Contractor: Willmott Dixon
Client: Chichester College
Type of works: Q-Mark Fire Door Manufacture
Ahmarra has proudly manufactured over 80 bespoke doorsets for Chichester College’s brand new state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) facilities and dedicated Higher Education space, on behalf of main contractor Willmott Dixon. Part of a multi-million-pound project designed by Bond Bryan Architects, the doorset package included fire and non fire-rated doors, as well as side screens and internal stand alone screens.
The four-storey building houses a suite of modern, interactive teaching spaces that promote hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. Equipped with the latest technology, the facility enables the college to offer future-focused courses that inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists students.
Certified
Third-party certified under the BM TRADA Q-Mark Timber Fire Door Manufacture, the FD30s and FD60s fire & smoke rated doorsets are supplied as a complete unit. This means that the door leaves are pre-hung within their frames and supplied with all essential hardware components (ironmongery, glazing systems, seals etc) factory fitted, as is standard with our Education Range.
Sustainable
Chichester College Group is actively working towards Net Carbon Zero, so sustainability was key to the building’s design. As Ahmarra is an FSC® certified (FSC C018847) company, all of the timber doors and frames manufactured support responsible forestry, and therefore the project’s low-carbon ambitions.
Durable
Designed to withstand busy academic environments, each severe-duty doorset features semi-concealed American White Ash lippings on all four edges, which enhances the door’s lifespan by protecting its core. Providing a robust, stylish finish, doors are faced with Polyrey’s impact-resistant Frene Scandinave (F056) wood-effect high pressure laminate. These durable doors also feature stainless steel protection plates as an extra layer of resilience.
Accessible
Doorset are designed to meet BS 8300 guidance – the British Standard that relates to the design of buildings and their approach to meeting the needs of disabled people. As such, doors provide an effective clear opening width that ensures all staff, students and visitors – including those with wheelchairs and walking aids – can pass freely through them.
Maximising natural light and visibility throughout the college, many of the communal area and classroom doors feature our standard VP01 – and wider VP02 – vision panels, both of which meet the minimum zone of visibility as defined by BS 8300. Many of the classroom doors also have side screens.
Corridor doors feature Dormakaba electro magnetic closers with double-action configuration. The built-in hold-open functionality, means that the closers hold the doors open for ease of movement around the college, yet will automatically close in the event that a fire alarm is activated, therefore compartmentalising the fire. These highly efficient Dormakaba closers require a low opening force, ensuring doors can be opened with ease by all building users.
Collaborative
Ahmarra is proud to be a trusted supply chain partner for Willmott Dixon Construction South. Our strong working relationship has seen us successfully deliver numerous projects across the education and healthcare sectors over recent years.
