From door levers to grab rails to kick plates, architectural ironmongery is the most tactile element of a building, with the power to enhance or detract from the user’s experience, daily. It’s also a core component of any project, potentially involving literally thousands of fittings subject to numerous standards and regulations.
With the architect in mind, the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has produced a free guide on how to negotiate door hardware specification. ‘Specification of door hardware – An architect’s guide’ covers what an architect needs when choosing architectural ironmongery.
It includes main considerations when specifying architectural ironmongery, information on the risks and how to avoid them, tips on choosing and working with an architectural ironmonger, and a glossary of technical terms. The guide also aims to draw attention to the often overlooked potential of architectural ironmongery to make or mar a project, and to encourage architects to appreciate and make more use of the range of skills of architectural ironmongers. It emphasises the importance of working with a Registered Architectural Ironmonger who is guaranteed to be both qualified and experienced.
Launching the architect’s guide, Gary Amer, chief executive of the GAI, said: “Architectural ironmongery has a crucial effect not only on the visual impact of a building but also on its functionality, accessibility, safety and longevity. We hope this guide will demystify the process involved in choosing architectural ironmongery, and also encourage architects to think about their options early in the process, and get the best possible results with the least hassle.”
The guide is available to download at: http://www.gai.org.uk/news/hot-off-the-pressspecification-of-door-hardware-an-architects-guide.
