Updating Office Building’s Ready for End of ‘Working from Home’ Trend

With more companies following the lead of Amazon and Zoom and asking workers to return to the office, facilities managers need to get these spaces ready, fast.

Results from KPMG’s most recent annual CEO survey show that 63% of UK bosses expect the five-day office week will return fully by 2026.

In preparation for this, Andrew Syms, business development manager at HOPPE (UK), discusses what needs to be considered when choosing architectural ironmongery for office refurbishment projects.

Fire doors and emergency exit routes

In an emergency, it is essential that building users can open doors quickly and easily so that everyone can leave safely.

Door hardware plays a huge part in achieving this. In an office, devices for emergency exits could be a simple push pad-type device or a lever handle that operates a mortice escape lock or nightlatch.

When it comes to fire doors, any new hardware must be equal to or better than the fire/mechanical performance of the door. To tell if a product is ‘like for like’, look at the tested elements and the certification for the products. 

Check what type of door the ironmongery is tested for use on; a product that has been fire tested for use on a FD30 is not suitable for use on a FD60. Most importantly, any replacement product supplied needs to be in line with the doors fire certification.

Remedial work should not include removal of intumescent materials from the door, unless damaged. Any replacement of hardware intumescent kits should be the exact same material, size and thickness and in line with the door’s fire certification.

Accessibility

It is important that all building users can move around without restrictions.

Fire doors can be difficult for people to use if they are not paired with the right door closer. They need to be powerful enough to ensure they close firmly in the latch but are still easy for everyone to open.

The HOPPE Cam-Action closer is a high efficiency door closer which offers lower resistance in opening forces, making it easier for those less physically able to open the door while still maintaining the correct closing power to ensure the door closes correctly in the event of a fire.

If the door must be held open, a compliant hold open device – such as an electromagnetic or a free swing device – must be used. It should never be manually propped open, as this will prevent the door from closing in the event of a fire.

Get your office prepared quickly

Damaged door handles are one of the most common problems when it comes to architectural ironmongery. Repairing door handles can be a costly and time-consuming process.

The HOPPE Quick-FitPlus handle features extra-large square or round roses and are ideal for renovation work as they may completely cover any signs of the old fittings.

They take around eight seconds to install and as long as the door has been drilled out to accept a standard lock and handle, anyone can fit the Quick-FitPlus handles using an alley key or screwdriver.

The Quick-FitPlus rose is much thinner than standard roses, at only 2mm compared with between 6-8mm, providing a sleek, discreet handle to complement the wider office design.

In the battle to retain employees taking the time to focus on the finer details can make all the difference.

www.hoppe.co.uk

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