PROFAB ACCESS LTD
Suppliers of: Access Panels, Access Doors, Riser Doors, wall Access Hatches, ceiling access panels, steel security doors, loft access doors, loft doors, access doors
Profab Access Ltd supply a wide range of Access Panels, Riser Doors and Steel Doors suitable for all types of projects. Our range of products provide elegant and seamless access to a wide range of services whilst maintaining aesthetics without compromise.
Profab Access Panels:
Profab Access Ltd has been a household name for quality None Fire Rated & Fire Rated Access Panels since 2001. Our products have developed over the years predominantly lead by architects looking for high-quality products with the option of fire performance, without compromising on aesthetics. Frequently specified in commercial and residential buildings where clean and concealed maintenance-free access is required to mechanical or electrical services within ceilings and walls.
Designed and manufactured in our UK factory to your exact specification, Profab Access Panels fit seamlessly in masonry walls, shaft walls & drywall partitions.
CERTIFIRE Access Panels Only Available by Profab. Please visit our website to view our certification.
OPTIONS:
- Acoustic Rated up to 39dB
- Part L Compliant
- Part J Compliant
- Smoke Seals
- Choice of Fire Rating to suit Requirements
- Non-Fire Rated
- 1 Hour Fire Rated
- 2 Hour Fire Rated
- Choice of Door Finish to suit Finishing Requirements
- Metal Door
- Plasterboard Door
- Tile/Clad Door
- Choice of Frame Profiles to suit Finishing Requirements
- Beaded Frame
- Picture Frame
- Choice of Lock Profiles to suit Finishing Requirements
- Budget Lock
- Push Catch
- Security Lock
Please contact our technical team for further information on our Access Panels.
Profab Concealed Riser Doors
Profab Concealed Riser Doors have evolved over 16 years, predominantly lead by architects looking for a higher fire performing an alternative to traditional timber riser doors, without compromising on aesthetics. Frequently specified by architects in commercial and residential buildings where clean and concealed maintenance-free access is required to mechanical or electrical services within the riser shaft.
Designed and manufactured in our UK factory to your exact specification, Profab Riser Doors fit seamlessly in masonry walls, shaft walls & drywall partitions.
As standard, our metal riser doors come 2-hour fire rated 3rd party certified by CERTIFIRE, 35dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed & Airtight to Part L.
Riser doors can be upgraded to achieve 42dB and 44dB acoustic ratings.
CERTIFIRE Riser Doors Only Available by Profab. Please visit our website to view our certification.
STANDARD FEATURES:
- Certifire Fire Rated to 240: Minutes
- 35dB Acoustic Shielding
- Airtight to Part L
- Frame Construction: 1.5mm Zintec
- Door Construction: 1.2mm Zintec
- Rockwool Core Door Leaf
- Intumescent Smoke Seals
- Fully Welded Rigid Box Section Frame
- Multi-Point Locking
- Concealed Continuous Piano Hinge
- Fully Powered Coated Matt RAL9010
- Suitable for Finishing On-Site
Please contact our technical team for further information on our Riser Doors.
Certified Fire Rated Steel Doorsets
Profab certified fire rated steel doorsets have evolved over 7 years. Frequently specified by architects for back of house or basements areas as well as sports halls and pedestrian fire escapes. Designed with the industry expected adjustable fixings and security capping channels as well as integrated astragals and stainless steel top and bottom channels.
Designed and manufactured in our UK factory, Profab offers a totally bespoke service with all products manufactured to order.
As standard, fire rated steel doors come 3rd party certified by Certifire and CE marked were applicable. With the options of smoke seals, acoustic ratings and U-Values.
The Essential Role of Certifire-Rated Access Panels Within Fire Safety
The need for proper fire safety measures in commercial buildings is now more critical than ever, meaning the design process poses new and unique challenges, while architects are required to stringently adhere to fire safety regulations and standards.
Here, Profab Access, a leading manufacturer of access panels, highlights the vital role which third-party fire tested access panels can play in fire safety, and how through specifying products which have undergone such testing, architects can ensure the integrity of their buildings.
Following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, The Golden Thread concept was introduced as part of the Building Safety Act, which highlights the need for better documentation, transparency and accountability in the context of building safety.
A foundational element in ensuring the quality, safety and longevity of a building, it signifies the link between the initial design intent, through to the construction and maintenance stages of a building's lifecycle.
