experience. Already familiar with Fireco’s trusted Dorgard technology, the team saw DorMag as the next evolution - offering the same proven reliability with even greater flexibility.

DorMag SmartSound uses intelligent wireless technology to keep fire doors open safely and automatically release them when an alarm sounds. Its SmartSound recognition ensures it reacts only to genuine alarms, even in noisy college environments.

And because DorMag only takes minutes to install - causing zero disruption - the upgrade was seamless.

“We looked at a number of products and found Fireco’s DorMags to be the best solution to our particular problem.”

The Results: Confidence, Convenience & Compliance

Since installation, the college has enjoyed visible improvements - not just in compliance, but in everyday comfort and convenience:

Reduced door damage – Doors stay open safely, minimising wear and tear

Improved accessibility – Welcoming spaces for everyone

Quick, hassle-free installation – No cables, no mess, no disruptions

Trusted partnership – Fireco ensured fast delivery, smooth setup, and complete follow-up care

“Excellent service, quick delivery and good follow-up. We’ve used Fireco a number of times and have always been very happy with the service.”

- Gerry Fordham, Finance and Maintenance Manager, Wiltshire College & University Centre

Why DorMag SmartSound Is the Next Step for Dorgard Users

For organisations that already rely on Dorgard, DorMag SmartSound is the natural upgrade. It keeps everything you love - wireless convenience and legal compliance - while adding the flexibility to handle those tricky door setups where Dorgard can’t fit.

Ideal for uneven floors or unique door positions

Perfect retrofit solution with a sleek, compact design

Enhanced alarm accuracy through SmartSound recognition

Fully wireless and battery-powered for easy compliance

With DorMag, you’re not just keeping fire doors open - you’re opening the door to smoother operations, safer environments, and happier users.

Fireco — Compliance Made Easy.

Learn more about DorMag SmartSound: www.fireco.uk | Call 01273 320650

Other Press Releases from Fireco

12/2/2026 - Meeting compliance and safety standards for Sussex youth charity Esteem is a Shoreham-based charity supporting young adults aged 14–26 with a mission to build self-esteem and stronger communities through inclusive group activities and one-to-one support. As part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility and safeguarding, the organisation recognised the need to upgrade its internal fire doors

12/2/2026 - Matt Ball from Fireco gives an overview of the step-by-step process involved in developing a new product, Dormag Pro, from conception to the finished product Hi Matt, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

11/2/2026 - A-Z of Fire Door Safety Tips A survey carried out by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) found that 57% of the UK public couldn’t spot a problem with a fire door, resulting in a failure to report issues to the Responsible Person. To help raise awareness for this year’s Fire Door Safety Week campaign, use our simple A-Z guide, which offers tips and reminders on what you need to look out for to keep your fire doors compliant!

23/1/2026 - DMS and Martyn’s Law In the wake of increasing security concerns, ensuring good communication has never been more crucial. We look at how DMS could assist in meeting Martyn's law

18/12/2025 - Freedor improves access for City of London Corporation residents The City of London Corporation is the municipal governing body of the City of London, the historic centre of London and the location of much of the United Kingdom’s financial sector. It has two housing estates in the Square Mile and also manages 10 other estates situated in six different London boroughs.