Climate Change is with Us - Envirograf

This year has shown that climate change is no longer a future concern, with England experiencing an almost unprecedented heatwave in 2026, that is likely to surpass the record high temperatures set just a year earlier in 2025. 

As periods of extreme heat become more frequent, architects, specifiers and building owners are increasingly looking for products that can protect buildings from high temperatures, whilst maintaining fire safety, durability and comfort.

Good Ventilation Can Come at a Price

With temperatures this summer often reaching in excess of 35°C, the UK Government has highlighted the importance of ventilation during periods of extreme heat. However, opening windows and doors can allow all manner of insects into buildings – such as flies, wasps and mosquitoes; plus non-native venomous spiders such as the False Widow. 

Indeed, the UK Health Security Agency has warned of the risk that insect and spider bites pose, particularly in relation to occupants of hospitals and care homes, as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly and infants.

Innovation to Combat Climate Change

Envirograf® has considerable expertise in producing fireproof ventilation grilles, so naturally saw an opportunity to integrate a new insect defence screen into their latest patent pending TaktaVent range of grilles produced with combatting the effects of climate change in mind. 

The new TaktaVent grilles are available in a variety of configurations and are designed to fit traditional, modern, transom and casement windows. They make excellent direct replacements for smaller top opening windows, but can be installed into many existing windows by cutting and resizing the glass as necessary. The grilles are suitable for uPVC, metal and timber windows. 

They provide adjustable ventilation ranging from fully open to completely closed, plus have an internal intumescent material which will expand when exposed to flame providing up to 65 minutes fire integrity, causing the grille to seal without the need for any human intervention, preventing the spread of fire and dangerous fumes. Insect mesh is also integral to the grille – keeping unwanted, potentially disease spreading, bugs out.

The Energy Efficient Solution

Unlike fans or environmentally unfriendly air-conditioning units, TaktaVents require no electricity, resulting in reduced energy output at a time of ever-increasing energy prices. Externally, the grilles feature ventilation slots to allow air to flow through, with subtly installed insect-mesh and intumescent material inside. 

Internally, a small control handle allows air flow to be adjusted as required. The TaktaVent grilles for metal and wooden windows externally feature a large open square pattern, whilst the grilles for plastic windows feature a smaller flower pattern aesthetic.

Four Decades of Expertise and Product Development

Envirograf boasts over 40 years of experience in passive fire technologies, a specialist niche sector within the wider fire safety industry that is often more focused on reactive fire-retardant measures, such as fire extinguishers and fire alarms. 

Established in 1983 by Managing Director Derek Ward, Envirograf employs over 120 people in Kent at its Barfrestone HQ, where Derek still plays an active role in the business, continuing to personally develop new products (even having recently turned 94). 

Envirograf's technical experts based at the company's Kent headquarters, which is still the primary manufacturing base, are always happy to answer any questions and regularly arrange educational training sessions.

Extensive High-Quality British Manufactured Product Range

Envirograf's British manufactured range is one of the most extensive in the passive fire protection sector, with over 150 variations including fire-resistant grilles, barriers, fire door systems, intumescent coatings, sealants and specialist fire prevention solutions. 

Products are regularly fire tested at accredited testing facilities, with innovative new products being systematically developed to meet ever changing regulatory requirements. Operating under an ISO 9001-accredited quality management system, door manufacturers, specifiers and glaziers can be confident in seamless product integration, performance and quality when it counts the most.

Envirograf – The Glaziers One Stop Fire Protection Shop

With over 150 specialist passive fire protection products, combined with their track record of over 40 years of proven British excellence, innovation, expertise and manufacturing, Envirograf is a one stop fire protection shop for the glazing, door and installation sector. Contact Envirograf by email at sales@envirograf.com or call 01304 842 555 to talk to one of their fire safety experts today.

www.envirograf.com

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Section 35: An Opportunity for Excellence

As the call for demonstrable competency continues, Nicola John, Managing Director of Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) Training and Development, discusses what this means for the fire door industry, how we must stop working in silos and how, with Section 35 of the Building Safety Act, the government is offering us all an opportunity to rise to excellence.

The Building Safety Act (BSA) has raised the bar on competency and operational and professional standards; yet much confusion around what this looks like in practice continues throughout the industry.

