Annual Predictions
Clear objectives : to maintain and raise quality standards throughout the various sectors it represents
PATRICIA SOWSBERY-STEVENS , HEAD OF COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS , DHF
» DHF PROVIDES ITS MEMBERS with all the guidance , advice , and training necessary to meet minimum standards of legal compliance and safety and it has been doing so since 1897 . The Tamworth-based trade association now represents more than 500 members across locks and building hardware , doorsets , industrial doors and shutters , domestic garage doors and automated gates . And despite Brexit , Covid-19 and the current worldwide economic downturn , DHF has enjoyed a productive year with much to look forward to .
One year ago , DHF ’ s predictions , namely the passing of the Building Safety Bill , an increase in its training offering and a new safety video for its garage door members , have come to fruition . The passing of the Building Safety Bill saw the federation fully embrace the changes in legislation , with the new Fire Safety Regulations 2022 coming into force on 23rd January 2023 . As part of the regulations , there is a requirement for annual checks to be carried out on fire doorsets , which is likely to lead to an increase in the numbers attending the BRE Fire Door Inspection training course .
DHF is renowned for its quality of training and 2022 has proven to be no different with regards to its continuing commitment . Its 2022 prediction that training is set to increase with more courses on offer , has been realised . In 2023
it will also be filling other training gaps by expanding its training offering to include other door types ( not just fire doors ).
At the end of 2021 , DHF anticipated the launch of its new safety video for garage door members and the wider public , and indeed , this launched in January 2022 , its objective to enable installers and consumers to better understand the complexities of the ‘ hold-to-run ’ feature . The six-minute video , which provides a number of safety demonstrations , has enabled garage door members ( who are consumer-facing ) to raise awareness of the overall safety features of the domestic garage door .
“ This was the very first safety video launched by DHF and urges consumers to check what safety devices are applied as standard . A DHF member will always put safety first , but we were concerned that some providers who are not DHF members , had been selling illegal products and offering safety as an additional feature ,” explains Patricia .
DHF ’ s prediction that 2021 ’ s construction and home improvements RM & I ( repair , maintenance and improvement ) was set to continue to increase , was also accurate , although the federation predicts that 2023 ’ s construction output will fall as people spend less money and time renovating their homes due to them returning to work and having other commitments . This fall is likely to be compounded by the rise in inflation , increased mortgage rates and energy bills , and a decline in the growth of the housing market .
“ Indeed , in the CPA Autumn Forecasts 2022 , private housing RM & I is now expected to fall by 9.0 % in 2023 ,” says Patricia , “ and many indicators for private housing RM & I already point towards a sharp fall in activity . Given that this is the third largest construction sector and following a ‘ boom period ’ during ‘ lockdown ’, when people were spending large amounts of time at home and converting rooms into workspaces , the impact on businesses of all sizes could be significant . In addition , we will also see housing associations devoting increased spending towards fire safety issues ; with more inspections conducted on their stock , the more issues ( such as fire stops and fire doors as well as other general issues ) they are likely to find . The issues they identify are likely to create a business opportunity for doorset installation and maintenance companies . And by the beginning of 2024 , we expect to see the beginning of a recovery , with private housing RM & I to grow by 1 %.”
“ With the UK , and indeed , the world , entering a period of recession , there are certainly difficult times ahead for the industry , but the federation remains a trusted and reliable source of information , guidance and advice , through good times and bad .
“ We will be providing free webinars covering key topics , including compliance and residual risk assessment , fall-back protection and force limitation , and the ever changing landscape of conformity marking .”
www . dhfonline . org . uk
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM JANUARY 2023
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