GAI NEWS
GAI TALK Simon Forrester, GAI chief executive Well over two years on from the Black Lives Matter protests in the UK and the #MeToo movement’s high profile media coverage, the issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, fairness and respect in society continue to call out for our attention. That means addressing these issues in every area of our lives – including the way we run our businesses, treat our staff and customers, and choose our suppliers. The architectural ironmongery industry in the UK and internationally has just as much a part to play as any other element of society. Inclusion and representation matters to us all, and diversity of thinking and lived experience helping to inform our businesses is a hugely enriching experience which also leads to a happier and more engaged workforce. It also makes hard-nosed commercial sense. At a time of crippling skills shortages across all parts of the construction ecosystem, maintaining a stereotypical ‘male, pale and stale’ profile is now one of the quickest routes to extinction. We need to attract more diverse talent into our industry. But for those of us coming relatively new to this awareness, it may feel hard to know where to start, and for those organisations already forging ahead, there is important learning to be shared. This is where I think the Guild could help. We are keen to understand the diversity profile in our industry and to start a conversation with members. We would welcome your views on where your business is on this journey and where you would welcome more assistance. In the meantime, there are also various sources of information that you might find helpful to review. Check out the National Centre for Diversity and the Equality and Diversity Forum. And we will return to this topic through GAI meetings in the near future.
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GAI AND INTERIORS BODY TO COLLABORATE The GAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIS, which represents the finishes and interiors sector. The two bodies will be working together to showcase the skills of members to the wider industry and build on the wealth of technical knowledge the organisations already share. Simon Forrester, CEO of the GAI, said the MoU formalises a working relationship the two organisations have enjoyed for many years. “Our aim is to build a stronger longterm relationship between our organisations by exploring opportunities to work together
Helen Tapper, FIS president
in areas including education, advocacy, innovation and best practice.” The two organisations will work together to improve the wider construction industry’s understanding of the safety issues relating to fire doors, ironmongery, access control and flexible walls. They will develop technical standards and resources to support the professional development of members and stakeholders in the interiors supply chain. The organisations have already held a joint presentation on fire safety as part of Fire Door Safety Week in September.
PDTS LAUNCHED FOR DOOR AND WINDOW MANUFACTURERS The UK’s first product data templates (PDTs) for doorsets and window hardware will be launched this autumn. The GAI has worked with the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) to help door and window manufacturers to create product data sheets in a simple and structured manner. PDTs allow manufacturers to complete product data sheets so that detailed information about their products will be accessible to architects, contractors and facilities managers at all stages of a building’s life cycle. BIM level 2 has been a requirement on any centrally-procured public sector projects since 2016 and Douglas Masterson, technical manager at the GAI, and chair of
BIM Fenestration Relevant Authority, said the demand for readily available product data is only increasing. “Any manufacturers that want to have their products specified for use in these buildings must be BIM-ready. These will also prove useful for anyone in the construction sector looking for structured data as part of their ‘golden thread’ of information.” These templates are in addition to the GAI’s existing 35 PDTs specifically for architectural ironmongery including closing, hanging, exit and locking devices as well as door furniture, seals, signage, door systems and ancillary hardware. The Guild and its members have been at the forefront of supporting the integration of building products in BIM for a number of years.
ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY JOURNAL
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15/09/2021 12:08
