Sandiway Primary School - Fire Door Installation
Introduction
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors is a fundamental responsibility for any educational institution. As schools continue to modernise their facilities and strengthen risk-management practices, the installation of effective fire-protection systems has become a critical priority. This case study examines the recent installation of fire doors at Sandiway Primary School, exploring the challenges, solutions and the end results following installation.
Project Challenges
Installing 40 fire-rated door sets, 4 fire shutters and adaptation to the alarm system to operate door hold open devices across the school estate. Ensuring compliance with current fire and safety legislation and safeguarding staff, pupils and visitors.
The Process
A carefully planned and precisely executed programme of works designed to deliver a comprehensive fire door replacement package. Methods included full site survey, appointment of GAI ironmongery specialists, works undertaken in twilight hours in a live school environment, installation records maintained for every door set, including certification, under BM Trada guidelines with photographic and video evidence to support installation. This coupled with a dedicated site manager, a team of 6 accredited fire door joiners, qualified electrician with fire alarm specialism, weekly management checks, in addition we employed school contract cleaners to undertake additional cleaning works ensured everything was delivered as expected.
The Results
The fire door, fire shutter installation and fire alarm enhancement at Sandiway Primary School delivered a robust upgrade to life-safety protection infrastructure. The project involved the installation of 40 new fire-door sets, strategically placed throughout the school to improve compartmentation and provide clearer, safer evacuation routes. In addition, four fire shutters were fitted to safeguard high-risk areas such as the kitchen and hall servery, while targeted adaptations to the existing fire-alarm system ensured full integration of the new equipment. Together, these upgrades have significantly strengthened the school’s compliance, resilience, and ability to protect pupils, staff, and visitors in the event of an emergency.
"RWB completed a Condition Improvement Fund bid for fire doors throughout Sandiway Primary School, part of Create Learning Trust. Matt, Luke and the whole team on site were excellent from the start and I felt demonstrated really good people skills from the very first meeting and this provided confidence around the project. Communication as to when deliveries for the project would arrive to the school was excellent pre-install and once installation had commenced, RWB were really flexible and understood that the school was still operating whilst they were on site. The team worked tirelessly after school into the early hours and this really is appreciated. I was genuinely impressed by the standard of the fire doors and the finish of the installation of the doors. Any small snagging issues have been corrected quickly and both Luke and Matt have communicated with the school and trust via email promptly. Even when coming across any challenges within the project, RWB have been really flexible to resolve issues, such as installing a new bespoke roller shutter for the schools kitchen area. Thank you for such a positive experience when completing a CIF bid, this hasn't always been the same for previous project completed throughout the trust. RWB brought a really refreshing attitude to working in schools and I'm really grateful for that. Thank you."
Keir Glover - Director of Operations at Creative Learning Trust
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