22 minute read
Hardware & Security Focus
SECURITY MATTERS
With various security standards now sited for door and window installations, it can be difficult to determine which ‘standard’ should be acceptable when choosing new windows and doors. Often confusing is PAS24 and Q-Mark, so what do these ‘standards’ refer to and what do they mean?
According to the British Standards Institute (BSI), there are currently twenty-three standards that are relevant when specifying windows and doors. Not all standards are applicable to any one product, but one product will need to pass a selection of these standards, depending on its design and material composition. One of the most basic specifications for all products, will be a pass to meet ‘BS 63751:2015+A1:2016 - Performance of windows and doors - Classification for weather-tightness and guidance on selection and specification’. Basically, a standard which aims to determine that the window or door will keep the weather out when used in a given location, perhaps a products most basic function. With a simple latch, the door or window can be ‘closed’ against the weather and keep the warmth inside and help increase sound attenuation. Adding a simple lock will improve security, but will it meet current methods of possible attack when an intruder seeks access? The ‘PAS 24:2016 - Enhanced security performance requirements for door-sets and windows in the UK. Door-sets and windows intended to offer a level of security suitable for dwellings and other buildings exposed to comparable risk’ is a ‘Product Assessment Specification’ which is referenced to in the Building Regulations Approved Document Q1, Security in dwellings. By specifying multipoint locking arrangements for enhanced break-in security and allowing simple egress by the optional use of thumb turn devices on doors, forms part of this standard along with the testing of products. This enhanced security specification has quickly become the minimum requirement for home security, ease of use and what is required in products used in new build homes and home improvement. As explained, PAS24 is a BSI standard, this differs from a Q-Mark which is a mark of quality. Sometimes known as a ‘third-party’ certification process, this approach involves both initial and ongoing standards testing of products that are being produced, together with audits of the production facility. The reason for this? Random testing of products demonstrates that up to 50% of typical door and window production will initially fail the claimed security standard requiring remedial work to bring them up to standard. Quality certification, therefore, ensures that every door and window in production meets the standard, not just the ones currently undergoing testing. BM TRADA offer the Q-Mark certification scheme which involves initial type testing and the implementation of factory production control audits. In order to maintain certification, a company undergoes periodic audit testing and factory production control audits from BM TRADA. This certification is regarded in the UK as one of the most rigorous and intensive processes currently awarded. The quality of the Q-Mark Certification scheme is recognised by the NHBC and the National House Building Council. Membership of the Q-Mark scheme is purely voluntary, but any company entering the scheme shows their commitment to offering quality products, as a result Q-Mark is increasingly being specified by contractors. Aluprof UK has several systems of doors and windows which meet PAS 24 and offer Q-Mark certification, more information is available on our website or on the BM TRADA portal where our certificates can be viewed.
Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their highperformance architectural aluminium systems. Further expansion of the company’s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view. With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in East of USA, the company has become a global player in facade supply. Further information is available on the company’s website at aluprof. co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.
Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK
By Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK
AWARD WINNING
PARTNERSHIP
Seeing ODL Europe win the Best New Product of The Year at The G21 Awards for their Guardsman Composite Fire Door was recognition of a journey that had started some years earlier and a partnership with Winkhaus that has existed for far longer.
Centre of the relationship is a passion to develop innovative solutions. In the case of the Guardsman Fire Doorset, a solution that is fully compliant with the latest legislations. This includes tested to and above the requirements of building regulations and Q Mark 3rd party audited through design and manufacture of the doorset, survey and installation. The full lifecycle of the door can also be 3rd party audited. The Winkhaus technical team, led by Winkhaus UK’s Technical Director, Chris Flaherty, have been heavily involved from the start. This included the development of the technical specifications and drawings to the creation of the Field of Application and training of fabricators as they prepare to manufacture. The finished doorset includes both the Winkhaus AV2 autolocking system and Winkhaus FireFrame, a specially developed GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer) frame system with high fire resistance properties. Ian Glenister, Technical Sales Manager at ODL Europe, said: “Our collaboration with Winkhaus on our Guardsman Fire Door project has been very successful. Winkhaus share the same vision as ODL Europe and value the importance of developing solutions that exceed current legislation. Their focus and commitment have been an important part of the journey and one that has resulted in delivering the best in composite fire door safety.” Ian continued: “This is just the start of the journey as we continue to partner with Winkhaus, ensuring our award-winning position is maintained, with constant expansion of test evidence and third-party certification.”
