AIJ winter 2014

WINTER 2014

ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL

BEYOND BOOKS How the Library of Birmingham delivered the ultimate public space

inside NEWS

Report from Dubai Big 5 FEATURES

GAI Education Award winners OPINION

Protect your IP

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DISCREET DESIGN PRECISION ENGINEERED

Call the GEZE UK sales team on:

GEZE floor springs – designed, tested, approved.

01543 443010 info.uk@geze.com www.geze.co.uk

GEZE’s range of floor springs combine precision engineering with discreet styling and the highest degree of functionality. Suitable for single or double action doors, left or right hinged, interior or exterior use, even doors weighing up to 300kg, there is a floor spring to suit every application.

Add in that they are thoroughly tested – CE Marked and Certifire CF 259 approved, and have a DoP – and you have one of the best and most comprehensive range of floor springs available – just what you would expect from a market leading company like GEZE.

Door Control Technology | Automatic Door Systems | Window Technology | Safety Technology | Glass Systems

BEWEGUNG MIT SYSTEM

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CONTENTS Winter 2014

NEWS AND VIEWS News Vox pops Comment Trending

04 10 12 13

FEATURES The Library of Birmingham GAI Education Award winners Exporting expertise

16 22 26

TECHNICAL A Certifire scheme for lever furniture 30

NEW PRODUCTS New launches this quarter

32

BACK DOOR Mid-century modern mania

34

E D I TO R I A L PA N E L :

Gary Amer

GAI Chief Exeutive Tel: 020 7033 2841 Email: gary.amer@gai.org.uk

Lucy Apsey GAI Marketing Manager Tel: 020 7033 2843 Email: lucy.apsey@gai.org.uk

Maria Simmonds GAI Vice President Email: msimmonds@lorientuk.com

Liz Male Director Liz Male Consulting Tel: 01234 712279 Email: liz@lizmale.co.uk T E CH N I CA L CO N SU LTA NT:

Paul Duggan

Tel: 01902 722122 Email: Paul.Duggan@exova.com D E SI GN A N D PR O D U CT I O N :

Atom Publishing

Tel: 020 7490 5595 www.atompublishing.co.uk

aij is published by The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers.

BPF House, 6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JE. Telephone 020 7033 2480. Website: www.gai.org.uk Although this magazine is the official publication of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, claims and opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers do no necessarily reflect the official view of the GAI. Copyright The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers ISSN 0959-986x

E D I TO R :

Nicky Roger Tel: 07704 336835 Email: nicky@atompublishing.co.uk A R T E D I TO R :

Heather Rugeley

ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL / 03

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NEWS

TOP LONDON HOTEL CHOOSES AGRIPPA HOLDERS Agrippa fire door holders have been installed throughout Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square, a luxury serviced Apart’hotel in London’s Trafalgar Square. The holders are designed to ease access throughout the building, while protecting guests and staff in case of a fire emergency.

Fifity-five wire-free Agrippa fire door holders allow fire doors to be held open for ease of access, releasing them in the event of a fire alarm sounding, to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Geofire’s digital technology enables the Agrippa door holders to uniquely ‘listen and learn’ the sound of a specific fire alarm.

This ensures the holder’s releasing trigger reacts only to the precise sound of the fire alarm rather than extraneous loud noises, so false activations are virtually eliminated.

Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square management says the Agripper has been very effective in solving its problem of obstructive fire doors. “In turn this has helped us achieve a more positive experience for our guests and better feedback.”

As it’s installed at the top of the fire door, the Agrippa holder does not cause damage to flooring. Its unique learning function optimises settings to suit the installed position, and it can be programmed for timed daily releases. It requires only two C cell batteries (which last for 12 months), has battery life indication and low battery warning. It is approved to EN1155 and CE Marked.

KABA GETS POLICE APPROVAL Kaba Ltd (UK & Ireland) is now approved by Secured by Design (SBD), a flagship UK Police initiative to help ‘design out’ crime through the use of high-quality innovative products and processes. Kaba received an SBD Award for its pExtra cylinders including the Kitemark approved TS007 3-star cylinder pExtra Guard.

The Secured by Design logo is the only symbol that guarantees national Police approval of a product, providing architects, planners, specifiers, builders and end customers with reassurance that it provides a realistic level of resistance to criminal attack.

BIRTHING CENTRE DELIVERS ON SAFETY John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford Women’s Centre has upgraded its fire alarm control panel system which will allow improvements to the Centre’s evacuation procedures, and the future implementation of loop powered base sounders throughout the building.

Designers and installers Pyrotec Systems Ltd. chose Kentec fire control panels and repeater units to replace the existing old addressable fire alarm control panels because of their reliability and compatibility with all the building’s existing field devices. The 9 Kentec Syncro analogue addressable fire control panels and 6 repeater units will enable the new network to provide a complete building system solution with flexible cause and effect capabilities.

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NEWS

Dudhope House a young people’s mental health unit being constructed for NHS Tayside will be the first project in Scotland to use a range of transom mount door closers SUREclose – a joint development between Safehinge and DORMA.

GEZE EXPANDS GEZE UK is responding to a changing market place with a strategic restructuring and expansion plan. The Staffordshire-based firm, whose parent company GEZE GmbH celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, is investing in customer service and sales staff .

Alan Carse, who has worked for GEZE for nine years is moving to a new role as national business development manager.

He will be responsible for national and global account handling, high-end bespoke products and projects using the SK Product range which include specialist revolving doors,

curved and semi-curved sliding door systems.

Ken Price, who joined GEZE in 2002, becomes national sales manager, automatics and service. This move significantly expands his remit. Ken will also continue to grow service sales as well as leading the specification support team.

The specification team, which works closely with architects and specifiers on all GEZE products at the initial design stages, will be enhanced with the recruitment of two additional specification managers. The first of these is Matt Gater who takes responsibility for North of England & Scotland.

The product sales teams are also expanding with the recruitment of two new staff members to the automatic sales team and a national sales manager for window systems.

Andy Iredale joins the company as technical sales consultant automatic doors and Nian Jarvis (pictured) joins the company as technical sales consultant automatic doors, across the East Midlands and East Anglia.

The purpose-built young people’s unit will include a 12-bed inpatient unit with an education facility and family accommodation. The architects Gauldie Wright and Partners (GWP) are working with BAM Construction through Hub Scotland framework.

The product offers a specific closing mechanism for all door scenarios: a standard double swing closer with backcheck functionality for bedroom doors, or electronically-linked door closers that allow architects and building managers to either have electro-magnetic hold open or freeswing options without sacrificing fire compartmentalisation or the anti-ligature requirements. The SUREclose is electronically linked to the fire alarm system, ensuring the door closer operates when a fire alarm is triggered.

GWP specified SUREClose learning from past incidents such as care home Rose Park where a fire caused 14 fatalities. The bedroom doors needed to be fire rated, but the preference of clinical staff was for the doors not to automatically close to allow for improved staff observation. Being a CAMHS unit there is also likely to be a percentage of service users with eating disorders, the reduced strength of these users could make the doors difficult to operate, even with the standard Equalities Act opening force requirements of 30N.

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NEWS

IAI AGM AND AWARDS DINNER: BOOK NOW Members of the IAI are invited to get involved with shaping the future of the Institute at its AGM in February.

The 2015 AGM will hold particular significance as it will be taking the opportunity to announce a change in Chairmanship, celebrating a new chapter for the Institute. Mario Del-Signore will assume

the chair whilst giving thanks to Shaun Brown for his stewardship over the past two years. The event starts on the evening of Friday 20 February with a buffet and race night before the AGM and dinner on Saturday 21 February. The event is being held at Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel, Cirencester.

The Institute, the individual membership section of the GAI, runs a thriving network of local branches across the UK and internationally. The AGM and dinner is a highlight of the Institute’s calendar, combining a lively business session, a celebration of industry recognition and a very sociable dinner dance to round off the event.

Each year the Institute presents four prestigious awards which are an acknowledgement of an individual’s (or sometimes a team’s) outstanding contribution to the Institute or the industry.

