Doors & Windows

Up, up and away! Strand Hardware is celebrating its 30th anniversary as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of door and window hardware including finger protectors, emergency exit and panic hardware, window control systems and glass fittings.

The family-run business, based in Walsall, West Midlands, is marking the occasion by sending a gift to customers and suppliers as a thank-you for their continued support. The company was established by the late Jonathan Franks, who previously ran Hope Works, a well-known iron foundry manufacturing traditional black antique ironmongery. Jonathan’s daughter, Catherine joined him in the business in 2000, initially as Company Secretary and took on the Managing Director’s role upon her father’s retirement in 2006.

Over the years, Strand Hardware has grown – extending its operations, workforce and premises –while managing to maintain the family ethos on which it was based. Many of its employees have worked for the company for more than 20 years – a loyalty matched by a commitment to staff development and welfare. Said Catherine: “We are not an enormous company; everyone knows everybody else and looks after each other and that has created a sense of team.

“Even though our staff are not directly involved in scheduling, we invest in training so they have a full understanding of the market and extensive knowledge of our products to best advise customers. The key to our success is customer service – we take care of our customers and protect our reputation by going above and beyond supply.” Strand Hardware is now the sole UK distributor for leading European manufacturers including Athmer (finger protection) and Antipanic (panic hardware). It also manufacturers its own range, Duoflex - adjustable folding openers for timber, aluminium, steel and PVCu windows.

Its expertise in ‘niche’ but highly technical products means that it has extensive reach. Walk through the doors of many of the UK’s popular fast-food outlets and it’s likely that you will pass by products it supplies to developers, fabricators and installers through its network of trusted distributors. Likewise, buildings within health and education which require entrances with durable fittings to meet safety and accessibility requirement – are also likely candidates.

In contract, the company also supplies its D-fine range, which is made entirely from 316 stainless steel for specialist installations. Its anti-corrosive properties mean they have been installed in wind farms, oil rigs and costal operations around the globe. The extensive use of its products has led to it becoming members of a number of industry associations including the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, the Door Hardware Federation and Council for Aluminium in Building. Catherine plays an active role among them and will once again sit on the judging panel for the GAI/RIBA Spec Awards taking place next year. Earlier this year, a sister company, Strand Technologies was launched, offering technology-based solutions for safety, security and control of electro-mechanical devices, including (but not exclusively) windows and entrances. The COVID pandemic propelled demand including fail-safe diagnostics for automatic door systems and occupancy management systems. Just like its products, Strand Hardware has demonstrated a lasting durability. It has travelled a road with many milestones – chronicled in an illustrative timeline on its website to mark its anniversary www.xxxxx - and remains buoyant with a positive future ahead.

For more information email: info@strandhardware.co.uk

REFLEX-ROL MAXI SYSTEMS

‘Blinds’ are out and ‘Solar Shading’ is in! With the advance of Solar Shading fabrics, we can now achieve g-values ( Total energy penetration degrees) of less than 20%, and that is almost, within a few % , on a par with external shading but without the maintenance issues. Solar shading has become highly technical and there really is no ‘off the shelf’ solution or a ‘one fits all’ scenario.

The Reflex-Rol MAXI solar shading system is ideally suited for buildings with overheating and glare issues such as: office environments, large glazed areas, hospitals, schools, private and public buildings. The clients we serve are architectural, interior design, construction planning, building management, health & safety professionals and residential. The principle which underpins our service policy is best professional practice. Best practice in solar control technology means supplying product and technical support of the highest standard and levels of professional competence.

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Reflex-Rol MAXI systems, in combination with Mermet fabrics, provide a technically advance, elegant solution to solar heat and glare control. Ideal for virtually any application, indoor or outdoor, small or large blinds, due to the functionality of the systems and the extensive range of fabric textures and colours available. Horizontal, vertical, inclined, shaped, Reflex-Rol has a solution for any window. Available in a wide range of headbox sizes with a variety of side guides and bottom bars also available. Hardware available as standard in white or aluminium, or why note have it powder coated to a RAL colour of your choice? All blinds include an invisible opening headbox for rear ventilation on the window side. The headbox serves as a stop to limit the upper position of the blinds as well as protection when the blinds are not in use.

Mermet coated fibreglass fabrics are suitable for solar shading, sound control and the provision of tensile structures such as canopies, stretched ceilings and wall panels. Ideal for both internal and external use, Mermet fabrics are ideal for digital printing; meaning pictures, corporate logos and such can be printed onto the fabric before it made into the final product this could be a blind, stretched ceiling or anything else your imagination suggests. Mermet fabrics also meet BS476, Part 6, Class O fire rating making them particularly suitable for use in schools, hospitals or other public areas and buildings.

