The Door Industry Journal

Thursday, 11 July 2013

ARE SAFETY ISSUES HOTTING UP?

FIRST HALF OF YEAR BRINGS HUGE RISE OF INTEREST IN FIRE DOORS

Fire door safety experts have noticed a huge increase in interest in the first six months of the year, according to new figures from the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme.

The BWF-CERTIFIRE website has received more than 26,000 visits from 21,215 unique visitors in the UK since January 2013, an increase of more than 350% on the same period last year.

Since the end of March, the time of the Lakanal House fire inquest verdict, there has been a particularly marked increase in the unique page views for information regarding the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and other fire safety regulations. The latest BWF-CERTIFIRE video, with tips on installation of fire doors, was published on YouTube last month and is already attracting hundred of views.

These figures indicate a serious and growing demand for information about fire doors, especially through online channels.

In order to reach a wider audience BWF-CERTIFIRE has also become one of the first organisations to make its CPD content available on the Building Academy website, an online learning platform tailored specifically to those working in the built environment.

The content consists of a series of videos explaining the vital role of fire doors and what needs to be done to ensure they work correctly and fulfil their purpose in protecting lives and property. Advice is provided on current legal regulations, technologies, and strategies for fire door maintenance and assessment.

For more information about fire doors: www.bwf-certifire.org.uk

To see BWF-CERTIFIRE videos, go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/BritishWF

For the fire door CPD videos, visit www.thebuildingacademy.com and search for BWF

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Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Job secure at Garador - Employees average 18 years with the Yeovil Employer

Leading garage door manufacturer Garador is proud to announce that its employee service record is second to none, with the average employee working for the company for a staggering 18 years.

The Yeovil–based Garage door manufacturer employs 80 people and the longest serving member of staff has currently been working with the company for 50 years.

Simon Hipgrave, managing director of Garador says he is extremely proud that the company is made up of such a hard-working and loyal team.

Simon comments:

“As a major local employer it is important to us that we look after our staff and with the average member of the team staying with us for 18 years – we must be doing something right!”

“Once a member of staff has been with us for 25 years, they are awarded with a £250 cash bonus to thank them for their loyalty to the company. It doesn’t seem that our team need much encouragement to stay with us though: Our longest serving member of staff in the factory has been with us for nearly 42 years whilst on the management side of the business, one member of the team has been with us for half a decade!”

Garador has recently extended its factory in Yeovil, to make it the most modern of its kind in Europe. Manufacturing to the highest level of quality, Garador offers a complete garage door range along with operators and spares.

All Garador products are developed and manufactured at the factory in Yeovil, where the specialist engineering employed ensures they are amongst the finest garage doors available.

For more information about Garador, visit www.garador.co.uk or call us on 01935 443722.

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Tuesday, 9 July 2013

New CE Intumescent Acoustic Sealant from Lorient

Lorient, respected designer and manufacturer of acoustic, smoke and fire seals for door assemblies has introduced a CE marked Intumescent Acoustic Sealant. From 1st July 2013, under the Construction Products Regulation it will become mandatory to CE mark a construction product placed on the market that has a European Technical Assessment or a Harmonised Product Standard - this includes intumescent sealant for linear and penetration gap seals.

The sealant is suitable for a number of applications including: linear gap seals in wall and floor constructions and as a linear joint seal where wall and floor constructions abut. It is also ideal for penetration seals around metallic pipes and electrical cables to reinstate the fire resistance performance of wall and floor constructions. As well as sealing the perimeter around fire and smoke resistant damper/air transfer grilles in doors, walls, ducts, floors and ceilings.

Lorient’s CE marked Intumescent Acoustic Sealant is tested in accordance with EN 1366-3 (2004 & 2009) – fire resistance for penetration seals and EN 1366-4:2006 fire resistance for linear joint seals and has been classified in accordance with EN 13501-2.

The sealant also provides effective acoustic containment; up to 240 minutes fire protection; and offers improved flexibility to allow for differential movement in everyday service.

For further details please visit www.lorientuk.com or call our Technical Services team on 01626 834252.

