New Fast-Acting Jewers Doors for Long Melford Fire Station
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service recently commissioned Norwich-based Cooks Industrial Doors to replace failing vehicle access doors at Long Melford Fire Station in rural Suffolk. As a major reseller and installer, Cooks contacted Jewers Doors to design and manufacture state-of-the-art sliding-folding doors that replicated the style of the original doors.
The Challenge
The original fully glazed, wooden-framed doors had seen better days and were prone to jamming during operation, particularly in inclement weather; an issue that often arose when vehicles needed to exit rapidly under blue light conditions. As Long Melford is a conservation area, the doors had to be constructed in a style that mimics the original timber doors and maintains the ambience of the village.
The Solution
The door at the front of the building was a 2+2-leaf Swift bi-folding door, 3.5 metres high and 4 metres wide, with two leaves bi-folding to each side, clear of the opening to give maximum vehicle access. Hydraulic drive units safely open the door leaves in under 7 seconds to provide a fast and reliable exit once the retained fire fighters arrive, and a high-level photocell triggers automatic closure immediately after the appliance departs, leaving the building secure.
To the rear of the building, a matching 4-leaf Osprey manually operated door was installed to allow vehicles to re-enter the appliance bay without reversing through the front entrance.
Benefits to the Fire Station
- Fully open in under 7 seconds for quick response
- Clear line of sight to avoid collision damage
- Fail-Safe security features to prevent injury during operation
- Fully compliant with BS EN 12453 and EN 12604
Robust and Reliable
Jewers constructed the new doors using durable galvanised steel frames finished with a black powder coating. The doors were glazed to full height with 24mm-thick low-E, argon-filled double-glazed units to allow good visibility and natural lighting whilst maximising thermal efficiency. This not only ensured they matched the appearance of the earlier doors but also ensured they would have a long life and require minimal maintenance. Full safety features were fitted as standard to ensure full compliance with European safety requirements.
Do you need a full inspection report on an old or failing door or a professional company to survey openings and quote a price for new doors?
Jewers Doors are a DHF accredited company and operate under strict guidelines to advise on the best and safest solution for each application and provide an expert service that is second to none.
For further information, visit jewersdoors.co.uk or e-mail Mark Jewers mjewers@jewersdoors.co.uk.