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Stay compliant with our accredited commercial door installation

October 6, 2017 Steve Sherbourne

When carrying out a commercial door installation for a business or school, there’s plenty to consider, from aesthetics and design preferences, to using suitable, robust materials. However there’s one area where very little flexibility is allowed – and that’s ensuring your doors comply with UK regulations. They must also meet general guidelines to mitigate against environmental and safety problems.

Here are some facts you need to know for your own commercial door installation.

Be fireproof

About three million fire doors are bought and installed each year in the UK. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire doors are an essential feature of commercial door installations. Saving lives – and protecting commercial property – these doors must be installed and maintained correctly. It’s advisable to check them every three to six months.

For schools and other educational establishments, regulations can be particularly exacting. To check compliance, you can consult ‘Building Bulletin 100: design for fire safety in schools’.

According to Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, fire doors are required to be self-closing – so they should be fitted with a closing device complying with BS EN1154 Controlled Door Closing Devices.

In the UK, all fire door designs should be tested to BS 476 Part 22 or the European equivalent BS EN 1634 Part 1, to represent how they will function in a fire. Furthermore the manufacturer should be able to demonstrate there is evidence supporting the performance of the door.

Be clear

Commercial property is required to be energy efficient, so if you carry out a commercial door installation which includes doors with glazing, you’ll need to consider how heat could be lost through the glass or around the frame of the door. Lost heat is measured as a U-value; you can learn what the highest U-Value permitted is in Approved Document L-1B, Table 1.

Windows or see-through surface doors should be made of safety materials, or should exhibit some level of protection against them being broken. Doors with transparent areas should also be clearly indicated to prevent people colliding into them.

Safety glazing is required for any glazed door up to 1500mm from floor level, as described in approved Document K.

Be accessible

Commercial door installations should also take into account the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equality Act of 2010. For instance, to aid wheelchair users, doors have a range of minimum widths allowed (although it’s important to note that the Act encompasses far more conditions that just those which require wheelchairs). Operational devices on doors, such as handles and latches must also be easy to operate with a closed fist.

Regarding fire doors, the Equality Act 2010 stipulates that access must not be restricted for people with disabilities – so any door closers used in commercial door installations shouldn’t demand excessive force from a user.

Be sure

If during a commercial door installation you’re in any doubt as to the compliance of your doors, it’s worthwhile to speak with the door manufacturers. Being able to present a certificate is not always enough. Door manufacturers should demonstrate integrity by providing all information on their doors, as well as advice.

Manage your commercial door installation in partnership with Windrush, and we will provide comprehensive door and window maintenance services that include the safety checks you need to stay compliant. We can inspect, repair and perform regular maintenance on all types of fire doors, closure systems, panic bars and other fittings. 

Our installers hold CSCS cards and we install all types and makes of doors. We offer guarantees, and are members of Construction Line and CERTASS who monitor our work and financial standing. We are also members of CHAS, and are approved for our health and safety compliance. Contact us today for your commercial door installation, and we’ll ensure you stay compliant.

This June Windrush installed 39 Pvcu windows to our student accommodation block at Rewley Abbey Court. The work required them to install the windows while residents were in occupation, some with young children. Windrush carried out a full risk and method statement and appraisal to carry out the works in a safe manner with multi-occupation to consider. Full scaffolding and access booms were used with everything being alarmed and fenced off with appropriate signage in place. The Windrush team involved had all the necessary accreditation holding CSCS cards, asbestos awareness trained, CRB checked etc. The windows were as per our requested specification with Windrush being the most competitive out of the competition. The College are very pleased with all aspects of the work carried out and will be using Windrush on our future projects.

Steve Williams, Buildings and Estates

Green Templeton College, Oxford

Windrush have installed new pvcu patio doors in the residents homes on site. The window installers being friendly and polite and having a nice demeanour and getting on well with the residents. The work was carried out in a professional manor with their work being clean and tidy all with an insurance baked guarantee. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.

Alex Jordan, Site Manager

Swinbrook Court, Langdale Gate, retirement and sheltered housing, Witney, Oxon

I would just like to say that I was very impressed by the two young men who came to do the windows yesterday, they were very efficient, had impeccable manners and they cleared up after themselves which was a joy.

Windrush serviced two Velux windows and re-glazed with new sealed units, re-glazed a bedroom window with three sealed units, and re-glazed a conservatory upgrading sealed units to “Low E Argon” gas and thermal bar

Emma Sadler

Yew Tree Farm, Abingdon Road

During the School holidays the Windrush team carried out window adaption works for the School. Windrush installed remote window winding equipment to our high level windows that have been a health and safety issue with pupils and staff standing on chairs to open. I can recommend Windrush for their professional approach, competitive pricing and ability to accommodate our requirements during a busy time with many other trades on site. They were willing to change their work schedule to accommodate changing circumstances on site.

Neil Baker, Estates Manager

St Helen & St Katherine School, Abingdon, Oxon

Windrush recently attended our Academy and replaced damaged window hinges and handles with great success. The Windrush Team who carried the work out were very professional with the work being carried out during normal School hours. The Health and Safety aspect being covered with the adoption of measures from their risk assessment and method statement being carried out.

Steve Bryan, Estates Team

The Oxford Academy, Sandy Lane, Oxford

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Steve Sherbourne, Managing Director

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