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Monday, 8 July 2013

Hörmann acquires British entrance door manufacturer IG Doors

With the acquisition of the British door manufacturer IG Doors, German door manufacturer Hörmann hopes to continue growing in the British market within the area of entrance doors.

According to Hörmann, the acquisition of the door manufacturer IG Doors, headquartered in Cwmbran, South Wales, United Kingdom, took place on Thursday, 6 June 2013.

In the British market, IG Doors is the leading supplier of composite entrance doorsets to both the new build and social sector markets. With 180 employees, the door manufacturer has an annual turnover of approx. £27 million.

“IG Doors is an established and well respected brand in the British market,” said Christoph Hörmann, partner of Hörmann. “With the combination of a strong brand such as IG Doors and a sales structure such as Hörmann's which has gradually grown over the years, we would like to further expand our British market share in the door sector.”

As before with German acquisitions, the company will continue to operate independently in the market in the future, maintaining its strategic direction. “We are relying on continuity and are delighted that the present managing director Mark Pulman together with Stewart Griffin as sales & marketing director and Anthony Thomas as finance & commercial Director will continue to head the company," adds Christoph Hörmann.

Picture shows, from left to right: Mark Pullman , managing director IG Doors; Christoph Hörmann, partner of the Hörmann group; Anthony Thomas, finance & commercial director IG Doors

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Sunday, 7 July 2013

Time to end the motorway rip-off

Motorway Service Areas are charging up to four times the high street price for basic food and drinks, according to research conducted by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Essentials such as a 500ml bottle of water cost £2.09 (95 pence on the high street in London) while the cheapest cheese sandwich cost £3.99).

On the high street, the everyday shopper can expect to pay 25 per cent less than a service area user. At a popular high street newsagent, a standard size Mars bar costs £0.79 and a pack of Walkers crisps is priced at £0.95).

Motorists are dissatisfied with the value for money available at Motorway Service Areas but are left with little choice when making long trips around the country. When asked to rate the price of food and drinks at Motorway Service Areas, more than half of respondents (51%) rated them unreasonable.

The survey also found that sixty-five per cent of respondents are most likely only to stop at Motorway Service Areas just to use the toilet facilities.

Price comparisons include:
• A medium white coffee - £3.09 (£2.10 London high street)
• A standard sized Mars bar - £0.95 (£0.79 London high street)
• A pack of Walkers crisps – £1.05 (£0.95 London high street)
• 500ml bottle of water £2.09 (£0.95 London high street)
• A basic cheese sandwich - £3.99 (£1.00 local high street)

London offers the most expensive white coffee at £3.09, while generally prices were around £2.50.

Fifty-four per cent of respondents consider the price of petrol at Motorway Service Areas unreasonable.

With petrol prices averaging about ten pence per litre more than at off-motorway forecourts the IAM is calling for a complete review of motorway prices, together with filling stations being forced to advertise their and their competitors fuel prices, as is the case in France.

The research also revealed that from one Motorway Service Area to the next, the price of petrol can vary by up to 10p per litre.

Cost of petrol per in pence per litre:
• Hopwood Park M4 – 144.90 (132.9 off motorway)
• Corley M6 – 144.90 (131.9 off motorway)
• Michaelwood M5 – 142.90 (135.9 off motorway)
• Strensham M5 – 142.90 (133.0 off motorway)
• Pont Abraham, Wales M4 – 141.90 (133.9 off motorway)
• Forton M6 – 141.90 (133.9 off motorway)
• Sarn Park M4 – 133.90 (131.7 off motorway)
• Heston Services M4 - 144.90 (132.8 off motorway)
• UK average at supermarkets £1.313

Source: petrol prices.com

IAM chief executive Simon Best said:

“Motorway Service Areas are supposed to be for motorists eat, drink and freshen up. It’s very important to have a break every two hours and these costs will put people off stopping. Tired motorists pose a danger to themselves and other road users.”

“17,000 people every year break down on the motorway simply because they have run out of fuel, which can cause lane closures and delays for everyone. High petrol prices will put people off filling up. Forcing stations to advertise their competitors’ prices would drive costs down.”

