Wakefield Town Hall’s glazed entrance lobby powered by GEZE operators

Wakefield Town Hall has undergone an extensive refurbishment that adds a contemporary element to its grand heritage interiors. The Grade I listed building has benefited from the installation of automatic doors, powered by GEZE operators, to add safety, security and convenience whilst maintaining the authenticity of the surrounding Victorian décor.

GEZE UK collaborated with Laidlaw and Door System Installations on the creation of a glazed inner lobby, within the original open archway constructed in 1880, which frames the town hall’s traditional heavy, wooden-leaf doors. 

A Slimdrive SL NT operator was specified to power the bi-parting doors, which provide visitors with a glimpse of the building’s interior whilst providing a practical draught lobby. The doors incorporated etched glass panels which mirror the ornate plasterwork in the ceiling above. 

An addition benefit of the Slimdrive operators is its discreet design and drive unit height of just 7cm, which further ensures a seamless blend of “the old and the new”. As with all GEZE’s automatic operators, the operators assist with the demands of the Equality Act and are BS 8300 compliant.

Discreet and fire safe

Six pairs of Slimdrive EMD-f electromechanical swing door operators were also installed across the three floors. Also just 7cm high, the EMD-f operators feature a discreet design and provides assisted manual or automatic opening using the operating button with guaranteed constant opening and closing speed.

The EMD-f drives have also been fire tested and hold the Certifire Certificate of Approval CF 860, with fire resistance of up to 120 minutes.

The bespoke double doors, manufactured from hardwood by Longdon Doors to blend with the original Victorian design aesthetic, are also fire-rated and independently tested with the ironmongery. The doors feature intumescent seals that expand in the event of a fire and seal off the gap between the door and frame.

The operators for the swing doors were completed with brass covers to complement the finish of the original ironmongery.

The Slimdrive-EMD-fs incorporated rebated electrical shear locks, hidden within the frame, that enable access control, as well as proximity readers which allow staff to flash a fob at a reader on the wall to open the door – providing a vital security element.

Contact:

GEZE UK,
Blenheim Way,
Fradley Park,
Lichfield,
Staffordshire,
United Kingdom,
WS13 8SY

Phone: 01543 443000
Fax: 01543 443001

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