HARDWARE & SECURITY
The industry must ‘ do better ’ with passive fire measures
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AT THE END OF 2017 – AND following the Grenfell Fire tragedy – the Door & Hardware Federation ( DHF ) stressed the importance of compartmentation and called for crucial changes in building regulations , urging the UK government to adopt and enforce a mandatory requirement that any fire - or smoke - resistant door should be a factoryprepared doorset , manufactured under a third-party certification scheme , which is itself accredited by UKAS . In addition , installation of the doorsets should be undertaken only by companies certified to do so under a UKAS-accredited third-party certification scheme . Certification schemes of this type covering manufacture and installation are currently available .
The Tamworth-based organisation , widely respected as the industry ’ s independent authoritative voice , has been tirelessly lobbying for appropriate qualification of those responsible for manufacture , installation , repair and maintenance and welcomed recommendations made in the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety ’ s Interim Report , published on 18 December , in particular , that those working on the design , construction , inspection and maintenance of complex and high-risk buildings are suitably qualified .
DHF ’ s efforts to highlight the growing commercial and legal benefits of specifying complete timber doorsets , as opposed to purchasing individual components from various sources , have seen the publication of its all-inclusive guide highlighting the USP ’ s of ‘ factory prepared complete timber doorsets ’ in an easy-to-download publication . The new publication will aid building professionals such as specifiers , architects and contractors to achieve a wider understanding and recognise the advantages to purchasing a complete product .
“ Our newest publication explains the USPs of choosing a complete timber doorset , for example , that these products derive from
one single source of supply , are qualitycontrolled products , are more cost-effective and a greener option as they are engineered for energy efficiency and sustainability ,” explains DHF ’ s General Manager and Secretary , Michael Skelding . “ We have witnessed exactly what can take place when either a poorly-fitted door , or a fire door that has had its integrity compromised , becomes a liability ,” he says . “ DHF believes factory-prepared certified doorsets are a no-fuss solution , that are guaranteed to perform and are also perfect for modular builds ; it is our hope this document will promote a greater understanding of the benefits of these products .”
DHF represents companies manufacturing , installing and maintaining fire-and smoke-resisting doors , including pedestrian hinged / pivoted doors and rolling shutters . A number of its now-450 members have experience of working with many parts of the supply chain including architects , building contractors , facilities management companies and owners / occupiers of premises . But there are further on-going concerns across the industry about a potentially contentious issue : the poor state of door closers found on some fire-resisting doorsets . It ’ s an area , according to Michael , that the industry is ‘ getting wrong ’ with current statistics unsettling . An independent study recently identified more than 60 % of door closers in the UK are installed incorrectly . Of this number , 80 % are not set-up and commissioned correctly , with 25 % being an incorrect product in the first place .
“ Choosing the wrong product because of a lack of understanding , choosing the right product but experiencing problems when this gets changed owing to , for example , costs , or choosing the right product , but then having it incorrectly installed and maintained exacerbate the problem ,” he explains .
What is required , according to Michael , is a greater understanding industry-wide as to what a correctly specified , installed and maintained fire door closer must be able to do , and more straightforward information about dealing with selection , installation and maintenance .
‘ We have witnessed exactly what can take place when either a poorly-fitted door , or a fire door that has had its integrity compromised , becomes a liability ’
It is hoped that with support from DHF and other key organisations the industry can progress toward a system that promotes improved testing and third-party certification .
DHF will be exhibiting at Lockex 2018 – Security & Fire Safety on Friday 8th & Saturday 9th June , readers are invited to visit the stand to find out more information about the trade association and how it can help you .
www . dhfonline . org . uk
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