The Door Industry Journal: August 2015

Monday, 31 August 2015

Leading timber group produce charity wheelbarrow

The Howarth Timber Group, which encompasses a network of 28 timber and builders’ merchant branches across the country, has announced that it is to produce a distinctive purple wheelbarrow that will raise much needed funds for a national children’s charity.

The timber group, established in Leeds in the latter part of the nineteenth century, by John Howarth, is still owned, managed and controlled by his descendants. The decision to produce the wheelbarrow, say bosses at the company, reflects its continued commitment to social responsibility.

The wheelbarrow, that has a capacity of 85 litres, will retail for £33 with £2 from each sale being donated to Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families.

Caroline Preston, Head of Business Development at Caudwell Children, is delighted by the initiative. She said:

“The Howarth Timber Group named us as their charity partner, for three years, in 2013. They have a real desire and dedication in supporting good causes and we’re thrilled with the thought that there could be an army of people, across the country, busying themselves in the garden with Caudwell Children’s very own purple wheelbarrow this summer.

“It will not only generate much needed cash, that will help us to deliver our services to even more disabled children, but will also promote the charity to Howarth Timber’s vast number of customers, many of whom may be unaware of the services that we provide!”

The purple gardening and building accessory, which matches Caudwell Children’s corporate colours, is just one of many ways in which Howarth Timber Group has supported the charity since 2013.

Caroline continued:
“The charity has attended Howarth Timber corporate golf and cricket days, charity mountain climbs and a range of community events, in order to raise awareness of the charity and add to our fundraising coffers.

“But it’s fantastic that in the year that the group is celebrating its 175th anniversary, it has developed this product. We can’t thank them enough!”

You can buy a Caudwell Children wheelbarrow in store or online.

You can find out more about Caudwell Children at: www.caudwellchildren.com

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Sunday, 30 August 2015

Bonhams Offer 600+ Horsepower Porsche 908/03 Turbo

A 1970 Porsche 908/03 – factory converted to turbocharging in 1974 – with World Championship for Makes racing provenance will be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, estimated at £2,200,000-2,500,000.

One of the most renowned of all World Championship endurance racing Porsche sport-prototypes, this 908/03 began life as one of the legendary Gulf-JW Automotive racing team's quasi-works entries for the 1970 Targa Florio and Nürburgring 1,000Km races, co-driven respectively by Richard Attwood/Björn Waldegård and Pedro Rodriguez/Leo Kinnunen.

1970 Targa Florio, Sicily, Richard Attwood & Bjorn Waldegard, 5th overall

Chassis '11' finished 5th in the great Sicilian Targa Florio, and qualified 2nd fastest on the German Nürburgring circuit. Later sold and converted by Porsche into a 908/03 Turbo for the 1975 Martini Racing programme, chassis '11' then finished 3rd at Mugello, Italy, co-driven by Gijs van Lennep/Herbert Müller, and once again raced in the Nürburgring 1,000kms (co-driven by Kinnunen/Müller), before winning the Mainz-Finthen InterSerie race. It was later raced by Jürgen Neuhaus, Jürgen Barth, Axel Plankenhorn and Dr. Sigi Brun.

Fitted with a 660bhp twin-turbo 2146cc flat-6 cylinder engine, the car most recently finished 2nd at Ricard-Castellet in 2013, and is eligible for the Le Mans Classique, Proto Seventies and Pre-1980 endurance series events. It is offered ‘on the button’ – ready to impress!

James Knight, Bonhams International Group Motoring Director, said:

“This Porsche 908/03 turbo has outstanding provenance, having been entered in nearly 30 races in-period, including the Le Mans 24-Hours, the Targa Florio, and the Monza and Nürburgring 1,000Kms. It’s now offered by Bonhams, in running order, with an estimate of £2,200,000-2,500,000.”

The super-light, super-compact 908/03 was absolutely the minimum car for the maximum engine (and driver), initially in 1970 with 3-litre flat-8-cylinder power for the twisty Targa Florio and Nürburgring courses – then for 1975 re-engined with the 2.1-litre turbocharged flat-6 to excel on circuits of all kinds, worldwide. This example’s entry for public auction provides a rare and important opportunity.

The Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale takes place on 12 September at Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, West Sussex.

For more information visit: www.bonhams.com

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Saturday, 29 August 2015

Specialist Contractors Prop Up Cash Strapped Contractors

StreetwiseSubbie managing director, Barry Ashmore

Subbies continue to finance the multi-million pound players resulting in Specialist Contractors propping up the UK’s cash strapped construction industry and financing growth by acting as trade creditors to the large main contractors.

