Communal Entrance Doors
Made-to-measure steel doors for flats, apartments and shared buildings. Built for security, frequent use and long-term reliability.
- Made to measure doors for flats and shared buildings
- Secure locking and access control options available
- Built for high-traffic residential environments
- Durable, low-maintenance finishes for long service life
at a glance
one doorset. every essential option
- Single and double doors
- External access
- Accessible thresholds
- Replacement doorsets
- Panic bars and push pads
- Vision panels
- Powder-coated finishes
- Supply and installation
Communal Entrance Doors for Shared Buildings
Maxium Doors supplies secure, durable communal entrance doors for shared residential, commercial and public buildings throughout the UK. Available in steel and aluminium, our made-to-measure entrance doors can be designed for new developments, refurbishment projects and the replacement of existing communal doors.
Our communal entrance door solutions are suitable for:
- Blocks of flats and apartment buildings
- Social housing and housing-association properties
- Offices and commercial premises
- Schools and other public buildings
- Mixed-use developments
- Replacement and refurbishment projects
Doors can be specified with access control, electronic locking, door-entry systems, glazing and accessible threshold options. Maxium can provide advice throughout the specification process, helping you select a communal entrance door that meets the building’s security, accessibility, appearance and everyday operational requirements.
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escape hardware made clear
choose for the people using the building
The correct hardware depends on whether the occupants know the escape route and whether panic conditions could develop.
BS EN 1125
For Public spaces or buildings where occupants may be unfamiliar with the exits.
- Horizontal push or touch bar
- Large intuative operating surface
- Suited to potential crowd pressure
BS EN 179
For controlled workplaces where occupants are familiar with the escape route.
- Lever handle or push pad
- For trained familiar users
- Ideal for staff-only areas
Communal Entrance Door Solutions
Find out more about our approach to communal entrance doors, including security, controlled access, replacement doorsets, installation and regulatory compliance. Select a section to learn more.
Still have questions?
01279 271192
sales@maxiumdoors.co.uk
Steel Communal Entrance Doors for Shared Buildings
Steel communal entrance doors provide secure, dependable access to buildings used by multiple residents, employees or members of the public. They are designed for entrances that experience frequent daily use and require a stronger, more durable alternative to conventional timber, aluminium or lightweight commercial doors.
Maxium manufactures made-to-measure communal entrance doors for apartment buildings, housing developments, offices, schools and other shared premises. Each complete doorset can be configured around the building, the expected level of traffic and the way access needs to be controlled.
Our steel communal entrance doors can include:
- Single or double-door configurations
- Glazed door leaves and matching side panels
- Fixed overhead panels and fanlights
- Fob, keypad and intercom access systems
- Electric locking and controlled-entry hardware
- Door closers selected for the doorset and expected usage
- Low-threshold options for accessible entrances
- Durable powder-coated finishes in a choice of RAL colours
Steel construction makes communal doors particularly suitable for busy shared entrances where reliability, security and resistance to everyday wear are important. The door leaf, frame, glazing, hinges, locking equipment and access-control system should be specified together so that the complete entrance operates safely and consistently.
Different buildings may require different entrance arrangements. A block of flats may need secure resident access with an intercom and visitor-release system, while a school, office or public building may require controlled access during certain hours alongside an accessible entrance for authorised users.
A standard steel communal entrance door is not automatically fire rated, smoke controlled or certified for enhanced security. Where specialist performance is required, it must be established at the specification stage and supported by suitable testing or certification for the complete doorset.
Maxium can provide communal entrance doors on a supply-only basis or as part of a complete service incorporating site survey, specification, manufacture, access-control coordination and professional installation.
Communal Security Doors and Controlled Access
Communal security doors help control access to shared buildings while allowing residents, employees and authorised visitors to enter conveniently. The doorset, locking hardware and access-control equipment should be designed as one coordinated system, rather than selected as unrelated components.
Maxium communal entrance doors can be configured with a range of mechanical and electronic access options. The correct system will depend on the building’s users, the number of entrances, management requirements and the level of security required.
Communal door security and access-control options can include:
- Electronic key-fob and proximity-card access
- Keypad and coded-entry systems
- Audio and video intercom equipment
- Electric strikes and solenoid locking
- Magnetic locking systems where appropriate
- Internal push-button or touch-free exit controls
- Mechanical key override for authorised personnel
- Integration with building-management and entry systems
Controlled-entry systems can restrict unauthorised access while providing a straightforward method of entry for regular building users. Lost fobs or access credentials can usually be removed from the system without replacing the principal door lock, making electronic access particularly useful for apartment buildings, managed housing, offices and public premises.
