The Intumescent Fire Seals Association responds with opinion about the DCLG Determination on the need for intumescent seals on hotel doors

Was the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Determination on the need for intumescent seals on hotel doors an ‘open and shut’ case?

 The Intumescent Fire Seals Association is, of course, disappointed by the recent publication of a Determination on the suitability and sufficiency of a fire risk assessment in a hotel in respect of the adequacy of the existing bedroom doors.

The determination concluded that a new Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) should be prepared for a hotel where no intumescent seals were fitted to the existing bedroom doors but, on this occasion, the absence of the seals should be recorded and justified. This would apparently contradict the world-wide trend to fit such seals where legislators and researchers have recognised the assurances that such seals are able to provide in the event of a fire incident, ensuring that a small fire never has free rein over a property jeopardising the lives of many, rather than the few. Sadly, the conclusion from the Determination relies heavily on poorly interpreted history and statistics.

Intumescent Seal

 The ‘Responsible Person’ is of the opinion that as the hotel had received a fire certificate under the 1971 Fire Precautions Act with doors installed that did not have fire seals fitted, this indicated that such doors were deemed to be suitable for purpose at that time and should continue to be so.

In 1971, the principle of heat activated intumescent seals had not been invented (the technology of intumescent was in its infancy) and the test method for evaluating fire doors was seriously in error.
The test used to evaluate the life safety potential of a fire door was operated at a negative pressure which ‘sucked’ air into the protected space (the bedroom) from outside (thereby drawing fresh cold air into that space), rather than forcing the fire gases out of the room, due to the inevitable pressure generated by the fire gases forcing flames and hot gases out into the common corridors.

Since the 1970’s, every fire resistance test standard in the world has removed the negative pressure test in favour of a test that mimics the reality of a real-life fire, which is based upon the International Standard (ISO) procedure. How can a hotel in the UK depend upon 41 year old technology to protect its residents on the say-so of a ‘responsible’ person’s opinion? How did the responsible person identify a ‘competent’ person who would share those views? We can only hope that the competent person is well insured and can sleep with a clean conscience.

There have been many changes in hotel furnishings and construction since 1971. Furniture has been increasingly replaced by flat packs and manufactured from wood based composites and bathrooms have increasingly replaced by ‘gap’ pods, both having increased heat release and potentially greater smoke production.

The burnt out remains of the Penhallow hotel

Unsurprisingly, the responsible person proposed that only 1 death per year has occurred in a hotel since 2002 and inferred there was no problem. Isn’t that about the time we started to fit intumescent seals onto hotel doors in earnest? Is that pure coincidence? Fortunately, statistics show that our commercial environment is fairly safe with respect to fire due to the technology that has been introduced, but that must not lead to complacency.

A fire safe environment relies on the interaction of many technologies, not just one and we will rue the day when we put our life in the hands of any one of them. It’s amazing how quickly the image of the Penhallow Hotel fades from the front page of our national press, such that it is no longer remembered by those responsible for our safety.

For more information about IFSA visit www.ifsa.org.uk


Background information about IFSA

IFSA was founded in 1982 and has established itself as one of the leading trade associations for companies engaging in the science and application of intumescent based passive fire protection systems.

The association’s objectives are to:

• To promote the life safety benefits associated with intumescent fire and smoke seals.
• To promote research and development into extending the benefits of intumescent based fire and fire and smoke seals
• To participate in the development of test procedures for fire protection products in BSI, CEN and ISO that are relevant, repeatable and reproducible.
• To ensure that information on the science and application of intumescent based passive fire protection materials is made available to both professionals and the general public.

To ensure objectives are fulfilled IFSA has representation on all the main fire standard committees and is a regular advisor and commentator on proposed fire related legislation matters. The association has close links with the fire community, including legislators, test labatories, insurers, certification/approval organisations and other trade associations.





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Lorient joins the fight against the spread of infection

Lorient, leading door seal manufacturer is joining the fight against bacterial infection and the spread of superbugs such as MRSA and E-coli in hospitals and care homes, with its built-in antimicrobial protection for its range of popular door seals. 

Many public and commercial buildings such as schools, hotels, leisure complexes can benefit too, where there is an increased need for improved hygiene and cleanliness to prevent bacterial cross-infection.

Bacteria is usually transmitted by direct skin to skin contact, but it can live on common surfaces such as doors; and its ironmongery including door seals – which are often fitted in the leading edge of the door. 

