Choose carefully when getting your moveable wall repaired
2023-01-27
If you have a moveable, folding or partitioning wall that needs servicing or repairing, make sure that you turn to a moveable wall specialist with the relevant qualifications and experience.
That’s the advice of Katie Mitchell, southern service and repair manager at leading moveable wall specialist, Style, who advises that with moveable, folding and partitioning walls having moving parts, and becoming increasingly complex, it is vital to have them repaired by a team with the right credentials.
“We hear of horror stories of companies, hotels, universities, schools, churches, community centres and anywhere else with a moveable wall, finding a local repairer on Google to come and fix it without properly checking if they have the expertise,” said Katie.
“However, sadly for our industry it is possible for a business to present themselves as being able to service or repair a moveable wall when, in fact, they have had no real training.
“Our advice, therefore, is to only use a true specialist as we have seen many instances where someone unqualified has attempted a repair and done permanent, long-term, damage.”
According to Katie, an appropriate level of competence might be CITB approved in-house training. Additionally, engineers should also hold an NVQ Level Two Operable Wall Installer certificate and have the necessary training for access equipment, such as PASMA and IPAF. In addition, for fully and semi automatic systems, the engineers must have certified manufacturer’s training and fault detection software and hardware on board the service van.
It’s also best to look for a service provider with a team of engineers who are directly employed, rather than sub-contracted, as this helps maintain quality management systems by ensuring continuity of care over a period of years.
“A movable or operable wall can consist of panels that weigh from 100kgs to 500kgs with complex support structures and raceways,” continued Katie. “The quality of repair can therefore have an impact on their long-term operation, acoustic integrity, fire safety and many other factors.
“At Style, all of our engineers have been trained in health and safety, asbestos awareness, risk assessment, and PASMA. Style is also CHAS and ConstructionLine accredited.
“We also offer the only genuine UK nationwide breakdown and repair service for all types and makes of acoustic moveable walls and folding partitions.
“For the more in-depth repairs, especially on tall panels, we use the latest technology to diagnose the problem - such as endoscopic cameras. All of our engineers are also equipped with Android Tablet technology which enables us to record all of a customer’s service history, provide photographic and video evidence.
“Through Style’s national service and repair team, we find that a well-maintained moveable wall can operate safely and efficiently for 25 years plus, delivering excellent acoustic separation and privacy between areas,” concluded Katie, “and key to that is having a good relationship with a reputable servicing partner.”
For more information or to book a moveable wall service/repair, please contact your nearest regional Style office