The four awards are: Fellowship Award, Paul Lewis Award for Customer Service; GAI Award for Services to the Institute and Promising Ironmonger of the Year.

For more details and online booking keep your eyes open for the launch of our dedicated microsite. If you have questions about the AGM contact Lucy Apsey at lucy.apsey@gai.org.uk

NEW DOORS FORM PART OF FACELIFT AT ENFIELD HOMES Hundreds of Astra 3000 Series door closers have helped make newly refurbished homes in London’s Enfield safe and practical for tenants. New flat entrance doors, supplied by PDS Ltd are part of a major facelift and improvements at Fore Street Estate in Edmonton by ALMO Enfield Homes.

The closers were selected for their ability to close these fire-rated doors efficiently while at the same time being unobtrusive, hard wearing and reliable.

In addition, there is a closer in the 3000 Series for any size of door – no matter how narrow – making the doors usable for tenants, no matter how able.

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Performs Beautifully Introducing AURA, an innovative new range of architectural seals by Lorient. The functional performance your doors demand, but with a new design sensibility.

Elegant curves and cleverly concealed fixings for a more refined finish Innovative reversible gaskets and tread strips enable greater flexibility Bespoke colours and finishes allow you to express your design with complete freedom

For your sample pack and brochure, covering our new range of drop seals, door bottom seals, perimeter seals and threshold plates/ramps, please email: aura@lorientuk.com

The Design Edge

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www.lorientgroup.com

+44(0)1626 834252

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NEWS

GA R Y A M E R • GA I TA L K This new column gives me the opportunity to comment on a range of issues associated with the GAI, and the industry as a whole.

For this issue I’ve chosen to focus on the GAI itself – it’s a hive of activity and I’m keen to keep members up to date.

The way in which we’re developing the GAI business through the the pillars of education, technical and community has been public knowledge since the AGM in May this year, and we have been moving forward on these fronts. I am now very pleased to be able to start 2015 with a complete GAI staff team charged with the responsibility to deliver a wide range of challenges and expectations, and grasp a number of opportunities, over the coming years.

Exciting and ambitious times, which inevitably bring changes too. And we’ve already changed a lot!

Marketing has had somewhat of a renaissance too and now lies at the heart of our strategy. We’re delighted that we have engaged the services of a fully qualified senior marketer, Lucy Apsey, who has already made a significant impact on what we do & how we do it. Working alongside Lucy we have a new PR agency, new designer and AIJ publisher to enhance our output in these areas, together with more comprehensive social media activities and a new and much needed website to be introduced in January. “ The developing online education platform is expected to transform students’ experience. The number of overseas students continues to increase every year and is now 39% of the total number on the Diploma programme. It wouldn’t surprise me if it reaches 50% for 2014/15. And who knows what it will be when we implement the new global online platform in September 2015?

For some time now we’ve been looking at ways in which we can enhance the technical service and supply of information to members. This is now gathering momentum and I’m expecting to see some real improvements made in this area next year which will include bringing a commercial approach to this important pillar of the business.

We now have working parties in place to support both the IAI and GAI AGMS. We want them to be of good value in terms of content and cost, and are delighted that members are participating in their design and development.

A positive way forward which I hope translates into strong attendance.

In fact, value is extremely important to us. All of our ambitions are ultimately designed to provide membership value, which is core to our business. We are embarking on a newly-commissioned, structured piece of research to reveal fully how we can serve you better.

Gary Amer

Chief Executive of the GAI

Dubai presentation recognises the GCC’s newest architectural hardware heroes GAI celebrated its first anniversary of its Institute of Architectural Ironmongers branch in Dubai recently, timed to coincide with the GAI’s presence at the Big 5, the largest construction exhibition in the Middle East which attracts more than 74,000 participants from 124 countries.

The Guild was also presenting at the Big 5 conference. Keith Maer, GAI education manager, presented a CPD-certified workshop, covering the requirements for maintaining and inspecting hardware on fire and escape doors.

He also spoke to delegates about the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS), an initiative set

Another set of students has passed the GAI exams in Dubai this year and received their diplomas and certificates at a special presentation event held in November in Dubai.

In June, 32 candidates from across the region sat their exams in GCC, proof of the strength and recognition of the GAI’s qualifications in the Middle East. Of these, 12 successful students up by the GAI in a joint venture with the BWF-CERTIFIRE Scheme, which has been very successful in the UK for the last two years and is becoming available in the Gulf through a partnership between FDIS and the HOPPE Group in Dubai.

Keith Maer commented: “This time last year the GAI introduced its Institute branch in Dubai and it’s a pleasure to be back to provide a CPD opportunity for the Institute members here. It was great to be able to present at the Big 5 and I hope I’ve been able to improve people’s knowledge in this area.”

GAI ENJOYS SUCCESS AT BIG 5 DUBAI

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TECTUS

®

THE COMPLETELY CONCEALED HINGE SYSTEM achieved the GAI Certificate in Architectural Hardware and another five gained the Guild’s most prestigious qualification, the GAI Diploma.

The students were congratulated at the event hosted by the Guild’s Vice President, Maria Simmonds, and its Chief Executive, Gary Amer.

Gary Amer said: “The GAI is growing fast internationally, and our qualifications are very popular in the Gulf States. We congratulate all the successful candidates who are promoting increased professionalism in architectural ironmongery across the GCC.” The Certificate in Architectural Hardware is usually a two-year commitment, but can be fasttracked in a year by students with sufficient time and determination. It is particularly useful for those working in warehouse and trade counter roles, procurement, scheduling and estimating, customer

service, technical support, sales and administration.

The GAI Diploma is a threeyear programme covering all aspects of architectural ironmongery. It is designed for everyone working in the architectural ironmongery industry, regardless of their location in the world, and is particularly suited to those in customer service, contract management, scheduling and estimating, and sales.

There are now more than 2,000 GAI Diploma holders across 21countries. Employers recruiting for architectural ironmongery positions often cite the GAI Diploma as a requirement to prove their industry understanding and experience. To become a Full member of the GAI, a company must have at least one employee who has passed the GAI Diploma.

Both qualifications are part of the education portfolio from the GAI which has been developing over 50 years and is the only recognised programme in the world that leads to a qualification in architectural ironmongery to British and European standards.

MEMBER BENEFIT

Technical Helpline All Guild Member companies are entitled to use the Technical Helpline as often as necessary. Any questions regarding standards, legislation and regulations relating to doors and their hardware which are proving difficult to answer or resolve can be referred to the GAI’s technical consultant.

Questions regarding sourcing, such as ‘Where can I get a polished chrome Euro-cylinder?’ are for your estimating department, or a Google search! So if you’re struggling with a knotty problem, don’t stay in doubt – find out! jacky.sinclair@gai.org.uk

HINGE TECHNOLOGY

www.simonswerk.co.uk e: sales@simonswerk.co.uk | t: 0121 522 2848

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FEEDBACK

VOX POP

Mandatory CE Marking on hardware for fire and escape doors – welcome safety initiative or extra workload?

Paul Duggan CERTIFICATION MANAGER, EXOVA

CE marking has been around our industry for some eight years now, hardware products such as Panic exit devices and hinges were some of the first items to be CE marked, glass used in fire areas, doors, screens, etc has also been CE marked for around five years.

The hardware industry embraced CE marking and it became the minimum requirement for most products where they are covered by a harmonised standard. It was only on 1 July 2013 when this really hit home as CE marking became mandatory for all construction products that are covered by the scope of a harmonised standard, glass, external doors, hardware items further to those above such as door closers, locks, hold open devices, etc.

Since the change, the GAI and other trade associations have worked hard to make sure that their members are complying or at least the information is made available.

Because the hardware industry had CE marked for some time the change was not a big surprise to most; it has affected those that didn’t CE mark because end users and specifiers are now aware of the requirement and that it became mandatory.

Jason Tonks ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCT MANAGER, HOPPE UK

The compulsory marking of hardware for fire doors is a positive change and one which we hope will clear up any confusion in the marketplace.