Safer Environments Through Shared Commitment

Eight years after Dame Judith Hackitt’s pioneering report and amid the ongoing implementation of the BSA, the construction sector stands at a key moment of opportunity, as many professionals have yet to fully understand how the BSA shapes their responsibilities. 85% of respondents in a recent Constructionline survey revealed that many industry professionals misunderstand the legislation. This current ambiguity offers an opportunity to promote better understanding and encourage shared accountability across the industry.

The fact is, everyone involved in a building project has an essential role to play in upholding compliance and safety. Regulators also now have new means to sustain these standards, signalling a shift from simply meeting minimum requirements to embracing a culture of proactive safety leadership. By embedding safety as a core value, businesses can transform operations in ways that help protect people and improve reputations.

Together, the construction sector can turn this moment into lasting progress, building safer environments through shared values and innovation.

Building Industry Values

Much of the lack of clarity and current confusion around the BSA comes from the fact that it doesn’t provide prescriptive, step-by-step instructions and instead offers a goal-setting framework. And while this approach may allow for uncertainty, we need to view it as an invitation.

Rather than waiting for a regulator to hand us a checklist, we have the opportunity to help write the rules. Rather than rigid guidelines stifling innovation, we can help create the standards as experts and professionals in the industry. Section 35 asks us to think about buildings as complex, interconnected systems rather than a series of isolated trades and insists that our buildings are safe and that we can prove it.

Dame Judith Hackitt referenced other high-risk sectors as the model to follow. In oil and gas, it was industry that led the charge, not government. ‘They sorted themselves out and then went back to government,’ she said. ‘That's how systemic change happens.’ The construction and fire safety sectors should learn from the post-Piper Alpha reforms and adapt those principles to the sector’s fragmentation and existing building regulation regimes.

This is our chance to build a commercial environment where quality wins contracts, making competency a distinct competitive advantage.

Untangling the Thread

For fire doors, this requires provable competence and confidence around specification, installation, and maintenance. Not only installers, everyone involved in the lifecycle of a fire door holds a piece of the puzzle, and competency must start at the very beginning.

The BSA requires a ‘golden thread’ of digital information, which creates an accurate, up-to-date, and secure record of a building’s safety data across its entire lifecycle. With fire doors, the building owner needs to know exactly what the door is, who installed it, what components it uses, and how to maintain it. Unfortunately, the golden thread is currently tangled, as the market remains fragmented and disconnected. This working in silos was part of Dame Judith Hackitt's criticism of the pre-Grenfell construction landscape, and it must change to allow the golden thread of information to become the brilliant safety concept it was intended to be.

Creating a Legacy of Safety

To achieve industry excellence, we must stop operating in silos. Manufacturers, specifiers, and installers should work together in a way that proves competence, helping ensure that everyone who walks onto a site knows exactly who’s accountable and can trust they have the necessary skills to do the job right. If we take the lead with this now, we’ll help to shape the future of our sector and start building a legacy of genuine safety.

Individuals and organisations now have a duty to demonstrate competence across the construction supply chain. This means having the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours needed for the role, and organisations must ensure their teams have the right support, capacity, skills and resources to meet the requirements of the BSA.

For the fire door industry, demonstrable competence is required from everyone involved in the lifecycle of the door, from specifiers and buyers to installers and responsible persons. The British Standards Institution (BSI) has a defined framework to outline what competency looks like through its four core pillars of skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours (SKEBs), demonstrating how each can be evidenced in practice. However, published in February this year, the Government’s Construction Products Reform Whitepaper stated there’s still a widespread lack of competence across the supply chain from product design through to installation, highlighting a continued lack of clarity around what competency actually means.

Demonstrable Competence is Key

For fire door installers, maintainers and responsible persons, competency must come from practical, hands-on learning and assessments, along with vital up-to-date theory. While installation qualifications can be gained from online or exclusively classroom-based courses with no product-handling element at all, let alone the real-world experience of installing or inspecting a fire door in actual site conditions, we need to ask: does this really deliver the competence the BSA demands?

Being competent to fit a life-saving piece of engineering simply can’t be achieved by clicking through a multiple-choice test on a tablet. A computer can’t teach a fitter or maintenance worker how to deal with a warped frame, an uneven floor, or a non-standard wall structure. Real competency requires practical proof, and those who deal with fire doors need to get their hands on the materials. They need to feel the tolerances, understand the hardware, and physically work with the systems they are signing off on. Unfortunately, theoretical knowledge doesn’t stop fires.

