ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY
The True Value of Sustainable Hardware
Sue Corrick of Allegion UK discusses the value points of sustainable door hardware and why its use in construction projects can play an important role in the industry ’ s environmental evolution .
» ACROSS THE GLOBE , THE decarbonisation of our planet has become a focal point for construction . Between legislative requirements and market demand , industry leaders remain under constant pressure to reach environmental targets and upon exploring some of the more distinct routes , it ’ s important to consider what more can be done with construction materials .
Research has shown that approximately 55 % of extracted raw materials are used to develop the built environment , with buildings further contributing to 40 % of annual global carbon emissions . With that , there is an onus on decision makers to make astute choices , opting for more durable , environmentally conscious building products that reduce the need for repeat manufacturing and improve resource efficiency .
Yet , the perceived value and cost of such products remains a stumbling block , where according to an NBS 2022 Sustainable Futures Report , more than a third of construction professionals cite the application of sustainable products is restricted by cost optimisation decisions . While cost will always remain an influencing factor in construction , there is a clear need to change the notion of ‘ perceived value ’ in sustainable construction , and for that , door hardware can play a starring role .
Value added
At surface level , architectural ironmongery is perhaps lesser recognised for its potential environmental benefits when compared to its significance in functionality , safety and security . Between fire safety , ease of movement and quality of life , door hardware plays an integral role in the operation of our built environment . Still , with hardware elements constructed from materials such as iron , aluminium and timber , and with many touchpoints found on each construction project , from an environmental viewpoint , there is tangible value to be found when using correctly specified , durable solutions .
In high traffic buildings , the dayto-day use of doors can often lead to wear and tear on fittings , which in turn creates the need for replacement hardware . Trusted manufacturers aim to extend the lifecycle of ironmongery , providing more robust door hardware that significantly reduces the need for replacements over time due to wear and damage . The appropriate designated standard for mechanical testing for a controlled door closing devices is EN1154 , which ensures closers are tested to endure use for over 500,000 cycles for example - with some manufacturers choosing to extend the testing to above and beyond . The use of these certified solutions incidentally helps building environments moderate the amount of resources being consumed at the manufacturing stage , while also minimising the waste associated with replacement products .
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Sources : https :// www . thenbs . com / knowledge / construction-waste-and-materials-efficiency | https :// architecture2030 . org / why-the-building-sector / https :// www . thenbs . com / sustainable-futures-report-2022 / | https :// www . dhfonline . org . uk / media / documents / documents37a . pdf https :// www . briton . co . uk / content / dam / briton / downloads / M2531 % 20- % 20Education % 20Guide % 20FINAL . pdf
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JULY 2023
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