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Steel Front Doors for Architects and Specifiers

Steel Front Doors for UK Architects: NBS Clauses, BIM Data, Performance Specifications and Direct Design Team Access

Built for the specification library

NBS-format clauses, BIM Level 2 data, full performance test pack and a direct line to the technical design team

Specifying entrance doors at the level a Performance Specification, BIM federation or tender package requires is rarely supported by the catalogue side of the market. Generic product data sheets, missing test certificates, BIM data that turns out to be a placeholder block and a sales filter between the architect and anyone who can answer a U-value question are the typical pattern.

SteelR runs a different model. NBS-format clauses, BIM Level 2 data, Declarations of Performance, full certification PDFs and direct contact with the technical design team are supplied at specification stage on request, in the format your practice needs to drop into NBS Chorus, federate into the model and submit through tender. This page sets out the specification, technical data and stage-by-stage involvement the architectural design team most often needs to see.

Multi-point locking detail on a SteelR steel front door specified for an architect-led project

Specification + BIM

NBS Chorus clauses, IFC + Revit + dwg, Declarations of Performance

NBS-format specification clauses are supplied for the Standard SteelR specification (PAS 24:2022, BS EN 1627:2011 RC4 single leaf, unglazed, FD30S fire and smoke rated, Secured by Design approved) and for each upgrade tier separately (LPS 1175 SR3 Enhanced upgrade, SR4 D10 Issue 8 Commercial-grade upgrade, LPS 1673 attack-resistance Ultra-high tier). Performance Specification narrative is also supplied where the design team is writing a Performance rather than Prescriptive spec.
BIM Level 2 compliant data is supplied at specification stage in Revit (.rvt), IFC (.ifc) and dwg formats with full geometric and metadata content (door leaf, frame, ironmongery, certification metadata, U-value, fire rating, RAL colour, hardware specification). Level 3 federated lifecycle data is available on enquiry for projects working to that level.
  • NBS Chorus clauses, Standard + 3 upgrade tiers
  • Performance Specification narrative supplied on request
  • BIM Level 2 in Revit, IFC, dwg
  • Declarations of Performance per certified standard
  • Full PDF certification library
  • Test data: U-value, acoustic, water, wind, security
  • Manufacturer data sheets in CIBSE / NBS template

Performance specification

Test data architects can drop straight into the spec

U-values from 1.5 W/m2K standard, down to 0.8 W/m2K on thermal-upgrade specification, materially below the 1.4 W/m2K threshold for new-build entrance doors under Approved Document L 2021. Acoustic performance from 32 dB Rw standard up to 42 dB Rw enhanced. Wind loading to BS EN 12211 Class A3 (1200 Pa) standard, with higher exposure-class certification available for coastal and exposed-site projects.
Security: PAS 24:2022 plus BS EN 1627:2011 RC4 single leaf, unglazed Standard, with LPS 1175 SR3 (Enhanced), SR4 D10 Issue 8 (Commercial-grade) and LPS 1673 attack-resistance (Ultra-high, by enquiry) available. Fire rating FD30S standard, FD60 available. Test data and Declarations of Performance supplied per project for inclusion in the Performance Specification or tender package.

Heritage and conservation

Period-correct in steel, Listed Building Consent supported

Steel allows period-correct panel proportions, moulding profiles, knocker placement, fanlight geometry and any RAL colour, including hand-mixed heritage palettes, while delivering modern thermal, security and fire performance the original timber door cannot. Six-panel Georgian, four-panel Victorian, Edwardian glazed upper panels and Regency arched fanlights are all standard specifications in our portfolio.
Listed Building Consent and Conservation Area Consent applications are supported with drawings, elevations, sections, material specifications and performance data at the level of detail planning officers and conservation officers expect. The conservation officer liaison is handled by the SteelR design team where the architect prefers, or supplied as a documentation pack for the architect to submit through their normal planning channel.

RIBA stages

Most useful entry from RIBA stage 2, full involvement to stage 7

From RIBA stage 2 (Concept Design) onwards is the most useful entry point: door geometry, performance specification and lead time can be designed into the project rather than retrofitted at stage 4. Earlier engagement at stages 0 or 1 is welcome for high-end residential, speculative scheme work or competition entries where the entrance door is treated as a signature element of the elevation.
Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination) and stage 4 (Technical Design) are the busiest stages for our design team's involvement: NBS clause provision, performance data handover, BIM federation, tender package preparation and clarification responses. Stages 5-7 (Manufacture, Construction, Use) cover manufacture, install and handover with the same project team carrying through from stage 2. Single point of contact across all stages, no rotation.

Direct design team

Talk to the technical lead, not a sales filter

Architects, specifiers and project leads talk to the SteelR technical lead directly. NBS queries, performance data requests, BIM federation issues, tender clarifications and post-tender amendments are all handled by the team that owns the technical specification, not routed through a sales gatekeeper.
The named project lead carries through from first contact to handover, supported by a small design team that does not rotate. For multi-phase or framework projects, the relationship and the project file continue across the duration. This matters most at tender clarification and at site stage 5, where slow or sales-filtered responses cost the architect programme time.