Chris Flaherty concluded: “Congratulations again for the deserved recognition and a toast to our next decade of partnership and innovation.”
COMPLEX LOCKING STRATEGY UNLOCKS OPERATIONAL SIMPLICITY FOR THE MANCHESTER COLLEGE
The Manchester College is the largest further education college in the UK, with 10 locations across central Manchester, South Manchester and North & East Manchester.
The latest addition to the college is a £25 million teaching facility at the Openshaw campus in East Manchester. Constructed by Caddick Construction, the new facility centralises healthcare, construction and motor vehicle teaching in Openshaw. The new building includes a six court sports hall, outdoor pitch, gym and sports lab, along with a health suite with a hospital ward and infectious disease area. It also includes workshops for construction, mechanics and engineering students. Some of the learning areas are multi-use classrooms, which need to be accessed by members of staff from different departments, while other areas will be specific to a particular department with access restricted to members of that departmental team only. All areas of the building needed to be accessible for maintenance and management teams. To aid both security and convenience, the college was keen to implement a locking strategy that is both secure and simple to operate for all members of staff. A critical part of the brief for Sheffield-based architectural ironmongery specialist, Sapphire Hardware, was that the chosen locking system should provide patented keys that cannot be re-cut on the high street, thereby ensuring any duplicates are authorised and any lost or stolen keys are reported. The goal for the locking strategy was to enable each key holder to open all doors for which they have authorised access with a single key. This created the need for an intricate locking hierarchy with multiple variations in individual keys and masterkeys. The college also wanted Caddick Construction and Sapphire Hardware to consider how project delivery at the new building in Openshaw could be part of a wider roll out of the locking hierarchy as other buildings in the campus network are built or refurbished.
WORKING WITH SAPPHIRE HARDWARE
Working collaboratively with the college and the construction contractor, Sapphire developed a locking hierarchy that enables all locks to be opened by a grandmaster key, with 12 submaster keys providing access to specific locations for teaching, maintenance, admin and cleaning staff. Once this had been agreed with the college, UAP Locking Systems custom-manufactured each cylinder and key, including hand-pinning of all cylinders for accuracy, and provision of two keys for each lock. “As some locations serve multiple departments,” explains Bill Murray from UAP Locking Systems, “some locks need to be opened by more than one submaster key. UAP Locking Systems manufactured a total of 20 key types, aligned to the access protocols provided by the college and the schedule developed by Sapphire Hardware.” For some doors, there are two locks as an additional layer of security and all classrooms have been fitted with a thumbturn to enable fast and easy locking from inside. This was part of the client’s brief, in order to deliver an additional lone working security measure for any staff staying after normal teaching hours, and for lockdown procedures in the event of a terror or knife crime attack. All external doors have also been manufactured by UAP Locking Systems to enable doors to be locked from inside the building as an additional safeguarding measure. All the data from the locks and keys produced by UAP Locking Systems is now securely stored by the company, to enable duplicate keys and replacement locks to be cut at any time. Importantly for this project, the data will also enable locks and keys for any future refurbishment or build programmes at other sites to be designed and manufactured aligned to the security and access protocols at the Openshaw building. “For example,” explains Andrew Canning, project manager at Caddick Construction, “If additional construction teaching areas are created at another site, the locking data stored by UAP will enable a lock to be installed that allows construction teaching staff based in Openshaw to access those rooms with their existing key. “The whole project has been a collaboration between the delivery partners to enable the client to maintain security on a one person, one key basis and its success has been dependent on the accuracy of Sapphire Hardware’s schedule and UAP’s manufacturing.”
www.uapcorporate.com
GETS PAST IT
EXTREME RELIABILITY ULTRA SECURE BSI KITEMARK 3
COMPETIVELY PRICED 3 BIO KEYS AS STANDARD
ERA, one of the UK’s leading home security and fenestration component providers, has partnered with system provider, SIEGENIA, to be the sole supplier of tilt and turn hardware for nationwide home improvement dealership, Conservatory Outlet.
