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Palco

Bespoke upward-opening access panels for a data centre campus in Gävle, Sweden

Building Products Index Ltd Access Panels Leave a Comment

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The Challenge

Palco designed, manufactured, tested and delivered a bespoke ceiling access panel for a suite of data centres in Gävle, Sweden, working alongside specialist contractor DVS Development Ltd.

Panels were needed in high-traffic corridors where safe, easy access was essential. Conventional downward-opening panels reduce headroom and can take considerable effort to operate, and the solution still had to meet strict air pressure and security requirements.

Our Solution

Working directly with the project architects, we engineered an upward-opening, Class 2 airtight, insulated ceiling access panel featuring:

  • Telescopic friction stays and a pull handle for low-effort opening
  • A Rockwool-insulated door for thermal and acoustic performance
  • A neoprene seal for airtight efficiency
  • A Euro Profile 3-point locking system for high security

Made in the UK, Independently Tested

Each panel was CNC punched, welded, powder coated (RAL 9010 as standard) and assembled at our two Midlands factories, where we can manufacture bespoke panels within days.

The panel was Class 2 air pressure tested at 300Pa to BS EN 1026:2016 at Chiltern International Fire, and reaction to fire tested to EN 13823:2020+A1:2022 at Warrington Fire.

From Nuneaton to Gävle

The panels were securely palletised and shipped from Nuneaton to Gävle, arriving on time and without damage. The result is a complete bespoke access solution tailored to a high-performance data centre environment.

“We had the privilege of working closely with the Palco team on access hatches. Their dedication to ensuring the approval of their product by the design team was evident, as they went above and beyond by conducting additional testing.”

DVS Development Ltd, specialist data centre contractor

Access Solutions for Data Centres

Alongside our upward opening panel, our data centre range includes metal ceiling panels, stock access panels, circular access panels, metal and plasterboard riser doors, metal slim doors and lift out tile doors. Options include fire certification of up to 4 hours, acoustic performance of up to 48dB, air pressure performance of up to Class 4 and any RAL colour finish, or primed for site decoration. Bespoke sizes are available on request.

We offer full bespoke design engineered from your drawings or specification, multi-door units (up to 8), anti-bacterial and anti-ligature options, and multiple lock and frame types, all securely palletised and delivered UK-wide and internationally.

About Palco

Founded in 1990, Palco (Panel & Louvre Company) has supplied access panels and riser doors to the UK construction industry for over 35 years, on projects including The Shard, The Whiteley and The BoTree in London, and the Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh. BIM objects are available on Bimobject and NBS Source.

Visit our website for more information.

Call us on 024 7518 7518 or email sales@palcouk.com to discuss your next project.

PALCO’s CPD course: “An Introduction to Access Panels and Riser Doors”

Building Products Index Ltd Access Panels, riser doors Leave a Comment

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In the fast-moving world of architecture and construction, staying informed on the latest product innovations, compliance standards, and technical solutions is essential. That’s why Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not just a regulatory box to tick – it’s a vital tool for delivering better buildings, improving design integration, and meeting client expectations.

PALCO, a leading supplier of access solutions, is proud to offer an online RIBA-approved CPD course designed specifically for architects and specifiers looking to deepen their understanding of access panels and riser doors – some of the most overlooked components in modern construction.

Why Access Panels Matter

Access panels serve a deceptively simple function: allowing building professionals, contractors, and maintenance teams to access concealed services such as pipework, electrical wiring, or HVAC systems.

From fire-rated panels to airtight, acoustic, or security-rated solutions, each type of panel is designed for specific performance requirements. Understanding when, where, and how to specify the right panel can dramatically affect the safety, aesthetics and functionality of a project.

What the CPD Covers

PALCO’s CPD course: “An Introduction to Access Panels and Riser Doors”, goes beyond the basics, providing comprehensive information about:

●  An overview of access panel and riser door types — including metal, plasterboard, plastic and specialist bespoke panels.

●  Insights into innovative solutions — exploring how these panels can address unique challenges for various building projects.

