Contractor: Axis CLC
Client: Southampton City Council
Type of works: Fire Door Manufacture & Installation
Ahmarra manufactured and installed over 80 fire doorsets for Manston Court, a local authority housing complex that provides additional care services. Working in partnership with Axis CLC, the project formed part of a Southampton City Council fire safety upgrade scheme.
The package included FD30s fire & smoke-rated communal area doors for offices, kitchens, corridors, stairwells, storage areas and riser cupboards. Additionally, Ahmarra supplied and fitted glazed side screens and an internal window for the shared lounge area.
Fire & Smoke Certified
These FD30s pre-hung doorsets are third-party certified under the BM TRADA Q-Mark Timber Fire Door Manufacture scheme and were supplied as complete units. As is standard with our Residential Door Range, door leaves were pre-hung within their frames with all essential hardware components (ironmongery, glazing systems, intumescent seals, drop down seals etc) factory fitted.
Sustainable
Ahmarra is an FSC® certified (FSC C018847) company, as such all of the timber doors and frames supplied for this housing project support responsible forestry.
Durable
Engineered to endure demanding environments, each severe-duty doorset incorporates semi-concealed American White Ash lippings on all four edges, providing added core protection and extending the door’s service life. The doors are faced with impact-resistant high-pressure laminate. Doors for lounge, kitchen and office spaces feature Formica’s Elegant Oak (F5374) wood-effect laminate. Storage area and riser doors feature Polyrey’s Blanc Artic (B117), whereas corridor doors are faced with Polyrey’s Bleu Carabies (B086). Each door features stainless steel protection plates to further enhance durability, including extended-height kick plates which provide additional protection, particularly from walking aids.
Accessible
Corridor doors are fitted with electromagnetic closers, with built-in hold-open functionality, to aid accessibility. These closers keep doors open for ease of movement around the home. When the fire alarm is activated, doors are automatically released so that they close, helping to compartmentalise fire and smoke. All closers require minimal opening force, ensuring doors can be opened with ease by residents.
The doorsets have been designed in accordance with BS 8300 and Part M of the Building Regulations, ensuring an inclusive and accessible environment. Accordingly, all doorways provide the required clear opening width to enable safe and convenient access for residents, staff and visitors, including wheelchair users and those with mobility aids, allowing everyone to move throughout the home with ease.
Communal area doors are fitted with our VP01 vision panels, which meet the minimum zone of visibility requirements outlined in BS 8300. These vision panels are framed by cloak (aka bolection) beading, which is made from American White Ash to match the lippings. The vision panels, in addition to the side screens and internal window, help maximise the flow of natural light throughout the housing complex.
Security
Shared communal spaces, such as the lounge and IT suite, as well as staff offices, feature electronic locksets that have customisable access levels. The keyless networked locks are operated by a smart key card, and can also be accessed remotely.
Installation
Doors were fitted by both Ahmarra and Axis CLC’s installation teams. Ahmarra’s Q-Mark Fire Door Installation team hold accreditations with CHAS (Contractors’ Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), Constructionline Gold and SafeContractor, ensuring a high standard of safety, whilst minimising supply chain risk.
