Solihull
LKS managed this project entirely. The client contacted us following a failed fire risk assessment for all the fire doors in the building. Our responsibility was to create an ironmongery schedule and manage the installation of the doors throughout the site.
We met with the client to understand their aesthetic preferences while ensuring compliance with all relevant and up-to-date regulations.
- Supply fire-rated ironmongery and hardware
- Complete fire door installation
- Bespoke master key system
- Finishing work including decoration
- Project design, management and commissioning
HOPPE OVERVIEW
Hungarian-born Ernő Goldfinger was a renowned modernist architect who moved to Britain in the 1930s. Typical examples of his work include high-rise housing blocks, such as London’s Trellick Tower, post-war schools and office blocks. He had a distinctive style using concrete frames and grids of windows.
Ernő’s designs caught the attention of author Ian Fleming but for all the wrong reasons. The James Bond author disliked some of Goldfinger’s projects so much he named the villain in his novels after him.
Many of Ernő’s projects were in London but he also ventured out of the capital to design Goldfinger House in Solihull, near Birmingham. Originally constructed as the office headquarters for Carr’s Paper Works in 1955, the Grade II listed building became home to The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) in 2014.
Following a fire risk assessment in 2022/23, improvements relating to fire doors were recommended. The building’s owners subsequently worked with local architectural ironmonger 1st Call Lock and Key Ltd (LKS) to specify new fire door products to help meet building regulations.
Established in Birmingham, in 2004, LKS has grown from a small key cutting trade counter supplying local trade to a full service architectural ironmonger servicing the midlands and distributing products throughout the UK. Following a management buyout in 2014 by current managing director Joshua Kambo and business partner John Camp, the company now offers a complete suite of services including supply, survey, design and installation.
LKS conducted a full site survey to establish what products would be required for the NUMBER rooms, many of which were named after James Bond characters. After developing a schedule of works incorporating products from ARRONE, a HOPPE brand, work began on site.
As part of their complete offering, LKS over the course of a few weeks and multiple phases, with a schedule of works and project management designed by LKS, they removed all fire doors throughout the building, repairing and replacing all frames leaving the entire building up to compliance and meeting all regulation. All finishing works were done including decoration, working around CIPP’s hybrid working pattern. This meant that some works had to allow for staff being present.
For the new fire doors, LKS specified the popular AR1500 overhead surface-mounted door closer. The category of the AR1500 has recently been upgraded from three to four, providing a controlled closing of a door from at least 180 degrees compared to the previous lower angle of 105 degrees. It is particularly suited to applications on doors where wider openings are needed.
The controlled power can be altered by adjusting the spring. This can help in obtaining acceptable opening forces required to open the door which is a consideration for those less physically able. The unit also has adjustable closing speed to control the doors closing speed which can assist wheelchair users. This was an important consideration for LKS to help accessibility at Goldfinger House and was also specified for the ground floor toilets.
Locks and latches from the ARRONE range were also chosen including the AR8102 mortice deadlock and both the AR910 and AR8100 mortice sashlocks.
To allow easy operation, the AR3616 straight pull handle in stainless steel is featured on all fire doors.
The project was completed in October 2024.
"The CIPP approached LKS in 2023 following a survey which concluded that many of the buildings fire doors were not compliant with the current regulations. After a going through a tender process, LKS were commissioned to replace non-compliant fire doors.
Upon implementation, the CIPP opted for a two stage approach, where the team came in to fit half of the doors, leave to settle and adjust before fitting the remaining doors.
The team at LKS were knowledgeable, professional and were quick to help when any issues arose or adjustments needed to be made. Their expertise was evident and the engineers helped keep us up to date on what the condition of the fire doors should be.
The responsiveness of LKS was excellent and they would always arrive to site promptly. The management, preparation and installation of the works was remarkable, and completed on time.
Further from this installation work, the CIPP has opted to use LKS for ongoing annual compliance and maintenance of the fire doors.
Overall, we couldn’t recommend LKS enough!"
- Amber Trumper, Quality, Environmental, Safety & Health Administrator.