And it is certainly true that there has been confusion with some manufacturers muddying the water with regards to certification and testing.

The easiest way for specifiers to ensure that they are getting the correct product for their fire door is to check the product’s Declaration of Performance (DoP) which requires a current CE Certificate to be valid or to use products which are Certifire approved.

All of our hardware for fire doors is tested for conformity to the appropriate standards and CE marked where relevant if they fall within the scope of a harmonised standard.

The ‘where appropriate’ caveat is important to emphasise. Not all door hardware for fire doors – such as handles – comes within the scope of a harmonised standard and therefore cannot be CE Marked. This is still a source of confusion in the marketplace with some contractors claiming they cannot be used on fire doors – a myth which we are working hard to dispel.

(See p30 for more on fire safety and lever furniture)

Graham Shirville DIRECTOR, ALLGOOD

Work on the development of European (EN) Standards for our architectural hardware products started in the 1980s. More recently we led the way with the introduction of mandatory Harmonised Standards (hENs) for many of our products. Now, however, has come the time for the next stage of this work. With the forthcoming introduction of mandatory CE Marking of Fire Doorsets we will have to learn a lot of extra information about how this will affect the competent selection of hardware. BS EN 16034 is the standard in question and mandatory CE Marking to this standard will start after a “period of co-existence” which may be up to five years from now. In addition to the standard itself we will also need to learn about EXAP rules by which alternative hardware can be legally used.

Remember that this new standard ONLY applies to Doorsets – basically where everything for the door and frame and essential hardware comes from one supplier.

It is not applicable where door leaves, frames, hardware, glass and other fittings are placed on the market and sourced separately.

Is it all worth it? Well probably yes. When I came into the industry there were no performance standards at all. The only tilt towards measuring quality for hinges was a table showing the minimum weight of a dozen pairs. We have come a long way in being able to validate product performance since those days.

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Dublin Series

AR8800 Touch Bar

Architectural Hinges

Quick-FitPlus

A year of innovation in architectural hardware Innovation is the difference between a leader and a follower. In 2014 HOPPE (UK) has certainly lead the field.

From concealed closers, certified locks and architectural hinges, to the stunning handle range we are famous for, we have launched an unprecedented series of new products throughout the year. We know that reputations are built on reliability and performance. That’s why quality manufacturing lies at the heart of what we do at HOPPE. Of course, all of our products are tested to the appropriate standards and CE marked where appropriate.

• duranorm® door handle range • Quick-FitPlus • EN179 certified locks and furniture sets • ARRONE® architectural hinges • AR7383 concealed door closer

Innovation you can rely on.

HOPPE (UK) Ltd · Gailey Park · Gravelly Way · Wolverhampton WV10 7GW · Tel. 01902 484 400 · Fax. 01902 484 406 · www.hoppe.co.uk · info.uk@hoppe.co.uk

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COMMENT

IT’S A STEAL Maria Simmonds on why it’s important to protect your intellectual property

W

hat is intellectual property (IP)? It is something unique that you physically create – an idea alone is not intellectual property. Your intellectual property is either protected automatically from theft or copying, or you can register it to protect it. Protecting your intellectual property makes it easier to take legal action against people stealing or copying: the names of your products or brands; your inventions; the design or look of your products or things you write, make or produce.

Establishing intellectual property protection can be an expensive, challenging endeavour.

But it should be viewed both as a deterrent to potential imitators and as part of an entrance fee to new markets.

Immediate payback from investment in IP is unrealistic. But play the long game and the rewards are there.

IP can be a tradable business asset, should be a permanent item on the board meeting agenda and ought to be fully aligned with your business objectives. Smart IP strategy requires attention to detail; you have to identify, capture, protect and keep under regular review all your assets.

For Lorient Polyproducts, designer & manufacturer of sealing systems for door assemblies, establishing IP is considered a long term investment.

When we innovate, our design team

is compelled to create something that has intellectual property. We’re very proactive. Wherever possible we design in features; elements that we can protect with IP. Today we have a wide ranging portfolio of patents, design registrations, trademark registrations and licences – extending across a number of countries throughout the world. Because of this profile, we often find ourselves copied or misrepresented and I’ve lost count of the number of ‘Lorient’ business cards I’ve come across all over the world claiming to be a Lorient person or entity simply by displaying our logo (a registered trademark)!”

I don’t think there’s any point in investing in IP if you’re not going to monitor the activity of others who may potentially infringe. It helps to keep competitors at bay. My advice? Don’t design anything new without considering the IP potential.

However, the resources required to handle disputes can be considerable, especially if the dispute involves litigation in multiple countries. The cost of having that advice, plus the searches and registration processes, are expensive considerations.

IP doesn’t always have to be registered. We invested in R&D to develop our own intumescent technology. And as a result, we’re now self-sufficient. We manufacture our own material in Devon – with a formula kept as a closely guarded trade secret. This technology has not only given us independence from our former suppliers, but has also provided enhanced performance over the previously used material. It’s a great differentiator.

I view our IP portfolio as much as a deterrent as an actual defence.

Yes it can occasionally bare its teeth: and at any time I have a number of ‘communications,’ with parties who have either infringed or were completely unaware of our IP in that area. So we politely draw their attention to it. Most infringers back down when presented with a well-structured and maintained portfolio. Infringements, in some cases, can even be turned into business opportunities via licencing agreements.

I don’t think there’s any point in investing in IP if you’re not going to monitor the activity of others who may potentially infringe.”

Realising the value from IP and intangible assets can create considerable competitive advantage, but it is not something that can be ‘played at’ or dabbled with. Obtaining the advice of a professional expert is an absolute must, to avoid falling prey to the many opportunists who seek to exploit the fear and ignorance around this often misunderstood topic. Once you enter the international IP registration process, you will find yourselves bombarded with countless rogue requests for invoices to be paid on your trademarks, designs and patents. It is essential you can turn to your chosen IP partner to determine what is and isn’t genuine. Oversights can be incredibly expensive!

Managed and maintained well – a comprehensive IP portfolio can be one of your businesses most valuable assets. As with other assets, it requires regular investment, review, and the support of dedicated professional advisers – but if looked after properly should serve your business strategy well and help you achieve and maintain a robust market position.

Maria Simmonds is Managing Director of Lorient and Vice President of the GAI.

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TRENDS

OPEN DOORS

One new trend on the rise is all about flinging open your doors and letting in the great British public.

OpenCo took place in London in October for the second time. This international initiative sees a wide variety of businesses opening the doors to their offices and headquarters and letting people take a look around. Almost 60 firms took part including Google, Airbnb, AOL and the Jamie Oliver Group. A great way to nose around some of the funkiest places to work.

Similar thinking goes on next spring when the

HOW COOL IS THIS?

GIRL POWER

Open Doors weekend takes place on 6-7 March.

This offers the chance to visit hundreds of live construction projects in the UK. In 2013 over 3,000 people visited various sites around the country.

And it even happens on a smaller level.

One Barnsley-based manufacturer of building and construction products, opened its doors to local companies, as part of its recent expansion plans. It offered a a guided tour of its factory and a first glimpse of its new £2.2m kiln as well as a talk on how it managed to grow its turnover from £35m to £50m in four years.

WikiHouse 4.0 was a prototype built for London Design Festival in summer 2014. The project was a collaboration between ARUP, The Building Centre, Mom-entum Engineering and architects zero zero (00) to showcase the most advanced WikiHouse hardware to date; 4.0 is the world’s first open source, digitally manufactured, two storey house.

WikiHouse is an open source construction system.

A design common for high-performance, lowenergy homes which can be customised, printed and self-assembled. WikiHouse 4.0 can be downloaded, adapted, ‘printed’ using a CNC cutting machine and

then assembled in a few days with no construction skills and for under £50k.

The prototype was built by a team of malletwielding volunteers over 10 days. At the end of the festival 4.0 was carefully disassembled and sent to its new home in Liverpool with Friends of the Flyover, a social enterprise.

4.0 was an important milestone because it showed proof of concept for WikiHouse as a construction system for housing. The project also expanded into other systems including mechanical and electrical.