Traditional brush type door seals easily harbour bacteria and dirt in the filaments of the brush, and are almost impossible to keep clean. Switching to a flexible fin type door seal such as ‘Finesse™’ or ‘DS’ can significantly reduce bacteria thriving due to their wipe clean surfaces. And to strengthen this protection even further, Lorient is incorporating antimicrobial technology into its door seals during manufacture for maximum effectiveness.

Lorient door seals featuring the antimicrobial technology have been tested and proven to be up to 99% effective at killing a wide range of bacteria including MRSA and E-coli in independent laboratory tests. The active ingredient works by preventing the bacteria’s access to nutrients so that they starve and die – levels of bacteria on surfaces are significantly reduced over a 24 hour period. 

The technology, which is non-toxic, remains active on the surface of the seal for many years, due to its low water solubility.

For further details about Lorient’s new anti-bacterial finish, please visit www.lorientuk.com or call their Technical Services team on 01626 834252.

Lorient Polyproducts Ltd, Endeavour House, Fairfax Road, Heathfield Industrial Estate, Newton Abbot TQ12 6UD





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FAAC LAUNCH FIRST 24V HYBRID AUTOMATIC BARRIER

Having pioneered the introduction of 24V hydraulic gate automation, FAAC have now introduced their first 24V barrier to the market The barrier in the accompanying image is installed at the Strathclyde Fire Training Centre in Scotland and has a 8m beam. Facilities manager at the training centre, Graham Burnett, explained that two B680H barriers were installed at the newly built Fire Training Centre and have worked very efficiently since they took possession of the site in April 2012. A battery backup has been installed to ensure the operation of the B680H even during a power cut, something that is extremely important to the fire service

The B680H controls passages with a net width from 2m to 8m and its modular beams make it a product which is easy to manage during installation. The barrier is rated for continuous duty operating beams of 8m in 6 seconds and beams of 2m in 1.5 seconds. Accessories for the barrier include an integrated red/green LED unit on top of the cabinet that flashes during operation and LED beam lights create a highly visible and safe operating environment.

With more than 40 year’s experience, FAAC is a world leader in access control automation.  The company has manufacturing and development facilities in Italy and Ireland and distributes its products in more than 90 countries.  FAAC (UK), based in Basingstoke, is the market leader in residential and commercial markets which it serves through a national network of 800 approved installers, all trained to FAAC’s high standards. 

For further information please contact:

Rebecca Johnston, FAAC (UK), 6 Hamilton Close, Houndsmill Estate, Basingstoke, RG21 6YT
Tel: 01256 318100  Fax:  01256 318101 
E-mail: rebecca.johnston@faac.co.uk
Web: www.faac.co.uk 





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Why it’s all change for PAYE

How employers report Pay as You Earn (PAYE) details to HM Revenue & Customs is changing.

HMRC’s Jane Brothwood* explains to employers what they need to do to prepare.

What is Real Time Information?
From April 2013 there will be a new way to report PAYE in real time, Real Time Information (RTI).

Under the present PAYE system, employers tell HMRC what deductions they have made from employees’ pay at the end of the year.

Reporting PAYE in real time will ensure that employees’ tax records are accurate, so they won’t face big PAYE overpayments or underpayments at the end of every tax year.

It will also provide accurate records on wages and tax for the forthcoming Universal Credit, so eligible employees will get the right amount of benefits or tax credits every month.

What is changing?

PAYE itself will not change – just the way, and how often, employers send PAYE details to HMRC.

Instead of sending all PAYE details to HMRC in one go, at the end of the year, from April 2013 employers will have to:

• send details every time a payment is made
• use payroll software to send the details electronically
• send the details as part of your normal payroll process.

How will RTI benefit employers and pension providers?

By getting rid of employer annual returns and streamlining the starter and leaver processes, RTI will remove admin burdens from businesses of around £300m each year.

What is the timetable for introducing RTI?

RTI is being introduced progressively to give plenty of time for testing the new systems. We began piloting RTI in April 2012, with around 310 volunteer employers. The pilot is going well and is on track.

Most employers will begin reporting PAYE in real time in April 2013, with all doing so by October 2013.

Next steps

Businesses of all sizes should start preparing for RTI now by talking to their payroll software provider or payroll service provider about how they are developing appropriate payroll software. It’s also vital that employers check that information about their employees is accurate and up to date. This involves making sure that surname, forename, gender, address, date of birth and National Insurance Number (NINO) are correct and in the right format. Employers should also make sure that they add staff to their payrolls who will now need to be included with their RTI submissions, for example, those under the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL). For more help and advice on improving data quality go to: www.hmrc.gov.uk/rti/dip/index.htm
For further information about RTI go to: www.hmrc.gov.uk/rti

* Jane Brothwood is HMRC’s head of RTI Communications 





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HYUNDAI SHOWCASES LATEST-GENERATION HYDROGEN-POWERED VEHICLE AT CITY HALL CONFERENCE

Hyundai showcased its latest-generation hydrogen fuel-cell technology at the ‘Investing in Future Transport’ conference held at London’s City Hall on Friday 17th August.  In front of an audience of policy makers, investors and industry representatives, Dr. Sae Hoon Kim, Hyundai’s Principal Fuel Cell Research Engineer, explained the company’s strategy for sustainable future mobility, and presented the innovative zero-emission Hyundai ix35 fuel-cell electric vehicle.

