ASSOCIATIONS & TRAINING
7 things you didn’t
know about the
Door & Hardware Federation
DHF is the UK’s oldest
trade association…
Longevity and
sustainability are two words
most associated with
DHF. Afterall, it is the UK’s
oldest trade association
with a rich history and
heritage dating back to
1897. It started life as an
employers’ association
named the Brass Masters’
Association, and was
formed in Birmingham
to negotiate pay and
conditions with the industry
trade union, the National
Society of Amalgamated
Brassworkers (later to
become the National
Society of Metal
Mechanics). By 1943, the
association had come to
be known as the National
Brassfoundry Association
and by the early 1970s,
had established two
sections, one dealing with
plumbers’ brassfoundry
(which kept the NBA name)
and a second, dealing
with building hardware
which was known as the
Association of Building
Hardware Manufacturers
(ABHM).
Today, DHF continues
its valuable work as a notfor-profit
trade association
for companies associated
with Locks & Building
Hardware; Doorsets;
Industrial Doors & Shutters;
Domestic Garage Doors
and Automated Gates. It
remains the ‘go to’ place
for technical advice and
training which lends itself
to raising standards across
the industry.
It’s been almost 10
years since DHF
created TS 007…
In 2011, DHF,
together with the Glass
and Glazing Federation,
created TS 007, a
technical specification for
the enhanced security
performance requirements
for replacement cylinders
and/or associated
hardware. The
specification was prepared
following the emergence
of an attack method
focused on
cylinders used in
locks. In 2019, part two of
TS 007: TS 007 - 2:2019
- Enhanced security for
mechatronic cylinders
and/or associated
hardware, was created
by DHF. It remains one
of the federation’s most
successful undertakings.
When it comes to training, DHF has much to ‘shout about’!
DHF leads the industry through its
exceptional training and is regarded as
a ‘Centre of Excellence’, with a network
of professional staff members as well
as external consultants that can provide
support in all sectors. This makes them
a single source for technical expertise,
information, knowledge, advice, and
practical help. In 2018, they moved
to premises in Tamworth with its own
training academy, demonstrating its
commitment in this area. A vocal
ambassador for safe, compliant products
and installations, in 2019, DHF trained
almost 1000 people in the UK and
Ireland, with more than 3200 individuals
completing at least one of DHF’s safety
training courses, whether a diploma or
Award course. It was the UK’s very first
organisation to offer an official theorybased
qualification for those working in
the automated gate, industrial door and
domestic garage door sectors, and has
recently launched a Distance Learning
Programme to enable trainees to
complete their qualifications, regardless
of their location.
24
JUL/AUG 2020
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