Month: September 2024

Pass Thru / Pass Through Hatches

Posted on by Dortek

Pass thru hatches, also known as pass through hatches, play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless transfer of materials. Whether it’s transporting raw materials in, dispatching finished products, or facilitating the manufacturing process, these unassuming pass thru hatches are the unsung heroes of cleanroom efficiency. Their robust and durable construction ensures long-term reliability in even the most demanding environments. Moreover, they are designed to accommodate a wide range of operational requirements, making them indispensable in various industries including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and electronics.

A metal transfer hatch.
The primary objective of pass thru’s is to mitigate cross-contamination during material transfer, thus upholding the cleanliness of controlled areas. Dortek, as a leading provider of innovative solutions, offers a range of pass thru hatches equipped with either electromagnetic or mechanically interlocked doors. These advanced door mechanisms serve a dual purpose: preventing depressurisation and minimising the risk of contamination. In addition to their high functionality, these door systems are designed to be user-friendly, reducing the risk of operational errors and enhancing the overall safety protocols within cleanrooms.

What sets Dortek’s pass through hatches apart is their deliberate design. Unlike conventional sealed doors, these hatches allow a controlled flow of air from the clean side, typically maintained at a higher pressure. This constant influx of clean air effectively flushes the interior of the hatch. Importantly, the volume of air involved is so minuscule in comparison to the room’s airflows that it remains imperceptible, leaving room pressures unaffected. This careful balance helps to ensure that even the most stringent cleanroom standards are met without compromise. Additionally, the materials used in the construction of these hatches are selected for their resistance to corrosion and ease of sterilisation. The hatches have minimal visible fixings, flush designs, and excellent scratch and wear resistance.

Pass throughs silently ensure that materials move seamlessly, while cross-contamination remains a distant concern. Dortek’s innovative range of pass thru hatches help improve the efficiency and reliability of cleanroom operations. These hatches are also designed with user convenience in mind, featuring easy-to-clean surfaces and straightforward maintenance procedures. Their sleek, modern design not only contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the cleanroom but also integrates seamlessly with other cleanroom infrastructure.

A metal transfer hatch with a small window at each side.
Key Features of Dortek’s Thru Hatches:

• Active or passive units available with suitably sized fan and filtration systems.
• Simple mechanical or electromagnetic interlocks or full integration into building management systems.
• Doors manufactured from stainless steel, glass or Perspex.
• Multiple door seal materials, suitable for all processes.
• Can be lead lined for use in radiotherapy applications.
• Wide variety of sizes available – fully configurable.
• Variety of finishes available – Brushed, mirror polished, electropolishing, passivated.

Please see our datasheet for more details or contact us at info@dortek.com. Our team of experts are always on hand to provide consultation and support, ensuring that you find the perfect solution for your cleanroom needs.

Fire Door Safety Week 2024: The Importance of Reliable Fire Door Installation

Posted on by Dortek

As we mark Fire Door Safety Week 2024, running from the 23rd to the 27th of September, it’s an important reminder of the crucial role fire doors play in safeguarding lives and property. At Dortek Ltd, we are proud to lead the way in manufacturing and installing high-performance fire doors, providing maximum protection in the event of a fire.

Why Fire Doors Matter

Fire doors are an essential part of a building’s passive fire protection system. Their primary function is to contain the spread of fire and smoke, buying valuable time for occupants to evacuate and for emergency services to respond. In healthcare, cleanrooms, pharmaceutical environments, and even leisure facilities, fire doors are a vital line of defence, especially in buildings where vulnerable people may be present or where sensitive equipment and environments are housed.

Certified for Maximum Safety

Dortek fire doors are not just designed to perform; they are tested and certified to the highest standards. Our fire doors can achieve up to a 4-hour fire rating, and they are tested against more than 50 different specifications to comply with regulations around the world. This means that when you choose Dortek, you are choosing the reassurance that our doors will perform under the most challenging conditions.

