Michael Skelding

Tamworth-based trade association, the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF), is reflecting on what has been one of its most successful years to date. In 2015, the pro-active federation had under 300 members on its books, but just alone in the past five years that number has seen considerable growth across every area of the organization with more than 500 members. It remains the oldest trade association in the industry, and the ‘go to’ body for technical knowledge, information, advice, and practical help as well as training. Highlights from 2019 DHF include: A successful collaboration with Secured by Design (SBD) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA) in March, to publish a joint document on fire safety. The publication, A Guide for Selecting Flat Entrance Doorsets - A publication for housing associations, landlords, building owners and local authorities in England, brings together the best industry advice in one straightforward document, highlighting the fundamental issues of fire safety and security for those selecting fire doorsets and enabling greater clarity in an increasingly complex market. It goes without saying that DHF’s voice has been one of the most effective in its drive for third-party certification of manufacture, installation, maintenance and inspection of fire, smoke and security doorsets. Continuing to lead the industry through training. In the past year alone, nearly 1000 people have been trained by DHF, with more than 450 candidates attending the two-day safety diploma courses and the same number of learners opting for the Level 2 Award one-day safety training courses. In 2019, 100 inspection and installation of metal or timber fire door courses were held in conjunction with BRE Academy. More than 3200 individuals have now completed at least one of DHF’s safety training courses, whether a diploma or Award course. In July, it announced the launch of its first one-day public Automated Gate Group Level 2 Award Course in Ireland. DHF ‘set the industry standard’ in July, by becoming the very first UK organization to offer an official theory-based qualification for three of the industries it serves. The one-day ABBE-accredited Level 2 Award for those working in the automated gate, industrial door and domestic garage door sectors, is approved and regulated by Ofqual, the Government Office of Examination Regulation. ABBE (Awarding Body of the Built Environment) is the UK’s renowned awarding organization providing qualifications for the built environment. Qualifications are offered through its network of assessment centers, approved against a set of national criteria, laid down by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications, tests and examinations in England. The launch of CSCS cards in November in collaboration with the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA). While not a legislative requirement, CSCS cards provide evidence that individuals working on construction sites have the relevant training and qualifications for the job that they are doing. The CSCS card offered by DHF is for anyone who needs to access a construction site to work specifically with industrial doors, domestic garage doors, automated gates & traffic barriers and metal or timber fire doors and is an important step toward a safer and more compliant industry. DHF’s accomplishments in 2019 There is little doubt that DHF’s accomplishments in 2019 have been achieved as a result of its hands-on team" “There is little doubt that DHF’s accomplishments in 2019 have been achieved as a result of its hands-on team, and the expertise and efforts of the federation’s staff,” says DHF’s CEO, Bob Perry, adding “In 2019, we expanded the workforce to 13 employees (plus five consultants) and raised our profile in the industry and the press”. Bob adds, “In October, we announced the arrival of two new team members: Craig Wilde, who has joined as the new Membership Manager, and new Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill, taking the training and technical advice team to three. A four-strong administration team continues to support Commercial Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens, General Manager and Secretary, Michael Skelding and Administration Manager, Kay Scattergood.” Best practices “DHF continues to flourish year-on-year and 2019 was no exception,” concludes Bob. “A strong and highly skilled team, innovative industry ‘firsts’, an enduring commitment to training, and supporting our members through challenging legislation has helped to underpin our reputation as a center of excellence. Raising standards and promoting best practice through training and compliance will always be our number one priority. We look forward to developing these initiatives even further as 2020 progresses.”

Every EN 14351-1 external doorset must be supported by a Declaration of Performance In a bid to clear up confusion in the marketplace regarding CE marking of external doorsets with security performance attributes, the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) is advising its members on the legal situation. Confusion has occurred because some door suppliers are claiming CE marking is not necessary for external pedestrian doorsets that have third-party security ratings such as to LPS1175 or CERTISECURE STS 202. EN 14351-1 Standard They wrongly claim these products need not be classified as external pedestrian doorsets, but can be classified as security barriers and as such are not required to be CE marked to EN 14351-1 which covers external performance characteristics such as, for example, resistance to wind load, water tightness, air leakage, and impact resistance. However, in an advisory bulletin just published by the DHF, members are being informed that legally these products must be CE marked. DHF General Manager and Secretary Michael Skelding said: "The legal position is that any construction product falling within the scope of a harmonized standard must be CE marked. A doorset intended for permanent installation in a building most certainly is a construction product. If they are external doors they fall within the scope of EN 14351-1, so any suggestion that they do not need CE marking is incorrect. There is certainly no general exemption for security products." Declaration Of Performance He pointed out that every EN 14351-1 external doorset must be supported by a Declaration of Performance (DoP) listing the CE marked external characteristics of the doorset, but may not include reference to any achieved security performance to the standard EN 1627 or others. The need for CE marking will also apply to internal security doorsets when prEN 14351-2 (internal pedestrian doorsets) becomes a harmonized standard at some stage in the future, he added. Save

The TS 007 information page was the most visited page on the entire DHF website in 2015 Awareness of the growing threat of lock cylinder snapping is surging amongst trade professionals and the general public alike. Locksmiths, security specialists and householders are increasingly visiting the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) website to find out more about the BSI Kitemarked TS 007 three star solution. Trusted Solution In the last year, the TS 007 information page on the domestic householder section was the most visited page on the entire DHF website after the main home page. Almost 10,000 visitors accessed the page “what protection” which describes the ultimate door security protection afforded by lock cylinders and handles rated to TS 007. As public knowledge of this type of lock attack grows, locksmiths and security specialists have the assurance that they can provide an answer based around the trusted Kitemark. Kitemarked TS 007 Standard TS 007 was developed by the DHF and the Glass & Glazing Federation. It has the support of BSI and Secured by Design. It is a 3 star security solution. Security to the Kitemarked TS 007 standard can be achieved by either a combination of a TS 007 cylinder (marked with one star and the Kitemark) and TS 007 security door furniture such as a strengthened door handle (marked with two stars and the Kitemark); or a "super cylinder" (marked with three stars and the Kitemark) that successfully resists snap attack without the need to fit additional door hardware. In both cases, the same degree of resistance against cylinder snapping is achieved. "The benefit of supplying products sporting the BSI Kitemark logo is its universal acceptance and recognition in the market place" "The benefit of supplying products sporting the BSI Kitemark logo to customers wanting enhanced door security is its universal acceptance and recognition in the market place," said DHF general manager and Secretary Michael Skelding. "It has gained a high degree of trust in the public perception. To householders and businesses alike, the Kitemark has been the accepted security mark for locks for decades." Security Benefits There are many benefits to the locksmith and security professional in supplying Kitemarked TS 007 solutions. The locksmiths and security professionals can demonstrate that the products have been independently certified by a third party. Third party certification is a guarantee to the end user/customer that a product has been independently tested by an approved authority other than the manufacturer and installer and then certified. BSI awards the Kitemark once it has seen test reports and has satisfied themselves that the product has been independently and rigorously tested. In addition, BSI audits the lock makers' manufacturing facilities and their quality management systems. BSI also insists on regular re-testing of the product. Because the TS 007 three star security rating can be achieved by a combination of cylinder and door handle, as an alternative to cylinder replacement alone, the locksmith and security professional have greater flexibility in meeting the needs of his customer.