A Driver for Change

The continued call for demonstrable competency offers a powerful leadership opportunity for large contractors, who have the ability to steer substantial change and establish new standards for the entire supply chain. By advocating accredited practical training and regulated qualifications, industry leaders can establish a culture of safety in which every site requires provable expertise. As this new benchmark ripples throughout the sector, professionalism, quality and trust will be strengthened across the industry.

With Section 35 of the BSA, the government is giving us the space to help define what excellence looks like, and the industry needs to take on this task as true experts and thought leaders. We have an important chance as a collective to set standards high for the built environment of the future and an opportunity to rise to excellence.

www.allegion.com

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ROBUST UK REDEFINES EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR DESIGN FOR SPORT HALLS AND LEISURE FACILITIES

Robust UK, one of the UK's leading manufacturers of steel door solutions, launches its new fire exit door, ACTIV-DOR, suitable for use in sports halls, gymnasiums, leisure centres and multi-purpose recreational spaces.

In a move away from traditional emergency exits designed with box panels and resting ledges, ACTIV-DOR features a full-length rebound panel with a chamfered finish to deliver a more refined and contemporary appearance that enhances any sports facility. This innovative door also eliminates snagging points and minimises impact damage from collisions.

A key priority in this design is to create a completely flush finish across the entire doorset. This not only ensures compliance with Sport England’s requirements for doors that sit level with the internal wall surface, but also expands market offering for contemporary emergency exits for sport and leisure facilities.

ACTIV-DOR incorporates a 130mm-thick door leaf that sits flush within the frame and internal wall. Flush pull handles are also integrated level with the door surface, providing a seamless appearance and smooth closure free from protruding hardware. This reduces the risk of injury and damage during play, while maintaining the door’s contemporary look and providing easy cleaning and maintenance.

This sports hall fire exit is available in single and double configurations with options for over panels and side panels to accommodate larger openings. ACTIV-DOR is also fitted with an integrated panic touch bar fully compliant with BS EN 1125, allowing easy operation and quick exit in emergencies.

ACTIV-DOR is manufactured in the UK from heavy-duty Magnelis® steel to offer outstanding strength, corrosion resistance and impact durability. Its robust stainless-steel construction ensures long-term performance even under demanding and high-traffic conditions, providing lasting protection against wear, tear and vandalism.

Rob Mottram, Head of Product and Compliance at Robust UK, explains: "There may be options on the market for emergency exits, but very few offer high performance and excellent protection in a contemporary, sleek design. ACTIV-DOR represents an ideal solution for contractors when looking for compliant emergency exits for school sports halls and leisure centres that also need to adhere to project design requirements.”

For more information about ACTIV-DOR and other steel door solutions from Robust, visit www.robust-uk.com or contact Robust at sales@robust-uk.com or call 01782 592900.

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New technical guide supports compliant fire doorset specification

Specialist door manufacturer JELD-WEN has launched a new doorset technical specification guide to support the compliant specification of fire-safe internal and flat entrance doors.

Designed for architects, contractors and specifiers, the guide provides clear, practical direction on selecting doorsets in line with industry standards and regulations. In the wake of regulatory reform, including the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022, the accurate specification of fire doors, particularly flat entrance doors, has become increasingly critical.

As well as detailing fire resistance requirements, the guide provides a framework for meeting other key performance standards, including smoke and acoustic performance, security features and aesthetics, helping specifiers balance compliance with project design demands.

Tony Pell, Product Manager at JELD-WEN, explained: “This technical guide has been developed to give specifiers greater clarity and confidence when selecting fire doorsets across a wide range of sectors. It provides comprehensive details for the selection, installation and performance requirements, and serves as a reliable resource for achieving high-quality solutions.”

The launch of the guide also supports the industry’s focus on maintaining the golden thread of information throughout a building’s lifecycle by providing clear, accessible performance data to support informed specification decisions.

Tony added, “Responsibility for fire door performance spans the entire supply and installation chain. From design and specification through to installation and maintenance, competence and accurate information are essential at every stage. Providing clear technical guidance is one way we can help strengthen accountability across the supply chain.”