The exclusive partnership will see the supply of SIEGENIA’s resilient TITAN hardware in conjunction with ERA’s Fab&Fix window handles for Conservatory Outlet’s entire supply of PVCu tilt and turn windows to the English market. With over 280 years’ combined experience in designing, manufacturing and supplying high performance hardware, ERA and SIEGENIA share a joint commitment to continuous product innovation and development to meet the needs of fabricators, in addition to consistently achieving customer service excellence.
Following a significant uplift in demand due to the recent surge in home improvements, Conservatory Outlet required a high volume of superior quality tilt and turn hardware in the shortest lead times possible for its 23 nationwide distributors.
Thanks to extensive UK stockholding and a combined commitment to customer service, ERA and SIEGENIA’s operations teams have worked in partnership with Conservatory Outlet to devise specific planning schedules to forecast demand and ensure supply. Karen Clough, Group Marketing Director at Conservatory Outlet, said: “With the national lockdowns and associated home improvement boom, we have seen a significant uplift in demand for our diverse offering of windows, including our tilt and turn range. Having worked with ERA for over 15 years, we knew their partnership with SIEGENIA would provide us with the highest levels of service, combined with first class product quality and innovation.”
The ERA and SIEGENIA partnership brings together two market-leading product ranges to provide Conservatory Outlet with a complementary suite of tilt and turn hardware that sets the standard for quality, performance and security. Featuring a unique comfort mushroom cam, TITAN from SIEGENIA eliminates the requirement for sash lifting blocks, ensuring smooth and faultless opening, tilting and closing of windows. Providing an automatic adjustment for changing conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, the resilient hardware guarantees a durable locking system that is optimally adjusted at all times. ERA’s Fab&Fix Sensei Tilt Lock and Turn, and Tilt and Turn Locking handles come with a 10 year mechanical guarantee. Available in a range of finishes, including Antique Black, Hardex Chrome and Hardex Gold, the handles provide the highest standards of security and functionality. Lisa Lund, Technical Sales Manager at ERA, said: “For over a decade, we have been supplying Conservatory Outlet with Fab&Fix premium door and window hardware, from our first fully suited Hardex range many years ago, right through to the more recent supply of window locks and tilt and turn handles. Our long-term relationship with SIEGENIA has enabled us to successfully fulfil Conservatory Outlet’s specific requirements and we look forward to taking this partnership from strength to strength.” The high quality hardware will provide Conservatory Outlet’s customers with a simple and precise assembly process. It automatically compensates for manufacturing-related tolerance to provide superior adjustment, streamlining production operations for enhanced efficiencies.
Ryan Thompson, Managing Director of SIEGENIA, said: “Our latest partnership with ERA demonstrates our flexibility and ability to react within the extremely fast paced market we are currently operating in. Our shared dedication to helping UK customers meet the increasing demand from homeowners has placed us in a strong position to be able to provide Conservatory Outlet’s with the best possible quality products at the stock levels they require.” For further information on ERA’s diverse portfolio of Fab&Fix decorative furniture and hardware, visit www.eraeverywhere.com or contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or email info@eraeverywhere.com. To find out more about SIEGENIA’s solutions call 024 7662 2000 or email info-uk@siegenia.com.
STAINLESS STEEL IN THE SPOTLIGHT
THE BIG SWITCHOVER IS WELL UNDERWAY
Since 2019, Mila has seen sales of our Supa™ stainless steel products increase by a staggering 184% and they now account for more than 45% of all the door hardware that we sell.
That’s a massive shift compared to before the pandemic and is probably fairly indicative of what’s been happening right across the hardware sector. Stainless steel is increasingly becoming the first choice for fabricators, not just for the premium end of the retail market where demand has remained strong for composite, timber and aluminium doors, but also for the commercial and social housing sectors where the enhanced durability can guarantee fewer costly remedials. The enforced lockdown clearly gave lots of fabricators an opportunity to take stock and review their product offering because we saw an initial surge in stainless steel sales once things reopened in April 2020. But that was been sustained throughout 2021 and we’ve now got almost 100 more customers buying stainless steel handles, letterplates, pull bars, escutcheons and door knockers from us than we did in 2019.
