Doors go Digital – new product data template shows the way to increased specifier confidence

Manufacturers and distributors of doorsets looking 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 thanks to the development of a new industry-approved Product Data Template (PDT) for doorsets.

The development comes at a critical time, 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 which can be traced to a credible source such as a product standard. Once a manufacturer completes a PDT, the output is a Product Data Sheet which summarises the performance and other technical characteristics of a construction product. Structuring product information in this way makes the information more consistent, audience-specific, and identifies all the performance information needed to make appropriate 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. The doorset PDT is the latest to be published in a list which already includes door hardware and powered pedestrian doors.

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).

The doorset PDT will be launched at the FIT Show on 23-25 May and will be available to download from Product Data Templates