dormakaba has provided a range of products for the new Priory View independent living development in Dunstable.
Aspex UK specified a range of free-swing door closers and low-energy operators for integrated door and access solutions to help ensure ease of access and to comply with the necessary fire regulations.
In addition, the team wanted the products to enhance the sleek and stylish design of the building.
Designed by Kyle Smart Associates, and located in Church Street close to Dunstable Town Centre; Priory View consists of 83 apartments for people aged 55 and over who may need some support to remain independent.
The council-run facility, nominated in the Top 60 Development Awards for 2016, is used by both residents and the public and has been designed to create a sense of community, providing assistive technology and stylish, adaptable accommodation for individuals and couples along with landscaped gardens, a restaurant, a cafe, a hair & beauty salon, and therapy suite.
When Central Bedfordshire Council was building Priory View, the team required a range of high-performance door closers and operators that would provide the right balance of privacy and independence, while complying with the necessary fire regulations, Approved Document M and the legal duties outlined within the Equality Act.
As such, architectural ironmonger, Aspex UK, selected TS99 electromagnetic free-swing closers from dormakaba for all 83 apartment entry doors.
Linked to the fire alarm system; dormakaba TS99 closers provide a free-swing function from a door opening angle of >0°, which allows the door to operate without the resistance of a door closer. This enables the door to be left open at any angle during normal use.
Upon activation of the fire alarm, or a power cut, the door closer is engaged, closing the door positively to prevent the spread of smoke or fire.
Free swing is a popular solution for individual room access within hospitals, homes, or residential care situations where the door is not on a circulation route.
For all general interior doors, dormakaba’s TS92 door closers were installed.
Featuring a unique cam action mechanism, the door closers offer high-efficiency, adjustable power and ease of operation while providing full and secure closing of the door to help meet both fire and accessibility requirements simultaneously.
Finally, for the doors within circulation areas, ED 100 Low Energy swing door operators were installed with IRS safety sensors to ensure on demand assistance for the most-vulnerable users.
Paul Ashberry, a director of Aspex UK, said: “For each apartment, the free-swing function of the TS99 door closers met the ethos of privacy and independence at the Priory View development, while safely meeting the fire and access regulations.
“Furthermore, we wanted to use door closers and operators that were sophisticated in style to reflect the contemporary interior design of the new facilities.”