For example, it included an open-source heat exchanger built from 3D printed parts and aluminium from repurposed drinks

Good news from the engineering sector: a record number of young women have started work at JCB as apprentices.

Nine women joined the firm this year as part of the company’s Young Talent initiative, almost double the number from last year and a huge increase on the one woman who joined in 2012 when the programme began.

The Young Talent initiative attracted more than 1,000 applications for more than 100 new jobs for apprentices, graduates and undergraduates. A total of 59 of the new positions are for apprentices. Since its introduction three years ago, JCB’s Young Talent programme has seen almost 350 young people join the business.

Group HR Director Alan Thomson said he hopes this means the tide is finally beginning to turn and that “women don’t view engineering as very much a man’s world”.

Hear hear.

cans. This was also the first time that WikiHouse had explored the Internet of Things, or in this case the Intranet of Things, with the development of plug and play sensors and lights.

SIMONSWERK supplied the entire door and window hinge systems from its TECTUS system, which Alastair Parvin from 00 described as more a piece of system engineering than door ironmongery. “On the face of it, it just looks like a very beautiful hinge - which it is. But its real usefulness is in its adjustability. This saves a huge amount of work during the installation process, and allows a level of precision you’d associate more with industrial design than construction.”

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TRENDS

10 MANUFACTURING MEGATRENDS KPMG has identified 10 trends that will impact on manfuacturers.

Watch out for these affecting your business

1 / FACTORY OF THE FUTURE • Automation may be even more cost effective than outsourcing • Within an interconnected manufacturing value chain, companies will face increasing industrial IT security risks.

• Increase in legal provisions, regulations and industry standards.

2 / NEAR-SHORING • Manufacturing companies look to outsource back office services to focus on core operations.

• Wages in offshore locations are increasing.

• Eastern Europe is expected to witness significant manufacturing inward investment in the near future.

3 / DEMAND SHIFT TO THE EAST • Asia’s economic influence on the global landscape is growing • Increasing importance for local Asian R&D, production and assembling facilities, regional supply chains and adapting products to meet the needs of local markets.

4 / CLUSTER MANUFACTURING • Clusters will become a key pillar for strengthening the manufacturing industry in terms of innovation and efficiency.

• It will be important to remain in close physical proximity to the engineering centres of major customers, as well as to scientific research institutes in Europe.

5 / ENERGY/RESOURCE EFFICIENCY • Commodity prices, energy usage and logistics management will become more crucial to maintain competitiveness.

• Automated manufacturing and new production technologies (e.g. additive manufacturing) are expected to play a key role in reducing materials and energy usage, and reducing waste.

6 / TALENT CHALLENGE • Demand for machinists, tool makers and machine programmers is on the rise.

• Adding to the economic pressures will be a steady increase in wages for “rare” specialists.

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TRENDS

7 / NANOTECHNOLOGY • Nanotechnology is expected to have a big impact on sustainability in the near future.

•Unknown environmental, health and safety implications arising from nanoparticles during their lifecycle present researchbased industries with significant challenges and opportunities in risk management.

8 / SERVICE DRIVEN BUSINESS MODELS • Manufacturers should find ways to sell ongoing services to their customers by taking a holistic view of customers’ needs.

• The challenge for manufacturers is to commercialise scientific and technological innovation into a marketable product and service combination.

9 / SOURCING GOVERNANCE • Companies need a highly skilled procurement organisation engaged at appropriate levels of the value chain employing disciplined, rigorous world-class processes.

• The sourcing governance approach focuses on the complete external supply chain of the company – suppliers and pre-suppliers are therefore a part of corporate responsibility.

10 / ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING / 3D PRINTING • Additive manufacturing or 3D printing will set up new business models with effects on industries, companies and society.

• Increasing importance of a company’s value-chain structure to be successful in a “disrupted new supply chain world”.

SOURCE: KPMG UK

It’s a date Head down to ExCel centre in London in March for the Ecobuild event: two days of exhibitions, conference and seminars on everything you need to know about sustainable design, construction and energy for new build, refurb, commercial and domestic buildings ASSA ABLOY is among the hundreds of exhibitors.

Visit

www.ecobuild.co.uk for full details

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BUILDAND IT THEY W

The Library of Birmingham became an instant architectural icon.

But it’s more than a superior building and far greater than a mere library. Created as a “people’s palace” it’s a space that pulls together the community but in its construction it also gave local people valuable work opportunities.

T

he Everyman Theatre in Liverpool may have won architecture’s most coveted accolade – The Stirling Prize – this autumn but the Birmingham Library was a close contender, and in fact topped a BBC poll which asked the public which of the six shortlisted projects was its favourite.

The Library of Birmingham opened its doors to the public in September 2013 after five years in construction. Designed by avant-garde Dutch architects Mecanoo and built by Carillion, the 31,000-square metre, £188m project is a lynchpin in Birmingham’s regeneration plans. Sited in the city’s Centenary Square the library is expected to attract more than 3m visitors a year.

The new building is situated at the cultural heart of the city comprising performance spaces, rooftop terraces and a large glass-topped central book rotunda that rises through the middle of the building, echoing the traditional 16 / ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL

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Y WILL COME

Ever-changing vistas unfold through the filigree of interlocking circles inspired by the metalwork in thie former industrial city”

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35,000 M2

The Library of Birmingham consists of a NEW-BUILD library of 29,000m2; renovation and integration and newly build of the Repertory Theatre (4,519 m2 newly build + 1,852 m2 refurbishment); as well as public realm works for the historic Centenary Square including a recessed circular performance space in the square which engages the public with the library programme via a public entertainment venue.

ABOVE AND FAR RIGHT: Allgood

supplied the AI RIGHT TOP AND LEFT:

Visitors move from one floor to the next through overlapping rotundas; the biodiverse roof garden created by Prater

great round reading room of the British Museum. It shares an entrance way and performance studio with the neighbouring Repertory Theatre, and with the Symphony Hall and the National Indoor Arena nearby.

The architect, Mecanoo’s founding partner, Francine Houben, dubbed the library a “People’s Palace” seeing it as a centre for learning, information and culture with a design that extends from the space inside onto the street outdoors.

“I think it’s important that we make a very good building for Birmingham, but I also feel it as a responsibility to bring public space, outside public space, because I think that is of the same importance as the architecture and interior of the building,” said Houben.

“The important philosophy is that we try to reflect on where we build, so that you make it together with the client and with the ingredients of the city. The philosophy at Mecanoo is not about a certain form or a certain style, or that we always make white buildings or blue buildings or brick buildings.

It should not be just a building that is very intellectual or abstract, we want to make buildings that touch the senses. And at the same time it should be beautiful. For me the library is really the social heart of the city. It’s not only about books and CDs and the new media it’s also integrating the theatre into it.

This is very important that with The REP we make it together one lobby, one foyer and that we will have several activities in the whole building and that’s what we try to connect.

I hope that with our building we will bring a coherence around Centenary Square. The idea is to put three palazzos next to each other, so you have Baskerville House which is from the 20s-30s, then there is The REP, the theatre which is from the 60s, and in between will be the library. Every building has its own identity of a certain period, I think it’s our task to bring all these periods together, from the last century for the next century.”

A cantilevered volume not only provides shelter at the entrance, but also serves as a grand balcony with a discovery garden.

The circular courtyard cut out of the square is a protected outdoor space that invites daylight deep into the building.

Visitors move from one floor to the next through interconnected and overlapping rotundas that provide natural light and ventilation. Ever-changing vistas unfold through the delicate filigree skin of interlocking circles, inspired by the tradition of metalwork in this former industrial city.

This intricate steel latticework reflects and dissects the daylight to create ever-changing shadows on the library’s walls and floors.

The prominent golden rooftop rotunda houses the Shakespeare Memorial Room from 1882 including the original carved wood panels from city’s demolished Victorian Library.

