HARDWARE & SECURITY
DOOR AND HARDWARE
FEDERATION (DHF) REFLECTS
UPON 2019 AS ONE OF ITS
MOST SUCCESSFUL YEARS
» TAMWORTH-BASED TRADE
association, the Door and Hardware
Federation (DHF), is reflecting on what
has been one of its most successful years
to date. In 2015, the pro-active federation
had under 300 members on its books, but
the past five years in particular, has seen
considerable growth across every area of
the organisation; today, it has more than
500 members.
Highlights from 2019 include:
• A successful collaboration with
Secured by Design (SBD) and the Fire
Industry Association (FIA) in March, to
publish a joint document on fire safety.
The publication: A Guide for Selecting
Flat Entrance Doorsets; A publication
for housing associations, landlords,
building owners and local authorities
in England, brings together the best
industry advice in one straightforward
document, highlighting the
fundamental issues of fire safety
and security for those selecting fire
doorsets and enabling greater clarity
in an increasingly complex market. It
goes without saying that DHF’s voice
has been one of the most effective in
its drive for third-party certification
of manufacture, installation,
maintenance and inspection of fire,
smoke and security doorsets.
• Continuing to lead the industry
through training. In the past year alone,
nearly 1000 people have been trained
by DHF, with more than 450 candidates
attending the two-day safety diploma
courses and the same number of
learners opting for the Level 2 Award
one-day safety training courses. In
2019, 100 inspection and installation
of metal or timber fire door courses
were held in conjunction with BRE
Academy. More than 3200 individuals
have now completed at least one of
DHF’s safety training courses, whether
a diploma or Award course. In July,
it announced the launch of its first
46
one-day public Automated Gate Group
Level 2 Award Course in Ireland.
• DHF ‘set the industry standard’ in
July, by becoming the very first
UK organisation to offer
an official theory-based
qualification for three of
the industries it serves.
The one-day ABBE-
accredited Level 2 Award
for those working in the
automated gate, industrial
door and domestic garage
door sectors, is approved
and regulated by Ofqual, the
Government Office of Examination
Regulation. ABBE (Awarding Body
of the Built Environment) is the
UK’s leading awarding organisation
providing qualifications for the
built environment. Qualifications
are offered through its network of
assessment centres, approved against
a set of national criteria, laid down by
Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications,
tests and examinations in England.
• The launch of CSCS cards in November
in collaboration with the Automatic
Door Suppliers Association (ADSA).
Whilst not a legislative requirement,
CSCS cards provide evidence that
individuals working on construction
sites have the relevant training and
qualifications for the job that they are
doing. The CSCS card offered by DHF
is for anyone who needs to access a
construction site to work specifically
with industrial doors, domestic garage
doors, automated gates & traffic
barriers and metal or timber fire doors
and is an important step toward a safer
and more compliant industry.
“There is little doubt that DHF’s
accomplishments in 2019 have been
achieved as a result of its hands-on
team, and the expertise and efforts of
the federation’s staff,” says DHF’s CEO,
Bob Perry. “In 2019, we expanded the
workforce to 13 employees (plus five
consultants) and raised our
profile in the industry and the
press. In October, we announced
the arrival of two new team members:
Craig Wilde, who has joined as the new
Membership Manager, and new Senior
Training & Compliance Officer, Steve
Hill, taking the training and technical
advice team to three. A four-strong
administration team continues to support
Commercial Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-
Stevens, General Manager and Secretary,
Michael Skelding and Administration
Manager, Kay Scattergood.”
“DHF continues to flourish year-on-year
and 2019 was no exception,” concludes
Bob. “A strong and highly skilled team,
innovative industry ‘firsts’, an enduring
commitment to training, and supporting
our members through challenging
legislation has helped to underpin our
reputation as a centre of excellence.
Raising standards and promoting best
practice through training and compliance
will always be our number one priority. We
look forward to developing these initiatives
even further as 2020 progresses.”
DHF was formed in 1897 and was initially
named the ‘Brass Masters Association’. Its
earliest goals were to establish fair wages
and conditions. More than 120 years later,
DHF remains a leading independent voice
of authority in the following areas: locks
& building hardware, doorsets, industrial
doors & shutters, domestic garage doors
and automated gates.
www.dhfonline.org.uk
MAR/APR 2020
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