Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 36 THE door industry journal summer 2022 Industry News dhf Applauds New Fire Safety Legislation and Guidance On the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell fire tragedy that claimed 72 lives, Door & Hardware Federation (dhf) welcomes the announcement that cladding of the type used on Grenfell Tower is to be banned from use on any building in England. The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 outlaw the use of metal composite material panels with an unmodified polyethene core (MCM PE) as part of an overhaul of the English building regulations and associated guidance that will come into effect on 1 December 2022. This extends the restriction introduced in 2018 on the use of combustible materials on the external walls of certain buildings over 18 metres. In addition, the Tamworth-based trade association has welcomed The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which come into effect on 23rd January 2023, whereby flat entrance fire doors are subject to annual checks and those in the common parts of High-Risk Residential Buildings (HRRB), require quarterly checks. dhf has been a long-standing advocate of the critical role that fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property and has continued to stress that the use of fire doorsets, correctly installed and with robust fire door maintenance procedures, is a vital part of fire safety. dhf Contributes to Build UK’s New Common Assessment Standard Door & Hardware Federation (dhf) has announced its support for the new Common Assessment Standard, created by the representative organisation for the construction industry, Build UK. And, as a member of Build UK, dhf has contributed to its formation. The new Common Assessment Standard, which has been endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council, means that sub-contractors need only be certified once a year by a single recognised assessment body before tendering for work with main contractors and clients who specify it. This is a significant improvement on the current system where different main contractors insist on their own prequalification questionnaires being completed meaning organisations are forced to duplicate time and effort. Build UK estimates this wasteful process costs the construction industry as much as £1 billion each year. The Common Assessment Standard, which is regularly reviewed, comprises an industry-agreed question set based on existing PQ questionnaires, including PAS 91, and corresponding assessment standards, with two levels of certification: desktop and site-based. Companies apply to a Recognised Assessment Body for the certification level that is most appropriate for their business based on a range of factors including trade, size, and the requirements of their clients. For businesses that employ fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover of under £1.8 million or a balance sheet total of less than £1.8 million, the assessment standards will be applied proportionately. A guide to the question set has been published to help companies prepare for an audit by a Recognised Assessment Body. The Common Assessment Standard has been made possible thanks to a data-sharing agreement with four recognised assessment bodies: Achilles, CHAS, Constructionline and CQMS Main contractors using the Common Assessment Standard include Balfour Beatty, Bouygues UK, Clancy Group, HS2, Mace and Sir Robert McAlpine. “dhf is a great supporter of the Common Assessment Standard and encourages eligible members to sign up for this excellent initiative,” explains dhf’s Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “We have contributed to the questions included in the PQQ (Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire) and hope that members will benefit from a standardised form. This standard goes some way toward raising the standards in the industry, so members do not have to complete a series of PQQs, the one is shared with all companies signing up for this great initiative. The new approach will transform the prequalification process and make it work better for both suppliers and clients.” www.dhfonline.org.uk
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