Door Industry Journal - Summer 2015

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk industry news feature 9 THE door industry journal summer 2015 assembly method. Labour time per doorset is reduced so saves costs for the builder. However some builders have switched door installation from skilled joiners to semi-skilled labourers. The danger here is that they wrongly assume that as a door comes as a doorset or in kit form they have abdicated some or all the responsibility to ensure it is fitted correctly. We know what the accurate installation of a doorframe or lining is essential to the correct operation of the doorset especially fire resting doorsets which has the potential to save lives. Therefore we must strive to encourage builders to continue to employ skilled joiners to hang doorsets to ensure the product performs as intended. Fewer purchasing transactions result in supply chain economies for the administration side of a business ultimately saving the builder costs. More components travel together so use less fuel to reach their destination a plus for companies wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact. Many doorset/kit manufacturers will make up lining sets and doorleaf sets in plot lots so less storage is required on site as the linings can be called off and fitted then the doorleaves come later just when they are required. The benefit of having components delivered in plots lots can help reduce pilferage on sites as a person is less likely to open the packaging to take one lever handle from a plot lot than from an opened bulk box that could have any quantity inside. Less energy required on site as fewer power tools are required again improves a builder’s ‘green’ profile and saves costs. Also having fewer power tools required on site reduces risk of injury. Single supplier means one line of responsibility/accountability so in the event of something going wrong there is only one supplier to approach. All the above benefits could be seen before CE marking of doorsets became possible, however the CE mark gives additional plus points to the customer as it also means it is much easier for them to prove compliance of the doorsets to a third party. There is just one manufacturer to talk to and one document to obtain, the Declaration of Performance. Buildings falling under the RRO would particularly benefit from this factor as it gives the building owners confidence that if challenged they could provide the DoPs and show due diligence. Buying doors as doorsets or in kit form doesn’t mean a building’s designer must compromise on style, almost any door design and lever handle pattern can be incorporated into doorsets or kits giving the client the finished look they were seeking. Once builders switch to doorsets/kits they don’t go back to the traditional methods proving categorically that doorsets and doorkits are here to stay and the way forward. What is a Doorset? • Doorleaf, frame & glazing, complete with all necessary hardware & seals • Can be pre-assembled OR a kit ready for assembly on site • Placed on the market by a single supplier, who takes responsibility for the CE marking What’s not a Doorset? • The components have been bought from different suppliers, even if they have been pre-machined. • The builder or joiner has to chop out, cut down, etc to hang the door. • These are called ‘assemblies’ • These cannot be CE Marked