Regular servicing of industrial doors and shutters is vital for maintaining standards of safety and reliability – it should not be sacrificed to save costs during the economic turndown.
So says the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which represents all the UK's main manufacturers, suppliers and installers of industrial and commercial doors and shutters, garage doors, building hardware and architectural ironmongery.

DHF secretary Michael Skelding said: "Companies are cutting costs ruthlessly as they battle for survival during the economic turndown. Worryingly, one of the first casualties can be routine maintenance of industrial doors and shutters.

"But this is 'penny wise, pound foolish'. The consequences of cutting back on regular maintenance of doors and shutters include financial loss, danger in the workplace and the loss of insurance cover. Managers also risk breaking the law."

The DHF pointed out that all industrial doors fall within the scope of legislation which places a duty of care on all building owners and occupiers to ensure their doors are regularly and competently maintained.

Michael Skelding continued: "Plant and maintenance managers and engineers recognise the value of regular maintenance of industrial plant to ensure reliability and to prolong operational life. Legislation places a duty on the employer to safeguard the health and safety of his employees and others by ensuring machinery is maintained regularly and that the maintenance is recorded.

“But many managers and engineers still do not realise that both powered and manual doors and shutters fall under the Workplace (Health and Safety and Welfare) Regulations just like any other piece of plant and machinery in the factory. In addition, fire resisting doors are covered by the Regulatory Reform Order legislation which also requires suitable maintenance to take place."

The DHF has been active in getting the maintenance message across to plant and maintenance engineers. Its repair and service group of members is devoted to promoting the benefits of regular servicing and has just issued a fully updated Code of Practice for the Repair and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Doors.

• Door & Hardware Federation (DHF)