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12 February 2026 | Fireco

Meeting compliance and safety standards for Sussex youth charity

Esteem is a Shoreham-based charity supporting young adults aged 14–26 with a mission to build self-esteem and stronger communities through inclusive group activities and one-to-one support. As part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility and safeguarding, the organisation recognised the need to upgrade its internal fire doors

“We had some very old, heavy fire doors without glass panels,” explained Joel Carter, Head of Safeguarding and Participation at Esteem. “The building looked very dated, and we were not meeting accessibility and safeguarding requirements without these glass panels.”

For many young people visiting Esteem, particularly those who are autistic or have sensory needs, the outdated fire doors created a barrier to feeling safe and supported. “They found the old-style fire doors slammed shut very loudly, and this was causing real challenges for them to safely engage at Esteem.”

Having developed a close relationship with Fireco through its charity partnership—where Fireco staff volunteered time to help decorate the premises and raise funds—Esteem already trusted the company’s professionalism and values. “We’ve always had a great relationship and we know they are a professional and trusted company,” said Joel.

After a consultation and on-site inspection, Fireco recommended and installed six brand new internal fire doors to bring the building up to modern safety and accessibility standards. One door posed a particular challenge due to its unusual shape, but Fireco’s team handled it with ease. “We really didn’t think anyone would be able to do one of the doors as it is such an unusual shape, but they fitted it no problem at all.”

The results were immediately positive. The doors improved not just compliance but also the look, feel, and acoustic experience within the building, creating a calmer environment for Esteem’s young adults.

Following installation, Fireco continued its attentive service by returning to adjust a door closer based on feedback from young people who noticed it was still shutting slightly too loudly. “The engineer was attentive to their input on-site and worked to make the adjustment effectively,” Joel noted.

Esteem’s experience highlights how safety improvements can also be person-centred. By choosing a supplier that understood the practical and emotional needs of their service users, the charity was able to make a change that supports both compliance and comfort.
“We’ve had a very good experience with Fireco,” said Joel. “They’ve provided great communication and excellent delivery of service.”

This project reflects Fireco’s wider commitment to community partnership and to providing safety solutions that are as thoughtful as they are effe

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