Permadoor Launches Advanced Performance Fire Door

Published: 10th October 2007

Specialist composite door manufacturer, Permadoor has unveiled its new advanced fire safety door combining improved performance with stronger aesthetics. Following significant investment and development, the new double glazed fire door and double glazed PVC-U side light from Permadoor is a unique new offer to the social housing sector.
Specialising in the supply of made-to-measure, low maintenance exterior thermoplastic and GRP entrance doors, the new fire door is the latest addition to the company’s extensive range of high performance products.

Rigorously tested the high performance door and side light resists fire for in excess of 30 minutes and is fully accredited and complaint with the BS476:Part 22 30 Minute Fire Rating.
Tim Roome, general manager, Permadoor said: “The new Permadoor fire door builds on the performance of our previous products but is much stronger aesthetically. Traditionally fire doors have necessarily featured single glazing and a glazing channel but by adopting a new construction process we have been able to develop the door without it, which means that to all intents and purposes it looks exactly the same as any of our other doors. This means that where a project features a number of doors, including a fire door it can be installed without looking out of place when compared to others used on the project. While safety is paramount we also see getting the aesthetics right as important. More often than not these doors are installed in the entrances or communal hallways of flats or apartments and it’s important that our designs not only deliver performance but also contribute towards the creation of a welcoming environment.”

In a similar vein, the new construct of the fire door means that both it and the side light panel can be glazed in obscure glass, something that has proved problematic in less advanced designs. Tim explains: “Fire doors have historically been glazed with a single panel of either Georgian wire rough cast or Georgian wire polished plate glass. This raises a couple of issues, first the unit isn’t double glazed second, it tends to look a little institutionalised and unwelcoming. Because we have been able to construct the door using an alternative system to a glazing channel we are now able to manufacture the doors with a fully double glazed unit. This still has to have Georgian wire polished glass on the one side but can have obscure or a choice of glass on the other. This detracts from the wiring element and delivers a much improved finish, which again helps to contribute to a more welcoming environment.”