Find out more about our expertise here

Ensuring your windows and doors are New Term Ready

March 29, 2019 Steve Sherbourne

For school and university buildings, with a heavy footfall during term time and quieter corridors come the summer holidays, window and door security and safety is key to property maintenance. Ensuring both staff and students can easily vacate premises in the event of an emergency, that all exits meet current regulations and are secure during vacant periods, is crucial.

Staff and student safety

It’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking you’re prepared for an emergency evacuation once your fire doors are in place and your escape plan is signed off, but did you know that the fire doors and windows in your building should be serviced at least every six months? Regularly servicing ensures these safety exits are kept in optimum condition, providing a safe environment for your staff, students and visiting public.

With fire doors specifically constructed to be robust, regular maintenance checks keep your doors as strong as possible and pick up any necessary repairs – such as hinge damage which could negatively impact integrity. Door alignment and panic bars on emergency exits should also be checked, with damage potentially preventing a smooth and easy open in an emergency.

Security is key

While most schools and universities will use parts of their buildings during the holidays, it’s not uncommon for a lot of the site to be locked up. With community classes and events potentially being held in some areas, security of the exterior and interior doors and windows is vital. Ensuring that windows are regularly serviced to keep them looking and functioning in top condition is one tactic to deter both vandals and burglars.

Secure windows not only act as a visual deterrent, but also a physical one. Good quality, well maintained windows and doors are harder to break. Research shows that if an assailant is unable to gain access in 60 seconds, they are likely to move on, highlighting the importance of having secure, robust windows to protect your building and avoid unnecessary costs.

Working with Windrush

Here at Windrush, we’ve worked with a number of schools and universities to ensure their building’s doors and windows are maintained to provide top safety and security. Get in touch to find out how we can help get your building ‘New Term Ready’.

This June Windrush installed 39 Pvcu windows to our student accommodation block at Rewley Abbey Court. The work required them to install the windows while residents were in occupation, some with young children. Windrush carried out a full risk and method statement and appraisal to carry out the works in a safe manner with multi-occupation to consider. Full scaffolding and access booms were used with everything being alarmed and fenced off with appropriate signage in place. The Windrush team involved had all the necessary accreditation holding CSCS cards, asbestos awareness trained, CRB checked etc. The windows were as per our requested specification with Windrush being the most competitive out of the competition. The College are very pleased with all aspects of the work carried out and will be using Windrush on our future projects.

Steve Williams, Buildings and Estates

Green Templeton College, Oxford

Windrush have installed new pvcu patio doors in the residents homes on site. The window installers being friendly and polite and having a nice demeanour and getting on well with the residents. The work was carried out in a professional manor with their work being clean and tidy all with an insurance baked guarantee. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.

Alex Jordan, Site Manager

Swinbrook Court, Langdale Gate, retirement and sheltered housing, Witney, Oxon

I would just like to say that I was very impressed by the two young men who came to do the windows yesterday, they were very efficient, had impeccable manners and they cleared up after themselves which was a joy.

Windrush serviced two Velux windows and re-glazed with new sealed units, re-glazed a bedroom window with three sealed units, and re-glazed a conservatory upgrading sealed units to “Low E Argon” gas and thermal bar

Emma Sadler

Yew Tree Farm, Abingdon Road

During the School holidays the Windrush team carried out window adaption works for the School. Windrush installed remote window winding equipment to our high level windows that have been a health and safety issue with pupils and staff standing on chairs to open. I can recommend Windrush for their professional approach, competitive pricing and ability to accommodate our requirements during a busy time with many other trades on site. They were willing to change their work schedule to accommodate changing circumstances on site.

Neil Baker, Estates Manager

St Helen & St Katherine School, Abingdon, Oxon

Windrush recently attended our Academy and replaced damaged window hinges and handles with great success. The Windrush Team who carried the work out were very professional with the work being carried out during normal School hours. The Health and Safety aspect being covered with the adoption of measures from their risk assessment and method statement being carried out.

Steve Bryan, Estates Team

The Oxford Academy, Sandy Lane, Oxford

Logo | Windrush Door and Window Services Ltd

"The ongoing repeat business we receive is testament to our hard work and dedication in providing our home and business customers with the best possible window and door solutions, tailored to meet their exact needs. No two jobs are the same and we treat all our customers as valued individuals."
Steve Sherbourne, Managing Director

Contact Us