Door Industry Journal - Summer 2017

21 THE door industry journal summer 2017 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk of both the latest regulations and the comprehensive range of GEZE products available. Further expertise comes from his role as architectural project manager for Aluminium system house, Schuco, where he assisted architects in specification and provided technical input. A Leeds Metropolitan University graduate, Stephen was proud to receive the ‘Stephen George Excellence Award’ for the best dissertation on his BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology course. This paper revealed how off-site construction methods could be utilised to achieve high fabric performance in the drive towards carbon neutrality, together with the perception of housebuilders adopting this approach. “I have always been aware of GEZE as a strong name in the industry from my early days as an architectural technologist. GEZE is a well-respected company with good core values, run as a family business, making it very appealing to be associated with,” said Stephen. Andy Howland, sales director of GEZE UK, commented: “Stephen is an excellent addition to our growing sales team. His understanding of the market, technical knowledge, personality, not least familiarity with the Northern territory makes him the ideal, front-facing ambassador for GEZE in this region.” When not presenting to fabricators, Stephen can often be found on the football pitch, where he is gradually building up his strength after three years out due to an injury. A keen socialiser, he also enjoys music festivals; Glastonbury is a particular favourite. 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 . ELLARD’S CHARITY WALK FOR PROSTATE CANCER UK Congratulations to Nick, Ashley, Craig, Rob, Jonathan & Gavin, who despite the heat completed the Three Peak Challenge on Saturday the 17th June. They raised an amazing £1,116.10, an excellent achievement, plus some extremely sunburnt limbs to show off on their return to the office! industry news SALUTARY TALES SECTIONAL DOOR REPAIR ACCIDENT A large engineering company had a heavy equipment strip-, refurbish- and repair workshop with several large powered insulated sectional doors approximately 5M x 5M, with a lift-clear above lintel height of 2 ft. One door was reported stuck in the raised position. The maintenance men on site tried to lower it, unwittingly unwinding the cables, then “nudged” the top of the door with a forklift. The door crashed down, splitting and delaminating the lower two panels. The usual contracted door repair company was called, and a two-man team came out; one experienced (60 +) fitter, and a young trainee “mate”. Being familiar with the site, they did not check in at the gatehouse, nor with the repair shop supervisor or site safety officer. They replaced the damaged panels with new, fitted new cables and tensioned up, working off ladders! The door was raised under power and once again stuck in the raised position, not responding to brief touches on the “down” button. The “up” button was pressed to restore tension to the lift cables. Inexplicably, the senior man then placed his ladder against the top edge of the raised door and climbed up to investigate. As he reached the level of the raised door, the delayed closing timer kicked in and the door started to lower under power, having been freed by the force exerted by the man’s weight on the ladder. (The top roller bracket had ridden up over the pusher spring buffer again, and again, held the door in the raised position.) The door descended a very short distance before the ladder became disengaged and the fitter fell onto steel equipment at ground level, suffering fatal injuries. • The fitter should not have leaned his ladder against the top edge of the raised door. • The door electrics should, in any event, have been isolated. • The trainee was not experienced enough to realise what was happening. • The team should have signed in on arrival and notified the repair shop supervisor. • A forklift man-cage was available for use by visiting contractor’s personnel. • Experienced fitters should be aware of the tendency for top roller brackets to become ensnarled with pusher spring buffers. John Boydell Email: jmbgpc@tiscali.co.uk Phone: 01952 432429 A regular column, which concisely outlines Door and Gate related incidents, some of which became court cases, brought to you by John Boydell, a Door Industry Consultant and Forensic Engineer since 1984. J Boydell