The new technical specification guide forms part of JELD-WEN’s wider commitment to improving clarity and accountability across the specification process. This includes the recent refresh of its SecureFIT and ReadyFIT ranges, designed to simplify product selection and help specifiers make confident, compliant decisions amidst complex regulatory requirements.

To read the latest doorset technical specification guide, visit: www.jeld-wen.co.uk/literature

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What is driving demand for modern front door designs?

Traditional composite doors continue to perform strongly, but homeowner tastes are evolving. Drew Pearson, sales director at Door-Stop explains why installers who understand the design trends shaping customer decisions will be better placed to offer advice and add value to every project.

A front door has always been one of the first things people notice about a house. Today it plays an even greater role in shaping first impressions and reflecting the overall character of a property.

Whether homeowners are renovating their entire property or simply looking to refresh their exterior doors, they are paying attention to how every element of their property works together. They are placing a greater emphasis on design and looking for products that reflect the style of their property

When choosing their front door, homeowners are now increasingly making style and colour decisions based on how it will look alongside other features in their home such as windows, brickwork, cladding, pathways and landscaping.

For installers, understanding these changing preferences is important. Offering a varied range that is supported by informed advice where needed, will help installers meet that demand.

Looking beyond the door itself

Homeowners are drawing inspiration from more places than ever before. Social media platforms, home improvement television programmes, design magazines, and property websites have made design ideas and trends more accessible. As a result, many homeowners are approaching front door replacement as part of a wider home improvement project, rather than just a like-for-like replacement.

These changing preferences are reflected across the wider construction products market. The recent Door and Window Fittings UK Market Report by Barbour ABI notes that today's mix of architectural styles requires products that are "adaptable and versatile". Homeowners are expecting more design choices that allow them to create an entrance which reflects the style and character of their property.

Traditional designs continue to have a strong place in the market, particularly for period properties, but demand for contemporary designs continues to grow as more homeowners look to create a clean, modern entrance that complements wider renovation and improvement projects.

What defines a modern front door?

Modern door designs utilise clean lines, flush finishes, symmetrical panel layouts, and ladder-style designs. These features all contribute to a simpler, more balanced appearance that suits both new build homes and modern renovation projects.

Glazing has followed the same direction. Rather than bold, decorative glazing patterns, many homeowners are choosing slim, geometric glazing that lets in natural light while maintaining privacy. This reflects the wider move towards minimalist design, with Barbour ABI’s report also noting that minimalist and slimline frames that maximise natural light continue to be in demand.

The same trend can be seen in colour choices too. Traditional favourites such as red, blue and green remain popular, but anthracite grey, black and Chartwell Green are increasingly being selected to match windows or provide a contrast to render and modern brickwork.

From fitting doors to giving advice

For installers, these conversations often extend beyond simply replacing a front door. Homeowners are looking for advice on styles, materials and glazing options that complement the property while meeting their practical requirements.

Manufacturers are responding with broader ranges of modern styles and configurable options. Door-Stop’s new Modern Collection is one example, bringing together eight contemporary door designs with a choice of glazing and hardware options, allowing installers to tailor each entrance to the property rather than steer homeowners towards a limited set of standard options.

The collection reflects the more contemporary designs many homeowners are looking for. Exclusive to the Modern Collection, the Modern 4 Square with Tahoe glazing and the Modern Mid Square with Aurora glass designs address the growing demand for doors that meet multiple homeowner needs.

Small details, lasting impressions

One of the biggest opportunities lies in helping customers appreciate how small design choices influence the finished result.

Door furniture has become more than a functional necessity. As Barbour ABI’s report shows, hardware has evolved into "a major design feature", making the finishing touches just as important as the door itself.

The growing choice of contemporary long bar, square, and bow handle, alongside more traditional handle styles, gives installers more flexibility when helping homeowners achieve the look they want. Matching the style of the hardware to the character of the property helps create a more cohesive appearance, while the choice of finish can complement other exterior features such as lighting.

While appearance is important, homeowners also expect secure and durable hardware, with high security products also being a key driver shaping today's market. For installers, that means specifying doors that combine contemporary styling with robust construction and high-quality hardware.

The opportunity for installers

Design trends will continue to evolve, just as they always have. Contemporary styles may be growing in popularity today, but homeowner expectations will continue to change as architecture, technology and lifestyles develop.