About the IAM

The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

Research and survey was conducted by the IAM in May this year. Survey had 2, 238 responses.

Image used under Creative Commons licence from Flickr.com

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Saturday, 6 July 2013

Consultation with Employees

Staff consultation is not always the first priority within many workplaces and all too often you hear the same old phrase “I didn’t know, I wasn’t told”. Consulting employees on health and safety matters is very important when creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment, as staff can help identify hazards, assess risks and help develop ways to control or remove them. This action can in turn help businesses become more efficient and reduce the number of accidents and work related illness. By law, employers must consult all their employees on health and safety matters, and this includes any workers who are self-employed, for tax purposes.

Legislation sets out how employees should be consulted in different circumstances as well as the different choices that employers have to make. There are two different sets of regulations relating to consultation: -

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.
The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996

Where an organisation recognises trade unions within any part of the business then the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations will apply, whereas the Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 will apply and will place a legal duty on all organisations to discuss health and safety matters with employees who are not represented by a trade body.

The consultation process entails not only providing information to employees but also to listen to and take account of what they say before making any health and safety decisions for example: -

When informing members of the likely risks associated with work that is being undertaken along with the means of controlling the risk.

When making decisions involving work equipment, processes or organisations.

When planning any health and safety training.

When making arrangements for getting competent people to help the organisation comply with health and safety laws.

When introducing new health and safety related technology.

Where necessary, employees or their representatives should be given adequate time to read and understand the information they are given and a chance to express their views.

Evidence often shows that union based organisations often have higher levels of health and safety performance due to their empowered role, however, these days, many businesses are not covered by trade union safety representatives and it is therefore down to the employer to decide on what is the best medium to consult members of staff. For example employers can liaise with staff directly or through designated representatives.

In order to ensure that the nominated members of staff can perform their duties effectively, it will be important to provide suitable and sufficient training. These courses should be provided at the employer’s cost and may require the individuals to attend the appropriate courses during working hours.

In order to ensure that the consultation process is effective it is important to provide your employees or their representatives with enough information to enable them to undertake a useful and valuable role within the health and safety process. Employers do not have to provide information which they are not aware of or information: -

That would not be in the interest of security or against the law.
About an individual who has not given their permission for it to be passed on.
That may be detrimental to the business.
That has been received in connection with any legal proceedings.

These regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive who will often ask about, and monitor the activities regarding consultation with employees when they visit individual premises. If the inspecting officer is not satisfied that consultation is being addressed correctly or that adequate provisions are not being provided then they may issue an improvement notice to the organisation which could cost the organisation a considerable amount of money due to the recent introduction of the Fees for Intervention (FFI).

Where there are disagreements about the consultation process, organisations should firstly try to resolve them internally using the normal in house procedures. However, if all else fails advice can be sourced through ACAS (The Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service) or the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) in Northern Ireland.

In conclusion, to ensure that your organisation is complying with the regulations it is important to consult with employees about health and safety matters.

Firstly, notify all members of staff that the company wishes to proactively involve all members of staff in safety consultations. If employees wish to nominate representatives the organisation should implement regular safety meetings to discuss any issue.
On occasions, staff members may not initially be interested in the process and will not volunteer for the task. Therefore the organisation should address this by implementing regular safety meetings where nominated members of staff are invited, and by posting minutes of the meetings on staff notice boards. At the meetings, the management should review all current health and safety processes and the documentation that is in place. Quite often when we visit organisations it is stated that the company does not have time to review risk assessments, but by having set meetings it gives the management the opportunity to address this issue as well as getting the opinions of individuals who actively undertake the tasks. In effect killing two birds with one stone.

If you do not opt for regular safety meetings, it is important to demonstrate that there is a consultation process available for staff to comment on safety issues. This may be by simply providing a hazard detection process for employees, so that they can inform management of any hazards that they discover as they undertake their work. Ideally this should consist of a written record to prove to an enforcing officer that there is a procedure in place.

Every business is unique therefore; no single model can be applied to worker involvement.

Therefore, if you currently do not have any consultation procedures in place you will need to be flexible and think about how and what is required to ensure that your business does not fall foul of health and safety legislation.