Inside the detail continues. Allgood supplied a full Alite package that included door furniture, signage and mechanical door hardware, while Allgood Trio supplied the electronic locks and key switches. Due to the specific requirements of the design of some of the doors, Allgood had to supply bespoke products to match the specification of the project. “Allgood is privileged to have worked on and be associated with such an iconic project such as Birmingham library, which is an excellent example of great architecture,” said Alan Field Allgood director.

At 35,000m², the Library welcomed over 2.7 million visitors in the first 12 months.

However it’s not just the arresting architecture and innovative interior space that has earned the project a clutch of construction and architecture awards and critical praise. The contractors, Carillion, in building the Library created a blueprint for how to integrate benefits to Birmingham’s

18 / ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL

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F E AT U R E

At the 2014 RIBA West Midlands Awards, the Library was named overall building of the year, Mecanoo architect Patrick Arends won emerging architect of the year and Birmingham City Council won client of the year.�

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F E AT U R E

most hard-hit residents: the homeless, the young and the unemployed.

Central to the building of this unique, state-of-the-art library, were on-site apprenticeships, placements and a goal to help 250 local people back to work. To date the project has helped 161 local people back into work – 56 of them as apprentices.

It has teamed up with Business Action on Homelessness and as a result, 22 people have completed two-week Ready for Work placements and 12 have secured permanent positions with subcontractors.

Working with the city council’s Employment Access Team, local recruitment has been targeted at high priority areas around the city where long-term unemployment is highest.

The 250 jobs target will deliver taxpayers a saving of £6.25m.

Carillion set out to deliver “a construction project like no other”, and has worked with the city council to create a best practice and sustainability legacy that will last long after the library doors open.

The Library of Birmingham Steering group held monthly meetings with Carillion, sub-contractors, Birmingham city council’s Employment Access Team, JobCentre

Carillion set out to deliver ‘a construction project like no other’ and has worked with the city council to create a best practice and sustainability legacy that will last long after the library doors open”

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Light fills the central atrium; Allgood AI in situ; community space

Plus and other agencies, who co-ordinated how the project would deliver the 250 local employment opportunities.

Carillion committed to providing 25 apprenticeship opportunities during the four years of the project but had such success in the first year that it raised the target by 300% to 75. A total of 56 apprentices have been taken on and 37 young people given preemployment training. Many have gone onto full-time jobs with subcontractors.

Apprentice and employment targets were handled by a dedicated employment and training manager and Carillion partnered with the National Skills Academy to offer on-site NVQs and basic skills training.

“We always knew this was going to be a special project but I don’t think many of us could have foreseen the impact it was going to have on us as a team, our construction partners, the local community and the city as a whole,” said Simon Dingle, operations director at Carillion.

“Carillion was selected for the job not just for our ability to construct a complex design on time and to budget, but also for how we set out to achieve this – through our approach to working with partners and the wider community.”

The architect set out to create a ‘people’s palace’ and what transpired was beyond a construction success: the Library of Birmingham was a project built to bring local people together, built by local people and voted by public as the best.

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F E AT U R E

BUILDAND IT THEY W

The Library of Birmingham became an instant architectural icon.

But it’s more than a superior building and far greater than a mere library. Created as a “people’s palace” it’s a space that pulls together the community but in its construction it also gave local people valuable work opportunities.

T

he Everyman Theatre in Liverpool may have won architecture’s most coveted accolade – The Stirling Prize – this autumn but the Birmingham Library was a close contender, and in fact topped a BBC poll which asked the public which of the six shortlisted projects was its favourite.

The Library of Birmingham opened its doors to the public in September 2013 after five years in construction. Designed by avant-garde Dutch architects Mecanoo and built by Carillion, the 31,000-square metre, £188m project is a lynchpin in Birmingham’s regeneration plans. Sited in the city’s Centenary Square the library is expected to attract more than 3m visitors a year.

The new building is situated at the cultural heart of the city comprising performance spaces, rooftop terraces and a large glass-topped central book rotunda that rises through the middle of the building, echoing the traditional 16 / ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL

pp16-20NR2.indd 16

09/12/2014 12:32

F E AT U R E

Y WILL COME

Ever-changing vistas unfold through the filigree of interlocking circles inspired by the metalwork in thie former industrial city�

ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL / 17

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09/12/2014 09:40

INTERVIEW

WINNER TAKES ALL The GAI Education Awards recognise Diploma students who have demonstrated excellence in their results. AIJ talks to the winners about what it means for their careers

he education achievements of a new generation of architectural ironmongers were recognised and rewarded at the GAI Education Awards in November.

The GAI enrolled 287 students on its education programme this year, from 19 countries around the world. Its education portfolio has been developed over 50 years and is the only recognised programme in the world that leads to a qualification in architectural ironmongery to British and European standards.

Of the 60 students who achieved the Certificate in Architectural Hardware and 43 students who achieved the full GAI Diploma this year, 11 received Education Awards at the prestigious ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in London.

These top performing students were all presented with cash prizes, medals or shields by the President, John Jefferies and guest speaker, former rugby star Martin Bayfield.

Following the ascendancy of students from the GCC in 2013, this year it was the Hong Kong students who did particularly well, taking four of the Education Awards including the Top Business Studies shield.

However, the highest possible recognition for outstanding achievement in the GAI Diploma, the Pinnacle Award, was given to Christine Hunter of WT Lynn Ltd of Stoke-on-Trent.

This award is given to the student with the best aggregate results over the three years of the Diploma programme.

Here we talk to Christine and the gold, silver and bronze medallists about their awards and reasons for studying for the

T

The exam is tough... but the Diploma has helped me to understand architecutral ironmongery a lot more so I can progress in my current role

Pinnacle Award Winner

Christine Hunter

Sales Administrator WT Lynn Ltd

Christine began working with WT Lynn just over 10 years ago as an office junior before moving to her current role as sales administrator. Christine is the second Pinnacle Award winner for her company which is a highly respected, family owned architectural ironmongers established for more than 30 years.

Winning was a complete shock, after receiving my award for fourth place in the final year I didn’t think it would be me at all, so it was a complete surprise when they announced my name. I still don’t think it has really sunk in yet.

“I was offered the chance to study for the Diploma two years ago and having not undertaken any formal education since leaving college it was a bit daunting, but I

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knew that completing it would help me in my current employment. There was quite a bit of work involved, completing the course work and then preparing for the exam. I was very lucky to be given time off to complete the course work from home as being a busy working mum it wouldn’t have been easy to do this in what little spare time I have. The exam is tough and the time given to complete the scheduling exam was only just enough for me. But the Diploma has helped me to understand architectural ironmongery a lot more, and as the company has begun to increase its focus on AI I’ve become more involved and increased my knowledge so I’m hopeful I can progress in my current role focusing more on this side of the business.

“I enjoy being able to see the whole process through from scheduling to quoting and then hopefully supplying the ironmongery for a particular project and seeing it all come together. It may be a male dominated industry but I think I have proven that women can also succeed in this industry.

The exam is tough... but the Diploma has helped me to understand architecutral ironmongery a lot more so I can progress in my current role

Gold Winner

Chris Del Vecchio Laidlaw

Chris left school at the age of 16 and joined a local construction company as an apprentice carpenter. Five years later looking for a new challenge he applied for a position with Laidlaw Solutions as a trainee estimator.

Within a year he was enrolled on the GAI training course and shortly after became an ironmongery estimator within the major projects team continuing his studies towards years 2 and 3 of the Diploma.

I decided to study for the Diploma to further my career; the GAI qualification carries a lot of weight in the industry and is a must if you want to be recognised as a competent ironmonger.

I was very surprised to win the Gold award to say the least! I am very humbled to have received the gold medal, I never imagined I would be in the running for such a prestigious award. I am very proud.

It’s a great industry to work in; the variety of people gives you the opportunity to communicate with lots of different personalities and professions. Every day offers a different challenge.

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INTERVIEW

Silver Medal Winner

Ian Butland

Select Architectural Ironmongery Ltd Ian graduated with a degree in Aerospace Manufacturing at the University of the West of England in Bristol and went to work in Leamington Spa for a firm that made underfloor safes, where he had taken his sandwich year. He then moved to manage production at an engineering company in Coventry, eventually rising to managing director. Eight years ago he moved his wife and three children to Devon to take over the family AI firm after his father retired.