Among those who tested the hydrogen-powered car was Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Enterprise and Chairman of the London Hydrogen Partnership. Mr Malthouse commented: “I am really glad that Hyundai is making such a commitment to hydrogen because I firmly believe that it is a vital part of the energy future of the globe, particularly where vehicles are concerned. It solves all sorts of problems; oil dependency and emissions; but aside from everything else, you can’t stop the advance of technology and the fuel cell is the future of mobile power. Finding a company that has the courage to make such a commitment so early is fantastic.”

The ix35 is the third-generation fuel-cell vehicle from Hyundai, and it presents a strong case for being a truly viable everyday car, retaining the safety, equipment, convenience and performance of the conventionally-powered ix35, yet producing zero exhaust emissions.

Equipped with a 100 kW fuel cell stack and two hydrogen storage tanks, the ix35 FCEV can travel a total of 325 miles on a single refuelling and reach a maximum speed of 100mph.

Hyundai is the only automaker ready to commercialise its fuel cell vehicle and plans to do so by the end of 2012 with an initial production run of 1,000 fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai will supply fuel cell vehicles to government and private fleets leading up to mass production, scheduled for 2015.

Also present at the conference was Dr Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, a company which – along with Hyundai – is involved in a ground-breaking project to ensure the UK is well positioned for the commercial roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.  The programme – UKH2Mobility – brings together three Government departments and industrial participants from the utility, gas, infrastructure and global car manufacturing sectors to evaluate the potential for hydrogen as a fuel for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles in the UK.

The conference, supported by the Mayor of London, was chaired by journalist and TV presenter Quentin Willson, and attracted investors and transport industry professionals.  Other speakers at the conference included Patrick Head, co-founder of Williams Formula 1; Dominic Emery, Chief Development Officer at BP Alternative Energy; and Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport.

Hyundai’s vision and strategy have earned it recognition as one of the Top Global Green Brands of 2012 in Interbrand's ‘50 Best Global Green Brands’ report.  Placed 17th overall, Hyundai was one of the highest-ranked automakers.  Interbrand made particular mention of Hyundai’s industry leadership in zero-emission technology through advances in hydrogen fuel-cell development.





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Small businesses warned to keep taxman fully informed after firm threatened with £10k VAT fine following name change

Forum of Private Business urges entrepreneurs to get in touch over their experiences of HMRC

The Forum of Private Business is warning entrepreneurs to fully update HM Revenue & Customs about any changes to their businesses, no matter how small, following a report that one firm is facing a £10k fine for not informing inspectors it had changed its name.

The firm, which did not want to be identified but which has an exemplary record of VAT payments and submitting tax returns on time, was originally hit with a fine of over £30k under VAT notification liabilities contained in the Finance Act 1985 and later the VAT Act 1994.

The fine was imposed after the business changed from a partnership to a limited company – adding a ‘ltd’ to its name – without informing HMRC, despite it retaining the same VAT number and regardless of the fact the revenue did not lose out on tax payments.

The fine has been reduced to just over £10k after intervention from accountants and the Forum’s Tax Adviser Andrew Needham, of VAT Specialists Ltd, but work is ongoing to further reduce the penalty.

“I am concerned that this is a change in HMRC’s long-standing policy of waiving its technical ability to impose this penalty fine in such circumstances,” said Mr Needham.

“If this is carried through and sets a precedent it could result in huge fines being imposed on small businesses which, in reality, have done very little wrong.

“It is important that all small businesses are aware they could face steep fines unless HMRC is kept fully updated – but this heavy-handed approach is the very opposite of the support that is desperately needed at this difficult time and HMRC risks further alienating firms hit by its disproportionate, targeted business records checks regime and widely-reported poor levels of service.”

Mr Needham pointed to a House of Commons debate in July 1986 on the legal clause to protect small traders making innocent mistakes from recently-introduced fixed VAT penalties, a clause which was subsequently included in the legislation.