For more than a decade we have been helping businesses achieve health and safety compliance. Citation offers a fixed price health and safety and employment law consultancy service in order to help our clients comply with legislation.

For More information call 0845 844 1111 or visit www.citation.co.uk

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Friday, 5 July 2013

VBH JOINS WITH YALE TO ENHANCE DOOR SECURITY

Leading distributor VBH has adopted the latest mechanical and digital security innovations from Yale Door and Window Solutions to meet growing demands to enhance existing doors, without compromising on security or aesthetics.

Gillingham based VBH introduced the new Yale Doormaster™ replacement multipoint locking range to enable a more efficient repair and maintenance service for PVCu and composite doors.

VBH also now offers Yale’s popular Keyfree and Keyless digital door lock solutions to allow all the convenience of keyless entry to a home either through a push button remote keyfob or by entering a combination code into the lock.

Says Gary Gleeson, Marketing Manager at VBH:

“As the trend to improve homes rather than move continues apace this year, we are seeing a clear increase in calls for door hardware that can support and improve the operation and security of existing doors.

“Yale’s Doormaster™ range is the perfect solution, allowing the trade to work efficiently and effectively with a product that enables a simple replacement of a multipoint lock in just one visit, without the need to carry huge stocks of various locks. Yale’s Keyfree also offers a clear alternative to the traditional door handle. It works with Doormaster™ so represents a simple upsell to improve the operation and aesthetics of a front door.”

Multipoint locks have been fitted to the majority of all external residential doors in the UK for over 20 years and as a result many older multipoint locks are reaching the end of their lifecycle.

Over the coming months and years, growing numbers of multipoint locks are eventually expected to require replacement and dealing with this can often be a time consuming process, due to the sheer number of manufacturers and lock variants supplied over the years.

Yale Doormaster™ presents a compact range of replacement locks, replacement gearboxes and “overnight” locks, which enables installers to instantly repair or replace the multipoint locks in virtually all PVCu and the majority of composite and timber doors.

The Doormaster™ portfolio has also been specifically designed to allow advanced digital locking devices, such as the Yale Keyfree, to be retrofitted to most homes.

Kevin Hill, Managing Director of Yale UK, added:

“By offering Yale’s cleverly designed Doormaster™ range, VBH provides a solution for professional installers to supply and fit replacement locks much more efficiently, which means more business, more satisfied customers, and less time wasted.”

“With the addition of Keyfree, there is the added advantage of introducing the clear lifestyle benefits associated with not having to rely on mechanical key solutions, especially for those with families. Not only is this all good news from a commercial perspective, it also provides the business with the opportunity to benefit from the strength of the Yale brand.”

To find out more about the Doormaster™ range, please visit www.yaledws.co.uk/doormaster. For more information on VBH, please visit www.vbhgb.com

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Thursday, 4 July 2013

ARGE SET SUSTAINABLE CONFERENCE AGENDA

The European Federation of Association of Locks & Builders Hardware Manufacturers (ARGE) has announced the agenda for its annual conference, with sustainability set to take centre stage.

Held in Budapest on 5th and 6th September, ARGE has announced that it will use the annual conference as an opportunity to present its plans for creating a series of generic Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). All its members and their manufacturing members will have access to these EPDs, which look set to become a mandatory requirement for the construction market.

The introduction of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) across Europe this summer is set to change the market. The new regulation now addresses sustainability and the sustainable use of natural resources (under Basic Works Requirement 7 – BRCW7) together with the reduction of life cycle impacts of greenhouse gases (BRCW3).

In the context of the CPR EPD’s can be used to assess a construction product’s environmental impact. Therefore, in providing EPDs for its members, ARGE is enabling them to remain competitive in the construction market.

Speaking on the forthcoming conference, ARGE General Secretary, Joachim Kieker, said:

“At last year’s conference we set the scene for the changing landscape within the construction market, in the advent of the CPR. This year, we are very excited, as we will be presenting the tangible measures for ensuring all our members have access to this increasingly restrictive market. The journey to creating EPDs for all our members is an area of sustainability they should and can all engage with.