Naturally, architects are among those who uphold a great responsibility in ensuring that the Golden Thread is adhered to during a building’s initial design stages.
Commercial buildings house numerous complex systems, including fire suppression systems, electrical installations and HVAC infrastructure. One critical component that house these components is access panels.
In the world of modern architecture, functionality and compliance must meet, and this can be achieved through an architect’s choice of access panels. Beyond their functional purpose of providing access to these systems for maintenance personnel, they stand as vital yet overlooked components within the broader framework of fire safety within buildings.
During a building’s initial construction, it is essential that architects seek to install fire rated access panels where third-party certification can be supplied. An example of this third-party certification is the Certifire scheme.
The significance of Certifire rated products extends beyond adherence to regulations, and represents a commitment to safeguarding lives and property. With this in mind, architects should always prioritise the specification of Certifire rated access panels for several reasons.
Firstly, Certifire certification provides a mark of quality and reliability. This guarantees that the products have undergone rigorous testing and are proven to withstand the spread of fire for a specific period of time, and that they comply with relevant European Fire Test Standards. This certification provides architects with the confidence that the access panels they specify meet the highest standards for fire safety in their buildings.
By specifying Certifire rated access panels, architects can ensure that the building’s fire safety systems are robust and reliable in the event of a fire. These panels provide the highest standard of protection against the spread of flames and smoke through containment, acting as a barrier to control the fire which gives occupants more time to evacuate safely. This, in turn, can minimise the risk of both structural damage and loss of life.
Commercial buildings are environments where the safety of hundreds or even thousands of occupants is at stake, and where the rapid spread of fire can be catastrophic. The need for this swift and effective containment of flames and smoke is all the more crucial in these buildings. Here, The Grenfell Tower fire serves as a stark example of the potential consequences of specifying building materials and products which fail to provide this effective containment.
With regards to the responsibility of architects to uphold the Golden Thread, the installation of Certifire rated access panels provide a transparent link between design intent and real-world performance. By specifying panels with a proven track record of fire resistance, architects can weave a clear thread of accountability, and thus always remain compliant with the requirements of the Golden Thread.
The importance of fire safety cannot be overstated, and every design decision during a building’s construction must reflect this priority. As architects navigate the complexities of evolving safety standards, they must prioritise solutions that uphold the highest standards of fire safety integrity.
By working with reputable manufacturers who offer Certifire rated products, architects can be confident that they are choosing products that have been rigorously tested and proven to perform in the event of a fire, and demonstrate a dedication to public safety.
As a leading supplier of Certifire-approved products, Profab Access is now offering customers ‘Certifire as Standard’ after investing in extensive third-party fire testing across its product portfolio, in order to provide customers with the ultimate peace of mind.
The presence of Profab Access’ access panels within a building’s structure can ensure architects are able to fortify the building’s fire safety resilience, help to safeguard the lives of occupants, whilst ensuring that building safety regulations are always met with confidence.
For further information on Profab Access and its range of riser doors, access panels, and steel doors, call +44(0)1827 719051 or visit www.profabaccess.com.
Profab Access and BDL achieve engineering excellence at 8 Bishopsgate
8 Bishopsgate, a 50-storey tower located on the corner of two of London’s most prominent streets, is the UK’s most sustainable speculative office tower and the tallest building ever awarded BREEAM Outstanding at design stage.
Developed by Mitsubishi Estates and Stanhope and described as a building full of innovation, the 570,000 sq. ft building features London’s highest solar panels, in addition to 18 litres of fresh air per person being drawn from outside every second, as part of its design ambitions to achieve both low embodied carbon and to be low-carbon in operation.
As part of the construction process, BDL, one of the UK’s largest specialist dry lining contractors, has collaborated with riser door and access panel solution manufacturer, Profab Access, to supply and install significant quantities of access solutions as part of the project’s aims to optimise material efficiency.
Just under 1,000 of Profab Access’ INTEGRA 4000 Series Riser Doors and accompanying PRECISION Adjustable Frames have been installed by BDL’s contractors throughout every storey of the building, which includes 75,000 sq. ft of communal space in the form of terraces, cafes and a deli, in addition to a 200 person capacity auditorium.
Throughout the design and engineering stages, Profab Access worked in conjunction with BDL to manufacture the PRECISION certified frame system to make the installation of each riser door throughout 8 Bishopsgate safer, faster and simpler.