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Related reading

Full security specification

PAS 24, BS EN 1627 RC4 Standard, LPS 1175 SR3/SR4 and LPS 1673 set out side by side with the certification thresholds architects need for the spec.

LPS 1175 SR3 Enhanced upgrade

LPCB police-preferred specification, the most-specified upgrade tier on architect-led projects above the BS EN 1627 RC4 Standard.

LPS 1175 SR4 Commercial-grade upgrade

The certification used for data centres, embassies and bank vaults. Available on residential specification for high-net-worth or threat-assessed projects.

Thermally broken steel front door

How the SteelR thermal break construction achieves U-values down to 0.8 W/m2K and avoids the cold-bridge problem on budget steel doors.

Luxury steel entrance doors London

London borough coverage, conservation area work and the design pattern most-specified by London-based architectural practices.

How a SteelR project runs

Survey, design, manufacture and install. The same model applies to single-house architect-led projects and multi-unit developments.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply NBS-format specification clauses?

Yes. NBS-format clauses for the standard SteelR specification (PAS 24, BS EN 1627:2011 RC4 single leaf, unglazed, FD30S, Secured by Design) and for each upgrade tier (LPS 1175 SR3 Enhanced, SR4 D10 Issue 8 Commercial-grade, LPS 1673 attack-resistance) are supplied on request, ready for paste into NBS Chorus or your practice's specification template. We also supply Performance Specification narrative for projects where the design team is writing a Performance rather than Prescriptive specification, with the certification thresholds left for the contractor to meet on supply.

Is BIM data available, and at what level?

Yes. BIM Level 2 compliant data is supplied for SteelR doors at the specification stage, including geometric data (door leaf, frame, ironmongery), specification metadata (PAS 24, RC4, fire rating, U-value, hardware specification, RAL colour) and IFC export for federation into the wider model. Files are supplied in Revit (.rvt), IFC (.ifc) and dwg formats. Level 3 (full federated lifecycle) data is available on enquiry for projects where the design team is operating to that specification.

What U-values and acoustic performance can SteelR achieve?

Standard SteelR thermally broken construction achieves U-values from 1.5 W/m2K, with thermal-upgrade specifications available down to 0.8 W/m2K, materially below the 1.4 W/m2K Approved Document L 2021 threshold for new-build entrance doors. Acoustic performance for the standard specification is around 32 dB Rw; enhanced acoustic specifications reach 42 dB Rw with appropriate glazing and seal upgrades. Test data and Declarations of Performance are supplied on request for inclusion in the project Performance Specification.

Does SteelR work on listed buildings and conservation area projects?

Yes, regularly. Steel allows period-correct panel proportions, moulding profiles, knocker placement, fanlight geometry and any RAL colour, including hand-mixed heritage palettes, while delivering modern thermal, security and fire performance the original timber door cannot. We supply drawings, elevations, sections, material specifications and performance data at the level of detail planning officers and conservation officers expect. Listed Building Consent and Conservation Area Consent applications are supported with the documentation pack the planning authority requires.

How early in RIBA stages does SteelR get involved?

From RIBA stage 2 (Concept Design) onwards is the most useful entry point: it allows door geometry, performance specification and lead time to be designed into the project rather than retrofitted at stage 4. Earlier engagement at stages 0 or 1 is welcome for high-end residential or speculative scheme work. Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination) and stage 4 (Technical Design) are the busiest stages for our design team's involvement: NBS clauses, performance data, BIM federation and tender package preparation. Stages 5-7 cover manufacture, install and handover with the same project team carrying through.

Is there a direct line to the design team, or only sales?

Direct line to the design team. Architects, specifiers and project leads talk to our technical lead, not a sales filter. NBS queries, performance data requests, BIM federation issues, tender clarifications and post-tender amendments are all handled directly by the team that owns the technical specification. The named project lead carries through from first contact to handover, with the same supporting design team that does not rotate.

PAS 24 CertifiedBS EN 1627 RC4 StandardLPS 1175 SR3 / SR4 AvailableLPS 1673 on EnquirySecured by DesignFD30S / FD60 Fire RatedISO 9001 + ISO 14001Made in Britain

Bespoke · UK manufactured · BS EN 1627 RC4 · LPS 1175 SR3 / SR4 available

Enquire about a bespoke SteelR door for Architects and Specifiers

Free consultation with our design team. No obligation. Every door is manufactured in the UK to your specification. Standard residential spec is BS EN 1627:2011 RC4 single leaf, unglazed. LPS 1175 SR3 and SR4 enhanced and commercial-grade certifications are available on request, with LPS 1673 attack-resistance by enquiry. Installed by our in-house fitters.

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0800 861 1450
BS EN 1627 RC4 standard · LPS 1175 SR3 / SR4 available · PAS 24 · Secured by Design · UK manufactured · 10-year guarantee

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