Industry News
Door & Hardware Federation (DHF)
publishes joint technical briefing with GAI
» TAMWORTH-BASED TRADE
association, the Door & Hardware
Federation (DHF), has announced the
launch of a new publication in collaboration
with The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
(GAI). The newly published technical
briefing, Guidance on CE Marking, Third
Party Testing, Assessment and Certification,
has been written to offer further clarification
on the essential differences between CE
Marking, Harmonised European Standards,
Methodologies of Testing and Assessment,
Fire Resistance Assessment Reports, and
Third Party Product Certification.
Formed in 1897, DHF remains the oldest
trade association in the industry, and
the ‘go to’ body for technical knowledge,
information, advice, and practical help
as well as training. It has more than 500
members, and in 2019, trained more than
1000 people.
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
(GAI) is the only trade body in the UK
representing the interests of the whole
architectural ironmongery industry:
architectural ironmongers, wholesalers and
manufacturers. Focusing on education,
technical support and community
activities, it continues to
promote the highest standards of
professionalism both in the UK,
and overseas.
DHF and GAI enjoy a productive
and long-standing relationship,
and therefore, partnering on a
document of this nature was a
logical development, as DHF’s General
Manager, Michael Skelding, explains:
“We are very pleased indeed to collaborate
with GAI to launch a comprehensive
guidance document that we know will
provide a higher degree of transparency
in an increasingly complicated field. In
blending the knowledge, experience and
capabilities of our two organisations, we
hope to be able to afford accurate and up-to-
date information to our members working in
this sector.”
GAI’s Technical Manager, Douglas
Masterson, adds: “Members of both the
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
and the Door & Hardware
Federation have been frequently
seeking clarification on the key
differences between CE marking,
third party testing, assessment
and certification. Rather than
publishing two separate documents
it was felt that we could combine
the technical expertise of both organisations
and produce a single document on this topic
for both sets of members. GAI and DHF have
also jointly published the Code of Practice:
Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors which is
referenced in Approved Document B and its
equivalent publications throughout the UK
and Ireland.”
www.dhfonline.org.uk
OUTSTANDING DOOR HARDWARE PROFESSIONALS
CELEBRATED AT INDUSTRY AWARDS
» THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST
within the door hardware
industry were celebrated
at the annual Institute of
Architectural Ironmongers
(IAI) awards ceremony on 7
March 2020.
The IAI Fellowship Award
is given to an individual who
has shown a longstanding
and ongoing commitment to
the IAI over at least 10 years.
This year’s winner was Kevin
O’Reilly, technical director of
Securefast.
Kevin has impressed fellow
institute members through his
many years of help and support,
which include attending all IAI
Midlands branch meetings,
writing CPD presentations
and volunteering for the GAI
Education Committee.
14
The Paul Lewis Award for
Customer Service is given to an
individual, group or company
that has made an outstanding
commitment to customer
services throughout the year.
Phoenix Sales (RJ) Ltd won
the award after being nominated
for its focus on providing a “first-
class service” to its customer
base. Phoenix Sales staff attend
site visits as well as meetings
with architects and clients to
ensure they fully understand the
specification required and the
end users’ needs.
The GAI Award for Services
to the Institute is awarded to
a current IAI member who
has made a recent and visible
contribution at branch level.
This year’s winner was Chris
Colley, technical director at
Monaghan Planck. Chris has
been a part of the IAI for nearly
30 years, after he completed
his diploma in 1990. He was
an active member of the South
West branch during this time
before becoming national chair
in 1998. In 2002 he joined the
North West branch and also
chaired the regional branch
from 2010-2012.
The Promising Ironmonger
of the Year award went to
Rav Jagdev, sales director at
Phoenix Sales (RJ) Ltd. This
award is given to the brightest
ironmongers in the early stages
of their careers.
Rav’s nomination describes
his customer focussed approach
to service and dedication to his
own professional development.
He is currently working towards
RegAI status after recently
completing his GAI diploma.
Deborah Cannon, chair
of the IAI, said; “The awards
offer a great opportunity to
celebrate the wealth of talent
and commitment that is
prevalent in this sector. It’s
important that we recognise
not only our dedicated industry
professionals, but also the
promising newcomers within
the industry, and continue to
support them throughout their
career.”
www.gai.org.uk
MAR/APR 2020
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