The installers best placed to meet changing homeowner expectations will be those who understand the trends shaping purchasing decisions, ask the right questions and recommend products that suit both the property and the customer's priorities.

Door-Stop's Modern Collection has been developed to reflect many of the design trends highlighted in this article, offering installers a wide choice of contemporary styles, colours, glazing options and hardware.

To find out more, visit www.door-stop.co.uk

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EM-B EXPANDS INTO CERTIFIED FIRE DOOR SETS

Architectural ironmonger and door specialist Em-B Solutions has expanded its product offering with the introduction of a new range of independently certified fire door sets.

Em-B has secured BM TRADA Q-Mark certification for its fire door set offering and will initially provide FD30 and FD60 timber fire door sets designed to meet the requirements of commercial, education, healthcare, residential and social housing projects.

The move enables Em-B to provide a more complete door solution, bringing together certified fire door sets, architectural ironmongery, access control and door automation under a single specification and supply partner.

Unlike many traditional door set suppliers, Em-B is positioning the new offering around the complete door set rather than the door leaf alone. The company believes that increasing regulatory scrutiny and a growing focus on building safety are driving demand for more coordinated approaches to door specification and compliance.

As part of the new service, architects and contractors can specify a wider range of hardware, finishes, access control systems and automation solutions than is often available through standard door set packages, helping maintain design intent while ensuring compatibility across the complete assembly.

The launch also reflects wider changes taking place within the fire door sector as the industry prepares for the transition from BS 476 fire testing towards the European BS EN 1634 and BS EN 13501 framework ahead of the 2029 deadline set out in Approved Document B.

Philip Goldberg, Managing Director of Em-B Solutions, said: "Fire doors are becoming increasingly complex from both a compliance and specification perspective. A certified door leaf is only one part of the picture. The frame, hardware, seals, access control and automation systems all need to work together as a tested and compatible assembly.

"Our decision to expand into certified fire door sets reflects the way projects are delivered in practice. Architects and contractors are looking for greater accountability, better coordination and more flexibility than many traditional supply models can offer. By combining certified door sets with our expertise in ironmongery, access control and door automation, we can provide a more complete solution while helping clients navigate an evolving regulatory landscape."

Em-B is also developing a Door Compliance and Assurance Framework designed to support customers with the specification of complete door sets, including hardware, access control and automation systems. The initiative is intended to provide greater assurance that all elements of the assembly have been considered as part of a coordinated specification.

The new fire door set range is available immediately and forms part of Em-B's wider strategy to provide integrated door solutions that combine performance, compliance and design flexibility.

Founded in 1966, Em-B Solutions is an award-winning architectural ironmonger and door specialist based in Leeds. The company works with architects, contractors and building owners across the UK, providing architectural ironmongery, access control, door automation and specialist door solutions for projects in the commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, heritage and residential sectors.

www.em-b.co.uk

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Delivering high-quality and durable ironmongery for a pioneering education project

The doors to Wednesfield Technology Primary School in Wolverhampton were opened to its first cohort of pupils in September 2024. HOPPE (UK) products were selected for the architectural ironmongery package...

They were specified and supplied by Mark Parry at Locks and Fittings, a family-run business based near the site and a long-term partner of HOPPE (UK). As a GAI-registered architectural ironmonger, Mark led the specification to ensure full compliance with British Standards and the particular needs of a primary school setting.

Commissioned by Shireland Multi Academy Trust and delivered by main contractor Tilbury Douglas, the 446-place school is designed to support a technology-led curriculum in a purpose-built environment.
It is situated on the site of the former Edward the Elder School, which was demolished in 2022 after 112 years, replacing a derelict building with a forward-thinking, low-carbon facility designed to Passivhaus standards.

To maximise fire safety and energy performance – aligning with the Trust’s ambition to reduce its carbon footprint across the region – the school was constructed using a Structural Insulated Panel System (SIPS) method.

Architectural ironmongery tailored to modern teaching environments

All ironmongery was packed door-by-door to streamline on-site installation and was supported by early sample provision to the door manufacturer, allowing precise machining of factory-prepared doorsets.