Some of these are fabricators who were previously buying our standard zinc diecast products and have upgraded. Others are new to Mila and are using a switch to our stainless range as an opportunity to switch to a new door furniture supplier as well. In terms of responding to the increasing demand, we’ve expanded our range and, over the past few months, have invested in unprecedented levels of new stock. As of March, we’ve got more than £1m worth of stainless steel stock in the Mila warehouse ready for sale, and another £1m+ is arriving with us in April. Fabricators who are still thinking about making the switch can be very confident that we have more than enough on our shelves to keep them supplied. And of course, they can relax knowing that they won’t just be getting a great quality product, delivered on time and in full, but also all the sales and marketing support, technical back up and personal customer service which has always characterised the Mila brand. Stainless steel obviously has lots of inherent benefits over standard zinc diecast material – the most obvious of which is the enhanced durability. Mila’s Supa™ stainless steel products, available in either SS304 extreme or SS316 marine grade material, for example, all come with a 25-year mechanical operation and surface finish guarantee. The entire range has been independently performance tested for corrosion resistance to BSEN1670 Grade 5 and has sailed through more than 1000 hours in a salt spray test. We just don’t do short cuts on this range. The SupaSecure™ handle, for instance, is produced using the same investment casting process used to produce aerospace components, and this is what helps to deliver the extreme strength as well as the superior surface quality. It’s also part of the reason why we can offer the 25-year guarantee across the range on operational performance as well as finish. The full Mila Supa™ range includes both standard and high security door handles, pull bars, standard and security escutcheons, doorknobs and door knockers, as well as standard and high security TS008 compliant letterplates. They are all fully suited, which makes it easy for fabricators to single source on their door furniture, and they can offer either traditional styling with conventional lever style handles or something more contemporary with pull bars in inline, offset, square, D-shape, V-shape, or bow-shape. In terms of finishes, we also offer a choice of polished or brushed stainless, and polished or brushed PVD gold across the range, apart from on the pull bars which are in brushed stainless only. All the details on the products in the range and the guarantees are available at: https://www.mila.co.uk/the-stainless-steel-edit/ By Richard Gyde, Managing Director, Mila
UAP LTD TAKES THE RISK OUT OF SELECTING FIRE-RATED IRONMONGERY WITH NEW FIREMONGERY RANGE AND POS
UAP Ltd, the UK’s foremost independent supplier of ironmongery products and door locking systems, has launched a complete range of Firemongery fire door products designed to help customers select the right certified solutions in three easy steps.
Firemongery is the UAP brand that specialises in fully-tested and certified ironmongery and locking products for use in compliant fire door installation. The new range is designed specifically for builder’s merchants, trade counters and wholesalers as a complete solution, with a fully-stocked POS (point of sale) unit. The unit features a unique ‘Pack Selector’ decision tree, providing customers with all the information they need to select and purchase the right items, and UAP has also created an interactive Pack Selector tool for the range on the company’s website. Restocking across the range is available with next day delivery. David Jennings, CEO of UAP Ltd explains: “We have designed this Firemongery range specifically for builder’s merchants and trader counters, enabling them to provide both the products and guidance their customers need to take the risk out of selecting fire-rated ironmongery with our innovative Pack Selector.
“Whether a builder is installing fire doors across several properties or a homeowner is upgrading a single door, ensuring that the ironmongery meets both the relevant compliance requirements and the practical needs of the occupier is very important. This range has been developed as a pickup-and-go solution for builder’s merchant environments, with right first time product selection. The accompanying POS is both eye-catching and informative to help inform customers and attract sales.”
