ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY
GAI End User Guides
In addition to its existing guidance for architects , designers , specifiers , manufacturers , security professionals and architectural ironmongers , the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers ( GAI ) has now provided information focussed on the End Users of a building . These “ GAI End User Guides ” contain detailed advice on issues such as maintenance , care of finishes and advice on cleaning . Products covered within these Guides include ironmongery , access control products , fire doors , intumescent , signage and door automation .
» IN THIS ARTICLE DOUGLAS Masterson , Technical Manager for the GAI provides further detail on what can be expected in these new guides .
Architectural Ironmongery and associated products represent a small proportion of the capital cost of any building , but they can have a disproportionate effect on both the users ’ perception of the building and the satisfaction which they feel in its use . For ironmongery to be acceptable it should be :
• Functioning correctly
• Tested to the appropriate standards ( where applicable )
• The right grade and quality
• Well designed and aesthetically pleasing
• Correctly fitted
• Properly maintained
It is recognised that the working life of nearly all door hardware items will be significantly reduced if basic maintenance procedures are not carried out , especially where items are subject to high levels of use . In addition , European standards specifically recommend that certain maintenance routines should be carried out at designated intervals in order to ensure that there is no breach of Health & Safety requirements .
Common issues raised by end users include what tasks should be performed on products as well as the frequency of maintenance tasks . Factors such as legislation , product standards and on-site risk inspections may all impact on the frequency of maintenance required . It should also be noted that any operational problems with an access control system should only be tested and rectified by a qualified and competent technician .
Likewise for powered pedestrian doors , maintenance engineers must be qualified to work on automatic doors to :
• BS 7036 ( doors fitted before April 2013 ) or
• EN 16005 ( doors fitted after March 2013 ).
Powered pedestrian doors must be formally inspected for maintenance in line with manufacturer ’ s recommendations and have an annual safety inspection .
GAI End User Guides provide examples of maintenance tasks for several products some of which are as follows :
Lockcases :
• Check tightness of fixings on strike plates and forends and adjust in accordance with manufacturer ’ s instructions .
• Follow manufacturer ’ s instructions on cleaning .
• Ensure latch bolts are free from dirt or debris .
• Lubricate latch bolt and clean / lubricate any frictional areas of the strikeplate with a light clear grease to ensure smooth operation .
Master Keyed Cylinders :
• Follow manufacturer ’ s instructions on cleaning .
• Check tightness of fixings and adjust in accordance with manufacturer ’ s instructions .
• Only lubricate where necessary and only with manufacturer approved cylinder spray or graphite . Do not use silicone-based lubricant which may cause the cylinder to fail .
• To ensure proper lubrication , insert the key and rotate it clock- and counter-clockwise a few times after application of lubricant .
• Check operation of cylinder cam with any locking mechanism so that it does not cause any blockage to either latch or deadbolt of a lock .
Operating furniture such as lever handles or pull handles :
• For lever handles , check that the levers fully return to the horizontal position after use and that the latch bolt is engaging smoothly and completely into the strike . Adjust , lubricate or replace as required .
• For lever handles , pull handles and push plates make sure that all fixings are as secure as possible .
• Check any lever / pull handle grub screws and ensure that any projecting grub screw threads are fully flush with the lever face .
• Ensure any face fixing wood screws are fully flush and the screw head is not projecting at an angle .
• Follow manufacturer ’ s instructions on cleaning .
Panic and emergency exit devices :
• Check correct functioning of the panic exit device mechanism from three points ( latch / bolt end , centre , hinge end ) to ensure full withdrawal of bolts to allow door to open .
26
JULY 2023
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