The physical construction of the entrance is equally important. The door leaf, frame, glazing, side panels, hinges, locks and fixings must work together to resist everyday wear and attempted misuse. Frequently used communal entrances may also require suitable door closers and protective hardware to ensure that the door closes and secures reliably after each use.
Where enhanced security certification is required, a suitably tested complete doorset should be specified. Steel construction, electronic locking or anti-jemmy features do not by themselves demonstrate compliance with PAS 24 or another recognised security standard.
Any electronic locking system must also support safe exit from the building. Where the communal entrance forms part of an escape route, its operation must be coordinated with the building’s fire strategy, emergency-release arrangements and any applicable access or fire-safety requirements.
Maxium can assist with the specification of the communal security door, access-control hardware and required entrance configuration, with options for nationwide trade supply or professional installation.
Replacement Communal Entrance Doors
Replacing an old, damaged or unreliable communal entrance door can improve building security, accessibility and the everyday experience of residents and visitors. Ageing doors may become difficult to operate, fail to close correctly or no longer support the access-control requirements of the building.
Maxium supplies made-to-measure replacement communal entrance doors for apartment buildings, housing developments, offices, schools and other shared premises. Each replacement doorset can be manufactured to suit the existing structural opening, helping to reduce unnecessary alterations to the surrounding brickwork, glazing or entrance façade.
A replacement communal door may be appropriate where the existing entrance has:
- Damage or corrosion affecting the door leaf or frame
- Worn hinges, handles, locks or closing equipment
- Unreliable closing, latching or locking
- Outdated fob, keypad or intercom equipment
- Damaged or unsuitable entrance glazing
- Poor weather resistance around an external entrance
- A threshold that creates unnecessary access difficulties
- Repeated maintenance problems caused by heavy daily use
Replacement communal entrance doors can be supplied as single or double doorsets, with options including glazed leaves, fixed side screens and overhead panels. The design can be adapted to complement the existing building while providing a durable entrance suitable for frequent use.
Modern access-control options include fob and proximity-card systems, keypads, audio or video intercoms and electronically controlled locking. Existing systems may sometimes be retained where they remain suitable and compatible, although their condition and operation should be assessed before the new doorset is manufactured.
Before replacing a communal door, it is important to establish whether the entrance has any accessibility, fire, smoke, escape, acoustic or enhanced-security requirements. These requirements should be confirmed at the specification stage so that the complete doorset, glazing and hardware can be selected appropriately.
Maxium can provide a complete replacement service incorporating site survey, specification, manufacture, removal of the existing entrance and professional installation. Replacement communal doors are also available on a supply-only basis where confirmed dimensions and project specifications are provided.
Communal Entrance Door Supply and Installation
Maxium supplies and installs made-to-measure communal entrance doors for residential developments, commercial premises, schools and public buildings throughout the UK. Projects can range from a single replacement entrance to multiple coordinated doorsets across a larger housing or property portfolio.
Each communal entrance doorset is manufactured to suit the confirmed structural opening and intended use of the building. The door leaf, frame, glazing, side panels, hinges, locking hardware and access-control equipment can all be specified as part of one coordinated entrance solution.
Our communal entrance door service can include:
- Technical guidance during the initial specification
- Site surveys for new and replacement entrances
- Made-to-measure single and double doorsets
- Glazed side screens and overhead panels
- Fob, keypad and intercom access-control options
- Coordination of locking and emergency-release equipment
- Removal and disposal of existing doors where agreed
- Professional installation, adjustment and commissioning
For replacement projects, the survey allows the existing opening, surrounding construction, threshold and access-control equipment to be assessed before manufacture. This is particularly important where a new communal door must connect to existing intercom wiring, electronic locking or building-management systems.
Following installation, the doorset should be checked to confirm that it opens, closes, latches and locks correctly. Electronic access equipment, internal exit controls and any mechanical overrides should also be tested before the entrance is handed over for use.
Supply-only communal entrance doors are available for contractors and trade customers working from confirmed dimensions, drawings or an approved door schedule. Sufficient information must be provided about the opening, building use, glazing, hardware and required performance before the doorset is manufactured.
Whether the project involves an apartment building entrance, a managed housing development or a busy commercial property, Maxium can help coordinate the doorset and access equipment around the building’s users, security requirements and expected level of traffic.
Contact the Maxium team with the site postcode, approximate dimensions, photographs and access-control requirements for a project-specific quotation.