A range of HOPPE (UK) products were supplied across the school, each selected for durability, user safety and low-maintenance operation:

• Cam action door closers were used throughout classrooms and internal fire doors, offering ease of use for younger pupils while maintaining compliant closing forces.
• Grade 4 stainless steel lever handles provided high durability for a high-traffic environment, designed to withstand regular use and occasional misuse.
• Pull handles were chosen in extended lengths, ensuring accessibility for both children and adults.
• Heavy-duty projection and floor-mounted doorstops, including magnetic collapsible versions, were used to reduce damage from impact and tampering.

Specification to suit a school environment

The ironmongery specification was shaped by the practical demands of a primary school, where hardware must withstand frequent use, support safeguarding and remain straightforward for staff to manage.

Non-coin turn and release sets were fitted to toilet doors in line with the Department for Education requirement for schools to use a bathroom lock “that can be locked from the inside by turn or lever and can be released from outside by a non-coin slot key”. 

This allows authorised staff to gain emergency access using the appropriate release key while reducing the risk of misuse, tampering or improvised opening by pupils. This makes them particularly well suited to school environments, where privacy, supervision and safe intervention all need to be balanced.

Euro-profile escutcheons complemented the ironmongery with a clean, tamper-resistant finish.

Locks, sash locks and bathroom locks were supplied to the door manufacturer as mortice samples for precision cutting ahead of installation.

Intumescent packs were included to meet fire resistance requirements across all relevant doorsets.

Supporting sustainable education

While the ironmongery specification was not directly influenced by the building’s Passivhaus status, the selected HOPPE products aligned with the overall ethos of quality, longevity and reduced environmental impact through low maintenance and high durability.

Seamless delivery and local legacy

The ironmongery package was delivered over a six-month period from January 2024.

Despite typical late-stage variations such as additional doors and keying requirements, all components were supplied and scheduled efficiently, helping to ensure a smooth handover.

The project also carries personal significance for the delivery team. Both Mark Parry and colleagues from HOPPE (UK) had family connections to the former school on the site, adding a sense of pride to the successful delivery of a landmark facility for the Wednesfield community.

HOPPE (UK)’s involvement in the Wednesfield Technology Primary School showcases the brand’s ability to meet complex performance, safety and compliance requirements in demanding educational environments.

Through its trusted partnership with Locks and Fittings, HOPPE has once again delivered reliability to help support the next generation in a safe, secure and future-ready school.

www.hoppe.com

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First Impressions Start with the Finish

Kerb appeal is no longer created by the door alone. As homeowners become increasingly design-conscious, the hardware that completes an entrance has become an important part of the overall specification.

Handles, letterplates, numerals, knockers and accessories are no longer viewed simply as functional components. They are finishing details that help define the character of a property, creating a first impression that reflects the quality and style of the installation.

For fabricators and installers, this shift presents an opportunity. Rather than treating hardware as the final selection before installation, bringing the conversation forward can help customers create a more considered and complete entrance.

Coordinated door furniture has become an important expectation of a quality installation. Matching finishes create a sense of order and attention to detail, avoiding a mismatched appearance and helping deliver the premium look homeowners increasingly expect.

From function to design feature

The role of residential hardware has evolved significantly. While performance, durability and security remain essential, customers are increasingly looking for products that complement the wider design of their home.

The move towards coordinated hardware reflects a wider trend for complete entrance solutions. Rather than choosing individual components separately, homeowners increasingly want their door furniture to work together, with consistent finishes across handles, letterplates, numerals and accessories.

For HOPPE (UK), this changing expectation has shaped the development of the ARRONE range, providing fabricators and installers with a complete selection of complementary hardware designed to combine visual appeal with reliable performance.

The range includes door handles, pull handles, knockers, numerals, security letterplates and window handles, allowing fabricators to create a consistent look across the complete installation.

 The substance behind the style

While appearance is increasingly important, hardware specification is about much more than aesthetics. Door furniture is one of the most frequently used elements of an entrance, meaning long-term reliability, durability and performance are essential.

The ARRONE range has been designed to meet these demands, combining a choice of finishes with products developed for everyday residential applications.

The AR7550 longplate lever handle sets provide a versatile solution for PVC and composite doors, featuring an integrated spring cassette, colour-matched fixings and a 10.7mm backplate depth designed to accommodate a range of cylinder options. The handle sets have been durability tested to 200,000 cycles and corrosion salt spray tested to Grade 5-480 hours, supporting both reliable operation and long-lasting appearance.

