Door Industry Journal - Winter 2013

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk industry news 9 THE door industry journal winter 2013 NEW CHAPTER IN POWERED GATE SAFETY OPENS AS FIRST CANDIDATES GAIN TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS The first candidates have successfully completed the new DHF Powered Gate Safety Diploma training course. This is the latest initiative by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) in its drive to increase safety levels of powered automatic gates. Twenty installers were put through their paces during the intensive two-day course held in Manchester at the beginning of September. They completed a number of training modules, covering all aspects of gate safety from initial risk assessment through to force testing, in order to obtain their coveted DHF Gate Safety Diplomas. The training scheme is compulsory for all DHF members who supply and install powered gates or powered gate equipment. It has been put in place by the Powered Gate Group which was set up by the DHF to educate and promote the safe and responsible design, manufacture and installation of automatic gates. The DHF Gate Safety Diploma opens a new chapter in powered gate safety in the UK. The training curriculum was developed following consultation with the Health & Safety Executive and is the industry’s only scheme to offer this depth of training. Said Andy Holz, chairman of the Powered Gate Group of the DHF: “The Gate Safety Diploma course sets a new standard in gate safety. There is no other safety assured training scheme for gate safety like it in the UK and it will quickly become a benchmark. “This is not simply about turning up to get the badge. This is about ensuring safety standards are prioritised and every candidate is being fully assessed before qualification for the diploma is confirmed.” The course is open to installers and all personnel responsible for assessment and inspection of powered gates. The second diploma course is being held in October and further courses will be held early in 2014. Chris Threadgold, general manager of Lancashire based Astbury, who successfully completed the course, said: “Safety is fundamental to the work we do and the diploma is the only way forward for the industry becoming safety assured at all levels.” For more information on the DHF Gate Safety Diploma scheme visit www.dhfpoweredgategroup.co.uk . Andy Holz, chairman of the Powered Gate Group of the DHF (left), pictured with DHF Gate Safety Diploma assessor Steve Allen and some of the successful candidates. HÖRMANN AND ACCESS ENJOY THE SHOW Access Garage Doors teamed up with Hörmann (UK) Ltd to present the Hörmann garage and entrance door range at the recent National Home Improvement Show held at Olympia, London. Display units provided by Hörmann were used to create the stand for Access Garage Doors to welcome many of the shows 21,000 visitors. David O’Mara, marketing manager of Hörmann (UK) Ltd was delighted with the response from the show, and said, “This show seemed to have the right mix of consumers. There was genuine interest and a serious commitment to investing in home improvements. There is no doubt that consumers are now prepared to spend.” James Wright managing director of Access Garage Doors was equally positive about the event, saying: “It was the right show with the right people as far as we are concerned. We can see that the economy has turned a corner and that people are no longer putting off home improvements. Not only did we generate a significant number of sales leads we have already made sales directly from show enquiries. “The simple fact that we had to bring in extra staff to man the stand, in order to cope with the demand, demonstrates how useful this show has been for us. We had genuine enquiries for all products though the main interest was for sectional garage doors, entrance doors and RollMatic roller doors.” Added security was one of the major factors considered by many visitors and the Secured by Design accreditation for sectional garage doors became a major talking point, throughout the shows three days. Demonstrating the products in action and showing that you can have both security and style attracted a lot of interest. For Access Garage Doors this show has generated leads and direct sales. Importantly this show gave the opportunity to demonstrate to many potential customers, the security, convenience and style that modern garage and entrance doors can add to any home.