12 November 2015
One of the 1st Applications of Technal’s New High Traffic Door is an Office and Residential Scheme in the City of London
One of the first applications of the new high performance SOLEAL aluminium door system from Technal is a prestige office and apartments scheme at Clifford's Inn in the City of London which has been extensively refurbished.
The SOLEAL door has been developed to deliver outstanding thermal efficiency, stringent levels of security, and a range of specification options for high traffic projects such as offices, apartment buildings, hospitals, shopping and sports centres, and schools.
Fabricated and installed by Everglade Windows, the SOLEAL doors at 138 Fetter Lane met a range of requirements:
- A single thermally broken pivot door provides access to the new lobby for the 30,000sqft Grade A offices. These silver anodised doors have a concealed overhead closer for a discrete and stylish appearance; an anti-finger trap bulb stile safety feature; full height tubular stainless steel handles, and flush dead bolts at the head and cill for enhanced security. The door also has an electric strike to allow fob pass access.
- A single thermally broken pivot door to the same specification was used for the entrance to the offices from the east courtyard. This system is inserted into Technal's GEODE-MX SG structural glazing that was used to extend the offices southwards.
- The apartments are accessed to the side of the building frontage on to Fetter Lane via double open-in, anti-finger trap pivot doors.
- Fire exit doors were installed on the west courtyard. These were rebated, polyester powder coated in white, use robust butt hinges, have surface-mounted closers at the door head, and a push paddle handle.
Jonathan Manser, Managing Director of architects The Manser Practice, said, "The replacement door systems for this project had to be sufficiently versatile and robust to address the needs of two distinct building users - staff and visitors to the high specification offices and occupiers of the apartments."
"We also needed systems that would complement the existing building fabric to create a contemporary and high quality aesthetic for each elevation, and to use materials that would help reinstate the character of the original 1930s building."
"Our specification requirements have been achieved and we are pleased to report that all the door systems are performing well. We would definitely use Technal products again on future projects."
Delivered by architects The Manser Practice in conjunction with concept architects, David Walker Architects for developers CLS Holdings, the £9m refurbishment of 138 Fetter Lane included the upgrading of the existing building frontage with Technal curtain walling and Portland stone cladding. Windows for the offices were replaced with Technal's side hung casements, and GEODE-MX SG structural glazing was used for two office extensions overlooking a secluded, landscaped courtyard.
The new SOLEAL high traffic door range has a patented design and uses a 55mm deep module for both the single action hinged, and double or single action pivot doors. The system benefits from a crimped double polyamide thermal break to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and deliver U values as low as 1.4W/m2K as well as dual colour finishes for further design flexibility.
SOLEAL is also designed meet very high levels of security in accordance with Class RC3 for burglar resistance to BS EN 1627-30. The single leaf, thermally broken, double action pivot door with an anti-finger trap bulb stile has been tested to the PAS24:2012 standard and achieved consistently excellent results in all the test criteria.
The SOLEAL anti-finger trap option, as used for the office and apartment doors at Fetter Lane, has a thermally broken bulb stile on the rotation side allowing a maximum gap of 7mm and a 23mm gap between the aluminium profiles on the locking edge for additional safety. This is a particularly useful safety feature where an entrance could be used by children.
For more information about the new SOLEAL commercial door suite for high traffic applications, call 01924 232323 or visit www.technal.co.uk/solealdoor.
Editor's Notes
1. Technal is a leading global provider of aluminium façades, windows and doors, with a diverse range of products - curtain walling, casement and sliding windows, sliding or pivot doors, and solar shading. With a presence on five continents, it offers the highest levels of technical and design innovation, the quality of its raw materials, high production standards and the ability to work in partnership with the UK's leading architects and contractors.
Technal has developed a network of approved manufacturers and installers in the UK, to offer the highest standards of fabrication and installation of its curtain walling, doors and windows.
2. You can now follow Technal on Twitter @TechnalUK, on YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/TechnalUK and on Facebook - www.facebook.com/Technal.UK.
