Door Industry Journal - Winter 2016

building hardware Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 111 THE door industry journal winter 2016 CODELOCKS REMINDS BUSINESSES TO PREPARE FOR NEW POUND COIN 1.4 billion new pound coins will hit circulation in March 2017 - and they won’t work in today’s coin-operated lockers Codelocks, a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, standalone keyless door, locker and cabinet locks, has issued a reminder to businesses using coin- operated lockers that they now have a matter of months before the Royal Mint introduces the new pound coin into circulation. The shape of today’s pound coin has remained the same for over 30 years, which helps to explain why there is some £45m worth of counterfeit pound coins in circulation today. Fraudsters have become adept at producing high- quality counterfeits, which are increasingly difficult to detect. To protect the integrity of the currency, from March 2017 the Royal Mint is introducing a new 12-sided, bi-metallic, bi-colour pound coin that incorporates new anti- counterfeiting technology. While the Royal Mint expects the new features to safeguard the coin against counterfeiting, it will come at a considerable cost to retailers, car park operators, gyms, sports centres and other businesses that will have to upgrade or replace their coin-operated equipment. Many sports centres use coin-operated lockers in their changing areas today. Typically, these take a one-pound coin to release a key, which is returned to the user when they collect their kit. The compatibility of the new pound coin with existing locks depends on the mechanism. While the new coin is roughly the same diameter as the current coin, its shape, weight and thickness are different - all features that affect the extent of the upgrade required. For those considering alternatives to coin-operated lockers, as well as digital keypad locks, there are affordable card-based solutions, and locks that facility managers and management can program and manage using their smart phones. Codelocks offers a range of stylish and practical digital keyless solutions for lockers and cabinets under its KitLock brand. The current pound coin will be “demonetised” in the second half of 2017, following a period of just six months of co-circulation with the new coin. Lock suppliers are encouraging their customers to plan well ahead for the upgrade process, as demand for new coin locks will be significant. Of course, those switching to keypad locks don’t have to wait for the introduction of the new coin, and can beat the rush by changing their locks now. There is some good news for operators who choose to stick with coins and upgrade their existing lockers; the Royal Mint expects the new pound coin to be around for the next 30 years. www.codelocks.co.uk or www.kitlock.com DOOR CLOSERS MAINTAIN KIPLING’S SPIRIT Samuel Heath’s Powermatic controlled, concealed door closers have been used by the Rocco Forte group to retain the high-end aesthetics of rooms and suites at Brown’s Hotel, one of London’s most elegant boutique residences. A total of 75 rooms have been fitted with the door closers. Amongst them is an impressive new suite named in honour of Rudyard Kipling, who is believed to have written The Jungle Book whilst staying there. Retaining the aesthetics and ambience of the new suite, and other rooms throughout Brown’s Hotel, is vital to assuring the comfort and enjoyment of guests. David Rozmetov, the hotel’s chief engineer, states, “We did not want to use surface-mounted door closers because they would spoil the appearance of our exquisite interiors. We also needed something that would be easy to install, reliable and require minimal maintenance. “Powermatic was selected as the best option after considering a number of alternatives.” Powermatic concealed door closers have long been admired by designers and managers of hotels for the fact that they are invisible when the door is closed. In addition to impressive fire and accessibility credentials and maintenance-free service, enhanced aesthetics play a large part in the door closers’ appeal. For more information call 0121 766 4200 or visit www.concealeddoorclosers.com