HARDWARE & SECURITY
Durable door hardware including hinges, closers and handles are not just an asset used to avoid failure. They also maintain the protective functions doors are designed to perform, be that fire resistance, acoustic isolation or security control.
Fire safety and compliance In data centre facilities, fire risk doesn’ t just pose a threat to people and equipment. It also presents serious physical security concerns. A fire can weaken building structures, disable security systems and force emergency evacuations that can create vulnerabilities in perimeter control. If a fire door fails to perform as intended, a fire can become a point of physical compromise.
Reliable fire doors help protect escape routes and emergency access points, keeping them secure while remaining operational under threats. Regular inspections and proper maintenance are essential as if a fire door does not close fully or is warped from wear, it not only fails compliance but weakens overall site security.
Asset Management Ensuring a traceable link between the design, specification, manufacture, installation and ongoing maintenance of door solutions is increasingly important in the data centre sector. In environments where uptime is essential and compliance is highly regulated, a well-documented and coordinated approach to physical infrastructure is integral for long term resilience.
ASSA ABLOY’ s Openings Studio™ is a BIM software solution, that integrates with design software to create and visualise openings for complete door, frame and hardware schedules and specifications.
It supports the specification process and beyond, by creating 3D models of tailored door frame and hardware solutions, which can be incorporated within the building model or viewed using the door visualisation tool.
The platform extends beyond design, offering data-driven support during manufacturing and installation. Contractors can access specifications for quality inspections, ensuring door
‘ With 39 per cent of the UK market seeing cyber-attacks linked to physical security breaches and 31 per cent of data centres reporting unauthorised access attempts, the demand for strong security measures is growing 1’
systems are installed to meet the intended standards, reinforcing the Golden Thread and the Building Safety Act 2022, as well as supporting ongoing maintenance and operational needs.
For data centre sites where every element must perform seamlessly, using BIM to manage door systems means convenience and resilience. It also supports regulatory compliance and ensures that every decision is fully traceable and aligned with the operational priorities of the site.
www. assaabloy. com
2 https:// detertech. com / data-centre-security-best-practices-to-prevent-physical-threats /
SEPTEMBER 2025
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Issue Takeover Hardware & Security Sponsor locksmithjournal. co. uk