Manchester Royal Infirmary – Pre Planned Maintenance Fire Door Replacement
Client – SODEXO
Project value – £2,140,750.50 and still ongoing
Prosol was appointed by Sodexo on behalf of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in 2015 to deliver a rolling Fire Door Replacement Programme across Manchester Royal Infirmary, working throughout a fully operational live hospital estate. Each individual instruction was delivered under separate purchase orders ranging from under £1,000 to over £100,000, allowing flexibility and prioritisation of works across multiple wards and departments.
Following initial client enquiries, Prosol undertook detailed fire door surveys to identify non-compliant timber fire doors and associated ironmongery. From survey through to completion, Prosol managed the full delivery process, including the safe removal of existing doors, supply and installation of new compliant timber fire door sets, and the installation of certified ironmongery as part of fully tested and compliant fire door systems.
A key element of the programme was the implementation of Bolster Systems to electronically identify, record and manage each fire door. Every installed door was digitally logged, creating a clear audit trail covering location, specification, installation details, certification, and inspection status. This provided long-term value to the Trust by supporting ongoing fire risk management, statutory inspections, and compliance with NHS fire safety requirements.
Prosol also coordinated manufacturing, delivery, installation sequencing, quality assurance, and final handover. All completed door sets were snagged with actions closed out immediately, inspected with the client, and handed over in a clean and safe condition. Full certification and O&M documentation were issued alongside the digital fire door records.
Key Challenges
Delivering works across multiple wards within a live hospital presented significant coordination challenges. This was addressed through early engagement with the Trust’s estates, fire safety and clinical teams, supported by flexible programming and pre-installation ward visits.
A dedicated Fire Door Manager attended each ward in advance to agree access arrangements, working times and sequencing directly with clinical staff, ensuring patient care and operational activity were not disrupted.
Material movement within the hospital was also tightly controlled. Work areas could not be left open or unattended, so operatives either fully cleared tools and materials when leaving or adjusted break patterns to maintain safe, secure work boundaries at all times. Strict cleanliness, noise and safety controls were enforced, with all operatives briefed on NHS-specific requirements to ensure works were delivered safely, professionally and compliantly.