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.

GAI AND INTERIORS BODY TO COLLABORATE

Helen Tapper, FIS president

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 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.

ENROLMENT OPEN FOR THE GAI EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The GAI has launched its new prospectus for the upcoming academic year. The new prospectus provides potential students with an overview of the Guild’s education programme which has been developed over 50 years and is the only internationally recognised architectural ironmongery qualification to British and European standards.

Rachel Tipton, GAI education manager, said: “Door hardware professionals and those involved in the specification of construction products, locksmiths and trade counter staff are being encouraged to demonstrate their competency through proven qualifications. We are continually developing our courses to ensure that they are up to date with the everevolving architectural ironmongery product offerings and legislation.

“The GAI education programme is suitable for architectural ironmongers, trade counter staff, wholesalers and manufacturers; anyone who encounters door hardware on a regular basis and wants to ensure they are always giving the best possible advice to their customers.”

The core of the education portfolio is separated into two qualifications. The Certificate in Architectural Hardware consists of two stages with 24 education modules covering everything an architectural ironmonger is required to know, supported with eight block assessments to test the students’ understanding.

Once learners have attained their certificate, they can continue their studies to achieve the GAI Diploma. This stage focuses entirely on the skills and learning needed for scheduling the architectural ironmongery, electric hardware and key control for a project, and is of particular importance to those architectural ironmongers working on projects being built to UK and European standards across the globe. Once they have completed the diploma, they become a DipGAI, an industry recognised symbol of professionalism.

Enrolments are open from 1 September until 17 December 2021. Download the prospectus from the GAI website: www.gai.org.uk

SAVE THE DATE!

The GAI will be hosting its annual Education Awards in 2022. The date and venue are yet to be announced so please check the GAI and AIJ websites for updates.

NEW SPECIFIERS GUIDE AND CPD ON IRONMONGERY AND FIRE SAFETY

Architects and specifiers can now access two new resources to improve their understanding of the legislation that applies to fire door hardware at different stages of a building’s life cycle.

The Specifier’s Guide to Fire Safety, Risk Management and Responsibilities was published by the GAI during this year’s Fire Door Safety Week. The corresponding RIBAapproved CPD is now available for Guild members to deliver to architects, who will receive double learning points for attending.

Both the CPD and Specifier’s Guide look at the wider fire safety legislation and guidance that directly impacts the specification of architectural ironmongery including Approved Documents, British and international standards, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), fire testing and third-party certification.

It also covers legislation and guidance that is relevant post-handover, in particular: the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, which applies to England and Wales; the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations; Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order; and health and safety regulations.

The Specifier’s Guide can be downloaded from the GAI website: www.gai.org.uk/GAISpecGuides