Design and Specification Support

We maintain a library of standard detail drawings for the majority of our products, including roller shutters, security grilles, steel doors and fire shutters.

These drawings typically include:

• Plan and elevation drawings
• Head, jamb and threshold details
• Fixing and substrate requirements
• Motor and control locations
• Typical electrical requirements

Drawings are normally supplied free of charge once an order is placed.

If drawings are required during early design or planning stages, we can usually provide them on request. In some cases, where bespoke drawings or significant design work is required, a design fee may apply.

These drawings allow architects and contractors to:

• Confirm structural openings
• Plan cladding or façade interfaces
• Coordinate with other trades
• Avoid installation conflicts later in the project

Using modern visual tools and AI assisted imaging, we can help visualise how products will look on your building.

By overlaying products such as roller shutters, security grilles or steel doors onto photographs of your building or opening, we can provide a realistic preview of the final installation.

This helps clients and designers to:

• Understand how the product will appear in the finished building
• Compare design options
• Select colours and finishes
• Present proposals to stakeholders or planning authorities

This process can be particularly useful for heritage buildings, shopfronts or residential properties where appearance is important.

Choosing the correct product at the design stage can avoid costly mistakes later.We work with architects, contractors and building owners to understand:

• The purpose of the opening
• Security requirements
• Fire rating requirements
• Frequency of use
• Environmental conditions
• Aesthetic requirements

Based on this information, we can recommend the most suitable product type for the application.

This ensures the correct solution is selected from the start rather than discovering later that a product does not meet the required specification.

Many installation issues arise because the supporting structure has not been designed correctly for the product being installed.We can advise on:

• Suitable substrates for fixing roller shutters and doors
• Steelwork requirements for large openings
• Masonry or concrete fixing requirements
• Mounting options (face fix, reveal fix or between guides)
• Headroom and side room requirements

This advice helps ensure the opening is correctly prepared before installation begins

Automated shutters, fire shutters and industrial doors often require electrical integration.

We can provide guidance on:

• Power supply requirements
• Isolation switches
• Control panels
• Fire alarm interface requirements
• Battery backup systems
• Safety devices such as photocells or safety edges

Planning these requirements early helps prevent delays during installation.

We can assist architects and specifiers with creating accurate NBS specifications for security shutters, grilles and doors.

NBS (National Building Specification) is widely used in the UK construction industry to define materials, performance requirements and installation standards for building projects.

Our team can help:

• Identify the correct product for your specification
• Produce product specific NBS clauses
• Ensure the specification includes correct performance standards
• Avoid generic specifications that may later prove unsuitable

This reduces the risk of products being incorrectly specified or substituted during procurement.

Many specifications include generic descriptions that do not reflect real products or tested systems.

We can review specifications and highlight:

• Unrealistic performance requirements
• Conflicting standards
• Missing safety requirements
• Products that do not exist or cannot be certified

Correcting these issues early prevents problems during tender or construction.Specification consulting is often used by architects and consultants to ensure building specifications align with regulations, performance requirements and project documentation.

We can assist with understanding the relevant standards for your project.

Depending on the product type, these may include:

• LPS1175 security ratings
• Fire resistance standards
• Machinery Directive requirements
• CE / UKCA compliance
• Safety requirements for powered doors

Understanding these requirements at the design stage helps ensure the correct products are selected.

For larger projects, we can provide technical information to support BIM modelling and coordination.

This may include:

• Product dimensions and tolerances
• Weight and structural loading
• Electrical requirements
• Operation clearances

Many manufacturers now provide BIM objects and specification data to help architects coordinate building elements within digital models.

Where required, we can carry out site surveys to confirm opening sizes and structural conditions before manufacture.

This allows us to verify:

• Structural openings
• Headroom availability
• Fixing substrates
• Electrical access
• Installation constraints

Surveying the opening early helps avoid delays and ensures the product is manufactured correctly.

Early budget guidance can help architects and developers plan projects more accurately.

We can provide:

• Indicative pricing ranges
• Cost comparisons between different product types
• Advice on cost saving design options
• Information on lead times

This helps clients make informed decisions before finalising the specification.