According to StreetwiseSubbie, a professional services organisation founded to support and advise Specialist Contractors, the financial landscape for UK subbies remains bleak. Not because of lack of work, but because certain main contractors find every way possible to delay payments, and pay less than is owed, simply to free up their own cash flow.

Explains Barry Ashmore, co-founder of StreetwiseSubbie and former electrical contractor turned professional construction law expert:

“By paying less than is owed and withholding payment for up to 120 days in some cases, some of the UK construction industry’s main contractors are using the money they owe subcontractors to finance their own business growth – it’s just plain wrong.

“Not only is this practice unfair and unjust, it is destroying the heart of the industry and literally biting off the hand that feeds it! As a direct result of late and withheld payments, six construction firms are going bust every day*. That is scandalous and the pathetic attempts to fix the problem such as the Construction Leadership Council’s voluntary agreement where signatories agree to pay all suppliers within 30 days from 2018 amounts to putting a sticking plaster on a gaping wound.”

Continues Ashmore:
“Specialist Contractors are consistently told: “accept our onerous terms or you don’t get the work”. Accept crippling payment terms or lose out on the business? That’s what I call a real rock and hard place. Our subbies have nowhere else to go and no other choice but accede; it’s a disgrace.”

“The evidence is clear and it’s not just the team here at StreetwiseSubbie that is concerned. BIS Research Paper Number 118 ‘ Trade Credit to the UK Construction Industry: An Empirical Analysis of Construction Contractor Financial Positioning and Performance’ from July 2013 stated as one of its conclusions: “Tier 1 firms (main contractors) were found to be net receivers of trade credit, whereas Tier 2 firms (subcontractors) were found to be large net providers of trade credit. In other words, it is highly likely that trade credit flow from Tier 2 to Tier 1 contractors substantially exceeds in size the trade credit flow from suppliers outside the construction industry to Tier 2 contractors,” adds Ashmore.

“Furthermore, in the last few days, the SME Confidence Tracker Report from Bibby Financial Services revealed that the number of SMEs suffering from late payment rose by nine percentage points in the second quarter of 2015 against the same period in 2014. As a result, 51 per cent of SMEs are waiting more than 30 days for payment. And, guess what? The construction industry remains the worst culprit with 55 per cent of smaller firms waiting over 30 days to be paid, up 11 percentage points against the same period last year.”

Concludes Ashmore:
“We’re going backwards in this country and the government and so called industry leaders know what is going on but either don’t care, or are too mired in self-interest to do anything about it. Talking about “working towards” paying in 30 days by 2018 is an insult which is exposed by the following clause taken from a standard sub-contract form in widespread use in 1971:

“The first payment shall be due no later than one month after the date of commencement of the sub-contract works or if so agreed of off-site works related thereto and further interim payments shall be due at intervals not exceeding one month calculate from the date of the first interim payment. Interim payments shall be made not later than 14 days after the date they become due.”**

“If we could agree to pay within 14 days 44 years ago, why can’t we pay within 30 days today? Take the Specialist Contractor’s money out of the UK construction industry and it would be on its knees within a matter of days. Fact.”

Sources:
* Office of National Statistics’ figures; in the 12 months ending Q4 2014, the highest number of liquidations was in the construction sector at 2,317, with 578 compulsory liquidations and 1,739 creditors’ voluntary liquidations.

** Form published by BEC Publications – 1971edition, revised July 1978. Form approved by: The Building Employers Confederation, The Federation of Associations of Specialists and Sub-Contractors and The Committee of Associations of Specialist Engineering Contractors.

About StreetwiseSubbie
StreetwiseSubbie provides a complete package of contractual, commercial, sales and marketing support services to specialist contractors on a nationwide basis, which are available in various grades of membership. www.streetwisesubbie.com

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Friday, 28 August 2015

Adams Rite Secures Jack Aluminium Anti Panic Doorset

Adams Rite, part of ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, has worked with Jack Aluminium Systems to produce a new thermally efficient anti panic single doorset, which meets the UK security standard PAS24.

The TD68 anti panic doorset incorporates the innovative Sentinel M 3 point anti-panic lock with a 3 star security cylinder, offering three points of trusted locking, whilst still allowing for quick and easy egress due to its unique orbital latch design.

