Code of practice for industrial doors
At the beginning of this year, DHF released a new code of practice designed to raise standards of safety in the industrial door industry.
Drawing on applicable legislation, European standards, British and Irish standards and industry best practice to assist all those involved in the industrial sector to meet their legal obligations, it provides clear and comprehensive guidance on the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of industrial.
“DHF TS 012:2018 provides a framework to ensure the safe and compliant installation of industrial doors and roller shutters, giving practical help to all those involved with industrial doors by providing clear direction on their legal obligation and responsibilities,” says DHF’s marketing manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “It took more than nine months to develop the code and forms the basis of our comprehensive two-day Industrial Door Safety Diploma course.”
In October 2017, a new Chairman for the group was announced, with Dave Lewis, managing director of Ellard, taking on the role. For him, the release of DHF TS 012:2018 is extremely welcome hoping the new code will come to be seen as something of a ‘bible’ for those working with industrial doors and roller shutters.
“Currently, there are too many untrained people working in the sector and with some of these products weighing up to several tonnes, safety is absolutely vital,” he explains. “If a door falls from 25-30 foot in the air causing an accident, the consequences can be life-changing for all concerned. When I first entered the sector 40 years ago, 60% of industrial doors were power operated; now, it’s almost 100% and with automation, comes the need for greater safety. We work in a dangerous industry, so our enduring message is: a safe product and a safe environment; DHF TS 012:2018 is help to achieve this.”
“It is absolutely essential that those with responsibility for installation, maintenance, repair and dismantling of potentially dangerous equipment are properly trained and working within the framework of the law,” concludes Patricia “Those who use DHF members can do so in the knowledge that the level of safety, quality and compliance we insist upon, is reinforced by comprehensive training and is subject to rigorous audit and inspection.
“DHF TS 012:2018 condenses and refines information from UK and European law and standards to provide accurate, clear reference and guidance for those working with industrial doors. Reducing the ‘grey areas’ and supporting the requirements for competence and training at all levels in the process, we are confident that this new code will become the benchmark reference document setting higher standards across the industry.”
Entitled The Code of Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Industrial Doors and Domestic Garage Doors, DHF TS 012:2018 is the 13th in a series of DHF technical specifications covering the range of industry sectors represented by the organisation: Locks & Building Hardware; Doorsets; Industrial Doors & Shutters; Domestic Garage Doors and Automated Gates.
The Code of Practice DHF TS 012:2018 is available as a free download from http://www.DHFonline.org.uk/publications/technical-specifications/1.htm; for further information, email the DHF on [email protected] or telephone 01827 52337.
