Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 100 THE door industry journal spring 2023 Doorsets, Fire Doors, Safety & Security A Quarter of a Century in the Sector – and I’m Still Pushing Door Sets! Richard Kowalski, Technical Manager of the Doors Division at Stairways Midlands, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of high-value, high-quality staircases and door sets, reflects on 25 years in the sector banging the drum for door sets – and going largely unheard. As 2023 began, I took some time to ponder a big career milestone. Last year I passed 25 years within the door industry, having started out at just 18. Thinking back, I recalled how the industry was pushing the use of door sets all those years ago, trying to persuade developers and builders away from the traditional style of hanging doors on site. Incredibly, a quarter of a century on and I am still beating that same drum – and unfortunately, it still feels as though we’ve made little progress. We are still pushing the use of door sets, and despite all the inherent benefits with regards to ease of installation and fire safety credentials, we find many customers still reluctant to use them. So, what’s going on? And why are otherwise savvy construction industry professionals failing to recognise the benefits of door sets for their developments? So, what’s the difference? Put simply the traditionally hanging door is just the door ‘slab’ – the door set is the complete package. With a traditionally hung door, a developer will need to install the frame and add all the other elements separately on site. A door set comprises a lining or frame that is already routed out for hinges, locks and other elements, and the door itself, which comes ready for installation, including ironmongery such as latches, bathroom locks and hinges. At Stairways, for example, we ask our clients to specify everything they want ahead of time. Developers, specifiers, and architects may need drop-down seals, intumescent strips, locks, deadlocks and so on – all of which can be sorted for them in the factory, so the doors arrive ready to install. Why choose door sets? Door sets are the easiest solution to ensure compliance with statutory fire door requirements. What many developers and site managers fail to appreciate is that if you don’t purchase a door set, it will be the responsibility of the installer and site team to ensure that the door finally installed on site is compliant. That means they need to check and ensure that the frame is suitable for the door, the correct intumescent is used, the
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