The doorset has been successfully tested to PAS24, providing the benchmarks to show the doorset has the capability to withstand a number of attacks and is suitable for use in public buildings, such as educational establishments.

Jeff Pearson, Sales Director at Jack Aluminium Systems Ltd, said:

“Adams Rite provided us with a quality product and offered us useful advice throughout the development of the TD68 anti panic doorset.

“Some opportunists have been known to gain unauthorised access to buildings from the outside by using string to operate panic bars. The TD68 anti panic door has a device at the top and the bottom of the doorset to prevent this.

“In addition, the door provides end users with the peace of mind that when they shut the door it will automatically latch, while anyone trapped on the inside in the case of an emergency will be able to exit the building with ease. We have recently installed TD68 anti panic doorsets in a number of education establishments.”

Tim Almond, Commercial Manager at ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, said:

“We have been working with Jack Aluminium for three years and are pleased that we have been able to offer them the support they needed to launch the TD68 anti panic door.

“The doorset is proven to have low rate of heat loss through the material, ensuring the door is energy efficient in keeping with the Building Regulations relating to the Conservation of Fuel and Power.”

www.assaabloy.co.uk

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Thursday, 27 August 2015

Castel’s IP Intercom Solution Helps Secure London Underground Maintenance Depots

Castel has supplied an IP intercom solution that will help protect assets
at London Underground maintenance depots

London Underground has embarked on a major security upgrade at its London maintenance depots. The facilities available at the busy sites include general maintenance, train-cleaning and driver rest areas. A large number of employees, suppliers and other visitors pass through LU’s various depots on a daily basis.

Working alongside Honeywell Security, Castel has supplied an IP intercom solution that will help protect the sites from the theft of high-value plant and equipment and the ever-increasing problem of metal and cable theft.

The previous intercom system was made up of numerous disparate technologies and obsolete equipment and would have been too expensive to upgrade or repair. As a result, the decision was taken by Transport for London to invest in a totally new IP intercom system, together with a new Honeywell surveillance and access control system.

A dedicated site-wide network was installed for 35 of Castel’s CAP IP PoE (Power over Ethernet) Video Entry Stations, which have been used for the gates, vehicle barriers and turnstiles. All calls are networked back to a single central point locally – either a gatehouse or security control room. However, if a call goes unanswered, the next available operator at another depot will be able to receive and deal with it – another great advantage of using an IP/SIP network solution. This feature helped reassure London Underground that no calls would go unanswered, particularly as round-the-clock access to the sites is critical.

Operators using Castel’s Xellip IP Master Stations now have the ability for simultaneous video communication with other colleagues across all sites, thereby enhancing overall security and generally improving working conditions by using the latest technology on the market. Castel’s Xellip Server Max was also used on the project, which allows up to 1,000 SIP extensions and provides plenty of capacity for expansion to the system in the future.

The new intercom system will not only prevent unwanted visitors from accessing the sites, some of which cover a very large area and have many entrance and exit points, but it will also safeguard staff working there and give them easier access.

Castel’s Sales Director, Stuart Hibberd, commenting on the installation, said:

“This project yet again demonstrates Castel’s ability to provide an IP video intercom solution in a very demanding environment where there is a great deal of traffic and valuable assets. Castel’s range of IP products provides complete interoperability and scalability, which means that future depots can be added to the system – something we knew we could deliver for the client if required at a later date.”

For more information visit www.castel.co.uk

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Wednesday, 26 August 2015

UK lockmakers meet the lock attack challenge

UK police are continuing to warn householders about the vulnerability of domestic entrance door locks which burglars can defeat in seconds in order to break in.

They are advising householders to have their locks inspected professionally, especially those found on front and back doors made from PVC-u and composite materials, which form a high proportion of domestic entrance doors in the UK.

The Door & Hardware Federation, which represents the UK’s leading manufacturers of locks and door hardware, is advising locksmiths and security professionals that householders are becoming increasingly aware of cylinder snapping.

The method exploits a weakness in the Eurocylinder which is typically used in locks found in PVC-u and composite doors. Manufacturers have met the challenge and now offer locksmiths a wide range of lock cylinders and door handles which provide enhanced resistance against cylinder snapping and other forms of lock attack.

Michael Skelding, general manager and secretary of the Door & Hardware Federation said:

“According to West Yorkshire police, cylinder snapping is used in 20 to 25% of all burglaries in their region. Police forces in other areas of the country are warning householders that their homes could be at risk from this form of attack.

