Door Industry Journal - Spring 2014

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 54 THE door industry journal spring 2014 fire & security feature Compliance Locked Up CE marking became a mandatory requirement last year for all construction products in the UK, under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). This includes products that are deemed to be essential hardware, which are intended for use on fire, smoke and escape route doors. As we come up to one year on since the regulation came into force, how is CE marking affecting decisions made within the door industry? Jon Burke, Marketing Manager of Abloy UK, discusses why electric locks provide a safe and complaint solution, and warns against using CE marks as a symbol of quality. Prior to CE marking becoming mandatory, manufacturers were under no obligation to meet the minimum standards of quality set by the European Union (EU). This could pose a risk to safety as doors and door components may not have performed as they should. The introduction of mandatory CE marking has made it somewhat easier for specifiers of doors and locks to ensure they are selecting a compliant solution, as all CE marked products meet a minimum standard for quality, safety and product testing. Performance declaration Manufacturers are also required to prepare a document called a Declaration of Performance (DoP) for products that are CE marked, and make it available to the customer on request. DoPs must be kept by the manufacturer for a minimum of 10 years after a product is launched, and without a DoP being drawn up, a product is not able to have a CE mark affixed. All products that feature on fire rated and escape doors require a DoP, and all of Abloy UK’s product DoPs are available to view on its website so they are easily accessible. Compliance in practice When it comes to doors, it is the responsibility of all those involved in the supply and installation process to ensure compliance with building regulations, including the designer, specifier, builder and installer. Each person in the supply chain is therefore accountable for installing a solution that will ensure the safety of the people in a building, and not prevent swift access and egress when required. The new CE marking regulations mean that in theory, specifiers need only to select a door and locking system with elements that are all CE marked, and quality is assured. However it is vital that those in the supply chain do not become complacent, as this could result in substandard installations.