Abloy UK, Aspex and Johan Doors have worked in collaboration to provide the University of St Andrews with a compliant access control solution for the refurbishment of Younger Hall.
Younger Hall is the main venue for graduation ceremonies at the University, located in the centre of St Andrews. It is named after James and Annie Younger, local philanthropists and benefactors of the University.
In recent years, the University of St Andrews had created a mandatory technical specification for access control and electric locking. It was quickly identified early on that electric magnetic locks and electric strikes were not secure methods of locking, and the Abloy EL560 was introduced to the University, and has been installed ever since.
The Abloy EL560 lock is suitable for single leaf doors, but there are many double leaf entrance doors to the University building. As most of these doors are on an escape route, it was clear that the escape facilities needed to be considered, so panic bars were also introduced.
The project had several requirements, including matching the existing traditional doors with both non-fire and fire rated doors, along with compliant access control ironmongery.
The specification was challenging, as what might work from an ironmongery perspective and user functionality may not offer the best lifespan of the doors. Due to the historic nature and design of the building, the University was not able to use the standard Abloy EL560 locks normally specified on campus for the external doors.
The external double leaf doors presented the most difficult part of the project, as they were extremely narrow, and the alternative options considered would not work on this particular application.
Aspex worked closely with Johan Doors and Abloy to offer compliant installation on double doors that had a narrow leaf, Abloy proposed the PE590 motor lock with a PBE002 panic bolt. This configuration allows for the panic bar to be cut to suit the doors reduced width, providing a compliant and safe solution for these doors.
The ironmongery specified also needed to meet current building regulations and practicality for everyday use, while considering the heritage surroundings and volume of people visiting the building.
To get the correct finish, Johan Doors used solid walnut, and after several samples they found a stain to use on certain locations along with frames and detailed architrave. Johan Doors prepared the doors and supplied Abloy compliant satin brass levers to complement the walnut door finish, which were installed by Aspex along with the compliant Abloy locks.
Doors requiring electric locking had to be manufactured to allow for electrical wiring from the Abloy lockcase through the centre of the door, into the concealed door loop and through the frame.
Louie Woodland, Director at Johan Doors, said: “We have had great feedback from the Estates Project Manager in charge of the Younger Hall redevelopment. It’s a beautiful traditional building, and yet the heritage doors with modern technology does not look out of place. The need for heritage doors combined with technology has never been greater, so hopefully we can work with Aspex and Abloy again on similar projects in the future.”
