The Door Industry Journal

Friday, 9 December 2016

Re-branding Reflects New Ethos

Established in 1999, Scotdor evolved from its origins as a regional door and architectural hardware supplier into one of the UK’s largest performance doorset manufacturers and architectural hardware suppliers with multiple factories and nationwide coverage.

The evolution has continued with the development of DorSuites underpinned by their unique DorSuiting approach: the suiting together of all of the various components that make up a door.

This innovative way of creating performance doorset solutions centres around design for compatibility to ensure that the design and building performance requirements for any project are realised through quality assured, certified performance doorsets and architectural hardware. As the manufacturer, DorSuite can provide solutions for any medium or large commercial or public environment with guaranteed performance for the actual requirements of the building and the people within.

To reflect this new approach, the business has been re-branded and will now be known as DorSuite as director, David Brown explains:

“This will help us on our journey and more accurately depict the organisation we are today. This exciting change reflects our ambition to not only provide outstanding service but also to provide our customers with the peace of mind they demand.

“With DorSuite, they will be working with one supplier which means that we can ensure consistency of appearance and design, aesthetics, durability and lead times through control over the manufacturing process. We can even take a customer’s preferred architectural hardware and ‘suite’ this into our product to ensure that the overall solution is designed for compatibility and performance.”

For more information please visit www.dorsuite.co.uk or contact Claire Dunbar, Marketing Manager by email at Claire.Dunbar@dorsuite.co.uk or by calling 01355 577 985.

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Thursday, 8 December 2016

GEZE UK Maintains its Support for Architectural Awards

GEZE UK is holding the door wide open for talented architects to take their place in the spotlight by sponsoring an award at the BD Architect of the Year Awards for the second year running.

The Office Architect of the Year category is open to all architects working on the design of offices – be they new developments or refurbishments. Entries must include one project built in the last three years and another either built or unbuilt. One project may be international. Judges will be looking for evidence of all-round design excellence and fitness for purpose over a body of work.

The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony, to take place at the London ExCel Platinum Suite, on Wednesday 8 March. The prestigious event will mark the 13th edition of the awards and will be held during the Ecobuild Conference (7-9 March).

Said Kaz Spiewakowski, managing director of GEZE UK said: “We are very pleased to be sponsoring the awards for a second year. In our business, we work closely with architects every day and help turn their visions into reality. It is therefore only just for us to honour innovation in this field and highlight architecture that can help develop our workplaces of the future.”

For details of the awards see www.awards.bdonline.co.uk

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk

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Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Alpro at Ashington Football Club

Panic hardware from Alpro is being used by Ashington Football Club on a new 250-seater stand and clubhouse at its Woodhorn Lane ground in Northumberland. The spectator and hospitality facilities are part of a wider £74m investment scheme in the town.

Safety measures include use of Touch Bar two-point panic latches from Alpro on fire and exit doors. The latches allow rapid exit down escape routes in the event of an incident and offer the option to ‘lock off’ the hardware on non-match days to give easy operation of the door. After activation, the emergency door hardware allows authorised entry back into the site once an evacuation has been carried out.

Panic hardware is a ‘life-safety’ device and Alpro models are CE-rated as well as complying with EN1125. During design, the two-point latches undertook 1.5 million test cycles which is seven times the most rigorous requirements of standards bodies. They are fitted on single or double door combinations and can be used with or without an external lever-based access device which is also available from Alpro.

The latches are ‘non-handed’ meaning they are suitable for left or right applications. The tactile aluminium touch bar is easily cut to length on site by the installer, and the products are valued by engineers for simplicity and speed of implementation.

The application at Ashington FC employs the two-point latch but there are also single and triple-point models in the Touch Bar range. The equipment was specified at Woodhorn Lane for reasons of build quality and compatibility with door materials.

Keith Parry, Sales Director at Alpro, said:

“This is one of many successful projects in the leisure sector. Our footballing loyalties are mixed in so far as we have other applications at Manchester United and Reading FC. We also cross both codes of the game with an installation at Exeter Rugby Chiefs.”

The Alpro latches for this project have been fitted on doors created and installed by Tyne & Wear-based Metal Services Limited. The company has particular strengths in the residential, retail, commercial and transport sectors with a portfolio including major high street brands and a regional airport. Metal Services has many certifications including ISO 9001, Constructionline, and the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme.

