GQA is supporting Fire Door Maintenance ( FDM ) in their efforts to raise safety standards across the industry .

February saw FDM , which is owned by UAP Ltd , officially open a Training Academy at Bury , Greater Manchester . Purpose-built , the 3,000ft ² Training Academy is said to be the UK ’ s first practical training centre for the fire door industry . With a variety of fire doors and components from multiple manufacturers , the facility will provide a dedicated space for hands-on training and classrooms for theory-based learning .

Accredited by GQA Qualifications , the Academy will offer a variety of courses aimed at fire door inspectors , installers , maintenance engineers , Building Control professionals , Local Authority representatives and duty holders in higher risk buildings . The first to launch will be a fire door inspector course , followed by one centred on fire door maintenance , and another focusing on fire door installation . After completion , participants will receive a GQA skills card . The accredited courses and qualifications awarded by GQA are meticulously designed in collaboration

with the FDM team to address life safety risks associated with fire doors .

As well as ensuring compliance with the latest fire safety regulations , the accredited training will respond to the Hackitt report ’ s recommendations following the Grenfell Tower fire . The inquiry into the tragedy revealed fire doors did not perform as expected . Out of the 120 doors in the building , 106 had been replaced and comprised different hardware from the

tested door . This signifies recognition that addressing life safety is a responsibility that demands rigour , quality and demonstrated competency .

Dan Brown , GQA ’ s Strategic Relationships Manager says : “ We are proud to partner FDM in this initiative . Post-Grenfell , we are at a crucial time for the built environment . The proper upkeep and maintenance of fire doors is crucial for life safety during evacuations . Neglecting the

responsibility to maintain fire doors appropriately is neglecting the value of life itself . The timing of the FDM Academy ’ s launch is exceptionally relevant , coinciding with a period of introspection in the industry fuelled by the Building Safety Act .”

Topics covered by the courses at the Academy will include areas such as :

1 . Key legislation and regulations relating to fire doors and fire door inspections

2 . Different types of fire doors and their uses

3 . The main components of a fire door set and their functions

4 . How fire doors and components are tested and test evidence reports 5 . Why fire doors need inspecting and what to inspect

6 . When is a fire door compliant and non-compliant with regulations

7 . How to use technology to write a fire door inspection report

8 . What does a fire door inspection report contain and writing effective reports

9 . Dealing with potential conflict during an inspection

www . gqaqualifications . com

Tamworth-based trade association , the Door & Hardware Federation ( DHF ) has announced the release of its latest educational resource : an instructive video aimed at informing consumers about the importance of selecting a bona fide company such as a member of the DHF Garage Door Group for their garage door installation requirements .

In a market saturated with choice , Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens , DHF ’ s Commercial Director , stresses the critical factors to consider when investing in a new garage door .

“ While price and availability may initially drive your decision-making process , safety should never be overlooked ,” she explains . “ A comprehensive garage door installation involves so much more than simply ‘ fitting the product ’; it ’ s about ensuring the safety and reliability of the entire system .”

DHF ’ s newly launched video is concise yet impactful at under

two minutes long , and is tailored for industry and consumers alike . It explains the advantages of choosing a DHF member for a garage door installation and examines the type of service a specialist garage door supply and installation company , such as a DHF Garage Door Group member , should provide to result in a safe and compliant product .

In particular , the video guides viewers through the purchasing process from the initial consideration stage all the way through to post-installation support , draws attention to DHF ’ s Warranty Plus promise that provides consumers with extra peace of mind , and demonstrates the benefits of using a DHF Garage Door Group member .

This initiative builds upon DHF ’ s legacy of promoting garage door safety . Since the debut of its first domestic garage door safety video launched in January 2022 focusing on the complexities of the ‘ hold-to-run ’ feature ,

DHF has remained steadfast in its mission to educate both members and consumers on safety best practices .

“ With DHF ’ s Garage Door Group being consumer-facing , we believe it is vital to raise awareness of the need to prioritise safety when installing such a product , as well as educating

the consumer about the overall safety features of the domestic garage door ,” says Patricia . “ Through resources such as our technical helpline , additional training through webinars , site visits , industry group meetings and exclusive access to specialist literature , we equip our members with the knowledge and support

needed to deliver superior service . We urge our members to share this video on their own social platforms to help inform consumers as to why they should choose a DHF member .”

www . dhfonline . org . uk See the video at : https :// bit . ly / 49EJjkT