DHF’S FIRE HARDWARE MATCHMAKER SERVICE HELPS SPECIFIERS HIT THE SPOT

Article first published 02/12/2009

A unique web-based matchmaker service to help specifiers choose the most suitable fire rated door hardware is a unique feature of the new look Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) website (www.dhfonline.org.uk ).  
 
The matchmaker section of the website lists CE marked hardware products. Specifiers are able to search the database for products which offer the performance they need for particular applications.  
 
The matchmaker section can easily be found by following the architectural ironmongery area of interest from the homepage of the DHF website.  
 
Once the specifier has drilled down to the most suitable product, he can then visit the producer’s own website with just one click to gather further product information.  
 
The site will always be up to date and feature the latest products because it has been designed to allow individual DHF member companies to input their own product information direct.  
 
Said DHF chief executive officer Ian Wood: “This unique matchmaker service really does move the specification of CE marked fire rated door hardware up to a new level.  
 
“We incorporated this service for specifiers into the website because we were most conscious of the inadequacy of European standards covering hardware. A product is either fire rated or non fire rated - but the specifier needs to know much more than that.”  
 
For example, he said, the site reveals both the fire resistance period and the construction of the fire doors on which the hardware has actually been tested. This is important because a product tested successfully on a 30 minute timber door may not perform correctly on a four hour steel door or, indeed, vice versa. Also, the pattern numbers, finish, materials and properties of hardware products can be seen at a glance on the database.  
 
The easy-to-use DHF website is now a must-visit destination for specifiers, customers and end users wanting to access a wealth of industry news, resources and specialist advice. It is the latest initiative from the DHF, which represents all the leading UK manufacturers of building hardware and architectural ironmongery, to provide added commercial benefit to its members.  

Article ID No.: 189