Laidlaw provides expertise in £3m grade I listed restoration project

As part of the major upgrade work at Wakefield Town Hall, which dates to 1880, original tiled walls were uncovered, while the ornate walls and ceilings were cleaned and restored.

Maintaining the grand, historic elements of the iconic building was essential, yet it has been complemented with modern products that will help to future-proof the town hall for generations to come.

Laidlaw specified GEZE automatic door operators: the Slimdrive EMD-F for six sets of new hardwood double doors.

Stuart Griffiths, Laidlaw’s UK Sales Director, said they were able to offer a wealth of expert advice on which door operators would work best in the environment and with the types of doors being installed.

He said Laidlaw has worked with GEZE products for more than 10 years and was confident that the models specified would meet all the requirements.

Crucially, the Slimdrive EMD-F swing door operator provides assisted manual or automatic opening using the operating button to guarantee constant opening and closing speed, and meets the requirements of the Equality Act and is BS 8300 compliant.

Stuart said the Slimdrive EMD-F swing door operator is fire tested and holds the Certifire Certificate of Approval CF 860, having a fire resistance of up to 120 minutes.

This was an important consideration because the bespoke hardwood double doors were fire rated and have intumescent seals that expand if there is a fire, sealing the gap between the door and the frame to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

To complement the original ironmongery, the Slimdrive EMD-F swing door operator systems were completed with brass covers. The architect asked that the access control incorporated rebated electrical shear locks, so that they remain hidden within the frame.