“Here at ARGE we are working to ensure that all members are best able to meet with the forthcoming sustainability agenda – in such a way that will provide real commercial advantage. Embracing this critical agenda, ARGE will use the conference to present its plans for delivering this to its members.”

In addition to its networking opportunities and social highlights, the Chairman of the CEN TC350 will also be presenting on sustainability in construction works, giving delegates an exclusive insight into the impact this will have on the marketplace.

To find out more about the ARGE sustainability agenda or to register for the conference, please visit www.arge.org. Here, visitors will also be able to take part in the forum, discussing views and opinions with the like-minded industry professionals and download the latest information on the conference.

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Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Demand grows for HOPPE's Architectural Nylon Range as School Holidays approach

Stylish, hard wearing – and available from stock: Demand grows for HOPPE's Architectural Nylon Range as School Holidays approach

HOPPE, the manufacturer synonymous with innovation, quality and performance in hardware for the architectural and window and door sectors, reports an increase in demand for its range of nylon levers and pull handles as schools and colleges requiring refurbishment start to close their doors for summer.

Manufactured to exacting standards from polyamide nylon, giving great tensile properties, impact strength and wear resistance, as well as good antistatic behaviour and corrosion and chemical resistance, the Nylon range is available in 11 colours. The choice is further complemented by accessories including coat hooks, signage and finger and kick plates.

Andy Matthews, HOPPE’s National Sales & Marketing Manager for the Architectural Division comments:

“Although we've been manufacturing and designing with nylon for many years, it's traditionally this run up to summer time when demand increases as schools close for long breaks and refurbishment work kicks in. That's why in the absence of any other 'from stock' suppliers in the UK, HOPPE has increased its nylon stock to keep lead times down to a minimum.

“Especially popular is our Paris Series including solid nylon and steel cored levers, available on round rose, radius plate and rectangular plates. As you'd expect with a product mainly used in high footfall public areas, the range meets the dimensional recommendations of BS 8300 and Approved Document M. The other great benefit in light of the compulsory CE Marking legislation, is the ease in which customers can achieve compliance. Just select the ARRONE AR915 escape lock with one of our compatible nylon Paris lever handles with AR228 spindle for your complete CE Marked Lockset and you’re covered. “

For your free copy of the fully illustrated 23 page Architectural Nylon brochure, please visit www.hoppe.co.uk or call 01902 484 400.

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Tuesday, 2 July 2013

CE Accreditation a Quality Step Forward for Premier Architectural Joinery Ltd

Last year when The Premier Group was looking for ways to expand the manufacturing group’s business portfolio they identified Ladymead Joinery as an ideal acquisition, and after negotiations it was acquired and re-named Premier Architectural Joinery (PAJ).

Patrick Green MD of the Group said:

“PAJ was an exciting acquisition to add to our plastics & security product companies as it was local. It was in desperate need of investment having expanded heavily in cutting edge CNC equipment just prior to the recession and was struggling under debt burden”.

The last 14 months has seen significant investment in additional equipment, and more importantly, investment in quality management systems including CE accreditation and ISO9001:2008 Quality Standards.

“Soon after the acquisition it became apparent that the urgency for CE accreditation was the ‘elephant in the room’ that everyone was ignoring!” continues Patrick “So at our first production meeting of the new year, it was decided that we should address this and we started on a programme of total quality management”

The extensive work has paid off with PAJ achieving CE Accreditation for their timber window & door sets and improving their QMS to ISO9001:2008 standards.

“It was refreshing that everyone involved saw the positive side of this process and embraced it willingly” comments Patrick, “Implementation significantly improved productivity as well as quality, so much so that we have now had the windows tested and it has been indicated that the timber windows will achieve ‘A’ ratings under the BFRC Window Energy Scheme for which we are awaiting ratification”

PAJ employed the services of CENSolutions Ltd’s MD, Michael Galliard “Mikes guidance through the maze of CE implementation was invaluable, we couldn’t have done it in the timeframe without him” says Patrick.

The rest of the year is now focussed on the move to the brand new 6000 sq foot production facility which the group have had commissioned to expand the business over the coming years.