Fire Doors & Access Control - London Primary School

Project Background

Schools face unique challenges in balancing safety, security, and operational efficiency. This London primary school, part of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, required a comprehensive upgrade to their fire door systems alongside the integration of modern access control technology to enhance building security and safeguard their students and staff.

The scope of work was substantial: 80 fire doorsets requiring supply and installation, Paxton access control integration across the school, essential fire compartmentation works to maintain proper fire separation, and redecoration of affected walls and doorsets to restore the school's appearance following the installation works.

Planning for Minimal Disruption

Educational environments present particular scheduling challenges. The work needed to be completed during the summer holidays to avoid any disruption to teaching and learning. With a six-week window, careful planning was essential to ensure every aspect of the project was delivered on time before the new term began.

We developed a detailed project plan in close collaboration with the school's facilities team, scheduling different phases of work across various areas of the building. This phased approach allowed multiple work streams to progress simultaneously while maintaining safe working areas and ensuring the building remained secure throughout the project.

Fire Door Installation

Each of the 80 fire doorsets was specified to meet current Building Regulations requirements, with FD30 or FD60 ratings appropriate to their location and the fire compartmentation strategy. The doorsets included all necessary fire safety features: intumescent strips, smoke seals, certified door closers, and appropriate ironmongery.

In an educational setting, durability is paramount. We selected robust hardware capable of withstanding the high-frequency use typical in schools, while ensuring all closers were properly adjusted to provide appropriate resistance—strong enough to ensure proper closing but not so heavy as to present difficulties for younger pupils.

Paxton Access Control Integration

The integration of Paxton access control systems added a sophisticated layer of security to the school's fire door network. The system allows controlled access to different areas of the building, enhancing safeguarding while maintaining the fire safety integrity of the doors.

Our team worked closely with the school's IT and security personnel to ensure the access control system was configured appropriately for their operational needs, with staff access permissions set up and training provided on system administration.

Fire Compartmentation and Finishing Works

Proper fire compartmentation is essential for containing fire spread. Our works included necessary repairs and upgrades to fire-resistant walls and barriers, ensuring the building's fire strategy remained effective following the door installations.

The final phase involved comprehensive redecoration of affected areas. All new doorsets and surrounding walls were decorated to a high standard, leaving the school with a refreshed appearance alongside the enhanced safety features.

Successful Delivery

The project was completed on schedule, with the school ready to welcome students and staff back for the new term. The client's feedback highlighted their appreciation for our efficiency and the quality of the finished work. The successful delivery has led to further project discussions, and we're delighted to have the opportunity to support the Greenshaw Learning Trust with additional work across their estate.

This project demonstrates our capability to deliver large-scale fire safety installations in sensitive educational environments, combining technical expertise with the project management skills necessary to coordinate complex, multi-faceted works within fixed timescales.