DORMA RTS85 TRANSOM CLOSER NOW CE MARKED

DORMA RTS 85 Transom Closer

Renowned for producing products that are not only functional but hardy, DORMA is proud to announce the CE Mark accreditation of its RTS 85 Transom Closers.

The RTS 85 has always carried successful Independent Third Party Type Testing to BS EN 1154 (the harmonised European Standard for Controlled Door Closing Devices). The addition of CE certification further highlights the quality and performance of the DORMA’s transom closer and offers architects, specifiers, and clients peace of mind that it meets exceptional manufacturing standards.

The CE Marking enables suppliers and installers of the RTS 85 to demonstrate its compliance with the Construction Products Regulations and UK Building Regulation.

Available in sizes EN3, EN4 and EN5, the RTS 85 is suitable for doors up to 1250mm wide. As it also includes a mechanical backcheck which cushions the door on opening at 90 degrees, this reduces potential damage to the door and its surroundings to further enhance long term performance and eliminate unnecessary wear and tear that would otherwise be incurred.

A full range of accessories are also available, including side load, end load and Anti-Finger Trap Arms along with Adjustable Floor and Threshold Pivots and are all included within the Test Certification.

For more information please visit www.dorma-show.co.uk. All DORMA products are backed up by a nationwide team of service and maintenance engineers.

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LIG (Laidlaw Interiors Group) LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Laidlaw Interiors Group (LIG) has launched a new website, www.laidlawinteriorsgroup.com to provide a comprehensive view of the group offering. Focused on architectural interiors, the group is a single-source supplier of doors, partitioning, cubicles, handrails and balustrading, architectural ironmongery and access control systems and boasts some of the industry’s leading brands.

LIG comprises Cubicle Systems, Fitzpatrick, Komfort, Laidlaw, Leaderflush Shapland, Longden, Saturn Architectural, TDSL and Tufwell Glass. The site provides details on each of the member companies and demonstrates LIG’s integrated approach, where specifiers and contractors benefit from a coordinated specification and supply process.

On the easy to navigate site, visitors can find also details of the group’s CSR policy, alongside industry accreditations and the latest news and case studies.

Visit www.laidlawinteriorsgroup.com

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FairFuelUK Calls on Office of Fair Trading to Act

On the eve of the much awaited decision by the Office of Fair Trading as to whether to launch a full scale inquiry into the UK petrol/diesel market Quentin Willson, national spokesman for FairFuelUK said, 

'This market has been hiding itself in the long grass for far too long and consumers have a right to transparency, honesty and fair pricing. We want to know how wholesale prices are calculated, why wholesale prices move, why it takes so long for falls in crude oil to appear at the pumps, why diesel is so more expensive than unleaded and why some fuel retailers can charge up to 8 pence more per litre than others often in the same area. Its mischievous that this market has stayed so resistant to scrutiny for so long.'

Peter Carroll, FairFuelUK's founder says, 

'Tomorrow's report by the OFT should call for a landmark full investigation into why the UK road fuel market is so dysfunctional with its regional variations, slow price falls, apparent market monopolies and pump prices that are measured in nine-tenths of a penny. There is a suspicion that some people are making a lot of money speculating in the petrol & diesel that are essential for every family and business in the country. This needs to be fully examined and these suspicions addressed’.

FairFuelUK is supported by over 350,000 members of the public, the RAC with its 7 million members, the 20,000 haulage businesses in the RHA, FTA, the British Bank Aldermore, the Association of Pallet Networks and the Fuelcard Company

 

Read more on the FairFuelUK website www.fairfueluk.com

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HOT NEWS – IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!

In the latter part of last year, BGID’s Fire Check Roller Shutter was subjected to the intense heat of a 2 hour Fire Test to European Standard EN 1634-1 at the Exova Warrington Testing Facility.

The door passed with flying colours (well glowing red colours as the picture shows!) The test was conducted with the door fitted with a tubular motor and safety brake – so BGID can now offer a Fire Rated Roller Shutter requiring the very minimum of headroom.

Full details are available from Mark Tolley (mark@bgid.co.uk)

Find out more about BGID on their website: www.bgid.co.uk

Birmingham Garage & Industrial Doors Ltd. 

Units 3, 10 & 12, Griffin Industrial Estate,  

Penncricket Lane, Rowley Regis, 

West Midlands, B65 0SN

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BACK TO BUSINESS WITH UNION’S PROFESSIONAL RANGE

Designed as the ultimate contract solution for Architectural Ironmongers, UNION has launched its Professional mortice lock range.

Set up in the heartland of the British lock-making industry, UNION is reasserting its heritage with the launch of its Professional range, built on the strength and popularity of its British Standard StrongBOLT™ products.