I felt the Diploma would give me more credibility with some architects and certain contractors. We have an excellent working relationship with a good core of customers; architects and

Bronze Medal Winner

Sabrina Bettles

Sales Administrator, ABLOY UK Sabrina Bettles has worked within the AI industry for five years in the ASSA ABLOY Group. Sabrina worked in ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions covering Yale, Union, Adams Rite, Trimec and Pemko for 18 months and for the past three years has been at Abloy UK. She has worked as a Customer Service Advisor offering support to customers, internal staff and external staff. As well as the day to day tasks she has also been supporting the Professional End Users (Utilities/ Telecommunications/ Rail) side of the business.

building contractors, I thought the Diploma would give them that extra confidence in me. And also to find out what I didn’t know – as old Donald Rumsfeld said “there are known unknowns...and there are unknown unknowns”. It has expanded my knowledge and it’s also very helpful to be part of the GAI in terms of getting technical information, the latest specifications and regulations. It’s important to be able to inform my customers and architects from a position of knowledge.

“I was very pleased to win the Silver Medal. I had mixed feelings that the prize was kept secret beforehand, it made the day exciting but somewhat nerve-wracking. I very much enjoyed going up to London to collect the award and had a really great day.

It’s a great industry. I love being able to help people who don’t know anything about our products. For people who don’t even realise they have a problem.For example, putting a fully masterkeyed system into a school so the caretaker now has one key rather than 40 jangling on his belt. His life is so much easier, the building runs so much better...and you might have made a little money along the way.

My favourite product is sliding door gear, and pocket door gear. As an engineer you can truly get your teeth into it, figuring out a solution for the customer, and with such super outcomes!

The Diploma is an industry qualification which is very good to have if you want to progress in the industry. I decided to register as I had seen many of my colleagues go through the course and seen the benefits it had given them and the additional confidence it gave them in their day-to-day work.

I spent three years studying to be a diploma holder and I want to progress to become RegAI. I preferred the scheduling part of the study – I found it all the different variants available really interesting. The study is hard work but if you put in the effort in the rewards will be great. Everyone wants to pass but unless you put the work in it won’t come through, but it will be worth it in the end. I had a lot of help from my company and individuals including a winner from last year.

The interaction with the colleagues from work and meeting other people on the residential course was great. I was very shocked and happy about winning the award.

The third year is very intense compared to the first two years so to be able to pass was an achievement in itself.

EDUCATING INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE The GAI has over 50 years’ experience in educating and developing students for a career in architectural ironmongery.

The GAI education programme is unique and recognised worldwide.

It provides differing aspects of training as the GAI has identified the levels of expertise required within the architectural hardware industry.

Its education portfolio is able to meet those needs with staged levels and various platforms of learning.

A new platform, introduced earlier this year, is The Foundation in Hardware.

The Foundation in Hardware is an online introductory course designed to raise knowledge and standards among those who don’t need to live and breathe ironmongery in their day to day job. You can learn in your own time, under your own speed through the audio and visual presentations, working through 12 sections.

The GAI Diploma continues to be the main-stay of the education portfolio and this is now supported by The Certificate in Architectural Hardware achieved upon success at Level 2.

No other training programme offers such a broad knowledge and understanding of architectural ironmongery leading to the most recognised qualification in the industry – DipGAI. A necessity for those wanting to build a career.

As a qualified Diploma holder you are able to progress by continuing professional development (CPD) to become a RegAI. (Registered Architectural Ironmonger). RegAI demonstrates that the individuals are up to date with current legislation, standards and regulations.

Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) offers a unique online learning centre experience leading to a Diploma in fire doors and a route to becoming a Certificated Fire Door Inspector.

The Foundation, Diploma, RegAI and FDIS are all examples of our 2014/15 education portfolio.

View more interviews with the winners at www.youtube.com/user/GuildAI 24 / ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL

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F E AT U R E

DISTANCE SELLING An overseas demand for UK architectural ironmongery is good news for manufacturers, but what does it take to exploit that opportunity? Toby Clark reports on lessons from the successful exporters

T

he UK AI industry enjoys a robust reputation abroad and many manufacturers are reporting strong export sales.

Cooke Brothers is seeing an increase in export business, as is Exidor. Nigel Taylor, sales director of Exidor, says its export sales have increased significantly. “They were in excess of 25% in the year 2013-14 and at times we are up as high as 30%.”

Exidor sells its panic and emergency hardware all over the world, with recent sales as far afield as South Africa, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam and Australia.

It has even managed to crack the tough Western European markets and the USA. But Phil Dicken, sales manager at Cooke Brothers warns that it takes a thoughtful approach: “It’s a learning curve – you have to realise that you have to do business in a certain way and that each area has its own requirements.”

So what is it that the UK has that the rest of the world wants? Simon Treagust, export sales manager for James Gibbons Format Ltd – which has operated from Wolverhampton since 1670 and exported for the past 50-odd years – says for them it’s brand and heritage. “UK manufacturing is known, and things are made to known standards.”

Phil Dicken agrees. “In the UK we have a long-

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standing reputation for high quality — that’s what we believe — [but] I think innovation is also important.

“We don’t sell to the rest of the world on price — but the rest of the world sells into the UK on price.

We try to indicate to customers the whole-life costs of products; we’ve managed to manufacture products which are maintenance-free and come with a 25-year guarantee. We engineer our products to exceed the standards”.

Exidor’s Nigel Taylor says it’s also about authenticity.

“We find that in most countries they want British-made products — especially in the Middle East — and they want products that are actually manufactured here rather than just assembled here”. Exidor has been visited by overseas organisations to verify that their products were actually made in the UK factory.

“We’ve incorporated the Made in Britain logo and we are using that a lot more than we have in the past.”

Eastern Promise Both Exidor and Cooke Brothers have had some success in Turkey, which combines EU ambitions with some of the characteristics of the Middle East: “They are looking to improve standards and we are managing to supply them,” says Dicken.

James Gibbons Format has also had success in Middle Eastern and Far Eastern markets, in Qatar in particular. “Qatar is a nation that’s growing rapidly, says Treagust. “Where European nations have developed infrastructure and standards over centuries, these guys are wrapping it all up in a much shorter period of time.”

But the advantages of having a British heritage may no longer be enough for a firm to succeed in today’s developing markets: “Those markets are open to the whole world,” he says; “now it’s a free-for-all”.

Treagust says that there tends to be a cycle as far as UK and European influence is concerned. At the moment, the influx of American funding to the Middle East is having an impact on UK products. “We are finding now that, because of US money going in, American standards are finding their way back in”.

This can mean that US-branded products do well even if they were actually made under licence in China or Taiwan.”

Nigel Taylor has had the same experience. “Even where countries don’t have standards they will look at the EU or the US – whichever is more influential in that country in terms of architecture – and will adopt those standards. Firms that have stores all over the world, take their standards with them – they insist that their buildings maintain certain standards.”

Treagust says: “We don’t sell into Western Europe at all, even though we’ve got harmonised standards.” The pound fluctuates on the open market, whereas “overseas currencies are often pegged to the US Dollar.”

Dicken says the UK’s biggest advantage is a well-integrated certification system that works well.

In Far Eastern markets, he says, British schemes are very well recognised.

“Exova, which is one of the UK’s main testing organisations, runs the Certifire scheme. You have a manufacturing procedure that’s fully audited in place, you are meeting the mechanical and fire requirements of a product, and you can be independently audited for meeting all those criteria. It’s a very expensive scheme to be part of, but we feel it’s of benefit.”

Exova was heavily involved in a schools project in Qatar – a country with little tradition of building standards, but which had adopted the slogan: ‘Qatar deserves the best’. They set out to identify best practice, and saw the certifier scheme as an independently-run register of products that would meet performance criteria. “If we hadn’t been in the scheme we wouldn’t have got the work” says Dicken.