Ashington Football Club was formed in 1883. Ashington is the birthplace of 1966 World Cup heroes Jack and Bobby Charlton. Former players include an athlete who has gained fame in another sport: Steve Harmison, a member of an England Ashes-winning cricket team and once ranked as the best fast bowler in the world, played in midfield for the club before concentrating on cricket. Ashington has impeccable credentials in terms of producing managers: former defender Patrick O'Connell not only played for Ireland but managed one of the biggest clubs in the world, FC Barcelona.

Alpro Architectural Hardware

T: 01202 676262

E: alisonf@alpro.co.uk

W: www.alpro.co.uk

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Tuesday, 6 December 2016

Christmas comes early with EasyGates Direct Trade Counter Opening

Easygates Direct, Nationwide electric gate & garage door automation, access control and safety supplier have opened a trade counter at their West Midlands unit.

The counter provides trade customers with a fast and convenient way to purchase over 2,000 products and collect pre-ordered products.

Richard McCabe, Trade Counter Manager said:

‘It is great to be on hand to answer questions and offer advice on the most suitable products to meet the individual customer’s requirements.’

The entire EasyGates Direct range is available to purchase from the trade counter with support from our technical sales team as and when required.

The trade counter is open 6 days a week, 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.

Managing Director of Easygates Direct, Tony Daniels-Gooding said:

‘Our online store is going from strength to strength but we still value and appreciate the importance of being able to offer a face to face service. For trade customers close to the West Midlands, the ability to pop by and place an order and take it away with them is invaluable.

‘We will be looking to add new additions to our trade counter range and plan to display key items for trade customers to familiarise themselves with prior to purchase. We also offer a repairs service that can be booked in at specific time slots.’

Easygates Direct have over 25 years’ experience in the industry and specialise in gate automation, safety solutions and access control. As ASO Safety Solutions UK competence partners, the company supplies a number of core safety products to the marketplace and is renowned for supplying quality, safety and technical service to a wide range of customers.

Find out more online at www.easygatesdirect.co.uk or call 0845 054 5070 for more information.

Easygates Direct, Unit 16 & 24, James Scott Road, Halesowen, B63 2QT

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Monday, 5 December 2016

Premdor’s new Factory Glazed Oak Fire Doors include up to the minute Safety Rating

Timber door specialist Premdor has launched a brand new range of factory glazed fire doors, independently assessed in January 2016 by globally-respected Exova Warringtonfire.

Assessed to an impressive fire safety rating that meets British Standard 476: Part 22, these oak veneer doors are not only beautiful in appearance, but also utilise real American white oak veneers from sustainable sources.

Those who choose from Premdor’s new range can expect years of use without the warping and splitting that can affect solid oak doors.

Catherine Horsfall, Product & Marketing Director at Premdor, said:

“These elegant looking doors now allow householders and businesses alike to keep their homes and premises safe from fire. Uniquely, the range is factory glazed – meaning that the doors were glazed in the same factory they were manufactured in, reducing the likelihood of damage or poor workmanship by third parties.

“Consequently, the doors have been fire tested, as well as being independently assessed by Exova Warringtonfire, as a complete glazed unit, providing confidence in the door’s fire performance.”

The doors are glazed with 7mm clear laminated safety and fire rated glass, and are available in three popular designs: Milano, 2 Light and Croft 3/4 Light.

Each door features hardwood lips on all four edges for maximum stability and all come with a five-year manufacturer's guarantee.

“Not only will the fire safety rating of these doors last until 2020, but the material used in their construction makes them a far more sustainable alternative to solid oak doors”, said Catherine.

Visit www.premdor.co.uk/catalogue to access a new e-guide dedicated to this new range.

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Sunday, 4 December 2016

Boxing legend Henry Cooper’s Ferrari is Goin' under the ’Ammer at Coys auction in London

International auctioneers Coys are putting under the hammer a Ferrari owned by British boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper OBE along with over 40 classic and sports cars at their yearly True Greats auction on 5th December at the Royal Horticultural Society in London.

The 1973 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 was owned in the early 1980s by Henry Cooper, famous for the power of his left hook, “Enry’s ‘Ammer“, and his knockdown of a young Muhammad Ali on 18th June 1963.

Coys took the car to the Fellowship Inn on the Bellingham estate in South London, where local boy Cooper lived and trained before the fight with Ali, and caught the attention of locals who turned out to see it, take pictures and share stories about the boxer.