None other than the future Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said: “Nobody is suggesting that there should not be compliance with VAT regulations - of course there should be. The situations with which we are dealing are those in which there has been an innocent non-compliance. It should always be borne in mind that the power of mitigation depends precisely on the VAT tribunal commissioners thinking it right to exercise it.

“An injustice exists now and we have been provided with an opportunity to remedy it....If we really care about small businesses and if what we are saying is not mere rhetoric but has a touch of reality about it, those who go through the Lobby and vote for the new clause will be pinning their colours to the mast of small businesses, while those who do not will forfeit their right to be called the friends of small businesses.”

The Forum has criticised HMRC’s disproportionate treatment of small businesses while large companies routinely get away with widespread tax avoidance, and also its all-round poor levels of service.

As part of its headline Get Britain Trading campaign the Forum has extended its Business Buddy small business ‘work experience’ scheme to include tax inspectors as well as politicians, in order to give HMRC officials insights into the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses.

The Forum is urging all small business owners to contact its Public Affairs team about their experiences of HMRC – including if they have received fines they feel are unfair or disproportionate. They should call 01565 626016 or email publicaffairs@fpb.org 





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1.5 million hits on the DHF website and counting

The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) website is becoming one of the most-visited building products sites in the UK, receiving almost 1.5 million hits a year.

In the latest three month period to be measured, the DHF website (www.dhfonline.org.uk) received more than 424,000 hits.

Said DHF executive chairman Bob Perry: “The number of hits continues to rise and confirms the fact that our website is increasingly becoming a ‘must-visit destination’ for door and hardware specifiers, contractors, customers and end users.

“This hit rate demonstrates that building professionals are increasingly turning to the DHF to access a wealth of technical resources and specialist advice.

“Our website has become an invaluable resource for specialists and specifiers in sectors including industrial and commercial doors and shutters, powered gates, garage doors, building hardware and architectural ironmongery.”

In particular, website visitors are downloading copies of DHF codes of practice, best practice guides and technical specifications.

The most popular guides to be downloaded were: the Best Practice Guide for Restraining Roller Shutter Door Barrels; Building Regulations Part M Guidance; and the Guide to Powered Gate Safety Legislation and Standards.

Visit the site at www.dhfonline.org.uk





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LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN PARTICIPANT TO DRIVE HER 109-YEAR OLD OLDSMOBILE 2,826 MILES

The Royal Automobile Club is hosting the world's oldest motoring event, the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, on Sunday 4 November. While every one of the 550 participants is a car enthusiast and can relate many interesting motoring adventures, Joy Rainey does rather stand out. A person of restricted growth, Joy has a very varied motor sport career. She campaigned a Jaguar E-type in speed hill climbs before progressing to a 2.3-litre single-seater – breaking several records along the way. She took part in the London to Sydney Marathon in 2004 (in a Morris Minor) and the 5,000-mile Carrera Sudamericana two years later – in a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee converted to run on LPG.

She first took part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2001 in a 1901 Clément Voiturette lent to her by Haynes Motor Museum. The car didn't make it to Brighton but for the 2006 event Joy returned with 1904 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout from the USA, which she bought by selling her single-seater hill climb car. She says: "An invitation to a pub lunch and a viewing of the veteran resulted in me arriving home complete with the back axle and mangled gears and a decision to sell my 400bhp single-seater racing car and take on a 7hp 1904 Oldsmobile."

 The Oldsmobile has taken Joy to the finish of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on several occasions – a feat she is hoping it will repeat in 2012. This year's Run will be a 60-mile warm-up for an even longer venture as Joy plans to drive her 109-year old Oldsmobile 2,826 miles across the USA next year. On 14 April 2013, she will leave Los Angeles to drive coast to coast across America to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. For many years, Joy's partner and co-driver in long distance rallies was Trevor Hulks. Sadly, he passed away in 2010. Joy says: “A few months after Trevor’s untimely death I was contacted by Gary Hoonsbeen of the CDO Club in the USA who gently suggested that at some time in the future I might consider undertaking the trip myself as a tribute to Trevor. My reply was something like, ‘I never say never’, but in my heart then, I did not think that I could take on such a challenging trip without my soul mate.

"Now, after considerable soul-searching and encouragement from old and new friends, I have decided that this challenge feels like unfinished business. Therefore on 14th April next year I will start my coast-to-coast USA trip from Los Angeles and drive to Daytona Beach arriving on the 15th May in my 109-year-old Curved Dash Oldsmobile. And I would like to raise £20,000 for Cancer Research.”