Comprising robust, fully tested products selected by UAP’s experts, the Firemongery range includes eight different packs, six of which are boxed with the remaining two in Euro Card/poly bag packaging. The compact, easy-to-assemble POS display unit has been designed to accommodate four units of each pack and UAP is offering a fully stocked POS for almost half the retail value of the products, with informative leaflets and a counter-top display unit included in the price. David Jennings continues: “Both professional tradespeople and DIYers are extremely nervous about selecting the right fire rated products so there is a real opportunity for builder’s merchants and trade counters to help them select the right products and have confidence in their choices with our new point of sale and Pack selector approach. “We have designed the Firemongery POS to be both practical and informative. With a mixture of shelves, hooks and a leaflet dispenser, everything fits neatly on the robust unit. Meanwhile, the question and answer Pack Selector means that product selection is straightforward. And, of course, the Firemongery products offer the quality, value and compliance customers expect from a UAP brand.”
www.uapcorporate.com
ROTO’S INNOVATIVE INOWA FROM CARL F GROUPCO
Carl F Groupco, the major stockist of Roto hardware, reports increasing demand from fabricators for the = Patio Inowa sliding door hardware system. Launched in the hardware distributors range in 2020, the sliding door system has gathered momentum thanks to its enhanced functionality and security options.
Commenting on the increase in demand Julie Warner, Carl F Groupco’s Roto Product Manager said: “There has been a significant increase in interest from fabricators for the Roto Patio Inowa range in the last 6 months partly due to Aluplast launching their Smart-Slide door which features the hardware. Inowa is particularly popular for new build installations as the system meets many stringent regulations, namely the rain and air impermeability test to BS EN 13126-17 and the ability to achieve PAS 24 security. “As with all Roto hardware, the Inowa is also supplied with Grade 5 corrosion resistance as standard which assists with its suitability for coastal and high-rise installations.” Innovating sliding door hardware with the Patio Inowa system, Roto ensured users could comfortably slide sash weights up to 250kg for timber, PVCu and aluminium profiles. Minimum effort is required to move sashes as the closing movement is perpendicular to the frame profile and roller bearings mean that it is not necessary to lift the sash. Soft functionality also gently brakes the sash when coming to a stop in
Roto’s Patio Inowa sliding door hardware system is suitable for PVC, timber and aluminium profiles
the open or closed position, ensuring safe opening, every time. Equally suited for low- and high-rise applications, including coastal or penthouse living, Patio Inowa hardware keeps the sash tightly sealed in bad weather conditions thanks to the circumferential gasket and active control of locking points. The system is also capable of achieving PAS 24 compliance be securing locking points in the mullion and V locking cams. The handle is also lockable with drilling protection. With a trading history dating back over 70 years, Carl F Groupco has a strong reputation for hardware expertise and the company prides itself on supplying it’s UK fabricator partners large and small. The team are always on hand to provide advice on the most appropriate hardware solutions for all projects. Product Link: https://www.carlfgroupco. co.uk/door-hardware/patio-door-hardware/ roto-inowa-sliding-door-hardware-system Carl F Groupco: www.carlfgroupco.co.uk SmartSecure: www.smartsecure.co.uk Carl F direct: www.carlfdirect.co.uk
FLEXIBLE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ARE EASY TO INSTALL WITH CRL
Offering a flexible, effective and protective partitioning solution for office and public-facing environments, CRL’s Portable Partition Screen Fittings and Partition Posts are simple to fit and ideal for maintaining post-pandemic health and safety protocols.
Discreet, elegant and secure, the Partition Posts can be fitted to existing areas that require partitions, including office desks, reception areas, dining spaces and serveries. Three styles of post are available – Design Series, Sculptured Series and Desktop Design Series – with a solution available to blend seamlessly with any environment. screen, the Design and Sculptured Partition Posts are made from aluminium for durability and strength and are designed to be used with 6mm glazing. Available in either a Satin Anodised or Matte Black finish to ensure the partitioning blends seamlessly into the surroundings, posts in the Design Series, featuring a slim-line profile and easyto-install mounting base, come in widths from 12” to 30” and in five standard configurations – end, centre, corner, 3-way and 4-way. Sculptured series posts are just as versatile, available in 12”, 18” and 24” widths and in end, centre and corner configurations as required to complete an efficient and attractive counter installation.
The CRL Portable Partition Screen Fitting, available in a black or brushed stainless steel finish, is a versatile desktop or countertop option, with an anti-slip base and extra fittings that can be easily added to increase the width of the barrier as required. A base profile with corner connectors provides one useful solution or the same profile can be used as post supports to be fixed back to the surface or to freestanding feet. For more information call CRL on 01706 863600, email crl@crlaurence.co.uk, or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk.