The national and European standards are important too, says Dicken: “EN1935 is the standard we work to, but European standards are continually being assessed and improved, and we are able to be part of that development. This means that we are pushing the boundaries of the products we make, which makes it a bit more difficult for people to replicate them.”

“The EN standard for our product is absolutely essential,” adds Taylor. “The standards are recognised and it carries quite a lot of kudos elsewhere.”

Even where countries don’t have standards they will look at the EU or the US – whichever is most influential in that country in terms of architecture – and will adopt those standards

Route to market Most UK manufacturers export via local distributors.

Phil Dicken says, “We tend to work with AIs throughout the world — more than 90% of our exports are through dealings with AIs rather than directly through contractors. They put the specifications together, so we are able to get involved right from the early stages, which helps in selecting the right product.

“Over the past two years we’ve seen exports become a much larger area for us

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to be involved in because of the relationships that we’ve developed with certain with AIs who are our representatives out there. We are not going to target it directly because we wouldn’t want to jeopardise what we’ve got at the moment.”

Taylor agrees: “We sell to distributors who go and find customers. How that market works depends on which countries you go to: some of the countries are similar to the UK, in that there are architectural ironmongers who are specifying products for a specific job. Some of the countries work in a completely different way. We also go to the distributor, we never sell direct to the builder.

“We don’t have enough feet on the ground to change standards in other countries. The people who are supplying into these markets know exactly what the market wants – what the market price is and the market standards, and exactly who our competitors are.

“It is essential that you have face-to-face dealings with these people, and that you go back more than once. The repeat visits and the building of business relationships works really well.”

Get to know the locals Having local representation is vital, says Treagust: “Contractors contact the people who are local – that gets you noticed.” James Gibbons Format does no direct advertising overseas but works soley with local distributors but, warns Treagust, “the next bit is dealing with the contractors. Then it’s down to price – and that’s getting more and more the case”.

Local agents also provide vital after-sales support.

“We have to service and manage what we do,” says Treagust; “it’s difficult to grow without taking people on.” For this reason, he adds, “you’ve got to have the service support from your local people”.

It helps that some of the specifiers are familiar with UK products: “The UK does have a very good infrastructure for construction projects,” says Dicken.

“The UK construction industry as a whole has a good reputation throughout the world, and a lot of UK-based architectural practices, who have favoured contractors and distributors they like to work with.”

It’s vital to know what is selling in a particular market, says Simon Treagust, but adds that having the capability to provide specialised products is important. “Instead of providing run-of-the mill products we work with clients and make something specifically for their requirements.”

Phil Dicken agrees: “Because we’ve got an extensive product development department we are able to talk to our customers and give them something different”. He also reckons that UK firms can be more efficient than most: “One thing the UK has that Far

East and low-cost markets don’t is that we have had to change as far as manufacturing is concerned. We invest in the latest manufacturing equipment, and we tend to look at automating as much as possible”. He points out that China is not always the cheapest place to make things – emerging markets such as Brazil and India can compete on that score – but adds, “anybody can make a product that looks the same, but the question is whether it performs the same.”

Seek advice Wherever you are planning to export, third-party help can be critical. “We work with our local chamber of commerce,” says Dicken, “which gives us guidance to the minefield that is export”. The Black Country chamber produces a glossary of terms and abbreviations, and has set up an export day, aimed at assisting local manufacturers to get up to speed. It also offers its members a full documentation service providing specific country/customs advice.

Chambers of Commerce can provide an Export Readiness Assessment, which evaluates the appropriateness of your products and services for export and reviews intellectual property risks, trademarks, branding, packaging, pricing, safety certification, customs regulations and relevant legislation. If required, the Export Readiness Assessment can also include a review of your infrastructure, covering sales and marketing, operations, and financial readiness.

UK Trade & Industry (UKTI) is the Government department responsible for promoting export, and its services – and funding – can be useful. Cooke Brothers and Exidor have benefited from this service.

“We have had assistance from UKTI with things like attending exhibitions and shows overseas,” says Phil Dicken. “You never walk away with an order but what you do get is an understanding of the market. That is something you won’t get sitting at your desk.”

Exidor has obtained Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) reports, which connect firms with UKTI staff in those markets. However the firm is now taking export onto a strategic level with the appointment of an export manager. “We haven’t been proactive — now we are being proactive,” says Nigel Taylor.

Opportunities to sell UK ironmongery overseas are on the increase, most notably in the Far East and Middle East. But what’s clear from those that are already successfully exporting their wares is that a rigorous understanding of what is required and a thorough knowledge of how to operate in those markets is essential. But with demand high for UK expertise, innovation and standards the potential for growth overseas is strong.

One thing the UK has that Far East and low-cost markets don’t is that we have had to change as far as manufacturing is concerned. We invest in the latest manufacturing equipment and tend to automate as much as possible”

Toby Clark is a technical journalist with a background in mechanical engineering and industrial design.

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TECHNICAL

GETTING A HANDLE ON FIRE DOOR SAFETY A new Certifire scheme for lever furniture has been produced in response to the GAI’S call for certification of fire door operating furniture.

Jacky Sinclair reports

Regular audit testing and FPC can give confidence that the design and fixing method of the tested lever set is fit for purpose

I

ronmongers know that certain items of hardware are critical to the performance of a fire door. That is why they must be CE marked before they can be placed on the market. Many are puzzled that the standard for lever handles and knob furniture – BS EN 1906 – was not harmonised, so there’s no CE marking of door furniture intended for use on fire doors.

Is fire door operating furniture critical?

Members of the GAI Technical Committee think so, on two counts: •The furniture must show that it is not detrimental to the door’s fire performance •The furniture must be robust enough to endure repeated use against the opposing pull of a door closing device, without coming off the spindle or breaking at some potentially weak point.

This is why they supported the suggestion that there should be a Certifire scheme for lever handles.

Risk of entrapment Any fire door is by definition on an escape route. If the lever ceases to unlatch and/or pull the door at any time because it has failed in some way, there is a risk of entrapment.

If that occasion is a fire emergency, the situation is critical. There is at least one recorded case of a death in a bedsit in Glasgow, due to door furniture failure. In

this instance, the landlord had cobbled something together to fit on the door.

An investigation pieced together the tragic story. It’s thought that the occupier had set fire to his bed while smoking, and had apparently made a dash for the door, and tried to pull it open. The furniture came off in his hand. He must have made attempts to slide the furniture back onto the spindle, but only succeeded in pushing the spindle through the door, where it was found on the floor outside with a half set of furniture attached. The man died of smoke inhalation.

In recent years there have been incidents of lever handles breaking, for instance, where a straight bar is attached at right angles to the element which attaches to the spindle. This is a popular design, especially for upmarket housing and apartments.

But in some types the securing bolt at the joint worked loose and fractured, again leading to entrapment. Even when there’s no fire, if you are due to pick the kids up from school, or get to the airport, or attend a long-awaited hospital appointment, the ensuing entrapment is not funny. Regular

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TECHNICAL

audit testing and FPC can give confidence that the design and fixing method of the tested lever set is fit for purpose.

Using lever handles on self-closing fire doors has become more common in recent years, perhaps following continental practice. The Guild’s training programme encourages the use of pull handles on self-closing doors in circulation routes, partly for greater ease of operation and partly because traditional UK patterns of lever furniture didn’t always have fixings able to withstand the constant pulling. The door assembly scheduler and the doorset specifier need to have confidence that lever furniture intended for use on self-closing doors is robust enough to do the job safely and securely. This is where the Certifire scheme is most useful.

Fire testing A recent straw poll of AIs found that nearly 50% thought that fire test evidence was not necessary for door furniture. Our Code of Practice: Hardware for fire and escape doors states that it is required. The mortice lock area of a fire door is vulnerable, and the accompanying door furniture must have proof that it does not exploit that vulnerability.

Maintaining quality levels Two other aspects of the scheme are significant for specifiers. They are audit testing and factory production control (FPC). Audit testing requires that the product is regularly checked to ensure performance levels have not altered as time passes. FPC monitors aspects of production such as purchasing of raw materials; manufacturing processes; and staff training.