“It is estimated there are 45 million residential entrance doors in the UK. Almost 70 per cent of these have a Eurocylinder at the heart of the lock and so are vulnerable to snapping and other methods of lock attack which have been revealed extensively on the internet.

“In response, the DHF - on behalf of the UK lock industry - has worked with BSI, Secured by Design and other industry organisations to develop standards for uprated lock cylinders and door handles and to ensure there is ready availability of these products.”

Locksmiths and security professionals should look for either the TS 007 Kitemark or the PAS 3621 Kitemark specification to ensure resistance against lock snapping. If the complete door assembly has been certified to PAS 24 specification, then the cylinder will already be secure against snapping and other forms of lock attack and the cylinder will not need changing.

The TS 007 standard uses star ratings and is subject to certification by the BSI Kitemark. TS 007 is a three star solution. Security to the TS 007 standard can be achieved by either a combination of a cylinder (marked with one star) and security door furniture such as a strengthened door handle (marked with two stars); or a “super cylinder” (marked with three stars) that successfully resists snap attack without the need to fit a strengthened door handle. In both cases, the same degree of resistance against attack is provided.

The PAS 3621 specification is designed specifically for entrance doors which have multipoint lock mechanisms and is also subject to certification by the BSI Kitemark. On doors which can only be locked from the outside, the equivalent lock specification is PAS 8621. A multipoint lock tested to PAS 3621 and PAS 8621 will guard against lock snapping and other methods of lock attack.

For more information on TS 007 and PAS 3621 visit www.dhfonline.org.uk .

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Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Teenager seriously injured in powered gate incident

The Door and Hardware Federation have been informed of a recent incident that caused serious injury to a teenager when a powered gate fell on them. The relevant authorities have been informed and are looking into the incident.

The report received by the DHF, revealed that the gate was at a location where people are employed and hence the owner would be required to keep the gate in a safe condition by regulation 5 the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations.

If reports are accurate it would appear that a DHF Powered Gate Group member company had informed the owner that the gate was unsafe and refused to repair the gate unless they could also address the safety issues, in line with DHF guidelines and as required by section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It now transpires that the gate may have subsequently been repaired by another company who did not address the safety issues, resulting in yet another serious powered gate injury.

The DHF Powered Gate Group would like to remind anyone who works on powered gates that it is an offence under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to do any work on a powered gate that does not result in a safe gate.

In addition, owners of powered gates that are either at rented property or at workplaces also have equal responsibilities under the 1974 Act as well as the responsibilities imposed at workplaces by the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations.

In all cases a safe gate is one where all crush, impact, shear, draw-in, structural and electrical hazards have been addressed by applying reasonable and practicable control measures, as a standard (BS EN 12453) has been available on the subject since 2001, its contents form the state of the art for the industry and hence what is reasonable and practicable to achieve.

Resistance to safety upgrades by owners of existing powered gates is now the biggest problem being faced by DHF members, this is resulting in an increasing number of less responsible companies taking on and executing works illegally. This growing and intolerable situation cannot be allowed to continue and the DHF is appealing to all local authorities and central government to clamp down on illegal activity in the powered gate industry and for anyone who works on powered gates to get comprehensive and accurate training. The DHF Powered Gate Group Powered Gate Safety Diploma is open to members and non-members alike and can be accessed by calling the DHF office on 01827 52 337 or emailing info@dhfonline.org.uk.

This and many other gate safety related issues will be promoted during Gate Safety Week which runs from 12th to 18th October. More details can be accessed the Gate Safety Week web site at gatesafetyweek.org.uk .

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Monday, 24 August 2015

Union Secures Student Accomodation

UNION, part of ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, the global leader in door opening solutions has supplied products to student accommodation for the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).

Madeira Road halls of residence opened in 2014 and are conveniently situated near the town centre and beach. The modern building provides accommodation for 378 students and complies with the ANUK National Code for student accommodation, which maintains professional benchmark standards for student developments.

The residences were fitted throughout with UNION’s Optimus3 72mm lockcases, providing reliable access to the students’ flats and rooms.

The Optimus3 range is tested as suitable for high frequency use, making it the ideal choice for the heavy demands of student accommodation.
Specifying the correct duty of products will reduce maintenance costs throughout the lifecycle of the building and in this particular case keeps disruption to students to a minimum.

