GAI: New guidance to help manage transition back to the workplace

14 May 2021

The ‘How Business Owners Can Use Partitioning and Ironmongery to Help Manage Social Distancing’ guide, jointly produced by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) and FIS, which represents the Finishes and Interior Sector, has been updated following changes to UK conformity marking.

It sets out to help those managing workplaces understand key considerations they need to make when adapting their spaces. It provides guidance on using partitioning and ironmongery to manage social distancing in the workplace.

Originally published in November last year, it now covers the changes to UK conformity marking post-Brexit. UKCA and UKNI marking will replace CE marking, which finishes in Great Britain from 1 January 2022.

A list of the relevant EN Harmonised and UK Designated standards relevant to partitioning, doors and architectural ironmongery features.

Also, there’s a summary of product marking sales territories to show where UKCA, UKNI and CE marking can be used going forward.

Douglas Masterson, technical manager of the GAI, comments: “It is critical that business owners and those responsible for property maintenance are aware of the changes and how this impacts the architectural ironmongery they choose for their workplaces.

“Businesses will need to continue to be responsive to Government advice. But the new information in the guide will help them to identify opportunities for business owners to make sensible product choices now, that will offer them compliant solutions longer term.”

Joe Cilia, technical director of FIS, says: “Dividing spaces, even on a temporary basis, may have implications on escape routes and safety depending on how they are installed.

“As good ventilation has been shown to help reduce the incidence of COVID-19 infection, the advice in this free guide is important and relevant.”

To download the guide, click www.gai.org.uk/IndustryUpdates or www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/

Visit the GAI website