New technical guidance published on hotel bedroom locks

New specialist advice on legal compliance with the technical standards for hotel bedroom locks has been published this month for architects, specifiers, door manufacturers and architectural ironmongers working on hotel projects.
 
The technical briefing published by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has been produced in association with the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Door Hardware Federation (DHF), and Exova Warringtonfire.
 
It clarifies the position on the requirements for CE marking of mechanical and electromechanical locks and their use on fire doors in particular – an area where there has been a lot of market confusion since new European standards came into force in 2013.
 
Within the guidance, the technical briefing advises specifiers and others to take additional safeguards such as:
 
– Checking the CE marking detail of locks and the manufacturer's Declaration of Performance to ensure the right locks are being used on fire doors;

– Ensuring that all certification claims are valid.
 
Douglas Masterson, technical manager at the GAI, said:
 
"This has been an area of confusion and contention for some time, so the industry's leading technical experts have stepped in to clarify the standards. This matters a great deal, as compliance with the Construction Products Regulation is mandatory and failure to meet the requirements of the CPR can lead to fines and even imprisonment for directors. Similarly, false certification claims can also lead to prosecution.
 
"Any specifier, installer or door hardware supplier working on hotel projects should be aware of these legal requirements, and if in doubt take further guidance from the GAI, BWF or DHF."
 
BWF members can log in below and view the technical briefing.