This gives confidence that everything is done to ensure that product quality levels are consistent.

Certifire schemes have become established in the marketplace as the benchmark for assured quality and performance of products which are critical in fire emergencies. By adding door furniture to the list of certificated products, the marque has given a tool to manufacturers/ importers of door furniture with which to satisfy specifiers that the products they offer truly are fit for use on fire doors.

Jacky Sinclair is the GAI’s Technical Consultant. She also chairs the Certifire Door Hardware Panel on behalf of the GAI.

Minimum performance criteria As with other schemes, the Technical Schedule (TS 82) is based on two platforms: • Performance criteria from BS EN 1906: Lever handles and knob furniture; Requirements and test methods • Fire test evidence from BS EN 1634-1 (full scale) or BS EN 1634-2 (small scale). The proposed minimum classification to qualify for Certifire approval is:

DIGIT 1 – GRADE 3

The minimum category of use for self-closing fire doors, as this grade includes the test which replicates pulling against the force of a door closer. Grades 1 & 2 do not include this test.

DIGIT 2 – GRADE 7

Represents 200K cycles.

DIGIT 3

This is normally for door mass, but is not relevant here DIGIT 4 – GRADE B

For use on smoke control and fire resistant doors

DIGIT 5 – GRADE 5

Normal use DIGIT 6

This covers corrosion resistance. There are no minimum grades specified DIGIT 7

If the lever ceases to unlatch the door there is a risk of entrapment.

If that occasion is a fire emergency the situation is critical

This covers burglary resistance, and no minimum grade is specified DIGIT 8 - A/B/U

This covers sprung, spring assisted and unsprung furniture.

All are acceptable.

The scheme allows for a typical lever set from a range to be tested, and others to be assessed from that, where there is a similarity in the critical design elements. This saves on unnecessary, repetitive testing costs.

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NEW PRODUCTS

NEW CES FLAVOURS QUALITYY SUITE GETS COLOURFUL CES Security Solutions Ltd has just launched its Quality Suite range of finishes. Presented in a fun and aesthetically pleasing tin the CES Flavours Quality Suite offers 22 different colour options. The finishes featured as part of the suite can all be applied to the existing range of CES master key systems.

While the ironmongery industry may have previously had a lack of choice in finishes of the products offered, CES now offers a wide colour choice and superb quality with the Flavours Quality Suite.

ASSA ABLOY IMPROVES ACCESSIBILITY DOOR CLOSERS ASSA ABLOY UK has extended its door closer range to offer adjustable power, speed and latch control for improved accessibility across all applications.

ASSA ABLOY’s new DC1110A and DC140A Rack & Pinion door closers are suitable for a range of projects, from private to commercial and public sector, for both light and heavy weight doors.

The new door closers ‘auto’ adjust to compensate for temperature fluctuations and are user adjustable to compensate for general wear and tear of the door & other ironmongery components, therefore offering a reliable, long lasting solution that will improve whole life costing, in addition to helping maintain fire or smoke performance.

Offering easy installation, the door closers are non-handed & can be mounted on the hinge or non-hinge side of the door, reducing the need for considerable planing.

GEOFIRE LAUNCHES INTELLIGENT WIRELESS DOOR CLOSER

The new Agrippa wire-free, intelligent, digital fire door closer launched by fire technology specialists Geofire.

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NEW PRODUCTS

LOCKING GOOD WITH ARRONE Each CES tin includes 22 different finishes, four different CES key systems, the CES cylinder and a compact brochure.

Alongside this, CES UK has also produced point of sale materials including desktop banners, mouse mats and counter displays for retail ironmongers and trade counters to help promote the new range in store.

The cylinders in the range are suitable for any application; from residential to commercial.

Agrippa, a new wire-free, digital fire door closer that uses unique, smart technology to ‘learn’ the sound of a specific fire alarm, has been launched by fire technology specialists Geofire.

Easily retrofitted to any door, Geofire’s new Agrippa intelligent wire-free closer learns the sound of your specific fire alarm, releasing the door in the event of a fire. The closer is swing-free too, making the door responsively light to handle, and the simple answer to legally holding open fire doors to ease access.

The advanced digital technology that’s behind Geofire’s new Agrippa wire-free fire door closer uniquely ‘listens and learns’ the sound of a specific fire alarm. This ensures the closer’s releasing trigger reacts only to the precise sound of the fire alarm

rather than extraneous loud noises, so false activations are virtually eliminated.

The Agrippa’s closing speed is adjustable, with a holding angle of 65105 degrees, and it can be programmed for daily release. It requires only two C cell batteries (which last for 12 months). The closer is approved to EN1155, EN1154 and CE Marked, with additional features that include a seven segment LED display, manual release button and a low battery warning display.

The reaction from installers, specifiers and end users has been very enthusiastic, seeing the Agrippa door closer as a product that combines innovation, functionality and good looks. It’s a solution, too, for doors without an adjacent wall for separate door holders.

To enquire further into the CES Flavours Quality Suite range contact info@cesflavours.com or visit the website www.cesflavours.com to get your CES brochure.

The Agrippa door closer is being successfully specified in a range of key sectors that includes care homes, schools, hospitals and hotels, where it is essential to have doors in an open position at certain times of the day to aid access, but equally as important to ensure the doors are closed in the event of a fire.

This advanced closer is part of the Agrippa Acoustic Products Range that includes an acoustically triggered fire door holder.

UK manufacturer Geofire specialises in the manufacture of a wide range of electromagnetic door holders and other activation devices used widely as part of fire, security or ventilation systems.

Product enquiries: enquiries@geofire.co.uk www.geofire.co.uk

HOPPE’s range of ARRONE mechanical push button digital locks offers all the quality, security and value typical of the ARRONE brand, matched with simplicity of installation and convenience of use.

The existing ARRONE range has now been joined by the AR500 range, heavy duty series which features a full-size return-to-door lever handle.

The AR500series is the perfect solution for applications where moderate security is required in heavy duty settings - offices, schools, warehouses, hospitals, care homes, nurseries, hotels, and leisure facilities for example.

A fully reversible return-to-door handle makes the ARRONE digital lock range a doddle to operate with push button codes of up to seven digits (although a code-free option is also available).

Inside the door, the lock is operated either by a pad lever or hexagonal turn knob. There are 8000 code combinations, typically with a single user code of four to seven digits.

The AR500s series offers the ultimate in robust versatility so it can be used on the primary access point even in high traffic areas. A heavy-duty cast zinc alloy body plus rubber backing plate will protect the lock from weathering on external doors and withstand the knocks and bangs of everyday use. The outside lever features a robust anti-snap mechanism to resist forcing of the lever. The two parts of the lock, internal and external, are fitted back-to-back through the door with the supplied anti-tamper fittings to operate a simple tubular latch which is morticed into the door for added security.

The AR500 range of digital locks is suitable for timber or metal doors from 33mm to 55mm thick – but longer spindles & fixings are available for thicker doors. They can be used on fire doors having been successfully fire tested to BS EN1634 Part 1 for use on 30 and 60 minute timber fire doors. HOPPE also supplies versions of its ARRONE digital locks that are compatible with its range of panic and emergency exit hardware.

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BACK DOOR

R RETRO REWIND As they get older, these bits of minisculpture just get better. On my desk I even have a spare one which I like to fondle.

Every time I open or close a door, I’m reminded just how great a simple piece of product design can be. Yes, a door handle can make you happy. All we have to do is apply that thinking to everything else.

And our gross national happiness quotient will jump off the scale.�

The hottest current interior design trend is mid century modern.

Demand for vintage Ercol, GPlan and Schreiber furniture is high on eBay and modern furniture, textile and product designers are creating an update on that 1950s-1970s retro look. Will this extend to ironmongery? Will we see a trickle down effect and the Arne Jacobsen door handle, for example more in demand?

Architecture critic Hugh Pearman wrote that if he had to choose a happy object he would opt for the Arne Jacobsen lever door handles, in nickel-plated brass of which he has 16 in his house.

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