Ideal for contract applications, such as council projects and commercial new builds, the new Professional range from UNION is suited to Architectural Ironmongers looking for a product that can compete on price and performance, with the added reassurance associated with the UNION brand.

Amongst others, range highlights include the StrongBOLT™ Euro and Oval profile cylinder versions, the British Standard five-lever StrongBOLT™ mortice lock, and, available early 2013, the heavy-duty tubular latch with bolt through fixing.

As well as all this, the StrongBOLT™ mortice lock features the innovative Switch Latch, which allows the handing of the lock to be reversed easily. The simple pull, twist and release action means that the Switch Latch can not only help to reduce the amount of stock it is necessary to carry, but most importantly, it can reduce complications and time spent during on-site installations.

  All locks within the newly extended range are UNION branded, designed to fit in traditional UK sized mortices allowing for easy retro-fit, and feature the specially chamfered StrongBOLT™ deadbolt, significantly improving side load resistance.

Karen Hubbard, Product Manager for UNION, commented: 

“The Professional range was developed in response to a series of customer surveys that we conducted earlier in the year. As a result, we’ve launched an extended range in line with our architectural ironmongers’ core needs. Competitive on price but with a professional finish and undeniable quality, the range will reduce the possibility of call-backs to jobs and on-site complications.

“Simple additions, such as the splinter guard and anti-rattle adjustment on the strike, can make a big difference, helping to reduce installation time and improve the overall finish.

“As further assurance on the quality, the range includes the popular British Standard 5-lever mortice lock, helping AIs to supply fit-for-purpose contract products. With a proven track record of success within the market, we hope the extended range will gain equal trust and favoritism.”

The UNION Professional range can be found alongside the Classic range, which caters to the traditional retrofit market.

For more information, please visit www.uniononline.co.uk

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Towing me, Towing you

Datsun Fairlady rally car on trailer taken by Ben Sutherland

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on towing techniques.

“Whether you’re towing a speedboat, a horsebox, a caravan or another car, there are certain rules which must be applied. It is important to recognise the challenges which come with having to control not just one vehicle, but two.”

Here are some of his tips for successfully towing another vehicle:

•    Watch the weight of the towed vehicle – this should not exceed 85 per cent of the car’s kerb weight. Excess weight will cause instability.

•    Check the unit you are towing is secure before pulling away, and check again after a short distance.  Look for anything loose, disconnected, missing or broken.

•    Check that your extra rear lights are all connected and fully functional. Get somebody to help while you test the brakes and indicators. As well as additional lights, you will also need an illuminated number plate at the rear of the unit.

•    Check the pressure of all tyres before you set off, bearing in mind those of the towed unit as well as your own vehicle.

•    Stopping distances and the space between you and other vehicles should be increased appropriately, allowing for the extra weight you are carrying. You should also allocate more time to overtaking, positioning yourself for turns, parking, pulling into traffic streams, changing lanes and joining and leaving motorways.

•    Use your mirrors frequently - the fact you have lost the use of your rear view mirror makes extended door mirrors very useful. Extended towing mirrors are not a legal requirement, but you will have a better feel for overtaking and reversing.

•    Be aware that reduced speed limits usually apply when towing vehicles, and remember to extend courtesy to vehicles following you by allowing them to pass.

If you would like any further help and advice on towing, you may want to consider signing up for a manoeuvring course with the Camping and Caravanning Club, which now has a tie up with the IAM’s own towing test.

To help drivers stay safe this winter, the IAM has launched its winter driving campaign which includes a dedicated website, www.drivingadvice.org.uk, with traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter. 

Check it out before you travel.

Image by Ben Sutherland under Creative Commons Licence
 

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Tax return deadline just around the corner

Around 10.6 million Self Assessment returns / notices to complete a tax return have been sent out by HMRC for the 2011-12 tax year.

If you still haven’t sent in your 2011-12 Self Assessment tax return, you’ve got just a few days left to do so and avoid a penalty.
 

Send your 2011-12 return to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after 31 January and you’ll receive a £100 late-filing penalty – even if you don’t have any tax to pay, or you pay your tax on time.

The more you delay, the more you pay, as you’ll be hit with further late-filing penalties after three, six and 12 months.

HMRC found that people often felt a real sense of relief, or peace of mind, once they sent in their return – like a weight being lifted from their shoulders. A new ad campaign is encouraging people who still haven’t sent their return to “do it today, pay what you owe and take a load off your mind”, so they can experience “inner peace”.

And don’t forget, 31 January is also the deadline for paying what you owe for the 2011-12 tax year – visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/payinghmrc/selfassessment.htm for information on payment options.

