HARDWARE & SECURITY
An increased drive towards industry competence …
Douglas Masterson , technical manager at the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers ( GAI ), looks at how door hardware professionals can improve their own levels of competency in 2021 .
» THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED “ Setting the Bar ” report defines competence as “ the combination of skills , knowledge , experience and behaviours that enable a person to undertake responsibilities and perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular basis .” The need to increase competence is heavily advocated by UK Government , along with a number of industry groups , reports , and initiatives as outlined below .
1 . Dame Judith Hackitt ’ s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety
The Hackitt Review was scathing in its criticism and the existence of a “ race to the bottom ” culture . One of many recommendations made was the requirement for increased levels of competence throughout , with the construction sector and fire safety sector demonstrating more effective leadership for ensuring building safety .
2 . The Setting the Bar report Setting the Bar is the second and final report of the Competence Steering Group ( CSG ). This group was set up to improve the competence of those procuring , designing , constructing , inspecting , assessing , managing and maintaining higher risk residential buildings . The result is a system of competence standards that all those in life-safetycritical disciplines working on higher-risk buildings will adopt , as set out in the Hackitt Review .
As part of this , some of the Working Groups who came together as part of the CSG have drawn up their own sectorspecific competence frameworks with the intention to roll them out across their own professions or trades . Working Group 12 , the Construction Products Competence Working Group , is currently developing a new Construction Products Competency Matrix which is due to be published in early 2021 .
3 . UK Government Building Safety Bill
This was announced in the Queen ’ s Speech on 19 December 2019 . This Bill is intended to provide the biggest improvements to building safety in nearly 40 years and sets out how the UK Government will implement the findings of the Hackitt Review . Its purpose is to also put in place new enhanced regulatory regimes for building safety and construction products , and to ensure residents have a stronger voice in the system . One of the key elements of the Bill is a requirement for increased competence requirements in order to maintain high standards .
4 . New British Standards Institute ( BSI ) competence standards
BSI is also building a framework of documents which will raise the standards of competence across the built environment . The first step on this journey is the creation of a new BS Standard entitled BSI Flex 8670 which will specify requirements for competence frameworks for individuals and is due for publication in 2021 . BSI will also provide new standards for competence requirements for the three newly regulated roles : Principal Designer , Principal Contractor and Building Safety Manager .
What ’ s next for the door hardware industry ?
Experience takes time served . Training is , however , a method of increasing our knowledge that can be more quickly attained . The following are examples of highly respected industry training which trade associations provide for those within their membership :
The GAI has spent nearly 60 years educating the ironmongery industry . This includes introductory level through Foundation in Hardware , in-depth product knowledge from the Certificate in Hardware , through to DipGAI status , which qualifies holders to specify fully compliant ironmongery products for a project . Beyond this , the RegAI Continuing Professional Development CPD programme ensures that product knowledge is maintained and kept fully up to date with industry standards and latest developments .
Master Locksmiths Association ( MLA ) runs a range of training courses to become a locksmith : from beginners ’ to advanced courses for existing locksmiths who want to learn new skills . The MLA Approved Company scheme requires locksmiths to be regularly inspected to check quality of work as well as requiring the MLA exam to have been passed by staff .
Fire Door Inspection Scheme ( FDIS ) provides an online education programme which is available to anyone who wishes to gain a greater knowledge of fire doors or else to become a certificated fire door inspector .
The Automatic Door Suppliers Association ( ADSA ) delivers a comprehensive training program which gives course delegates an indepth knowledge of the safe operating standards for powered pedestrian doors . The Qualification when linked to a CITB approved Health and Safety in construction training course forms a critical pillar in demonstrating industry competence .
www . gai . org . uk
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NOV / DEC 2020
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