Five new guides on architectural ironmongery for
different applications have been launched for architects and specifiers.
The new guides have been launched by the Guild of
Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) to ensure that anyone involved in the specification of architectural
ironmongery has access to the latest, best practice advice.
Based on the RIBA approved CPD
presentations created by the GAI, each guide contains comprehensive product
information, diagrams and detail on the relevant building regulations and
industry standards. All of the guides are available to download for free
from the GAI
website.
“We have produced these guides to ensure that all
construction industry professionals have access to comprehensive guidelines and
best practice covering all aspects of architectural ironmongery,” said Douglas
Masterson, technical manager at the GAI. “We recognise that specifying
architectural ironmongery can be complex, so we’ve pulled together all of the
information an architect or specifier will need to ensure the hardware is not
only compliant but also performs as expected and suits the environment it is
being used in.”
The Specifier’s Guide
to Ironmongery and Security helps specifiers to navigate security issues that
they may face relating to doors.
The guide covers
mortice locks, including a breakdown of the main types of mortice locks and
where they can be used. It also includes the different shapes of cylinders and
how they work within a master key system, and electronic locks that can be used
as part of an access control system.
It provides an
in-depth look at PAS 24, Approved Document Q, relevant British and European
Standards, and industry certification schemes. The guide has been endorsed by Secured by Design, the official UK Police security initiative.
The Specifier’s Guide
to Access Control is designed to give a
comprehensive overview of the role of access control, covering how
to specify access control products and systems.
It contains a helpful
guide to the questions that need to be asked when specifying an access control
system, and the order that access control product should be specified in a
building. There is also a checklist for reviewing the system that is being specified.
The Specifier’s Guide
to Ironmongery and Accessibility outlines the best practice guidelines of
accessible and inclusive design. As well as covering all of the relevant
ironmongery, the guide includes information on the dimensional guidelines
required for lever and pull handles, locks, keys, thumb turns and handrails to
be compliant with BS 8300.
It also covers
specifying ironmongery and signage that has strong visual contrast and light
reflective value (LRV) to assist those with visual impairments to meet BS 8300
guidelines, as well as legislation that applies specifically to this area of
architectural ironmongery. This includes the Equality Act and guidance
documents to building regulations on accessibility throughout the UK and
Ireland, including Approved Document M.
The Specifier’s Guide
to Ironmongery for Specialist Applications helps specifiers choose the correct
ironmongery solutions for specialist applications in public buildings such as
schools, care homes and hospitals.
The guide gives
information on accessibility regulations that impact the specification of
ironmongery including specialist closing devices, door automation, visual
contrast and light reflectance value (LRV). It also covers more specific
hardware solutions such as anti-ligature hardware, anti-microbial door
furniture, finger protection and specialist signage, detailing relevant product
information, current standards and best practice.
The Specifier’s Guide
to Ironmongery for Fire and Escape Doors emphasises the critical role of fire
and escape doors and the importance of correctly specified architectural
ironmongery.
It explains different
types of fire and escape doors and details the corresponding essential
ironmongery, seals and signage including the standards that they must adhere
to. It also contains a useful guide to the questions that need to be asked when
specifying hardware for escape doors, as well as further guidance on fire door
inspections and ongoing ironmongery maintenance.
The GAI is the body that represents the
interests of the UK architectural ironmongery
industry. Its qualifications, education and
CPD programmes are widely respected in the UK and
overseas. Its technical information service is
the only specialist service of its kind and
provides GAI members with comprehensive advice.
To download the guides
for free, visit www.gai.org.uk
