Two of the UK’s largest trade bodies in the architectural ironmongery and interiors sectors have signed a memorandum of understanding that prioritises skills, best practice and innovation. The memo formalises the existing relationship between the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) and the Finishes and Interior Sector (FIS).
The GAI and the FIS plan to work together to showcase the skills of their members to the wider industry, and to build on the technical knowledge that the organisations already share. Simon Forrester, CEO of the GAI, said: “For many years, the GAI and FIS have enjoyed an excellent working relationship. The memorandum of understanding between the two organisations formalises that relationship and gives us a platform on which to build even closer, collaborative initiatives. Our aim is to build a stronger, long-term relationship between our organisations by exploring opportunities to work together in areas including education, advocacy, innovation and best practice, for the continued benefit of the architectural ironmongery and interior fit-out markets.”
Iain McIlwee, CEO of the FIS, added: “There’s a clear connection between our members and the work that the GAI does. The importance of both sectors working in partnership and understanding how all of the elements work together was illustrated perfectly with the ‘How Business Owners Can Use Partitioning and Ironmongery to Help Manage Social Distancing’ guide that the FIS and GAI published earlier this year. Going forward, we will be celebrating examples of best practice and installation through awards for those individuals and organisations who showcase excellence in our industries.”
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the two organisations will work together to improve the wider construction industry’s understanding of safety issues relating to fire doors, ironmongery, access control and flexible walls. They aim to do this by developing technical standards and resources to support the professional development of not only their members but all stakeholders in the interiors supply chain.
The organisations also plan to deliver joint events, the first of which will be held during Fire Door Safety Week. Aiming to highlight the priorities for delivering fire door safety in specialist interior and fit-out contracts, a webinar titled ‘The Fire Door Safety in the Finishes and Interiors Sector’ is scheduled to take place on 21 September. To book a place on the webinar, visit gai.org.uk.
Topics including fire door hardware, certification, intumescent seals and the golden thread are scheduled to be discussed during a series of presentations from technical experts across the supply chain including: Douglas Masterson, GAI’s technical manager; Hannah Mansell, Masonite UK’s group technical director; Tim Foster, sales and marketing manager at Mann McGowan; and Alan Brown, director of Fire DNA and Forza Doors. After the presentations, the speakers will join a panel discussion alongside a fire door inspector for the Fire Door Safety Clinic.
