Method Statement: Installation of Internal Timber Doors and Frames – Method Statement

Work Included

• Supply, inspection, acclimatization, setting out, installation, and alignment of internal timber door frames and leaves (doorsets or component-assembled on site) including architraves, stops, seals, and thresholds as specified.
• Installation of door ironmongery: hinges, locks/latches, cylinders, handles, strike plates, flush bolts, door closers, door stops, signage, and smoke/acoustic/intumescent seals where required.
• Anchoring and packing of frames to substrate (blockwork, concrete, or stud partitions) and compliant sealing of perimeter gaps (acoustic/fire/smoke as specified).
• Integration/interface with wall and floor finishes (plaster/gypsum, tile, skirting, and floor finishes) including temporary protection of finished surfaces.
• QA/QC inspections, specified hold and witness points, operational testing, documentation, and handover.

Exclusions

• Structural alterations to openings, fire stopping beyond the doorset perimeter gap unless specified, electrical access control commissioning, and final decorative painting unless stated in project scope.

• Approved material submittals for doors, frames, and ironmongery with DoP/CE/UKCA, fire certification (if applicable), and manufacturer installation instructions.
• Issued-for-construction drawings: door schedule, hardware schedule, partition/floor finish drawings, thresholds and levels confirmed.
• Openings completed to required tolerance; substrates cured and dry; partitions braced; floor levels verified.
• Services coordination: verify that access control cabling, door contacts, or hold-open wiring are in place before closing frames.
• Risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) briefed; permits to drill obtained where required; toolbox talk conducted.
• Delivery, storage, and acclimatization: store flat, dry, off-floor; ambient temperature 15–25°C; RH 40–65%; acclimatize timber 48–72 h in the installation area [Verify per manufacturer].
• Check timber moisture content 8–12% (EN 13183-2) before install. Reject swollen/warped/damaged components.
• Confirm compatibility of seals/ironmongery with fire door certification (use only listed components for the specific door leaf) where applicable.

Key Hazards and Controls

• Hazard: Manual handling of heavy door leaves (25–45 kg+).
• Likely consequence: Musculoskeletal injury, crush/pinch.
• Engineering/procedural control: Use two-person lift or door trolleys; plan route clear of obstructions; store at chest height where possible.
• PPE: Cut-resistant gloves, safety footwear.
• Collective measure: Team lift briefing; lifting aids available at point of use.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: Supervisor to approve lift plan for oversized doors; HSE walkdowns.

• Hazard: Drilling into concealed services in walls.

• Likely consequence: Electric shock, water/gas leak.
• Engineering/procedural control: Review as-built drawings; scan each fixing point with multi-scanner; set drill depth stop to required embed only; isolate local circuits if risk suspected.
• PPE: Safety glasses, insulated gloves if isolations handled by authorized electrician.
• Collective measure: Permit-to-drill where required.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: Permit sign-off; HSE officer verification. [Verify per project HSE plan and local regulations]

• Hazard: Power tools (routers/drills/impacts).

• Likely consequence: Lacerations, eye injury, HAVS, noise-induced hearing loss.
• Engineering/procedural control: 110 V CTE or battery tools; guards in place; sharp cutters; use clamps; limit daily trigger time; maintain tools.
• PPE: Safety glasses/face shield, hearing protection, gloves.
• Collective measure: Local extraction on routers/drills with M-class vacuum.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: PAT tags valid; pre-use checks documented.

• Hazard: Wood/masonry dust including respirable crystalline silica.

• Likely consequence: Respiratory irritation or disease.
• Engineering/procedural control: On-tool extraction; wet suppression for masonry if practicable; avoid dry sweeping.
• PPE: FFP3 RPE where dust cannot be adequately controlled.
• Collective measure: Segregation/screens; housekeeping with M-class vacuum.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: Air/dust control checks; RPE fit testing records.

• Hazard: Work at height (fitting overhead closers/frames).

• Likely consequence: Falls.
• Engineering/procedural control: Use podium steps or platform ladders for duration; maintain 3 points of contact; no overreaching.
• PPE: Non-slip footwear.
• Collective measure: Barriers in circulation areas.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: Access equipment inspected/tagged weekly; supervisor spot checks.

• Hazard: PU foams, adhesives, and sealants (isocyanates/VOCs).

• Likely consequence: Skin/eye irritation, sensitization.
• Engineering/procedural control: Review SDS; ensure ventilation; use low-VOC where possible; avoid overspray.
• PPE: Nitrile gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves.
• Collective measure: Spill kit and waste canister for spent foam.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: COSHH assessment approved; product in-date.