On the trip across America the Oldsmobile will encounter an enormous range of conditions, from 6,500-foot high mountains to blisteringly hot deserts. One hundred and sixteen years since it was first run, this year's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run will feature a maximum entry of 550 pre-1905 vehicles making their way from Hyde Park in London to Madeira Drive, Brighton. The event is part of a weekend Celebration of Motoring that includes the Future Car Challenge (for low energy use vehicles) and the Regent Street Motor Show (celebrating the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries of motoring).

Official Partners of The Royal Automobile Club’s Veteran Car Run 2012 are:

The Brighton to London Future Car Challenge (FCC) and London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (VCR), motoring events are organised and promoted on behalf of The Royal Automobile Club by Goose Communications.





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Building a different kind of home

In the run up to World Habitat Day 2012 teams from the house construction and mortgaging industries will be building a shantytown in the Peak District to address global housing need.

At Habitat for Humanity's Hope Challenge event near Edale, 28th - 30th September 2012, teams from companies such as Acenden**, Ward Homes and Assent Building Company who usually deal with brick and mortar homes will be building and sleeping in shelters made from scavenged materials. As they do this they will be fundraising in order to help the charity to build safe and decent homes around the world.

Approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide live in poverty housing which affects their health, educational and employment opportunities, their ability to care for family and the community's development. Each team will be fundraising at least £2,470 in order to help people currently living in the world's slums and shacks to have a safe place to call home.

Participants from mortgage servicing specialists *Acenden, who are returning  to Hope Challenge after taking part last year said,  "Hearing how much was raised last time made me realise what could be achieved and the gauntlet was well and truly laid down to do even better this year!  Home gives people a sense of belonging which everyone young or old deserves to have. It's a sanctuary from whatever else is happening in a person's life - something constant to rely on. Providing a decent and safe home can be enough to break the cycle of poverty for a family! "

 World Habitat Day 2012 on 1st October will be bringing global attention to basic right of every human being to have adequate shelter. By 2030 it is estimated that almost 3 billion people will be living in substandard housing.

Habitat for Humanity* works alongside communities in 80 countries worldwide, including the UK, to help people to escape poverty through building safe, decent homes. It costs Habitat for Humanity on average £1,235 to build a safe and decent home in the developing world.

Teams at Hope Challenge in 2011 raised £105,000, enough to help 85 families to begin new lives free from poverty in secure and healthy homes. Hope Challenge 2012 is sponsored by the National House-Building Council (NHBC) and CB Richard Ellis.

To enter a team into this year's event go to www.hopechallenge.org.uk

 

*Habitat for Humanity is an international Christian charity that aims to break the cycle of poverty by eliminating poverty housing and homelessness. We believe that everyone,  regardless of background, gender or belief, has a right to a safe, decent place to live. We champion that right and also take practical action, working with communities around the world to empower them to design and manage appropriate housing projects in their neighbourhood. Since 1976 we have helped over 2.5 million people. 

For more information go to www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk

**Acenden is a full service, residential first and second charge mortgage servicing specialist, offering quality primary, special servicing, securitisation management and cash bond administration services to clients in the UK and Ireland.

For more information go to www.acenden.com





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HSE endorses bid by powered gate campaigners to raise safety standards

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) welcomed the work of powered gate industry campaigners, including the Door & Hardware Federation powered gate group and Gate Safe, who are working hard to raise safety standards in the industry.

Roger Upfold, health and safety inspector with the HSE, made his comments at the Gate Safety Conference attended by 200 powered gate manufacturers and installers and safety professionals.

He told delegates: “The HSE is encouraged by and supports the work of the powered gate group, the Gate Safe campaign and the UK gate industry which is aiming for safe and compliant gates to help avoid future loss of life and injury.”

The Door and Hardware Federation powered gate group represents the leading UK manufacturers, suppliers, and installers of powered perimeter gates and gate equipment. Gate Safe is the campaign specifically set up to raise awareness of the need to improve standards in automated gate safety.

In his presentation Mr Upfold detailed the legislation governing the installation and use of powered gates and gave an overview of the legal responsibilities of gate manufacturers, installers and service providers. He also described what the HSE is doing to help raise standards within the industry.

At the conference, which was organised in Solihull by ASO Safety Solutions, other speakers included Bob Perry and Jeremy Procter, DHF; Richard Jackson, Gate Safe; Stuart Roddy, Easy Gates; and Thomas A DeSilvia, Chamberlain Group. Topics included how the DHF and Gate Safe were helping raise industry safety standards, training, the progress made by the gate industry on safety issues, and how the UK could learn lessons from the consequences of increased motorisation of gates in the USA.

For further information on the presentations given by the delegates at the conference, visit the downloads section of the DHF powered gates website, www.dhfpoweredgategroup.co.uk .





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