specification of door hardware an architect’s guide of door hardware – an... · 1. main...

Specification of door hardwareAn Architect’s guideGuild ofArchitecturalIronmongers

Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guide.

Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guide

The hardware for doors — commonly known as architectural ironmongery — is a core component of any project. The right choices will enhance the visual impact of a building, and its functionality, accessibility, safety and longevity.

This Guide brings together all the information you need to make the specification process run smoothly and to achieve the best possible end result.

Content sections

1. Main considerations when specifying door hardware

2. Risks, and how to avoid them

3. How to find an architectural ironmonger

4. How to work effectively with your architectural ironmonger

5. Useful links for further advice

6. Useful glossary of architectural hardware terms (inside back cover)

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Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guide 02/03GAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

Main considerations when specifying door hardware.

1.04/05Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guideGAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

1. Main considerations when specifying door hardware.

On any project, work on the door hardware can only begin after an ironmongery schedule has been drawn up. This document specifies every single piece of hardware, from handles, locks and hinges to doorstops, kick plates and signage, and may include electronic locking systems and access control, and even door automation.

All these details will be provided by the architectural ironmonger who draws up the ironmongery schedule.

The following is a list of key questions that the architectural ironmonger will ask you:

What type of building is it for?

Getting the right hardware for a particular building involves functional as well as aesthetic considerations.

Hospitals, schools and care homes, for example, will need fittings appropriate for less physically able and vulnerable users. Safety and security requirements also vary between types of building.

There is a wide range of specialist architectural ironmongery available to accommodate different needs – including antibacterial finishes, anti-ligature fittings, biometrics, and braille/accessible signage.

What function is it expected to perform?

Do you want your door to be self-closing, held-open, locked, latched, free from fastenings or with lever handles?

Getting the right fittings in the right location will enhance a user’s experience of a building. Door hardware is the building’s most tactile aspect and one they will come into contact with on a constant basis.

The choice of hardware will also impact on building performance issues such as acoustics, airflow and draughts that affect the experience and comfort of the building’s users.

Durability and longevity are also considerations with items such as handles and door closing devices which will be in almost constant use.

What period or style is the building?

Aesthetics is naturally a prime consideration for most specifiers who are concerned to ensure the door hardware complements and enhances the finished project.

To achieve this you don’t need to specify the exact fittings, but you do need to identify the period or style of building they will be reflecting, so the architectural ironmonger can make the best choice from the huge array of products and finishes available.

It will also help the architectural ironmonger to co-ordinate the different hardware items throughout the project and, where necessary, match new fittings with pre-existing hardware.

In tricky cases, for example when new fittings have to be matched to existing ones, you can talk to your architectural ironmonger about bespoke solutions. 1

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06/07Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guideGAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

CASE STUDY 1

What finishes are required?

Door hardware comes in a wide selection of materials, including, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, iron or other metals as well as wood, with a range of finishes. Your first concern is likely to be the appearance of the finish, but there are functional considerations which need to be factored into the final choice; some finishes are unsuitable for certain environments. Certain grades of stainless steel, for example, are vulnerable to the chemicals in a

swimming pool environment or a chemical factory, while lacquered brass is liable to degrade in a seaside setting.

What is your budget?

Discussions relating to the ironmongery will proceed more quickly and effectively if you have at least a ballpark figure for the architectural ironmongery budget. This will assist the ironmonger as the ironmongery schedule will ultimately provide you with a “cost per door” figure.

“ Throughout this project, the architectural ironmonger had to liaise with all parties to ensure that the bespoke element of the specification would deliver an end result that made a real difference to the building. This required a real team effort and high level of technical expertise to ensure that the ironmongery package performed beyond expectations, whilst delivering a unique, minimal aesthetic to the project.”

Minimal aesthetic, maximum performance.Combining a unique, minimal aesthetic with high-quality performance was the challenge for architects Caruso St John working with their architectural ironmongers on the recent, widely praised, refurbishment of Tate Britain.

To achieve the architects’ vision, the architectural ironmonger, working closely with Caruso St John and manufacturers, produced a unique shot-peened finish for the stainless steel door furniture.

State-of-the-art self-closing fire doors had to be fitted in the gallery’s traditional high-arched door spaces.

