Abloy UK has supplied the O2 Arena in London with Hillsborough BR4 ballistic doors to enhance the security of the venue as well as to offer protection to its occupants from specialised weapons or gun fire.

The O2 Arena has the second highest seating capacity of any indoor venue in the UK and this presents many concerns regarding health and safety especially when the world is challenged by mounting security threats. With the increase in gun crime and terrorist attacks in the UK, high capacity venues such as the O2 Arena must prepare for emerging threats.

Abloy UK had a complete understanding of O2 Arena’s security requirements from working on many critical national infrastructure projects across varied sectors. To ensure the level of security needed and to provide a door which was fire rated, the Hillsborough BR4 Ballistic Doors were chosen.

These ballistic doorsets offer protection from 9mm handguns through to armour-piercing rounds and all testing is to European and British Standards BS EN 1522 and BS EN 1523.

They were also fire certified and therefore compliant to the situation. Furthermore, Abloy UK were able to produce a bespoke colour, O2 blue, to guarantee the doorsets were aesthetically pleasing, matching the arena’s colour scheme.

The outcome was to the O2 Arena’s exact specifications and provided the ideal solution. Abloy UK were in contact with Wren Construction Limited, the main contractors on site throughout the job and were able to adapt to any additional requests during the process.

The interior doors of this iconic venue are now ready to face the emerging threats of today’s world as well as offering fire protection for the arena’s occupants.