Reflex-Rol has been providing shading solutions to the UK market for nearly 40 years, since 1983. Give us a call today to see how we can help you!

www.reflex-rol.co.uk info@reflex-rol.co.uk

HIGHLY RATED

“They can save lives, prevent injury, protect against fire spreading by containing it, and the smoke and toxic gases emitted. An effective barrier against flames, FR doors provide invaluable – potentially life-saving minutes - in the event of a burning room and having to evacuate a property; they help reduce fire damage too.” Crittall’s InnerVision range of glazed internal fixed screens and doors can now be specified for fire rated applications. The steel-framed system is compliant with BS476 Part 22 providing 30 minutes (FD30) integrity fire resistance. The enhancement of the leading range of internal screens and doors has been achieved while preserving the unique slender steel profile, which is the hallmark of Crittall products, and now sets InnervisionFR apart from other bulkier fire rated systems. The FR doors and fixed lights seamlessly blend with an almost identical appearance, with the added benefit of peace of mind in the home. Created to achieve transmission of light throughout a home’s internal living and homeworking spaces, InnervisionFR provides a combination of bespoke and modular options with high performance fire rated glazing and an extensive range of traditional or contemporary hardware. The system matches Crittall’s Corporate W20 external windows and doors, reflecting the timeless style of a period house or the contemporary feel of on-trend industrial styles. While enhanced acoustic properties effectively keep noise at bay – a welcome attribute for homeowners with an office, work-out room or entertainment zone/cinema. Available in any RAL or BS colour, InnervisionFR can be supplied as fixed screens, single or double leaf hinged doors, and is hot dip galvanized making it virtually maintenance free.

More Crittall Windows info

www.crittall-windows.co.uk;

t: 01376 530800; e: hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

Case Study IMPROVING BUILDING HYGIENE – WHERE DOES DOOR HARDWARE FIT IN?

Daniel May, Director at Consort Architectural Hardware, discusses the role door hardware plays in improving hygiene within public building environments.

Health and hygiene are delicate themes, particularly in today’s settings. Both our homes and public building environments can have a huge impact on our wellbeing, and over the past few years, this fact has only been exemplified.

Eighty percent of common infections are spread by touch and every 30 minutes, the average person is said to touch surfaces that expose them to 840,000 germs. These germs are prevalent in buildings too, where touchpoints are areas or items that are used by several individuals. Within workplace environments for example, door handles are the most touched surface and can be associated with crosscontamination and health risks.

At present, the need to improve hygiene within our building environments, understandably, carries a greater significance than it maybe once did. But in truth, when it comes to building design, the process of protecting occupants and visitors against infection - especially those most vulnerable - should never be overlooked.

Design for Bacteria Control

Over the past two years, we’ve seen building environments closed, reopened and the process repeated. The idea of reducing footfall in facilities was key in fighting the rising infection rates associated with the coronavirus. But now, that footfall has returned.

Once again, those critical touchpoints such as door handles are harbouring germs. In fact, research has shown that the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours, and even days on metal door handles - and the same can be said for the common flu.

In response, we’ve seen government campaigns promoting hand washing, sanitising and distancemaking in the wake of a return to public facilities. Undoubtedly, infection control methods such as hand washing and systematic cleaning are the most guaranteed way of controlling crosscontamination - yet, still these methods can become redundant when faced with human error or relaxed conventions within public buildings.

Building design can play an important role here. Daniel May, Director at Consort explains: “We’re at a point where decision makers are under pressure to keep building hygiene standards as high as ever before. And outside of the clear-cut hygiene measures, it’s understood that more can be done throughout the building design process, with architectural hardware selection at the core of decisions.

“Door hardware is the first touchpoint when entering, exiting or navigating a building, and can be one of the most bacteriaridden. Yet, the latest in hardware advancements could give facility managers an edge in the fight against infection, especially in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals for example, where footfall is high and the need to

“For added protection against bacteria, facilities can implement tailored anti-microbial hardware and finishes. Anti-microbial coatings applied to door handles are precisely formulated to prevent bacteria build-up upon the surface by interrupting cell multiplication. Some door seal solutions also make use of modern anti-bacterial technology, embedding it within the aluminium and silicone of the door seal during production, further reducing the spread of bacteria in high traffic areas.”

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) sets a regulation that cleanliness and effective infection control is a necessity for care and hospital locations. As well as best practice methods, healthcare environments are encouraged to introduce innovative infection control methods where possible. Similarly, under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, decision makers have an active duty to keep inhabitants safe and their environments clean. And aside from the use of antimicrobial solutions, many are challenged to provide hygienically maintained environments without sacrificing fire or safety standards.

Daniel adds: “Facilities with high footfall must also consider ventilation and ease of movement. Whether in healthcare, commercial or public environments, both are key elements of efficient building management and when done effectively, can further help inhibit the spread of infection by ensuring fresh air is consistently making its way through halls and rooms.

“The most effective way to improve ventilation throughout a building is by opening its windows and doors. This creates an inlet for fresh air and an outlet for the old air, and with access points open, minimises the need to touch door handles. Yet, when focusing on airflow, it’s inopportune to disregard fire safety. Too many times, we’ve seen facilities fall foul of leaving fire doors propped open in favour of improving ventilation and ease of access - but simply put, it’s illegal to do so and leaves fire doors wholly ineffective in a fire situation.

“Modern exit systems are purpose built to ensure fire doors can be left open safely and securely. Automatic door controls make use of sensors which activate the operator devices connected to the main access doors. In turn, this aids access and egress when required and closes the doors shut when necessary. In the event of a fire, the alarm is sounded, and the doors close automatically - ensuring safety is never compromised. What’s more, these systems can be integrated with the external building security, reducing risk on all fronts.

“Ultimately, when paired with regular cleaning practices, these modern solutions can play an assist role in the fight against infection, helping to maintain building hygiene as well as the obligatory standards associated with building and fire safety.”

Infection Control at Consort

Consort’s bespoke specification services extend to hygienic solutions, offering users tailored products to suit the needs of any building infrastructure. Antimicrobial finishes can be applied to any touch products and door seals, of which are already supplied to large complex hospitals around the world including Pamela Youde in Hong Kong and the Metropolitan Hospital in Birmingham. Find out more here: www.consortme.com/

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