Door Industry Journal - Summer 2019

14 THE door industry journal summer 2019 Industry News Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk dhf collaborates with industry heavyweights to release joint publication on fire safety In March of this year, it was announced that Tamworth- based trade association, dhf (Door & Hardware Federation), had joined forces with two further influential organisations to release a joint publication on fire safety. The joint publication: A Guide for Selecting Flat Entrance Doorsets; A publication for housing associations, landlords, building owners and local authorities in England, relates to new doorsets and is the product of dhf , Secured by Design (SBD) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The collaboration was described by the fire and security industry as ‘an unprecedented move’ with the three not-for-profit organisations combining their knowledge and expertise to offer guidance in the newly published document on flat entrance doorsets. The publication brings together the very best collective advice available from the industry in one concise document and highlights the fundamental issues of fire safety and security for those selecting fire doorsets; it can be downloaded from any of the co-operating organisations’ websites. Its publication comes in the wake of 2017’s Grenfell Tower disaster and in response to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Governments’ (MHCLG) Implementation Plan – ‘Building a Safer Future’, released at the end of December 2018. The new guidance document recommends that all fire doorsets are factory- prepared (as opposed to prepared on-site), and furthermore, audited by a third-party. It is suggested these recommendations will offer greater assurance on door performance and protect occupants, control the spread of fire and enable safer, easier escape in the event of an incident. And importantly, the publication makes the point that there is no conflict between fire and security with Building Regulations ADB (fire) and ADQ (security) carrying equal weight with neither taking precedence over the other. It explains why only factory produced doorsets can meet both ADB and ADQ. Specifiers can also have confidence in using the publication as an authoritative source of information as they are guided through the complexities of an extremely important area of Building Regulations to help them make informed choices. dhf have described the collaboration as a ‘natural partnership’ and are delighted to be sharing their joint knowledge on doorsets and fire safety, as the federation’s Commercial Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens explains: “In coming together with SBD and FIA, we have been able to provide a holistic overview, share our expertise and offer guidance for facilities managers (in establishments such as care and nursing homes), housing associations, landlords, building owners and local authorities, on what to look for in a flat entrance doorset, how this relates to the latest advice supplied by Government (MHCLG) and why third-party certification of fire and security doorset manufacture, installation and maintenance is a critical part of the protection against fire ingress and unlawful entry. Third party certification of manufacture, installation, maintenance and inspection of fire, smoke and security doors is something dhf has lobbied for tirelessly, as well as issues surrounding poorly or ill-fitting door closers,” she continues. “These form a critical part of fire safety.” Since 2014, dhf has worked closely with BRE Academy to offer fire door training courses. Together, they have developed three all-inclusive one-day training courses on fire door safety to offer greater clarity on the regulations and standards applying to fire doors. The courses offer deeper lucidity on the different types of fire doors and door closers and their installation, repair and maintenance, in addition to offering guidance on what to look for during a fire door inspection. Fierce advocates for appropriate levels of training across all the sectors that it serves, dhf continues to place the importance of training at the very heart of its operations. “It is absolutely vital that those responsible for installing and maintaining flat entrance doorsets in care, nursing and warden-controlled environments are fully aware of their legal and moral duty of care with regards to fire safety,” concludes Patricia. “The expertise of contractors simply cannot fall short.”