Jan/Feb 2022

Certified Products
A CERTIFIED BENEFIT
Daniel May, Director of Consort Architectural Hardware, explains why, now more than ever,
modern building projects can benefit from the use of certified products.
The needs of modern building environments
have evolved. Throughout the construction
process, decision makers are more
commonly deliberating on themes such as
innovation, accessibility and sustainability. And
that’s not mentioning the renewed focus on
building safety and performance, following the
Hackitt Review.
As the collective commitment towards these
topics grows, it’s as vital as ever for design
professionals to deliver reliable, quality materials
and hardware on their projects.
Architectural hardware, for example, is one of
the most heavily used elements within a building
environment, and a typical busy door can be
used 150 times each day. Door hardware plays a
pivotal role in a building’s operational network
and its fire safety, and so the application of
certified hardware solutions shouldn’t be
undervalued.
Daniel May of Consort explained: “While
it’s important to deliver on aesthetics and
innovation, there is always a clear responsibility
to provide safe and secure building environments.
“The latest in reforms – think the Building Safety
Bill and the regulations that has introduced – will
continue to raise the standards associated with
building design and with that, the benefits of
certified hardware will shine.
“Along the supply chain, the durability of
hardware products is key, and this is in no
way more assured than with independent
certifications. For example, for fire doors to
operate as intended, they rely on fitted hardware
to perform – opening and closing upon demand
to ensure the compartmentalisation of smoke
and fire.
“Fire door hardware products should, at a
minimum, be CE marked, showing they comply
with the minimum in regulatory requirements.
However, to emphasise the highest levels
of performance and durability, product
manufacturers will often look towards third-party
certifications such as the commonly recognised
Certifire – a certification scheme that assures the
performance, quality, reliability and traceability of
hardware products.
“For architects, specifiers and end users alike,
product certifications such as Certifire boost the
dependability of hardware choices and make for
an easier, less time-consuming selection process.
Design teams will sometimes face a choice between using
certified products versus less reliable but cheaper options
“The time has come for decision
makers to do their part to limit
the consumption of construction
resources” - Daniel May
“They provide additional confidence that the
chosen product will perform when called upon,
remaining safe and high performing throughout
its lifecycle.
“A building is a network of design choices, all of
which must work in tandem for the infrastructure
to operate as intended. Should one area fail, for
example, the mechanisms of a fire door closer,
the infrastructure becomes compromised –
heightening safety and security risks for the
building’s occupants and visitors.
“It’s critical that only the most durable products
are used in these scenarios and whether using
non-standard or standard arm applications,
46 T F JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN