Door Industry Journal - Spring 2020

110 THE door industry journal spring 2020 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Fire & Security dhf’s Collaboration with BRE Continues to Yield Greater Opportunities to Promote Safety Door & Hardware Federation ( dhf ) continues to be one of the industry’s most passionate voices for correctly installed and maintained fire doorsets. Indeed, ensuring that these function appropriately in the event of a fire is critical to help save lives – and property. “We work continually to ensure that those with responsibility (such as facilities and property managers) are fully aware of the legalities and moral duties they face when it comes to fire door maintenance,” explains dhf ’s Commercial Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “Our collaboration with BRE Academy to deliver comprehensive courses that provide a thorough understanding of the regulations and standards applying to fire doors, is going from strength to strength.” dhf has already met its annual target for delivering BRE courses. In 2019, 100 inspection and installation of metal or timber fire door courses were held in conjunction with BRE Academy, with courses in greater demand and numbers increasing year-on-year. With fire door-related safety issues increasing, particularly since the Grenfell tragedy in June 2017, BRE’s three one-day training courses focus on fire door installation, inspection or on-going maintenance. The continuing objective of both dhf and BRE is to minimise the risks of poorly installed or maintained fire doors and emphasise the vital role that fire doors play in saving lives. Each installation and maintenance course is specific to the material used whether Timber or Steel, and learners can expect to gain a thorough understanding of the regulations and standards applying to fire doors, as well as an appreciation of the importance of critical components such as door closers and hinges and how to set up hinged doors to comply with disabled access requirement. The inspection course also offers clarity to the learner and an understanding of the inspection procedure and pass/fail criteria, as well as knowing what advice to give the building owner in case of an inspection failure. The industry’s most experienced trade association, dhf continues to lead through excellence in training across all of the areas it serves. In 2019, almost 1000 people were trained by dhf in either Automated Gate & Traffic Barrier safety, or Industrial & Garage Door safety, with more than 450 candidates attending the two-day diploma courses and the same number of learners opting for the Level 2 Award one-day training courses. More than 3200 individuals have now completed at least one of dhf ’s safety training courses, be that a diploma or Award course. “We are delighted to continue our work with BRE and to have reached so many with our joint training and, furthermore, that our voice for greater standards of safety is being heard,” concludes Patricia. “More delegates are attending these courses and the number of courses we hold is increasing to meet these demands. We are excited about what the next 12 months will bring and are planning to add to our offering with the introduction of a fire shutter safety course this summer.” To view the training courses on offer from the collaboration between dhf & BRE, please visit: https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/training/fire-doors-and-shutters-training/17.htm