New Lodgic smartphone app increases fire door security

Lodgic is a new smartphone app which enables managers on site to check that fire doors are attended and unlocked when a building is scheduled for access by the public and other visitors, and then secured at the correct time for out-of-hours site security.

Building owners and venue managers who risk the safety of customers can incur fines of up to £2,000 per incident and two years’ imprisonment depending on the severity of the incident. Penalties can reach up to £100,000 in some instances for multiple offences identified in a single fire safety inspection. 

The Logic app has been create by Lodge Services to prevent such instances, carrying a monthly subscription of £12 to use the full service. 

The app features a ‘tour’ function with a pre-set activity log, and a message and alarm to prompt users to secure or unlock each fire door on site at a pre-set time. To identify each door, the Logic app scans a printed QR bar code which is attached to a plaque near the exit point. 

The software system remotely monitors the activity that is logged on the app. If each scheduled activity is not completed within the pre-set time parameters, an automatic alert, followed by a series of warning prompts are sent to the user on site. If the task is not completed, the Lodgic control centre in Redditch is alerted and will phone the designated member of staff immediately. 

If there is no response, the pre-agreed escalation of an incident can include contacting senior staff.

When securing/unlocking each door, the scanning of the bar codes are time stamped, with the physical location recorded from the smartphone’s GPS. This enables the company and the fire inspection authority to keep a record of the required activity. 

The app can also be used to monitor designated fire wardens to ensure that a warden is present on site. In addition, a QR bar code can be located at the main exit points, so wardens can log in and out of the building, with the information viewable at the intelligence centre.

Other features include patrol and response and ‘ad hoc’ guarding, with the intelligence centre dispatching teams to repair damage or secure a site when required.