As a result of the development of a new industry-approved Product Data Template (PDT) for doorsets, manufacturers and distributors seeking to build confidence in their products and move closer towards implementing the ‘Golden Thread in construction’ can now supply consistent performance data to specifiers, contractors and building owners, says DHF. The PDT is timely, following the recent publication of the landmark Morrell Review into the regulation, testing and verification of the performance of construction products.
“A Product Data Template is a common way of describing essential product characteristics that can be traced to a credible source such as a product standard,” explains Michael Skelding, General Manager & Secretary at DHF. “Once a manufacturer completes a PDT, the output is a Product Data Sheet summarising the performance and other technical characteristics of a construction product. Structuring product information in this way enables more consistent, audience-specific information, and identifies all the performance information required to make informed choices about construction products.”
The doorset PDT has been published by the shadow Fenestration Relevant Authority, a group of 14 organisations and trade associations that have come together to provide PDTs for the sector, which DHF is represented. This means that the industry will now be able to create a coordinated set of Product Data Sheets for any doorsets involved in their projects.
Hanna Clarke, digital and policy manager at the Construction Products Association (CPA) said:
“Structured product information is absolutely vital to a joined-up construction and built environment sector. But the key to arriving at this information is consensus, and the CPA is pleased to see that the trade associations in the fenestration area have come together to form a shadow Relevant Authority as per the processes identified in the LEXiCON project.
“It is these consensus processes and due diligence that will allow all those using the template and resulting product data sheets to trust that the information has been appropriately considered and will have longevity in application.”
“This PDT is part of an ongoing programme of works in this field undertaken by the Fenestration Relevant Authority, with window hardware as the next project. DHF is thrilled to contribute to this and future PDTs to ensure that the Golden Thread is embedded into the construction industry”, concludes Michael.
The following organisations are represented on the shadow Fenestration Relevant Authority: Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), British Standards Institution (BSI), Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), Construction Products Association (CPA), Door and Hardware Federation (DHF), Association of Composite Door Manufacturers (ACDM), British Blind and Shutters Association (BBSA), National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers (NARM), British Plastics Federation (BPF), Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) Centre for Windows and Cladding Technology (CWCT) and Steel Window Association (SWA).
