Glass Partitions London | 1 August 2019
BLINDS
Venetian blinds are a popular component used with glazed partitioning. They are mainly used between the glass panels in double glazed elevations, but are also used with offset glazing where space permits. Blinds are supplied in 15mm or 25mm widths and are available either plain or perforated aluminium in a wide range of colours. When choosing a blind, the size of the toprail in relation to the double or offset glazed opening should be considered to ensure that the blind has space to be fitted and be operable.
The blind length can be made to order so that when the blind is fitted and opened, there is no bunching at the bottom. Hold down clips are available to hold the bottom of the blind in place to avoid any twist movement.
In double glazed elevations it is not possible to operate the rise and fall mechanism on the blind, but the opening or closing of blinds can be remotely controlled, or the popular method is by way of a control knob which is fixed to the adjacent partition mullion. a cable fixed to the blind is fed through the partitioning framework to the control knob. On monobloc systems the blind will be installed in the manufacturing process and arrive to site enclosed in the glazed unit.
DOORS
Doors are an integral part of a partition system and are the one element that users interact with daily. It is important that doors are coordinated with the partition manufacturer, especially where sound and fire performance is required. Many partition manufacturers also manufacture doors, so are able to supply doors in structural openings as part of a coordinated interior.
Glass partition doors that are used in the interiors sector include veneer, laminate, continuous pressure laminate, paint grade, steel or glass (as described in 7.4.4). a range of standard widths are available, however, manufacturers will produce bespoke sizes on request. conventional door height sizes are produced as standard as are some full partition height doors but doors with an overpanel are generally made to order. care should be taken when ordering doors with particular handing, figure 36 explain the descriptive methods to be used. It is important that gaps between the door and the door frame are consistent. Best practice would be for a 3mm gap at the top and sides of the door and 3 to 5mm at the bottom of the door depending on the type and thickness of the floorcovering and the underlying level of the floor. Bs 1245 offers guidance on the installation of doors.
Timber doors generally tend to be 35mm or 44mm thick for cellular hollow core doors and 44mm and 54mm for solid core doors. Ideally, all doors should be delivered to site immediately prior to their installation and any packaging material left on the door for as long as possible to avoid any site damage. timber doors should be handled and stored as detailed in Bs code of practice cp151 (Wooden doors clause 501 – storage and protection). Timber door manufacturers and fabricators, as part of their environmental policy, should operate a chain of custody procedure on the timber used in their operation. this involves a commitment to purchase all timber and wood based products from sources that are committed to supply material which originates from sources which offer either Fsc or peFc chain of custody or complies with the Fsc standard for non Fsc certified controlled wood. clear specification as to whether Fsc / peFc material made doors are required on each project should be made and users need to vet their suppliers to ensure that they conform to the chain of custody standards. Glazed vision panels of varying shapes and types can be included in the door specification. this includes matching
HINGES
Fixing height: doors with three hinges should have one centred 250mm up from the bottom of the door, one centred 250mm down from the top of the door and the third centred 450mm down from the top
LEVER HANDLES AND LOCKS
Fixing height: lever handle to be between 900mm and 1000mm above the finished floor level, 1000mm is preferred. Dimensions: not less than 19mm diameter if round section. Not less than 45mm clearance from the rear of the handle to face of door. Not less than 54mm backset from the leading edge of the door. Not less than 72mm centres from the lever handle to key turn.
INDICATOR BOLTS AND TURNS
Fixing height: between 900mm and 1000mm above the finished floor level.
Dimensions: the operating bar of the inside turn should be not less than 45mm long.
SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
Fixing height: 1800mm above the finished floor level except on wheelchair accessible facilities where 1500mm would be more suitable. Dimensions: symbols should not be less than 70mm high. Kicking plates should not be less than 150mm in height.
DOOR CLOSERS
Door closers are used in buildings to self close doors mainly for reasons of security, privacy, acoustics, fire resistance, energy conservation and hygiene. there are essentially three types of closers used; overhead closers, frame concealed closers and floor springs. closers come in two distinct types, uncontrolled and controlled.
