Installer Support
34 | JANUARY 2026
Installer Support
DHF URGES CAUTION: POWERED GARAGE DOORS ARE NOT AN‘ OFF THE SHELF’ PRODUCT
DHF’ s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill, has raised concerns that too many powered garage doors are being sold and installed without the detailed discussions needed to ensure they are legally compliant and safe for long-term use.
“ Many companies present powered garage doors as an‘ off the shelf’ product,” he says.“ The customer chooses a colour, the installer measures the opening and the door is fitted. But this approach overlooks the essential steps needed to ensure that the door is both safe and compliant. A more detailed conversation is required between the customer and their chosen supplier.”
As a minimum, manufacturers must meet all legal requirements before placing a powered garage door on the market. This includes compliance with the Construction Products Regulations 2013( CPR) using the relevant standard EN 13241:2003 + A2:2016.
“ To comply, manufacturers must test their doors with an approved testing body, demonstrate performance against all essential requirements, and provide a Declaration of Performance,” continues Steve.“ A CE or UKCA conformity label must also be applied. In addition, they must meet the legal minimum safety standard under the Supply of Machinery( Safety) Regulations 2008 and support this with a Declaration of Conformity.”
Only once these steps are taken can a powered garage door be legally sold. However, legal compliance alone does not guarantee that the door is suitable or safe for the customer’ s home environment.
“ To ensure a garage door is safe for the location in which it is installed, far more information is needed,” he says.“ How the client wants to operate the door, whether the door opens onto a public highway, and what extra safety features may be required all need to be considered from the outset.”
DHF has highlighted several examples that should be included in both manufacturer considerations and installer risk assessments:
• Whether vulnerable people will be using or passing through the doorway,
• Whether vehicles may stop beneath the door during operation,
• Whether pets could be in the vicinity,
• Any additional risks arising from how the garage is used, such as storage or workshop activity.
The law provides a minimum level of protection for pedestrians, but in many real-life situations additional safety measures will be needed. Installers should always carry out a residual risk assessment and advise householders accordingly. DHF warns that installers who fail to consider or communicate these additional risks may face civil action if an accident occurs.
“ In short, a garage door is not simply an‘ off the shelf’ product,” concludes Steve.“ A proper safety assessment is essential if we are to protect end users and prevent avoidable incidents.”
www. dhfonline. org. uk
DHF URGES CAUTION ON MEDIUM TERM OUTLOOK AS COST PRESSURES AND WORKFORCE CHALLENGES INTENSIFY
The Door & Hardware Federation( DHF) has cautioned that the medium term prospects for the sector remain uncertain following the Government’ s“ Strong Foundations, Secure Future” Budget. The Tamworth-based trade association warns that, while the Budget outlines ambitions for housing delivery and economic stability, the full impact on businesses involved in industrial doors, garage doors, automated gates, timber and metal doorsets, and building hardware is more likely to be felt in 2026 and beyond, rather than immediately.
Cost pressures on employers are also intensifying. DHF reports that increases to National Insurance contributions announced at the Spring Budget are now feeding through into employment decisions. These challenges are being further amplified by the recent 4.1 % rise in the National Minimum Wage, which is expected to place upward pressure on wages more broadly as businesses seek to maintain fair pay structures.
For small and medium sized firms, particularly those operating in labour heavy areas such as garage door installation, rising employment costs are increasingly limiting the scope for investment in training, expansion and future planning.
From the sector’ s perspective, DHF says there was a clear desire to see stronger
commitments to investment and growth. DHF’ s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, says,“ What businesses needed was clearer support to help them absorb rising costs and invest with confidence for the future. Unfortunately, the Budget did not provide that reassurance.”
In the short term, DHF members continue to report healthy job levels, suggesting that activity remains relatively stable. However, caution remains due to ongoing volatility in raw material prices, particularly steel, timber and key components, which makes accurate pricing and long term planning more difficult.
Alongside financial pressures, DHF highlights a growing workforce challenge. Many experienced specialists with decades of knowledge are approaching retirement, while attracting younger people into technical and manufacturing roles remains difficult.
This loss of experience presents a risk to standards, safety and long term resilience across the sector. DHF is therefore encouraging members to support initiatives such as Build UK Open Doors, which aims to raise awareness of construction and manufacturing careers and helps demonstrate the opportunities available to new entrants.
As a trade federation, DHF remains focused on guiding and educating members on compliance, safety and standards, while also supporting skills development and new entrants to the industry. The Federation continues to welcome new members who recognise the value of this support. However, DHF acknowledges that membership is a discretionary cost for many businesses, and that sustained financial pressure may create further challenges in the years ahead.
“ DHF will continue to support its members through a period of uncertainty, helping them maintain high standards of safety and compliance, while encouraging engagement with initiatives that strengthen skills, training and workforce renewal as we look towards 2026 and beyond,” concludes Patricia.
www. dhfonline. org. uk