●  Performance attributes explained — covering fire resistance, acoustic performance, air tightness, security ratings, finishes, and compliance with British Standards.

●  Practical specification advice — helping architects avoid common mistakes when specifying and ensure that access panels integrate seamlessly into their designs.

●  Support provided — ask any questions via the training platform and receive a comprehensive answer back from our team.

This course provides educational value without bias, allowing you to walk away with valuable insights and objective knowledge to help you feel more confident while contributing to your annual CPD requirements.

Best of all, the course is fully online – allowing you to complete it from the comfort of your own home. Upon completion, your certificate will be issued automatically.

How to Book

Simply email our team on sales@palcouk.com for your login credentials, or contact us via the form on https://palcouk.com/cpd-training

Innovative, certified and built to spec – here’s how we took a bespoke access panel from a concept, achieving certification, to being delivered, all in just 90 days.

Building Products Index Ltd Access Panels Leave a Comment

View the PALCO entry on BPindex

Visit the PALCO website

The Challenge

We were approached by a major data centre project in Sweden to design and develop a large custom panel that provided safe, efficient access within the facility’s high-traffic corridors while meeting crucial reaction to fire, air pressure and security requirements.

Conventional downward-opening access panels reduce clearance, present opening challenges with high ceilings and can require considerable physical effort to operate – especially with larger panels. Our goal was to design a solution that maximised space, was easy to open while still meeting all strict project requirements.

Our Solution

Through close collaboration with our design team and key project stakeholders, we went from an initial concept to full certification in just 90 days. The proposed panel would open upwards with a telescopic friction stay to reduce physical strain and improve ease of access, with insulation to improve its thermal and acoustic properties. A neoprene seal would be added to keep the panel airtight with a secure 3-point euro profile locking system to reinforce protection.

With two dedicated manufacturing facilities, we have the capacity to produce fully bespoke panels within days, allowing us to meet strict project deadlines without compromising on quality. The panel then achieved class 2 air pressure and reaction to fire certification before starting mass production, ready for dispatch.

We’re incredibly proud of our involvement with this project – we didn’t just create an access panel, we created a solution that will support ongoing operations in one of Sweden’s most important infrastructure environments for years to come.

Showcasing Solutions at Data Centre World 2025

In March, we exhibited at DCW25 and were overwhelmed by the positive reaction to our innovative access solutions. We were approached by many companies with an involvement in high-profile building projects who confirmed something we’ve known for a while:

Projects require more than just compliant products – they need partners and suppliers who can adapt, respond and deliver. That became clear from the volume of conversations we had about projects beyond the data centre scope.

From student accommodation to large scale infrastructure projects, we support projects of all sizes with the same attention to detail and flexibility. Our team is ready to collaborate with you from design to delivery, creating access solutions that tick every box: compliance, quality and performance.

From access panels, riser doors, loft hatches and meter overboxes – we’re ready to work together to support your next project.

Visit our website for more information.

Call us on 024 7518 7518 to discuss your next project.

Introducing the PAL13- PALCO’S new cost-effective riser door!

Building Products Index Ltd Doors, riser doors Leave a Comment

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Palco have been working hard to develop a new riser door that will help our customers save money and free up some of their budget for other parts of their project.

The PAL13 is a 1 hour fire-rated, metal faced riser door, designed for wall applications. This panel has been manufactured to be as cost effective as possible by taking a more simplistic approach. The panel has only been tested for its fire integrity as opposed to additional smoke, acoustic and airtight ratings. We understand that not every project requires these additional attributes and we don’t feel it is always necessary to pay the extra costs associated with having them, so we decided it was time to do something about it!

This panel has a Fire Test Certificate up to 2000x600mm and has been tested in accordance with BSEN 1634-1: 2014 + A1:2018. It comes with a 25mm wide Picture Frame, 3 Point Locking System and is Powder Coated RAL 9010 30% Gloss as standard. The PAL13 is a single door unit and is also available with a beaded frame.

We’re already reviewing current quotes and offering this alternative where it applies, however if you think your project may benefit from using the PAL13, give us a call…