'Enry later became friends with The Greatest, who admitted he was hit so hard that fight that “his ancestors in Africa felt it.” Following his retirement from the sport, he continued his career as a television and radio personality and to date remains the only boxer to be awarded a knighthood.

Chris Routledge, CEO of Coys, said:

“He loved his cars, was a great motorsport enthusiast and at one point even did some club racing alongside his great friend Graham Hill. Known as Enry’s Ferrari by various marque specialists, the provenance of this car makes it a sound investment and could be the ideal Christmas treat for discerning collectors.”

The Fellowship Inn, now in semi-derelict condition, is set for a £4m restoration with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring it back to its former glory.

Councillor for Lewisham Alan Hall said:

“The project will secure the future of the community pub while creating more than 70 jobs and lots of training and volunteering opportunities. Henry Cooper is a Bellingham local legend, it was great to see the car back in the area where he grew up and the interest it created amongst locals - hope it’s a knock out sale!”

The Councillor brought a model of a statue of Sir Henry Cooper that the Members of the London Ex-Boxers Association are planning to erect in Bellingham in 2017 in recognition not only for what he achieved in boxing but for the great contribution he made to many charities and more important as an example to young people. Coys will auction the model statue to raise funds for the London Ex-Boxers Association. The reserve is £1,000 - dig deep, it’s for charity!

The car is one of only 55 right hand drive examples produced. Under the bonnet, Ferrari squeezed in their 4.4 litreV12 unit producing 400 bhp at 7,000rpm, making it, at the time, the world’s most potent full four-seater. Despite its 1,450kilos, the car sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and was capable of a top speed of 165 mph. The V5 shows Henry Cooper as the keeper, listing his home address in Hendon, North London. It is estimated at £55,000 to £70,000.

The auction also features a number of highly sought after Ferraris including a 1979 512 Berlinetta Boxer (estimated at £200,000 to £250,000), a 1968 330GTC Berlinetta (£550,000-£600,000), a 1972 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder (£500,000-£600,000), an original right hand drive 1974 246 GT – E series (£270,000-£300,000), a 2005 430 (£65,000-£75,000) and a 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello ex- Maranello press car at no reserve.

Also on offer is a rare 1969 Porsche 911 S/T raced by Kent Frohde in the Swedish racing series in the early 1970s. The car was manufactured as a normal S by the factory and duly sent to the Werks Porsche Competition Department who converted it into S/T Specification straight from the production line. It was sold to Frohde on 22th September 1971 and the engine - an original 2 Litre – was tuned to 242bhp. According to Frohde, this was the strongest 2 litre engine that Porsche had tuned at the time. This is one of the most sought after 911s in the world and surely worthy of a place in any Porsche museum or at any significant worldwide motoring event. It is estimated at £700,000 to £900,000.

Other heavyweights being auctioned include one of only eight right hand drive 1972 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Manual (£240,000-£280,000), a 1976 Alpine 1600 SC – Original Dieppe Built Model (£75,000-£90,000), a 1926 Bentley 3 litre Short Chassis Sports Tourer (£360,000-£390,000), a fully restored 1951 Land Rover Series 1 80” (£30,000-£40,000) and a 2016 Jaguar C-Type Evocation (£45,000-£55,000).

Coys - True Greats

Date: 5th Dec 2016 at 7pm

Address: Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 2PE

Viewing: Sunday 4th December from 10am to 6pm and auction day from 10am to start of sale

For full catalogue visit: http://www.coys.co.uk/true-greats-2016

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Saturday, 3 December 2016

SOSEC Among UK’s Top Innovators At 2016 Builder & Engineer Awards

Neil Sampson pictured on stage accepting the award on behalf of winners
Perpetual V2G with Sir Geoff Hurst and Michelle Gordon,
Managing Editor, Excel Publishing. Courtesy of Building Engineer Awards.

Green Gate Access Systems did Kent proud at the home of Liverpool FC, after its SOSEC range of products were recognised as one of the year’s top innovations at the 2016 Builder and Engineer Awards.

Now in its 13th year, the awards act as a platform to recognise some of the most innovative new products, the best projects and well established companies and manufacturers in the UK construction industry.

SOSEC, the UK’s first mobile powered barrier and gate system, only launched in October, but is already creating a buzz with a successful trial by UK developers Kier Living and Tarmac Group, resulting in the product being rolled out to more than 30 sites.

