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POW - Fire Doors
Fire safety improvement works
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One of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Palace of Westminster has stood at the heart of British democracy for generations. Designed by Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin following the great fire of 1834, its celebrated Gothic Revival architecture remains one of the most recognisable landmarks in the United Kingdom. Within this historic setting, DBR was appointed as the main contractor for the fire doors element of the Palace's Fire Improvement Works Project.
Client
Palace of Westminster Parliamentary Estates Directorate
Dates
Started in 2016
Location
Westminster
Fabric
Timber
A programme hidden in plain sight
The project focused on upgrading 775 historic doors throughout the Palace to improve fire protection and compartmentalisation while preserving their historic character. Working across this vast and complex estate required a carefully managed programme, with doors processed in manageable batches to minimise disruption to the daily operation of Parliament.
Conserving while enhancing performance
Each door underwent a programme of practical repairs and timber conservation works designed to retain as much historic fabric as possible. Discreet fire barriers and smoke seals were incorporated to improve fire performance without compromising the appearance of the original joinery. The works also included the upgrading of ironmongery and door closer systems, ensuring that modern safety requirements could be achieved within a heritage environment.
Craftsmanship across two workshops
The majority of the works were carried out on site within DBR's mobile workshop, allowing repairs to be undertaken efficiently within the Palace itself. Where more extensive intervention was required, doors were transferred to DBR's specialist workshop in Kent for further conservation and repair. This flexible approach enabled the team to balance heritage conservation, operational requirements and fire safety improvements throughout the programme.
Securing the future of a national landmark
Through a combination of traditional craftsmanship, conservation expertise and modern fire protection measures, DBR helped strengthen the resilience of one of the nation's most important historic buildings. The project demonstrated how sensitive intervention can enhance safety and performance while safeguarding the character and significance of the Palace of Westminster for future generations.
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