Peter Fillmore, Project Development Manager at BDL, said: “By working in partnership with Profab Access we have been able to significantly reduce the time required to install such a significant quantity of riser doors, whilst also minimising manual handling requirements for our contractors.
“As a result, on-site efficiencies have been increased, enabling us to ensure project timescales have been successfully maintained throughout each stage of the project. This is how all riser doors should be installed and we’re extremely proud to have been able to use this revolutionary system as part of the construction of such an iconic building as 8 Bishopsgate.”
The only product of its kind currently available, the expertly engineered PRECISION Adjustable Frame completely transforms the installation process as it enables the frame to be fully adjusted to meet the specific dimensions of each structural opening.
Featuring a continual adjustable steel packer system, the PRECISION Adjustable Frame also ensures the installation of each riser door throughout 8 Bishopsgate is fit for purpose, by providing the highest standards in accuracy, whilst also removing the requirement for traditionally used packers during installation.
The engineered frame also features built in factory applied intumescent fire rated mastic strips to the outer frame, which provides fire stopping between the wall and the frame. This eliminates the reliance of the correct thickness of intumescent mastic bead being applied, removing any potential margin for error and ensuring compliance and adequacy of the entire installation.
Frank Gillen, Construction Director at BDL, said: “The PRECISION Adjustable Frame has enabled us to achieve safe and efficient installation throughout 8 Bishopsgate that also delivers the highest possible standards of compliance and certification.
“The frame’s factory applied integral all-in-one smoke, intumescent and acoustic FS1000 seal provides a guaranteed fire seal, which eliminates the requirement for our installers to physically enter the riser shaft and any associated health and safety concerns. It also reduces the number of quality assurance checks required once the installation has been completed, as its competency has already been assured.
“We have been working with Profab Access for over 15 years and through our longstanding relationship we have built a strong partnership that is formed upon a combined dedication to innovation. Together, we are continuously identifying how we can increase on site efficiencies and safety and 8 Bishopsgate is a prime representation of this.”
The INTEGRA 4000 Series Riser Doors and PRECISION Adjustable Frames will provide maintenance engineers with safe and secure access to electrical and mechanical services, without impacting the overall interior design scheme.
Tony Grayson, Project Manager at BDL, said: “The addition of the PRECISION Adjustable Frame has made the installation of riser doors approximately 30% quicker when compared to traditional installation methods. I cannot fault the frame, it makes installation very easy and significantly reduces manual handling concerns as no adjustments are required. This ensures the highest standards of safety for our team when fitting the riser doors on site and we see this as the future for how riser doors should be installed.
“The riser doors have been delivered on site ahead of time and we have worked closely with Profab Access’ engineering and design team, who have frequently visited the site, to ensure the installation goes as smoothly as possible to achieve a finish of the highest possible standard.”
As part of its commitment to construction excellence, Profab Access is the UK’s first manufacturer to have its concealed Riser Doors bi-directionally fire tested and certified by an accredited third party. The PRECISION adjustable frame has also been bi-directionally fire tested as an entire doorset with the INTEGRA 4000 Series Riser Door for up to 120 minutes, receiving the CERTIFIRE accreditation for installation in unlined shaft walls and solid wall construction.
This provides BDL, Mitsubishi Estates and Stanhope with a completely certified solution, as both the frame and the riser door have been bi-directionally tested as a single doorset and are supplied with comprehensive documentation to evidence their performance credentials and adherence to all relevant regulations, including BS EN 1634-1:2014 +A1:2018.
Profab Acces’ Commercial Director said: “8 Bishopsgate is a building full of innovation and the installation of our riser doors and adjustable frame perfectly embodies this commitment, as it has completely revolutionised the approach to how riser doors should be installed. Together with BDL we are making history as we create a new generation of innovation that provides the highest possible standards of performance and compliance.”
The INTEGRA 4000 Series Riser Doors are 35dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L. In the event of a fire, the doors will maintain their frame and integrity for up to two hours, limiting the spread of fire and transmission of radiant heat for this period of time. The doors’ intumescent smoke seals also enables occupants to safely exit the building, whilst subsequently minimising potential damage to other areas of the construction.
Profab Access’ comprehensive portfolio of access panels and riser doors are manufactured in-house at its UK headquarters and are supplied with impressive lead times. The products are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages.
For further information on Profab Access and its range of riser doors, access panels, and steel doors, call +44(0)1827 719051 or visit www.profabaccess.com.
For further information on BDL, call 0208 900 0221 or visit www.bdl.co
