Frequently asked questions
In short
The questions we get asked most, about servicing intervals, the systems we fabricate, our accreditations and how we work with main contractors.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work directly for main contractors?
Yes. Most of our work is a subcontract package for a main contractor, set out from the architect's drawings and delivered to the site programme. We also work directly for building owners and occupiers, particularly on servicing and replacement work.
Do you make the aluminium yourselves or buy it in?
We make it. We have a 10,000 sq ft factory with our own drawing office and our own powder coating paintline, so profiles are cut, fabricated and finished in house. That is what lets us respond when a specification changes part way through a job.
Which aluminium systems do you fabricate?
We are an approved fabricator for Comar and for Senior Architectural Systems. In practice that means Comar 6 and 6 EFT curtain walling, Comar 5Pi and 9Pi windows, Comar 7 and 7Pi doors, Comar 1, 3, 9 and 13 shopfront framing, and the Senior SF52, SCW, SPW 600 and Ali Vu ranges.
Which automatic door operators do you install?
We are an approved Assa Abloy and record installer. That covers the Assa Abloy SL500 sliding operator, the SW100, SW200 and SW300 swing operators, and the record DSTA 20 and DFA 127, along with the PSL and PSW ranges.
How often does an automatic door need servicing?
Twice a year. Automatic doors fall under the machinery regulations, and to conform to EN 16005 they should be maintained twice annually. Our service team provides six monthly visits planned in advance so the building is not caught out.
What does a service contract include?
Our service contract guarantees prioritised call outs at fixed rates and discounted spare parts, on top of the planned six monthly visits. We cover automatic doors, manual doors and roller shutters.
Can you service doors you did not install?
Yes. A large part of our service work is on third party equipment. The first visit establishes what is on site and what condition it is in, and the schedule is set from there.
What happens if a door breaks down?
Log a call and we will get an engineer to you. Contract customers get prioritised call outs at fixed rates. Our engineers are based throughout the UK rather than working out of one depot.
Are you accredited?
We hold CHAS Elite and CHAS SSIP certification under membership CHAS-110047, we are a Constructionline Silver member, registration 136785, and we are a member of the Automatic Door Installation Association, membership 100104. Our teams hold SMSTS, SSSTS, CSCS and Asbestos Awareness.
Are you insured?
Yes. We carry £10,000,000 public and products liability cover with AIG, together with a £5,000,000 excess layer through AXA XL, plus employers liability and contract all risks cover. A broker letter is available on request.
How long have you been trading?
The company was incorporated in June 2008, so we are in our eighteenth year. Our team carries a combined knowledge of over a hundred years in the trade.
What areas do you cover?
Our factory and drawing office are on Canvey Island in Essex, and our engineers are based throughout the UK. In practice most installation work is in Essex, London, Kent, Hertfordshire and the wider South East and Home Counties, and we have delivered projects as far as Wolverhampton, Crewe, Plymstock and Oswestry.
Do you provide the paperwork at handover?
Yes. Automatic doors are commissioned and force tested to EN 16005 and you get the commissioning record. Certification for the installed systems is passed on with it.
Can you work outside normal hours?
Yes, and on retail work we usually have to. Shopfront and entrance work in a trading store is normally sequenced around opening hours or done overnight.