To overcome this technical challenge, the architectural ironmonger provided a bespoke solution incorporating tile trays which concealed door springs in the floor. This maintains the building’s aesthetic while allowing easy access for floor spring adjustment.

The Tate Britain Project is the Winner of Winners in the 2015 Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards co-organised by GAI and RIBA to celebrate the partnership between architects and architectural ironmongers.

08/09Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guide

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2.Risks, and how to avoid them.

10/11Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guideGAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

2. Risks, and how to avoid them.

Not allowing enough time

A large project may involve hundreds of doors and literally thousands of fittings. If insufficient time is allowed for all the hardware to be sourced, delivered and fitted, there is a risk that hand-over could be delayed.

If you are working with a Registered Architectural Ironmonger they will have a good knowledge of their own lead times, and will be able to plan and manage a schedule which takes all of these into account.

Safety and security

Architectural ironmongery has a key impact on both the safety and security of a building. It is subject to more than 50 British and European standards, which are regularly updated, as well as Building Regulations covering areas such as security, fire safety, disabled access/accessibility and acoustics.

Hand-over can also be delayed if door hardware doesn’t meet all the required standards of safety or security. To avoid any such last-minute snags you must be sure all hardware complies with relevant and current standards and legislation, including correct fitting on site. A qualified Registered Architectural Ironmonger will provide you with advice on this.

Changes after specification

For various reasons changes are sometimes made to the architectural ironmongery specification when the project is already under way. This may create hard-to-foresee knock-on effects, which pose a risk of delay.

The best course is to agree the correct specification at the outset and to stick to it. But where changes can’t be avoided, it is important to make them as early as possible, and factor in all the ramifications. Experienced architectural ironmongers are accustomed to dealing with such situations and their services will be invaluable in this situation.

Issues can arise with door hardware which may affect the whole project, causing delays, impacting on costs and even delaying hand-over which can lead to penalties.

What is an architectural ironmonger?

An architectural ironmonger works with architects, interior designers, contractors and others to specify the hardware needed for every door in a building, and to produce a full ironmongery schedule of all the hardware items.

The term ‘ironmongery’, originally applied to iron-made hardware for domestic use, today it covers a much wider range of products.

Architectural ironmongers are experts in hardware used in domestic and commercial buildings for the functioning of doors, door assemblies and doorsets. Their expertise covers many products and includes hinges, door closing devices, locking devices, pull handles, lever furniture, letter plates, disabled grab rail kits, specialist window fittings, washroom equipment and signage.

Today’s architectural ironmongery increasingly incorporates sophisticated electronics to control locking and access.

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3.How to find an architectural ironmonger.

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Ensure you are using a Registered Architectural Ironmonger

Anyone can describe themselves as an ‘architectural ironmonger’, but the term Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) guarantees that the ironmonger is both qualified and experienced.

All Registered Architectural Ironmongers hold the Diploma qualification (DipGAI) of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, have a minimum of three years’ experience and are undertaking a programme of Continuing Professional Development which ensures they are fully conversant with current industry standards, regulations and legislation.

How to identify a Registered Architectural Ironmonger

A Registered Architectural Ironmonger will use the letters RegAI after their name on their business card and correspondence. This status must be renewed each year, so you are most likely to see RegAI on a date stamp on key documents.

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers maintains a register of all RegAIs by location. You can access this by going to the GAI website (www.gai.org.uk) and clicking on ‘Find a RegAI’ on the top right.

You can also contact the GAI to confirm the RegAI status of any individual.


3. How to find an architectural ironmonger.

Many architects rely on recommendations within their own practice, which can be very useful. But you should check whoever you use is qualified for the risk.

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What RegAI means for architects

A Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) has attained DipGAI – the only recognised qualification for architectural ironmongers in the UK.

A RegAI:

— has undertaken a three-year study programme leading to a Diploma of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (DipGAI) qualification

— is registered on the GAI Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme which mandates a required amount of personal development every year

— is up to speed with latest technical innovations, standards and legislation in this increasingly complex and fast-moving field

— can offer comprehensive advice on all door hardware

Working with a RegAI offers the assurance that all your door hardware will:

— be prepared by a fully qualified professional

— be compliant with current legislation affecting fire, security and life safety issues

— use the latest technology and products available

— conform to the latest European and British BS EN standards for door hardware, including CE Marked products where necessary


How to work effectively with your architectural ironmonger.