Sean Morrin from Dorset AI, said:

“Recently students at AUB took part in a burglary awareness week, called ‘Who’s Locked Up’, highlighting just how important security is to the university. So it was vital that we worked with a trusted manufacturer who has extensive experience with the education sector to secure the project.”

Colston Hendy, Regional Sales Manager for ASSA ABLOY UK, said:

“We develop our products with the installer in mind, the Optimus3 latch is easily reversible, which simplifies the installation process, while its profiled shape enables smooth operation.

“The spindle-gripping feature further enhances its performance by reducing the potential to rattle, which is beneficial in student accommodation where it is likely to endure heavy use by multiple students.”

Optimus3 has a uniform footprint throughout the entire range, the lockcases also feature a two-piece forend that can be easily removed when doors are being painted or repaired, saving time and costs on routine maintenance work.

Fully tested to BS EN 12209 and CE Marked, the Optimus3 range from UNION has been assessed by Certifire for use on 30 and 60-minute fire doors. The escape lock, supplied with a split spindle is tested to EN179, making it suitable for use on emergency escape route doors when used with the 1000 series return to door lever furniture.

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Sunday, 23 August 2015

This Aston Martin could be yours

The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF) is selling raffle tickets to win a brand new Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster to raise funds to support serving and retired Royal Marines through life.

Tickets, which are priced at £10, are on sale online at www.rmctf.org.uk/raffle or at the Bournemouth Air Festival this weekend, where the car will be making a final appearance. The closing date is Friday 4th September 2015 and the winner will be revealed on 11th September.

The lucky winner of the vehicle will have to make a tough decision – to keep the car, which has a street value of more than £90,000, or accept £75,000 in cash.

The Aston Martin was donated by entrepreneur, philanthropist and RMCTF trustee David Weil. His intention was that the RMCTF raise at least double the car’s value.

Richard Kenworthy, Head of Fundraising and Marketing for the RMCTF said:

“We have been given this brand new Aston Martin with the challenge of making more funds than the value of the car available for the Royal Marines family.

“A minimum of £9 from every £10 ticket bought will come directly to the RMCTF. So in buying tickets for this draw you are in effect donating at least £9 to the RMCTF with the added chance that you may also become the proud owner of this fantastic vehicle.”

About The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund

The RMCTF is the overarching Royal Marines charity and money raised can be used for very wide purposes, probably the widest of any service charity. We are here to provide a better quality of life to serving and retired Royal Marines and their families. The RMCTF is a proud part of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity rnrmc.org and works closely with The C Group, inspiring business to support Royal Marines in need.

For more information, visit rmctf.org.uk

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Saturday, 22 August 2015

Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw building success through the apprenticeship programme

Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw recently held two apprenticeship open days at its head office in Nottingham in the hope of recruiting twenty new apprentices. The open days were a real success and attracted a large number of individuals between 16 and 19 years old who wanted to develop their skills within a large, progressive manufacturing firm.

The apprenticeships were offered across a wide range of departments within the business such as joinery, wood machinery, engineering and administration. The new production apprentices will spend the first 2 years moving between five departments within the factory. In the third year they can opt to change direction to a one year office/supervisory training programme where they can develop skills appropriate for a career within an office environment.

Both open days involved taking the potential apprentices on a journey of understanding the story behind the doorset including a tour of the manufacturing base. The young people were also given an opportunity to speak with many previous apprentices and employees to gain an insight into the business. Also in attendance was local Amber Valley MP Nigel Mills to offer his support to the apprentice programme and the development of local opportunities for young people.

Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw’s Stephen Hutsby, previous apprentice and currently head of marketing and product development commented:

“Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw has a long record of bringing apprentices into the business. There are still people here like myself who were apprentices 30 years ago and have had happy and successful careers with the company. This is a great opportunity for young people in the East Midlands to join a large progressive manufacturing firm that places great importance on continuous training and development and it demonstrates Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw’s commitment to helping to address the skills shortage within the industry.”

For more information, please contact Jenna Halford at Leaderflush Shapland Laidlaw on 01623 413940

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Friday, 21 August 2015

Alpro on the Doors in Bournemouth

Transom door closers and pull handles from Alpro Architectural Hardware have been installed at Leyton Mount, a five-storey mixed use building in Bournemouth.

The site is a crescent-shaped development with 62 dwellings and a projecting lower ground floor with commercial space and a café. The development is one of a planned programme of 17 major regeneration initiatives in the town.