We understand that simply having a high-quality fire door isn’t enough—it needs to be installed correctly to do its job. That’s why we are BM TRADA Q-Mark accredited installers. Our team only installs doors according to this certification, which is recognised as a leading standard in the industry. With third-party certification, clients and building owners can be confident that the installation of their fire doors is carried out with precision and expertise, ensuring full compliance with legal requirements.

Common Fire Door Misconceptions

Despite their importance, fire doors are often misunderstood or improperly maintained. Common misconceptions include the idea that any door can act as a fire barrier, or that once installed, fire doors don’t require ongoing checks. However, to ensure fire doors remain effective, they must be inspected and maintained regularly by competent professionals. Gaps, damage, or wear can significantly reduce a fire door’s ability to contain fire and smoke.

At Dortek, we believe in educating our clients about the importance of fire door maintenance. Regular inspections and adherence to safety protocols ensure that your fire doors continue to provide the protection they were designed for. For those unsure about the current condition of their fire doors, Fire Door Safety Week is the perfect time to conduct an audit and arrange professional inspections.

Why Choose Dortek?

At Dortek, our commitment to fire safety is unparalleled. From the design and manufacturing of our high-performance doors to the accredited installation process, we ensure that every aspect meets and exceeds industry expectations. Whether you’re in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or leisure sectors, we can provide bespoke fire door solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our clients can trust that they are receiving products and services backed by years of expertise, rigorous testing, and third-party certification.

Don’t leave fire safety to chance—get in touch with Dortek today.

For more information on fire doors and safety, visit the official Fire Door Safety Week website.

Dortek’s Guide to Fire Door Safety

Posted on by Dortek

Fire doors are one of the most critical elements of fire protection. They are used to provide compartmentation – in other words, containing fire and smoke for a period of time to allow people to be safely rescued and evacuated.

Fire doors are often the first line of defence in a fire and their correct specification, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death for building occupants. Despite this, fire doors remain a significant area of neglect and are often the first thing to be downgraded in a specification or mismanaged throughout their service life.

A review undertaken by FDIS certificated fire door inspectors earlier this year revealed the extent of fire door failures being seen on site:

  • Over 61% of fire doors inspected had problems with fire or smoke seals
  • More than a third had incorrect signage
  • 230 fire doors inspected had gaps bigger than 3mm between door and frame
  • More than 20% had unsuitable hinges
  • Almost 1 in 6 had damage to the door leaf.

(Source: FDIS 32)

The most common identified cause of death from a fire incident is being overcome by gas, smoke or toxic fumes. Suffering from the effects of gas or smoke also accounted for one-fifth of all non-fatal casualties in 2013-14. (Source: Gov.uk) This reinforces the importance of properly specified, installed and maintained fire doors with intumescent seals that keep smoke from leaking around the edges of a fire door.

Collage of three door images.

Here’s our checklist to help you specify the correct fire doors and keep them in tip top condition:

  • Always use a reputable and competent supplier – many people claim to make fire doors, but only a handful have a properly tested product which is proven to work in a fire.
  • Ask whether the product has been fire tested and demand to see the documentation that proves it (e.g. fire certificate or label).
  • Make sure test evidence is from a UKAS-accredited test centre
  • Specifying fire doors with intumescent seals is crucial to prevent smoke inhalation in the event of a fire.
  • It’s not just the door itself that matters. The frame and ironmongery is just as important – they all work together. Only buy exact compatible hardware and components from the same reputable supplier, also making sure that the ironmongery also meets the relevant fire test standard as well
  • Correct installation is as important as buying the correct product – fire doors are a carefully engineered fire safety device which must be fitted correctly so make sure you use experienced installers from a reputable company.
  • Ask for the fire door to be installed and then certified using a 3rd-party approved certification programme, such as BM Trada
  • Fire doors should be checked and maintained regularly, to ensure that they still work and perform as intended
  • Make sure you use an experienced door company to manage the servicing and maintenance of your fire doors, using a 3rd-party approved certification programme, such as BM Trada
  • Only ever replace damaged components with like-for-like. A suitably trained individual should be responsible for this maintenance work.

For our full range of Fire doors and for additional information contact us or take a look at Fire Doors | Dortek

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