Heritage Doors Refurbishment – BBC, Old Broadcasting House, London
The BBC Old Broadcasting House was opened in 1932 and the main entrance doors are still the same as they were installed as the building is Grade 1 listed. They are constructed of timber and clad in Brass with ironmongery to match.
Also, it is one of the only places you can see the original BBC logo as it is on all of the doors and inlayed into the marble floor in reception.
The main entrance consists of 6 pairs of doors, 3 external and 3 internal to which 4 pairs have been automated to provide an accessible entrance to the building. We were contacted to provide a solution as the doors were;
- out of alignment
- binding together
- not closing
- difficult to secure
As there are no parts available to replace, we removed the existing top centres and had them copied out of solid brass as a direct replacement.
Adjustable female top centre fitted into the top of the door
These types of doors are called centrally pivoted where top centres are fitted as well as concealed floor spring closers to allow the doors to open in both directions. From a practical aspect you can always push the door to enter or exit a building as this is easier than to pull it. Also, this would mean that they would also be able to be installed on a fire escape as the doors would always open in the direction of escape should you need to exit in an emergency.