The Alpro transom closers are being installed on doors manufactured by Poole-based Abbey Southern.
The closers are a means of hydraulically controlling the opening and closing of aluminium doors. Builders and glaziers benefit from the ability to adjust the latching and closing force created by the hydraulic valve according to the weight and height of individual doors as well as type of usage. Precise adjustment of closing force is vital at a site such as Leyton Mount which has a varied user base.

Transom closers are contained within the transom header bar of a door. They are therefore well suited to use at premium developments such as Leyton Mount where the design by architect Terence O’Rourke must not be compromised. Aesthetic concerns are also apparent in the specification of Alpro Impressionist 304-grade stainless steel pull door handles which have been used extensively across the complex.

Civils have been performed by residential construction and social housing specialists Lovell who excel in sustainable working methods. The building will accelerate regeneration of the Horseshoe Common area of Bournemouth. Funding includes a £5m grant from the Homes and Communities Agency’s ‘Get Britain Building’ loan and equity fund to housebuilders.

Keith Parry, Sales Director at Alpro, said:

“Our transom closers are designed for durability and have been tested independently at 250,000 double-action cycles. Many of our products are made of aluminium or, as in the case of the closers and pull door handles at Leyton Mount, are designed to be used on aluminium doors.”

He continued: “Aluminium is a metal that is easily and endlessly recycled without quality loss and often within six weeks, a practice that is in accord with the sustainable building practices used throughout the Leyton Mount project. It’s gratifying that the carbon footprint of the project has been optimized in many ways. This is a brownfield site and Dorset-based suppliers like ourselves have been used wherever possible.”

Abbey Southern fabricates aluminium and uPVC doors, windows and curtain walling. The company serves end-users predominantly from the educational and housing association sectors. Abbey Southern supports a client base of approximately 150 independent window companies and installers. Founded by Abbas Mazrae, it operates throughout southern England and into the Midlands.

Alpro Architectural Hardware
T: 01202 676262
E: joanneb@alpro.co.uk
W: www.alpro.co.uk

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Thursday, 20 August 2015

Green Gate Access Systems appointed by Estuary Housing Association to manage automated gate safety

Green Gate Access Systems have been appointed by Estuary Housing Association to manage the safety and maintenance of their automated gates.

The not-for-profit organisation provides affordable housing and services to residents across the South East of England and currently owns and manages more than 4000 properties. At the forefront of gate safety, Estuary Housing Association has made gate safety and maintenance a priority. Despite only seven developments currently benefiting from automated security gates, every future development they commission will have them.

Following a number of well documented accidents relating to automated gates over the past few years, landlords and managing agents must now ensure that gates, barriers and doors meet with the essential health and safety requirements and supply of machinery safety regulations, with all gates declared safe, well-maintained and force-tested, with an up to date technical file and declaration of CE conformity.

“When the safety of residents, families and children is at stake, often gates play a massive part in ensuring premises are secure. What a terrible irony therefore, that in the region of two thirds of all automated gates in the UK, pose a massive risk to the people they are there to protect.” said Neil Sampson, Managing Director of Green Gate Access Systems.

“As a DHF safety assured company, all our service engineers have passed their safety training and are fully qualified in risk assessing gates for all of our clients. At Estuary Housing Association, all gates at their sites are safe, force tested and they can rest assured that they are going to be quarterly serviced and managed for breakdowns and repairs.”

Andrew Holley of Estuary Housing Association said:

“We appointed Green Gate Access Systems in June of this year, to undertake the risk assessments, repairs and service for our automated gates.”

“The biggest issue with automated doors and gates – as we know – is that a few years ago, people got hurt by them. We are very keen that the safety systems work as well as they possibly can and Neil and the Green Gate team are on board to ensure this is so. We are extremely happy with the service they have provided so far and look forward to a long and lasting relationship with Green Gate Access Systems.”

For further information on Green Gate Access Systems please visit www.greengateaccess.co.uk or call 08456 800269

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Wednesday, 19 August 2015

New App Set to Improve Automated Gate Safety Across the UK

A new app has hit digital shelves that allows users to quickly and efficiently perform safety risk assessments on automated gates.

The ‘Automated Gate Safety Matrix App’ is the product of Gate-A-Mation, one of the UK’s leading gate automation companies, and works by asking over thirty multiple choice questions to assess risk factors. These cover everything from location and type of use, to technical details such as opening width, manual override status and operator force.