Further information on completing your tax return is available by visiting HMRC’s website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa. 

If that doesn’t answer your question, call the Self Assessment helpline on 0845 9000 444 (open from 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday).
 

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United as One - Laidlaw Interiors Group Restructures UK Timber Doors Division

Following the recent acquisition of Timbmet Doorset Solutions Limited and the integration of the Laidlaw Orbis doorsets range, Laidlaw Interiors Group (LIG) is restructuring its UK Timber Doors Division to work under a single company structure - Leaderflush Shapland.
      

As from January 2013, the aim is to become fully integrated and operate an efficient, agile and more responsive service to meet their customers needs.

Click here to download your copy of the 'United As One' document

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GDS Single Skin Roller Doors – Now available in Anthracite Grey

Due to the ever increasing popularity of the colour Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016), GDS are pleased to announce the introduction of this colour to our single skin roller door range.

The GDS single skin roller door which is available in 16 colours as standard, has a broader profile design and is also supplied with a steel lock as standard for enhanced security.

The vertical operation of the GDS single skin roller door also allows you to utilise all of the valuable space within your driveway which is restricted with the use of more traditional style doors.

GDS also offers the single skin roller door as a standard roller door and a mini roller door - the mini roller door only required 330mm for full opening.

If you would like to learn more about GDS single skin roller doors and how they can help you win extra sales please contact GDS on 0870 242 3 242 or email info@gdsdoors.eu.

We think you’ll like what they have to say.

Read more Garage Door related articles in our online magazine.

  

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Help on hand for industrial door companies wanting to meet the CE marking challenge

Image courtesy of Ian Hughes/Hormann (UK) Ltd

With compulsory CE marking just weeks away, industrial door companies are invited to attend a roadshow to help them meet their legal obligations.

It is being held by the Door & Hardware Federation, which represents the UK's leading industrial door companies, on Tuesday, February 12th at BRE in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Attendance is free to DHF members. The cost of attendance is £100 per non DHF member which will be waived should delegates join the DHF.

All industrial door makers and suppliers will be legally obliged to CE mark every non-fire industrial and commercial door they place on the market. Failure to do so will be a criminal offence from July 1 this year.

Before a door company can CE mark its products, they must undergo testing in accordance with BS EN 13241-1:2003, implement a factory production control system, and issue Declarations of Performance. DHF member companies are well advanced in putting these procedures into place to ensure compliance with the law from July 1. However, many non member door companies have yet to start the CE marking process.

The DHF has been guiding its members on CE marking ever since the July 1 deadline was first announced. As well as providing technical advice, the federation has been showing its members that CE mark compliance gives them the competitive edge in the market place.

Read more about CE marking
at www.dijonline.co.uk

 The first DHF CE marking roadshow on February 12 starts at 10.30 am. It includes practical help on CE marking, how to gain commercial advantage from CE marking, the role played by test labs and certification bodies such as BRE, and the importance of Environmental Product Declarations. Following lunch, delegates can take the opportunity of a tour of BRE’s testing facilities.

Read the full story about CE marking in our latest issue online >>>>

For further details, contact Kay Scattergood at the DHF Secretariat: 01827 52337; kay.scattergood@dhfonline.org.uk . 

For more information on the DHF, visit www.dhfonline.org.uk .

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Free Gate Safety & Force Testing Training

EGD (Easygates Distribution), distributor of ASO Safety Solutions Safety Edge and Transmission systems, is offering Free Force Testing and Safety Training to its customers. 

Combined with the new low cost force tester, EGD is helping the industry be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to do their job to EN regulations.

Training can also be given on self-assembling ASO ‘Plug n Sense’ Safety Edges. These are by far the easiest way to produce a high quality safety edge on site to exact dimensions. 

Since release last year this system has quickly become the installer’s choice.
 

Training can be held at EGD’s premises, customers own premises or sometimes even on site - the most practical of environments.

EGD is keen to train on other topics and to facilitate this they have dedicated training facilities at their premises in the Midlands. 
 

For further details contact EGD on 0845 054 5070.

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New Linear Collection from GDS

Garage Door Systems Anthracite M Rib Sectional Door

At Garage Door Systems we have extended our current L-Rib & M-Rib sectional garage door range to NOW also include:
 

Anthracite L-Rib Foil Finish

L-Rib – Anthracite grey special metallic foil finish / Smooth white finish / any RAL or BS colour
 
M-Rib – Anthracite grey special metallic foil finish / Golden Oak & Rosewood foil finish / Black & White woodgrain finish / any RAL or BS colour

•    Full UK coverage

•    42mm Polyurethane Sections

•    Available up to 5.5m (W) & 3.6m (H) with standard lead times

Call today 0870 242 3 242 or email info@gdsdoors.eu to find out why more and more specialists are switching to GDS sectional garage doors. 

