Wrightstyle wins Derby with advanced unlatched doors

Wrightstyle Ltd, the UK steel glazing specialist, which recently became the first international supplier to design an unlatched glazed fire and smoke door, has seen its innovative system specified across a growing number of commercial and public sector projects – providing a technically-advanced solution to a long-standing design problem.Most recently, Wrightstyle has supplied its single and composite door systems to SAS Direct, the leading UK fit-out solutions specialist, with a contract for the refurbishment and extension of Derby Council’s main administrative and community building, a complex project that also had to integrate the fire rated doors with glazed internal fire rated office partitions.The Derby Council building, now reopened to the public, community and voluntary groups and other public sector agencies, is able to accommodate some 1900 staff compared to the 500 people who were previously based there.The refurbished building is therefore an extremely high-traffic area for both able-bodied and disabled employees and visitors. Wrightstyle’s new concept in door fire safety, adopted for this project, significantly extends the design envelope because, in single or double leaf format, the doors can be pushed or automatically opened, without impeding the flow normally associated with latched doors.Previously, interior fire doors in their closed position had to be manually opened with a handle and latch, providing a less than optimal solution in a busy working environment.In a fire, the unique Wrightstyle door system automatically and securely closes, providing a barrier against fire and toxic gases, fire-tested and certified up to 180 minutes, with a range of fire resistance options for insulation and integrity.The Wrightstyle unlatched doors, available in a wide range of surface finishes, with full glazing options, offers designers internationally a range of fully-glazed interior or exterior door options that give complete practicality coupled with absolute fire safety. Adding further to their aesthetics and practicality, options are available for the hinges and closer mechanisms to be completely concealed within the framing system, offering a fully flush-faced door, and therefore providing a comprehensive solution for what has always been an interior design problem.The door systems are available in a range of sizes and options, and can be supplied in kit form or fully fabricated for a complete design to installation service – in offices, healthcare or educational facilities, airports, or anywhere there is traffic density.Although designed primarily for interior use, the Wrightstyle door system can also be fitted with secure deadlocks, allowing them to be used as exterior doors.“We are currently supplying to a number of high-profile commercial and public sector projects, and we are pleased that our steel glazing systems – from external curtain walling to internal screens and doors – are being specified so widely, both here in the UK and internationally,” said Tim Kempster, Wrightstyle’s managing director.Wrightstyle’s advanced steel glazing systems, comprehensively tested to mitigate against fire, ballistic and bomb attack, and high wind loading, are certified to EU, Asia Pacific and USA test standards. Videos of systems being tested against bomb and ballistic attack can be viewed on YouTube.