Smarter access, safer spaces at Wiltshire College & University Centre

Wiltshire College & University Centre is one of the leading providers of further and higher education in the region, operating across four campuses in Chippenham, Lackham, Salisbury and Trowbridge. With over 9,000 students, including 3,300 full-time learners and 800 enrolled on university-level courses, the college is a busy, high-traffic environment supported by a dedicated team of around 750 staff.

Maintaining safe and accessible buildings is an ongoing priority, especially when it comes to fire door compliance. But at Wiltshire College, some existing fire door retainers weren’t compatible with all door types, meaning a number of fire doors had to be kept closed. This created practical and maintenance challenges.

“Other door retainers don’t necessarily fit all doors, meaning that some of our fire doors had to be kept closed,” said Gerry Fordham, Finance and Maintenance Manager. “In a college with a high proportion of young people, this meant that a number of doors were being damaged by those with little respect for property. The college was having to make repairs to a number of fire doors that had been damaged by people opening them carelessly.”

Seeking a more robust and versatile solution, the college explored several options and selected Fireco’s DorMag SmartSound as the most suitable product. “We looked at a number of products and thought that Fireco’s DorMags provided the best solution to our particular problem,” Gerry explained. Fireco’s DorMag SmartSound is a wireless fire door magnet designed to hold fire doors open safely and legally, releasing them automatically when a fire alarm is triggered. It’s an ideal fit for buildings like Wiltshire College, where varying floor levels and heavy door usage call for flexibility and durability. Equipped with advanced sound recognition technology, it can detect fire alarms with greater accuracy in busy or noisy environments. A total of 46 DorMag SmartSound units were installed across the college’s sites, improving access, protecting property and helping the college stay compliant with fire safety standards.

The project ran smoothly from start to finish. “Excellent service, quick delivery and good follow-up,” said Gerry. “We have used Fireco a number of times and have always been very happy with the service.”

By choosing DorMag SmartSound, Wiltshire College has created a smarter, safer environment for staff and students alike—minimising door damage, enhancing accessibility, and ensuring that fire safety remains uncompromised. It's another example of how Fireco’s adaptable solutions can solve everyday problems while supporting long-term compliance.