Practical Applications of Part M and its Implications for the Door Manufacturer
Phil
Mundell, sales and marketing director for Sentinel Doors, discusses the
practical application of Part M and its implications for the expanding
role of the door manufacturer in helping to assess the needs of the disabled.
In the past decade we have witnessed a growing responsiveness to the needs
of the less able and disabled in the public housing market, culminating
in the new Part M accessibility regulations and local authority requirements
to build to Lifetime Homes standards.
These
days almost every tender we receive from a local authority or housing
association includes some element of Part M and what is becoming clear
is that the provision of level thresholds and wider doors is just the
tip of this particular iceberg.
'Project Partnerships' - now a fundamental part of Sentinel's working
practice - usually involve providing and collating tenants choice leaflets,
undertaking property surveys and supplying and installing complete door
systems. Now, we are increasingly called upon to assess the access and
operational requirements of disabled tenants and put forward proposals
to meet their needs.
To date, by working closely with local authorities, housing associations,
national disabled groups and charities, we have been able to respond with
the required access needs.
Provision has ranged from basic requirements such as correct thresholds,
handles and locks, up to assisted key turning, extended handles, thumb
turns, support rails and master suite key systems. Where there is serious
disability, for example for paraplegic tenants, we can also provide computer-controlled
access, electronic openers and remotely controlled locks.
To meet, and even exceed, the requirements of Part M we have also invested
in special tooling to manufacture doors with clear opening sizes of 900mm
(Part M calls for a minimum 775mm) within a 1040mm overall door size.
Featuring a low profile threshold, these doors easily accommodate wheelchairs
and electric tricycles and like all Sentinel doors the wide-access range
is available in a choice of styles, colours, glazing options and furniture.
Called the Series 700, the range is based on the Series 100 door and can
be supplied in open-in or open-out configuration. The styling has the
same cosmetic appearance as the Series 100 range and the same benefits
of low maintenance and good weatherproofing.
Finally, with concerns for tenants' personal safety increasing, especially
among the elderly and disabled, we offer the reassurance of doors that
have passed PAS23 and PAS24 and comply with the latest 'Secure by Design'
specification. And we can fit special magnetic shoot bolts linked to electronic
entrance pads to further improve security and give residents greater peace
of mind.
Contact: Phil Mundell
Tel: 01443 229219
Email: mailto:post@sentinel-doors.com
Caption: Series 600 composite door from Sentinel