Interest is growing across the sector with Taylor Wimpey among the big developers considering take up of the product with trials set to begin later this month.

This potential was recognised at the awards evening held at Anfield’s new main stand on 30 November with Green Gate Access Systems reaching the final four in the Product/Innovation of the Year category.

Despite missing out on the award, Managing Director of Green Gate Access Systems, Neil Sampson, was drafted on stage to collect the award on behalf of Perpetual V2G and received a hearty handshake and congratulations from World Cup Winner, Sir Geoff Hurst MBE.

Neil said: “It was an absolutely fantastic evening and I even received a handshake and congratulations from Sir Geoff Hurst MBE, we could not have asked for a nicer end to our 10th year in business.

“SOSEC is an innovative product in its field and since its release we have had an overwhelming response so it was great to see that potential recognised by the judging panel.

“Being shortlisted for this award is testament to all of the hard work the team here at Green Gate Access Systems do pushing SOSEC, so this is for them. This is an exciting time for the company and have no doubt with this product, that the best is yet to come. Who knows, we may even lift the title next year!”

The Product/Innovation of the Year award recognises those innovators and designers, working alongside the construction industry, that help companies do their jobs smarter, safer, more efficiently and more productively.

The judging panel praised SOSEC for its innovative and green approach to providing security and protecting the general public.

The UK’s first mobile, solar powered barrier and gate system, unveiled for the first time at the Kent Construction Expo in October, is a revolutionary new approach to securing work sites.

Harnessing the sun’s energy, SOSEC doesn’t need a power source and can easily be adapted and moved to be used wherever it’s needed. Owing to its flexibility, SOSEC has a wide number of applications including in the construction, retail, events, highways, emergency and mining markets.

Outside construction, its uses for temporary road works are being explored in a joint partnership with Detling, Kent based business Highway Care.

The product’s solar power and power storage ability are unique and allow the barrier to operate up to 900 times a day even in an average British winter. SOSEC can also be delivered with a battery store for up to one month’s use.

Visit www.solarbarriers.co.uk to find out more.

The awards are judged by an independent panel of industry leaders, and are organised by Building & Engineer Magazine – a leading sector title which circulates to 30,000 construction professionals.

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Friday, 2 December 2016

DHF helps BBC TV’s Watchdog expose rogue garage door traders

Watchdog, the BBC TV consumer programme that exposes rogue traders, called on the DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) for expert help when it turned the spotlight on dodgy domestic garage doors.

The DHF is the trade association representing the leading manufacturers and installers of garage doors in the UK. On the Wednesday (November 30th) programme, the DHF’s technical expert Nick Perkins helped Matt Allwright, Watchdog’s consumer champion, highlight the safety issues caused by the incorrect installation of garage doors.

In the programme, Watchdog exposed one company that fitted a garage door which subsequently fell, injuring the person who was walking into the garage. The garage door company based in Chelmsford, Essex had variously traded under the Essati, Vecelli and Roman company names but had the same family members involved. Guarantees issued had subsequently proved worthless following the company name changes, Watchdog revealed.

In the programme Nick - who is the DHF’s training officer - gave an on-air commentary during the secret filming of the installation of an ill-fitting garage door. Viewers heard Nick criticise the methods of installation used by the fitters which, he said, should have been safer.

After the fitters left, Nick inspected the installation and said his main concern was the structural integrity of the door.

Nick Perkins and Matt Allright during Secret Filming

Following the programme, Nick said:

“A garage door is the largest and heaviest moving part in the home. If it’s unsafe it’s quite capable of causing serious injury if someone is struck or trapped by an unsafe garage door.

“The DHF has been campaigning for a long time to raise standards of compliance and safety in the garage door industry. To that end we work closely with trading standards officials to alert them to companies which fit non-compliant doors.

“As Watchdog demonstrated, there are unfortunately still companies out there which cut corners, mislead customers and fit doors that are potentially dangerous. Watchdog is seen by millions of viewers so this programme will significantly raise awareness amongst householders of the need for compliant and safe garage doors. The DHF will continue to advise householders to have their garage doors installed and maintained by reputable companies that employ qualified and trained installers.”

You can watch the programme on BBC iPlayer until the 28th December - www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

For more information on garage doors visit www.dhfonline.org.uk .

