Clearview South Feb 2013 - Issue 135 | Page 8

DOORS&WINDOWS DHF & GGF LAUNCH NEW TRADE GUIDE TO DOOR SECURITY A comprehensive guide to domestic external door security has been published jointly by the Door & Hardware Federation and the Glass & Glazing Federation. Aimed at security and building professionals, installers and locksmiths, the Best Practice Guide for Specifying Security Hardware for Doors details all security standards applying to domestic entrance and exterior doors. It describes the various products available that meet the standards. These include all types of locks (including multipoint locks and the latest generation of electro-mechanical keyless locks) and cylinders, and also door security handles, door viewers, door restrictors, letterboxes and security glazing. Said Michael Skelding, DHF general manager and secretary: “In recent times, huge strides have been made in improving door security. In particular, the security of domestic entrance doors has been transformed. This is due to the introduction of a raft of new standards and the launch of greatly improved locks and associated hardware products. “It’s vitally important that the trade is brought up to date with these developments so building professionals and installers can give expert and accurate advice on door security to their customers. To that end we have published this guide which is a concise and factual summary of the latest security measures available for domestic and commercial entrance doors.” The guide is the latest initiative being carried out by the UK’s building hardware industry in response to criminals taking advantage of the publication on the internet of methods of lock attack. Security standards described in detail within the Guide include PAS 24 (complete door assembly including security hardware); Technical Standard DHF TS 007 (lock cylinder which will resist snapping, bumping and other forms of attack); BS 3621 (five lever locks); PAS 3621:2011 (multipoint locks); TS 621 (smart or key-free locks operated by remote fobs or other keyless entry methods such as keypads); TS 002 (door viewers); TS 003 (door restrictor such as a chain or limiter); TS008 (door letter plate); TS 009 (free standing letter box sited externally); and BS EN 1260:2002 Glass in building; pendulum test; impact test method and classification for flat glass (security glazing). Download the guide from www.dhfonline.org.uk or www.ggf.org.uk FEDERATION WILL FIGHT FRAUDSTERS Following recent reports of fraud and scams currently happening in the industry, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is to set out a plan of action in 2013, to support GGF Members and protect consumers against fraudulent activity by bogus companies. Members have reported various fraudulent activities to the Federation including:• Individuals and false companies posing as GGF Members, taking deposits from homeowners and then being noncontactable, leaving non-existent phone numbers and false addresses. • Individuals and companies posing as GGF Members, taking deposits then carrying out sub-standard and shoddy work and then being non-contactable leaving non-existent phone numbers and false addresses. There have been other reports of fraud being committed online and over the phone by scamsters seeking to gain a customer’s bank details, take “deposits” and then are never heard of again. This criminal activity is having a direct impact on some GGF Members but it also affects the GGF and the industry in general. As a result, the GGF will be putting an anti-fraud campaign into action in 2013. The campaign will include:• Issuing Members with new GGF branded materials to prove they are a genuine GGF Member company. • Encouraging Members to use the GGF ID cards • Issuing Members with anti-fraud awareness posters and literature • Focusing PR resource on areas where this kind of fraud is occurring. This will include sending press releases and information to regional press • Creating a new section on the GGF Website offering customer’s advice on how to counter fraud and where to report it • Reporting those who are committing these scams to the police • Reporting companies who are using the GGF logo when they are not GGF Members to Trading Standards The fundamental message in this awareness campaign will be to advise customers always to use a GGF Member company and to check they are a genuine GGF Member before signing contracts or passing over any money, cheques or bank details. This can be checked by visiting the GGF Members directory or by contacting the GGF directly by phone or via email. If you know any industry-related scams in your area contact the GGF at: marketing@ ggf.org.uk or call 020 7939 9101. 8 FEB 2013 To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com