PROFAB ACCESS LTD
INNOVATION DRIVE
WOLVERHAMPTON
WEST MIDLANDS WV9 5GA
Tel: 01827 718222
Fax:
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.
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
Ensuring fire safety in high rise buildings: The essential role of access panels
In the dynamic environment of commercial and industrial buildings, facilities managers are tasked with the responsibility of maintaining a safe environment for building occupants and crucial to that is minimising fire risks.
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 and management.
Naturally, facilities management professionals are some of those with the greatest responsibility for ensuring that the Golden Thread of building safety information is maintained, accessible and up-to-date.
This requires the accurate documentation of any changes, upgrades or maintenance work carried out, which contributes to recording the overall building safety and regulatory compliance.
Commercial and industrial buildings will house numerous complex systems, including fire suppression systems, electrical installations and HVAC infrastructure; all of which require routine inspections and maintenance to ensure their efficiency and compliance with safety regulations.
One critical component that facilitates this maintenance is access panels. Beyond their functional purpose of providing access for maintenance personnel to inspect, service and repair systems, access panels play a significant yet often overlooked role when it comes to fire safety.
During the building’s initial construction, major contractors should 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, which ensures the quality and reliability of fire protection products, thus guaranteeing that these have been rigorously tested and comply with relevant safety standards within the Building Safety Act.
Certifire accredited access panels can ensure the highest standards of safety and protection against the spread of flames and smoke in the event of a fire through swift containment, which in turn, can minimise property damage and save lives.
The installation of these panels will ensure that facilities managers will always be able to provide third party certification for these products at the time of installation, which provides them peace of mind within the buildings they maintain, and ensures that adherence to the Golden Thread and legal compliance is achieved.
In order to achieve this, facilities managers should maintain an up-to-date record of access panel locations, which clearly specifies their purpose.
This information – which will be proactively shared by conscientious suppliers – helps in identifying access points which provide crucial entry to fire suppression systems, allowing easy inspection, repair and maintenance, as well as enabling emergency responders quick and efficient access during the event of a fire.
In addition, any modifications made to access panels, such as installations, maintenance, relocations or upgrades, should be promptly recorded. This documentation aids in tracking the history and condition of access panels, ensuring that maintenance is conducted timely and potential fire safety risks are swiftly addressed.
Finally, irrespective of the industry, compliance with fire safety regulations is essential.
Accurate documentation of access panels assists facility managers in demonstrating compliance to regulatory authorities during building inspections and audits. Outdated or inadequate documentation can lead to compliance issues, costly penalties, or in worst case scenarios, compromised fire safety.
Third-party Certifire tested and accredited access panels can ensure the highest standards of safety and protection against the spread of flames and smoke in the event of a fire through swift containment, which in turn, can minimise property damage and save lives.
Access panels stand as vital components in the broader framework of fire safety within commercial and industrial buildings, through facilitating routine inspections, efficient maintenance, and swift access during firefighting efforts in the event of an emergency.
The relationship between fire rated access panels and the Golden Thread highlights the necessity of meticulous record-keeping throughout the building’s lifecycle, which not only helps in maintaining regulatory compliance, but also enhances the overall fire safety management of the building.
By prioritising this, facilities managers can plan an essential role in fortifying the building’s fire safety resilience, create a safer environment for occupants and ensure that fire safety obligations are met.
For further information on Profab Access and its range of riser doors, access panels, and steel doors, call +44(0)1827 718 222 or visit www.profabaccess.com.