Communal Entrance Door Regulations and Compliance
Communal entrance doors must be specified according to the building, its occupants and the way the entrance will be used. Requirements can differ depending on whether the doorset serves flats, commercial premises, a school or another public building.
There is no single regulation covering every communal door. Relevant considerations may include external doorset performance, accessibility, security, glazing safety, controlled access and safe escape from the building.
The specification may need to consider:
- BS EN 14351-1 for external pedestrian doorset performance
- Approved Document M and BS 8300-2 for accessible entrances
- Approved Document Q and PAS 24 where enhanced residential security applies
- Approved Document K for glazing and protection from impact
- Approved Document B where the entrance affects the building’s escape strategy
- Suitable opening forces, clear widths and threshold arrangements
- Safe operation of electronic locking and internal exit controls
- Testing or certification for any claimed specialist performance
Where the communal door provides an accessible entrance, the complete approach should be considered. This can include the effective clear opening width, threshold, manoeuvring space, opening force and the height and position of entry controls. Accessibility depends on the complete entrance and its surroundings, rather than the door product alone.
Approved Document Q contains security guidance for applicable new dwellings. PAS 24 may be used where a tested enhanced-security doorset is required, but a communal entrance should not be described as PAS 24 compliant unless the complete doorset has the appropriate supporting evidence.
Electronic access control must not prevent safe exit from the building. Fob systems, electric strikes, magnetic locks, intercoms and emergency-release controls should be coordinated with the building’s access requirements and fire-safety strategy.
A building’s main communal entrance is not automatically required to be fire rated simply because it serves a block of flats. Equally, it should not be confused with the individual flat entrance doors that separate dwellings from communal corridors or stairways, which can have specific fire and smoke requirements.
Project requirements should be confirmed with the building designer, fire-risk assessor, access consultant, building-control body or other responsible professional before manufacture. Any declared fire, smoke, acoustic or enhanced-security performance must apply to the complete doorset, including its frame, glazing, hardware, seals and installation.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Communal Entrance Doors
Have questions about our communal entrance doors? Here you’ll find straightforward answers about specifications, security, access control, installation and ongoing maintenance.
Still have questions?
01279 271192
sales@maxiumdoors.co.uk
A communal entrance door is the main shared entrance to a block of flats, apartment building, housing development or other multi-occupancy premises. It provides controlled access for residents and authorised users while helping prevent unauthorised entry.
Yes. Steel communal entrance doors are well suited to blocks of flats because they provide the durability needed for frequent daily use. They can incorporate glazing, side panels, intercoms, electronic locking and resident access systems.
A communal entrance door provides access to the shared areas of the building. A flat entrance door separates an individual dwelling from a communal corridor or stairway. Flat entrance doors can have specific fire and smoke-resistance requirements that do not automatically apply to the building’s external communal entrance.
Yes. Communal doors can be fitted with key-fob, proximity-card, keypad, audio-intercom or video-intercom systems. The access equipment, locking hardware and internal exit controls should be specified as one coordinated system.
Yes. Communal entrances can incorporate glazed door leaves, fixed side screens, overhead panels and fanlights. The glazing should be selected according to the required safety, security, thermal and accessibility performance.
No. A main communal entrance door is not automatically required to be fire rated simply because it serves a block of flats. The required performance depends on its position and the building’s fire strategy. Where fire or smoke performance is required, an appropriately tested complete doorset must be specified.
Yes, where an appropriately tested security doorset is specified. Steel construction or electronic locking alone does not establish a security rating. Any PAS 24 or other enhanced-security claim should apply to the complete doorset, including its frame, glazing and hardware.
Depending on the building and entrance, considerations may include the effective clear opening width, threshold, manoeuvring space, opening force and the position of entry controls. Accessibility should be assessed across the complete entrance and approach, not from the door product alone.
Yes. Maxium can manufacture a replacement communal doorset to suit the confirmed structural opening. The service can include a site survey, removal of the existing entrance, new glazing and access-control equipment, installation and commissioning.
It may be possible to connect a replacement communal door to existing access-control equipment where the system remains suitable and compatible. The equipment, wiring and locking arrangements should be assessed before the new doorset is manufactured.
Yes. Maxium communal entrance doors are manufactured to suit the confirmed opening and project specification. Single and double doorsets are available with optional glazed side screens, fanlights and overhead panels.
Yes. Maxium offers nationwide trade supply and professional installation. Projects can include site survey, specification advice, manufacture, delivery, installation, access-control coordination and commissioning.