The ARRONE range also extends across window applications, helping fabricators maintain a coordinated appearance throughout the property. The AR720 inline and AR722 cranked espagnolette window handles have been designed specifically for the demands of today’s volume window market, available in finishes including polished brass, polished chrome, anthracite grey, jet black, traffic white, satin chrome, silver enamel and graphite.

Both models feature a positive stop at closed and 90-degree positions and are supplied with the necessary fixings for straightforward installation. With a standard 7mm spindle and multiple spindle length options available, they provide flexibility across a range of side-hung window applications.

Security is also a key consideration. The ARRONE AR708HS TS 008 tested letterplate combines enhanced protection with a clean, coordinated appearance, allowing fabricators to support modern security expectations while maintaining the overall aesthetic of the installation.

Together, these products allow fabricators to specify a complete hardware solution where every detail has been considered.

www.hoppe.com

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Delivering PAS 24 Compliance with UAP Hardware: TS008 Letterplates, Fullex Locks and Beyond

In today’s construction landscape, compliance with PAS 24 is no longer optional; it is essential. Developed as a benchmark for enhanced security performance, PAS 24 provides a rigorous testing method to ensure that doorsets can withstand opportunistic and forced-entry attempts commonly encountered in the UK.

However, one of the most important, and often misunderstood, aspects of PAS 24 is that it tests the entire doorset as a complete system, not just individual components. This means that every element, from the locking mechanism to the letterplate, plays a critical role in achieving compliance. UAP’s integrated approach to hardware specification addresses this challenge, ensuring that all components work together seamlessly to meet and exceed PAS 24 requirements.

Understanding PAS 24

PAS 24 has been developed to assess how doors and windows resist attack methods typically used by opportunistic intruders. These attacks are often low-skill but highly effective if weak points exist within the doorset.

Unlike component-level standards, PAS 24 evaluates the combined performance of hardware, glazing, locks, and accessories. A failure in any one component, no matter how small, can result in the entire doorset failing the test. This approach makes hardware selection critical. Manufacturers and specifiers must ensure that every piece of hardware is not only individually robust but also compatible within a tested configuration.

Adam Dixon, Senior Technical Manager, added, “PAS 24 assesses the performance of the entire doorset under simulated attack conditions, so every component must function as part of a cohesive system. Multipoint locks, cylinders and letterplates all need to maintain structural integrity and resist manipulation without creating weak points. Our approach is to engineer hardware that works together to deliver consistent, repeatable performance in PAS 24 testing.”

The Role of Multipoint Locks in PAS 24 Testing

At the core of any secure doorset is the locking system. Fullex’s multipoint locks are engineered to deliver exceptional performance across multiple attack points.

Multipoint locks distribute the locking force across several positions along the door frame, significantly increasing resistance against forced entry. Features such as opposing hooks, anti-lift bolts, and reinforced keeps provide enhanced security, helping doorsets withstand the physical attack elements of PAS 24 testing.

Crucially, these locks are designed for both durability and security. PAS 24 testing includes repeated mechanical operations and attack simulations, meaning locks must maintain performance throughout these tests. Fullex locks are built with long-term reliability in mind, ensuring consistent operation even under demanding test conditions.

Freezeguard 3 Star Cylinder: Performance in All Conditions

Alongside the locking system, the cylinder plays a critical role in both security and operational reliability. UAP’s Freezeguard 3 Star cylinder is designed to perform in challenging environmental conditions, helping to ensure that doorsets remain functional even in extreme cold. 

As part of a PAS 24-compliant doorset, consistent cylinder performance is essential not only to resist attack but also to maintain usability during testing and in real-world applications. By combining enhanced security credentials with durability and resilience, the Freezeguard cylinder supports the overall integrity of the door system, ensuring that environmental factors do not compromise compliance or performance.

 TS008 Letterplates: A Critical Security Component

While often overlooked, letterplates are a common vulnerability in residential doors. PAS 24 testing specifically evaluates whether intruders can exploit openings, such as letter plates, to gain access.

UAP’s TS008 Soterian letterplates are designed to mitigate this risk. TS008 certification refers to enhanced security standards developed to resist manipulation techniques such as fishing and tool-based attacks through the letterplate aperture.