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Thursday, 1 December 2016

Copper For The Crick

The prestigious Francis Crick Institute research facility in London has incorporated Allgood’s Contego range of antimicrobial ironmongery in its laboratory and visitor areas.

The Francis Crick Institute is an ambitious collaboration of six founding research partners: the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London. The world-class biomedical research facility aims to discover how and why disease develops in order to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat conditions such as cancer, heart disease and stroke as well as infections and neurodegenerative conditions.

Designed by architects HOK with PLP Architecture, the overall building concept emphasises visual permeability, collaboration and innovative lab planning. A technically complex and challenging construction project, the Crick has been designed to the highest specifications to ensure the most sensitive biomedical research can be undertaken within the facility. Constructed by Laing O’Rourke and supported by engineers, Arup and AKT II, the facility is 170m long, comprising almost one million square feet of floor space over 12 floors, one third of which are below ground.

David King, Senior Vice President at HOK said:

“The Francis Crick Institute is the largest and most advanced research facility of its kind in Europe. But science is constantly evolving and therefore requires a highly collaborative environment to facilitate scientific research. We are delighted that our holistic design solutions will aid the Crick’s aspiration of ‘discovery without boundaries’, helping to keep London and the UK at the forefront of innovative medical research.”

Specified for use within a series of laboratory environments and in high traffic areas including the auditorium doors is Allgood’s Contego antimicrobial copper alloy ironmongery pull handles, push plates and electromagnetic locks. In addition, Contego lever handles and bathroom turns have also been used for WC doors and storage cupboards throughout the building.

Providing specialist ironmongery advice and scheduling services, Allgood’s role was of significant importance throughout the tendering and construction process.

Richard van den Bos, Product Manager at Allgood Plc said:

“For leading medical research facilities such as the Francis Crick Institute, researching the fundamental biological processes underlying human health and disease, collaboration and innovation is key.

“Ideally suited and developed for medical environments is Allgood’s innovative Contego range of ironmongery, formed of antimicrobial copper alloy. A unique product, the Contego range has the appearance of stainless steel, seamlessly integrating with surrounding ironmongery items, whilst harnessing the intrinsic benefits of antimicrobial copper.

“The most effective touch surface material in the fight against pathogenic microbes, antimicrobial copper continually kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria within two hours of exposure providing a long term, durable solution.”

In addition to more than 4,500 Contego items that were installed, Allgood also supplied an access control and door automation package including electronic handle sets and automatic door operators.

For more information on Allgood plc please visit www.allgood.co.uk or follow @Allgood_plc on Twitter.

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Wednesday, 30 November 2016

A Grand Entrance to the Market Place

Slamming doors, damage to walls and furniture and trapped fingers could be a thing of the past with the introduction of GEZE’s ActiveStop – a new control mechanism for internal swing doors.

It’s a sleek, recessed door control – measuring only 28 mm wide incorporating a draw-in damper – which can be seamlessly integrated into swing doors making them quiet, smooth and easy to operate.

GEZE ActiveStop has a gentle stopping action which breaks the swing of the door and stops it in a desired position.

The mechanism itself is acoustically dampened and stops doors from being thrown open by careless users, preventing loud banging and unnecessary damage to the door, walls and furniture.

It is ideal for use in both residential and commercial settings in doors without fire protection and is suitable for both new developments and refurbishments with doors of leaf weights of up to 45 kg.

The ActiveStop allows the door to stay open if desired, while preventing slamming, reducing the risk of trapped fingers and eliminating the need to install separate doorstoppers. The holding position can be set using the adjustable opening angle between 80 and 140 degrees.

The product is set to spearhead a new segment within the door technology range and has already won plaudits for its design excellence as the winner of the German Design Award 2016 in the Building and Elements category, and a silver award from FocusOpen.

The launch of the product in Britain could help set new standards in convenience and safety for interior doors, said Andy Howland, sales director of GEZE UK.

“It is a simple yet ground-breaking solution which will make life much easier for the end user. Thanks to its compact dimensions the double-sided door damper can be installed in almost any standard door leaf and is hardly visible which make it ideal for high-quality living room doors through to office environments.”

The ActiveStop comes in a fine silver finish as standard. To see it in action view the video above or visit www.activestop.geze.com

For more information about GEZE UK’s comprehensive range of automatic operators, manual door closers and window technology products call 01543 443000 or visit www.geze.co.uk.

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