ROLLING SHUTTERS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR SAFE OPERATION SAYS DHF

Article first published 02/05/2012

It is vital to ensure that industrial rolling shutters are installed correctly and are regularly maintained. The warning comes from the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) and follows a series of workplace accidents where injuries have been caused by falling shutters.  
 
Companies where the accidents have taken place face prosecution under the Health Safety at Work Act for failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees.  
 
The DHF provides guidelines on its website www.dhfonline.org.uk to help all those who are responsible for installing and maintaining powered shutters.  
 
Said DHF general manager and secretary Michael Skelding: "Our advice to anyone who has industrial shutters already in, or are about to have shutters installed, is clear - in either case it's vital that installation and maintenance is carried out by a member company of the DHF.  
 
"An inadequately installed shutter can fall for a number of reasons and an expert should inspect an existing installation to ensure it is completely safe in operation. He will also be able to recommend a suitable service and maintenance schedule that will be based on the individual use to which the shutter is put."  
 
A DHF shutter installer will carry out an installation in accordance with TS (Technical Specification) 005:2009. This governs the levels of training and expertise of the installers and guarantees that the installation complies with BS EN 12635:2002. The TS 005 is available for download from the DHF website.  
 
Also available from the DHF website is the Code of Practice for the Repair and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Doors which stresses the importance of regular door and shutter maintenance. The Code spells out what should be done to achieve optimum quality of operation with maximum safety in use throughout the full expected lifecycle of the equipment.  
 
It also includes listings of legal requirements and guidance documents, gives definitions of common terminology and identifies the specific documentation needed for correct repair and maintenance. Necessary operational documentation and minimum requirements for repair and maintenance personnel are also described.  
 
A DHF member will recommend a suitable service and maintenance schedule and his recommendation will be made in accordance with TS 004 which is the DHF standard governing the maintenance and repair. This ensures DHF members have the necessary experience and quality management systems in place to enable them to carry out correct service and maintenance work to the required standard. TS 004 can also be downloaded from the DHF website.  
 
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Note to editors: The DHF represents all the key players in industrial, commercial and garage doors and gates, as well as the leading UK manufacturers and suppliers of building hardware, locks and architectural ironmongery.  
With the ultimate aim of maintaining and raising quality standards throughout the industry, all DHF members must meet minimum standards of competence and customer service. They all operate within a Code of Conduct governing standards of workmanship, quality assurance, training, safety business integrity and CE marking compliance.  

Article ID No.: 218