The app then instantly provides an assessment score that is broken down into two sections - risk and safety – and highlights areas of concern that need addressing or require remedial work. These results can then be emailed out as a PDF.

The app was originally developed for use by Gate-A-Mation’s own engineers.

However, as Alan Smith, the company’s General Manager explains, its wider potential quickly became clear:

“The app has replaced our old spreadsheet system and covers most if not all aspects of gate design & safety, nothing is left out,” he says. “It has vastly improved the detail, consistency and speed of our safety risk assessments, so we have released it onto the market as it can be of huge benefit to anyone involved with powered gate safety. This includes installers and maintainers, but also owners, facilities managers, electricians, fencing contractors, property developers, estate management companies and health & safety advisors.”

The need for better gate safety is certainly a pressing one, with HSE figures showing numerous adults and children have been tragically affected by automated gates. The Door and Hardware Federation estimates that, of the 500,000 automated gates in the UK, less than 30% are safe to use.

The app will also help those responsible for gates to comply with the host of supply, maintenance and inspection guidelines that govern their installation and use. These include the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, which requires gates to comply with certain health & safety requirements.

Version 2 of the app can be downloaded for free until the end of 2015 via the Google Play store, with an IOS verion set to follow soon.

For more information on the Automated Gate Safety Matrix App please contact John Daprano on 01483 747373 or email john@gate-a-mation.com.

www.gate-a-mation.com

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Tuesday, 18 August 2015

New funding will help to secure future of Locksmithing Industry

Former apprentice Locksmith Harry McGinley,
aged 19 who works for MLA-approved company
Newark & Sherwood Locksmiths Limited.

AN apprenticeship scheme to encourage more young people to go into locksmithing and safeguard the industry’s future has received a major boost, thanks to funding from the world’s biggest supplier of locks and security solutions.

ASSA ABLOY has joined forces with the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) and Skills for Security – the skills body for the security industry - to support an apprenticeship scheme, with the aim of securing the future of the industry and ensuring locksmithing is seen as a potential career.

Building on the significant funding already provided by the MLA to generate the apprenticeship framework, this funding from the global leader in door opening solutions will be used to sponsor the qualifications and work of Skills for Security assessors, who will monitor the technical progress of apprentices.

The funding will be used to train new assessors to meet the increasing demands for the qualification and to support the cost of delivering assessments.

The locksmith apprenticeship was set up in January 2014 with a view to generating the first nationally recognised qualification for the locksmith sector, as well as securing its future by encouraging more young people to consider locksmithing as a profession.

This will be an open apprenticeship, meaning that the new locksmiths undertaking the apprenticeship, which lasts a minimum of 12 months, can be working for any locksmith employer, whether they are members of the MLA or use ASSA ABLOY products or not. It’s a scheme generated by the industry, for the industry as a whole.

Dr Steffan George, development director of the MLA, the UK’s leading trade association for the profession, said:

“We felt there was a need to have a formal apprenticeship scheme, where Government funding can be used to give quality training to people joining the industry.

“The industry is not regulated so anyone can trade as a locksmith regardless of competence, motives or background, and we want to try to combat the “get-rich-quick” type of marketing used by some locksmith training providers, while also trying to make locksmithing a ‘proper job’.

“The apprenticeship scheme should protect the future of the industry and encourage people to see it as a legitimate, long-term profession. It will raise levels and standards within the industry, which will, in turn, help the general public.”

Derek Jones, national employer engagement manager from Skills For Security, said:

“We see partnership between Skills for Security, The MLA and ASSA ABLOY as the best way to deliver the Locksmith Apprenticeship scheme.

“The skill and knowledge in the MLA, along with their training facility, is the best in the UK and we have been delighted to work alongside them to develop this qualification.

“By working together we can encourage more locksmith apprenticeships. It is a trade that requires young people to engage in and develop the skills to keep it established and progress with the times.”

Paul Browne, business development director from ASSA ABLOY UK, said:

“We are pleased to be working in conjunction with the MLA to support and sponsor its apprenticeship scheme. Professionalism of the locksmith industry, as well as development of skills among the next generation of locksmiths is crucial to both its survival and future growth.

“The apprenticeship scheme is not only designed to address any skills gaps within the industry and encourage the next generation of locksmiths to explore opportunities within the sector, but also to reflect the status and professionalism of locksmithing as a career.”

For further information on the MLA please visit www.locksmiths.co.uk or on ASSA ABLOY visit www.assaabloy.co.uk

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