For some companies it can now be more cost-effective to use the economies of scale of large overseas manufacturers by importing ready-engineered doors for installation in the UK. But it can be difficult to ensure these doors are fit for purpose and will comply with the correct door legislation once installed, especially if importing from outside the EU.
National Sales Manager Peter Whittles looks at two examples where GfA are offering expertise and assistance.
Turkish doors being fitted with GfA drives Our Safedrive® Fi drives and TS control panels are currently being tested for use on fast-acting fabric doors being imported from Turkey by a UK company. Originally, the doors were specified as a complete unit but the customer recognised that the Turkish motor and gearbox were dated technology and not specifically designed for door applications (e.g. mechanical limits, no anti-fallback device or emergency handchain facility).
They now plan to import the door only and use GfA equipment to drive it.
Their main concerns are safety, product reliability and quality and the assurance of having UK-based technical support. Unlike the GfA ‘plug and play’ system, the Turkish drive unit and panel would have required much more complex and time-consuming wiring on-site using dated technology the engineers might not have been familiar with.
And of course, if the customer takes GfA drives, control panels and safety devices they benefit from being able to use our test certificates in their technical file as evidence of compliance with the Construction Products Regulation.
Compliance with the European regulations and being able to correctly CE mark, was the main reason GfA UK was approached by another customer, who is looking to import doors from America for use at environmental waste sites.
They involved us from the very first meeting to ask for our opinion on the best way forward. Our Managing Director Andrew Collett was able to assist them in linking the supplier direct with GfA in America to source the correct drives. The door is now being evaluated ensuring it will not only be compliant when it hits the UK market, but also able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions inside a waste site.