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Off on a Skiing Holiday? - There may be tunnels ahead!

Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he advises on driving through tunnels.

Tunnels can present serious problems for drivers. For example, vehicle fires in Europe’s Mont Blanc and Gotthard tunnels have claimed 50 lives between them. Many died because they wrongly believed they should wait in their vehicles for help, rather than getting out of the tunnel as soon as possible.

Regardless of the length of the tunnel, an accident in one will present unique problems and knowing what to do is essential. 

Before entering a tunnel:
•    Check your fuel gauge in plenty of time, don't risk running out in a tunnel.
•    Turn on the traffic information station. Some larger European road tunnels have their own radio as well as electronic signs.
•    Take off your sunglasses as they will hinder your eyesight in the dim light of a tunnel.
In the tunnel:
•    Turn on dipped headlights. Do not use full beam as this will dazzle other motorists.
•    Don't exceed the speed limit.
•    Leave plenty of room between yourself and the car in front and watch out for brake lights.
•    Keep an eye out for the location of emergency pedestrian exits just in case you may need one.
•    In two-way tunnels, keep well to the nearside kerb.
•    Do not change lanes unless instructed to.

If you break down:
•    Switch on your hazard lights immediately.
•    Try to coast to a breakdown lay-by. If none are available, stop as close to the nearside kerb as possible.
•    Turn off the engine but leave the key in the ignition so the vehicle can be moved.
•    Evacuate the vehicle, making sure everyone is in a safe place – well away from the car and on the pedestrian walkway if there is one.
•    Put on a reflective jacket if you have one, and walk carefully to the nearest emergency phone to inform the operator. 

In the event of a fire:
•    Only try and extinguish the fire is if someone is in danger.
•    In all other cases leave as quickly as you can – do not wait to be told what to do.

Peter advises: “Though you may see a tunnel as just another stretch of road, there are specific precautions that you must be aware of and implement when using one.
Remember, if there is a fire or an accident, don’t wait to act -- fire and smoke can be fatal. Leave the vehicle and walk to a safe place.  Save your life and not your car.”  

For more safety advice and other information visit iam.org.uk

Image used under Creative Commons licence from tnarik 

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HAVE 4X4 WILL TRAVEL, WHATEVER THE WEATHER

Driver training specialist predicts overconfidence could lead to crashes

 AA DriveTech, the specialist division of the AA which provides driver development courses for qualified occupational drivers, believes that the current cold snap will highlight the lack of coaching that drivers need to temper their over-inflated confidence about the capabilities of modern 4x4 vehicles.
 

"Feedback from our 4x4 training department suggests that many drivers believe that, when the temperature drops below freezing, these vehicles come into their own and they can drive as normal," says Fleet Director Simon Stammers. "There is no question that the latest 4x4s have exceptional grip and traction in even the most challenging off-road conditions but this ability will always compromise on-road performance to some degree.

"Our main concern is that many 4x4 vehicles used for work are carrying quite high payloads and often have a higher than normal centre of gravity as a result, which could affect stability in an avoidance manoeuvre. Also drivers must realise that if vehicles are fitted with off-road specification tyres they can expect far less grip on normal roads than a conventional tyre, due to the reduced contact area. An inexperienced driver may not appreciate the consequences of cornering or braking harshly until it's too late."

Customer feedback to AA DriveTech reveals that many drivers who use 4x4 vehicles for work have had little or no formal training at all, instead relying on advice and guidance from other, more experienced work colleagues. It appears that any professional training that is given is usually restricted to specialist off road driving techniques.
 

AA DriveTech now strongly believes that those required to use 4x4s in the workplace should have training in how to operate them safely and efficiently ON road, as well as off-road.
 

"We currently have nine LANTRA* approved 4x4 courses available for at-work drivers, one of which is devoted to all aspects of driving them safely on-road," continues Simon Stammers. "We would urge those employers which use 4x4s in the workplace to include this training with their drivers as early as possible, so that they are equipped to drive 4x4 vehicles safely from the outset. We can deliver these courses at, in or near clients' premises if they have a suitable venue. If not we have five different, purpose-made locations throughout the UK, making this training accessible for a large proportion of the working population."

For more information about training course cost and availability, please contact the Nationwide 4x4 division of AA DriveTech on 02920 725725 between the hours of 08.00 and 18.00 or email nationwide4x4@AAdrivetech.com 

Alternatively further information can be obtained from www.theaa.com/AAdrivetech/off-road-driver-training.html 

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