• Hazard: Pinch points during hanging and adjusting doors.

• Likely consequence: Finger injuries.
• Engineering/procedural control: Use door lifters and wedges; keep hands clear of hinge knuckles; use temporary door retainers.
• PPE: Gloves.
• Collective measure: Controlled area; only crew in work zone.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: Supervisor present during hanging.

• Hazard: Fire door non-conformance (if applicable).

• Likely consequence: Loss of compartmentation in a fire.
• Engineering/procedural control: Only use certificated components as listed for the leaf/frame; install by trained personnel; record as-built with photos of labels and seals.
• PPE: Standard task PPE.
• Collective measure: QA hold points.

• Inspection/permit/supervision: QC and Consultant hold/witness inspections; records retained for O&M.

• General site requirements: Maintain housekeeping; keep escape routes clear; segregate work area with signage; comply with project HSE plan and local regulations. [Verify per project HSE plan and local regulations]

• Timber sourcing: Use FSC/PEFC-certified timber where specified; retain chain-of-custody documents.
• Dust and noise: Use on-tool extraction and M-class vacuums; schedule noisy works during permitted hours; maintain equipment to minimize noise.
• VOC management: Select low-VOC sealants/adhesives where permissible; ensure ventilation; store chemicals in bunded trays.
• Waste segregation: Separate timber offcuts (clean wood), metal hardware packaging, cardboard, plastics, and hazardous wastes (spent foam cans/cleaner). Use labeled skips/containers.
• Spill prevention: Keep foam guns/cleaners on trays; spill kit available; clean spills promptly and dispose per SDS.
• Protection of finishes: Use reusable correx/edge guards; low-tack tapes; remove protection only at handover.
• Energy and resource efficiency: Use battery tools with efficient chargers; turn off equipment when not in use.
• Nuisance control: Keep work area tidy; avoid blocking circulation; damp-wipe rather than dry sweep.

QA Preparations

• Approvals: MIRs for doors, frames, and ironmongery with DoP/CE/UKCA; fire door certification (leaf/frame/hardware compatibility) where applicable.
• Mock-up: Install one typical doorset as benchmark; obtain Consultant approval before bulk works.
• Calibration: Levels and measuring tools within calibration.

In-Process QC Checks

• Timber moisture: 8–12% before installation (EN 13183-2). Record readings for 10% of delivered doors [Verify].
• Opening verification: Record SO vs FOD for each opening; confirm allowable perimeter gap 10–20 mm [Verify].
• Frame alignment: Plumb/level ±1 mm/m (max 2 mm overall); diagonal difference ≤3 mm; record on IR.
• Fixings: Anchors at 150–250 mm from corners and 450–600 mm c/c; embed ≥40–60 mm into solid substrate; packers at each fixing.
• Gaps/clearances: Jamb/head gaps 2–3 mm; threshold undercut 6–10 mm (non-smoke) or per drop-seal/FD certificate; meeting stiles 3 mm (pair). Use feeler gauges.
• Seals: Continuous and correct type/size; no paint over intumescent/smoke seals.
• Ironmongery: Positions per schedule; handle height typically 900–1050 mm AFFL [Verify]; latch throw ≥12 mm; closer set for controlled closing and latching; opening forces within BS 8300-2 where applicable.

Documentation and Records

• Inspection Requests (IRs) at hold/witness points.
• As-built photos: fire door labels, hinge stamps, seals continuity, closer model, gap gauges.
• Non-conformances (NCR) and Corrective Actions (CAR) tracked to closure.
• O&M submissions: product data, maintenance instructions, warranties, and cleaning guidance.

Acceptance

• Zero outstanding snags; all criteria met; Client/Consultant IR signed; protection in place until handover.

• Approved material submittals (doors, frames, ironmongery) and DoP/CE/UKCA certificates.
• Fire door certificates/label schedule and installation instructions (where applicable).
• Door and hardware schedules with elevations.
• Manufacturer data sheets and SDS for foams, adhesives, and sealants.
• Inspection checklists: opening verification, frame alignment, gap measurement log, ironmongery installation, closer setting.
• Permit-to-drill template and scanner pre-use checklist.
• Toolbox talk record for door installation works.
• Calibration certificates for levels and measuring devices.
• O&M manual template and maintenance instructions.
• As-built photographic record requirements (labels, hinges, seals, gaps, closer).