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Getting the most from your architectural ironmonger

Our architectural ironmongers’ top tips for getting more out of your working relationship are:

Think ‘door hardware’ early on

As touched on earlier, don’t leave it until the last moment to approach an architectural ironmonger. Architectural ironmongery is a core component of the project, not an add-on.

Think ‘door details’

It will speed up the specification process if your architectural ironmonger is supplied with a floor plan with all the doors numbered individually, and a door schedule listing each door and its dimensions and make-up. An architectural ironmonger must have all these details to ensure the ironmongery being specified is correct for each door type. It is worth remembering not to allow doors to be manufactured unless the door specification has been checked for compatibility with the ironmongery schedule.

Think ‘interfaces’

If there are other parties that are already involved in the door hardware provision, things will go more smoothly and efficiently if you inform your architectural ironmonger at the outset.

Electronic locking and access control, for example, is sometimes supplied as a separate package and the architectural ironmonger and supplier will need to liaise, and be clear about which of them is providing the specification and co-ordinating their efforts.

If the project involves an existing building the architectural ironmonger will need to be provided with details of existing hardware such as the master-keyed suite, and may require a site-visit to assist with co-ordination of finishes.

Think ‘CPD’

There are many architectural ironmongers who can provide you with CPD presentations, some of these having been RIBA approved.


4. How to work effectively with your architectural ironmonger.

Your relationship with your architectural ironmonger should be built on trust. Once the specification has been agreed, you should feel comfortable leaving your architectural ironmonger to manage the door hardware element of the project and bring it to a successful conclusion, consulting with you when necessary.

At the start of a new working relationship it is worth investing time in one or two face-to-face meetings, to establish clear lines of communication. This will speed up your future interactions and help you work together smoothly and efficiently.

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CASE STUDY 2

Specification Award Winner.Not one but many tightly controlled requirements had to be met by the architectural ironmonger working on the West Yorkshire Police Divisional Headquarters.

The building accommodates a range of functions, calling for a multidisciplinary ironmongery specification but retaining a seamless design throughout.

In the high security custody area, the ironmonger’s anti-barricade products, concealed closers, reduced ligature pinch grip pull handles and other specialist ironmongery allowed maximum control while reducing the risk of harm to users. Front of house office doors and corridor doors were fitted with durable stainless steel.

They also supplied a co-ordinated locking suite meeting the requirements of six different types of doors, and a Single Grand Master key system as required by the client.

The project, designed by architect Jacobs, won an award in the Commercial category in 2015 Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards co-organised by GAI and RIBA.

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Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guideGAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

Useful links for further advice.

Guild of Architectural Ironmongers www.gai.org.uk

The GAI is the UK’s only trade body solely dedicated to promoting the interests of the whole architectural ironmongery industry, architectural ironmongers themselves, and the manufacturers and wholesalers of door hardware products.

BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Schemewww.bwfcertifire.org.uk

The leading authority on fire door safety and certification of fire doors and doorsets, and part of the British Woodworking Federation.

The Door and Hardware Federation www.dhfonline.org.uk

The Door and Hardware Federation represents UK manufacturers and installers of doors, powered gates, locks, building hardware and architectural ironmongery.

FDIS Fire Door Inspection Schemewww.fdis.co.uk

FDIS provides education and the UK’s leading qualification for anyone working with fire doors and escape doors, along with a register of certificated fire door inspectors.

DHI Door Security + Safety Professionalsdhi.org

DHI is an association proudly serving door security and safety professionals, in the non-residential construction industry. Through education, advocacy, accreditation and facilitated networking, it provides members with the collective intelligence to meet the security and safety needs of their customers.

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Useful links for further advice.

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Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guide 26/27GAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

Find your local Registered Architectural Ironmonger www.gai.org.uk

Follow the GAI on Twitter @gai_UK

Register for the GAI’s Architect Briefing Notes www.gai.org.uk

Contact us The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers BPF House, 6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JE

+44 (0) 20 7033 [email protected]

Glossary.

GAI — Guild of Architectural Ironmongers Specification of door hardware. An Architect’s guide

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gai.org.uk

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers BPF House, 6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JE

+44 (0) 20 7033 [email protected]

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