When incorporated into PAS 24-compliant doorsets, TS008 letterplates provide resistance against intrusion attempts through the door aperture, robust construction to withstand physical attack, compatibility with fire-rated and security-rated door systems.

UAP’s range includes TS008 fire-rated letterplates, ensuring that both security and fire performance requirements can be met in a single solution.

Because PAS 24 assesses the full doorset, the inclusion of a compliant letterplate is essential. Even the strongest lock can be undermined by a weak or poorly specified auxiliary component.

Supporting Hardware: The Complete Security Ecosystem

Beyond locks and letterplates, PAS 24 compliance depends on a complete ecosystem of hardware. UAP offers a comprehensive portfolio of complementary products including: high-security escutcheons, door handles engineered for durability, cylinders and masterkey systems, door viewers, and door chains.

Each of these elements contributes to the doorset’s overall performance. For example, security escutcheons protect cylinders from attack, while reinforced handles prevent forced entry attempts from compromising access points.

Importantly, many UAP products are also accredited by recognised schemes such as Secured by Design and BSI Kitemark, providing additional assurance of quality and performance.

Achieving First-Time PAS 24 Success

One of the biggest challenges for door manufacturers is achieving PAS 24 compliance on the first test attempt. Failure can result in high costs, delays, and reputational impact.

UAP addresses this by taking a customer-led approach, working with manufacturers to specify complete hardware packages that have already undergone extensive testing and validation.

By combining proven components, such as multipoint locks, TS008 letterplates, Freezeguard cylinders, and compatible accessories, UAP reduces the risk of failure and helps streamline the path to certification.

Integrated Security You Can Trust

PAS 24 compliance is about more than meeting a standard; it’s about delivering real-world security performance. Because the standard evaluates the doorset as a whole, every component must work together flawlessly.

UAP’s range of TS008 letterplates, multipoint locks, Freezeguard 3 Star cylinders, and supporting hardware is designed with this principle at its core. By offering a fully integrated solution, UAP enables door manufacturers to achieve compliance efficiently, confidently, and cost-effectively.

In an environment where security expectations continue to rise, choosing the right hardware partner is essential. With UAP, every component contributes to a stronger, more resilient doorset, ready to meet the demands of PAS 24 testing and beyond.

www.uaplimited.com 

www.allegion.com

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"We are delighted that our garage doors now meet this standard"

Huddersfield based manufacturer Crocodile Products has joined Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative that works to reduce crime and the fear of crime in communities across the UK.

Founded in 2003, Crocodile Products is a manufacturer of garage doors with more than two decades of experience in the industry. Operating from its headquarters in Huddersfield, the company designs and manufactures its products in house, supplying customers across the UK with garage door solutions that combine durability, performance and security.

Crocodile Products has built a strong reputation for producing robust and reliable products designed to stand the test of time. All garage doors are manufactured using carefully selected materials and components that support long term performance and resilience. Wherever possible, the company sources materials from trusted UK suppliers, supporting local industry while maintaining strict quality control throughout the manufacturing process.

Bevis North, Crocodile Products, said: “Secured by Design accreditation sets a recognised benchmark for security, and we are delighted that our garage doors now meet this standard. It reflects the significant investment we have made in both product development and quality assurance, ensuring our customers receive solutions that are not only visually impressive, but built to perform.

“This accreditation reinforces our commitment to delivering products that provide genuine security and long term peace of mind. It’s an important step forward for the business, and one we’re incredibly proud to share with our customers.”

 
The company’s Secured by Design accredited product is the Stowaway HS Roller Shutter Range, a garage door solution developed with a strong emphasis on strength, reliability and secure operation. Achieving Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification demonstrates that the product has met the rigorous test standards required by the initiative.

Alongside its focus on manufacturing quality products, Crocodile Products places strong emphasis on customer service. The company provides comprehensive aftercare support following installation, helping to ensure long term performance and giving customers confidence in the security and reliability of their garage doors.

Alfie Hosker, Secured by Design, commented: “I am delighted that Crocodile have taken the step to become SBD members. They have had their Stowaway HS Garage Roller Shutter Range independently tested and certificated via the robust Certisecure security standard, demonstrating its ability to repel the opportunist criminal. I know that they are looking at expanding the range going forward and I look forward to a successful association into the future.”

www.securedbydesign.com

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