UNION, part of ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, a division of ASSA ABLOY UK, has had products installed throughout properties belonging to the Gateshead Housing Company.

Working with Gateshead Council, the non-profit organisation is responsible for the day-to-day management of over 21,000 homes. The Tyne and Wear based housing association, has recently received the top rating of ‘excellent’ from the Audit Commission, with over 7,000 of its homes exceeding Government standards.

As part of a refurbishment project on multi-storey flats in Gateshead, up to 1000 of UNION’s JL224403 escape locks were installed on the entrance door to each flat, as well as Powerload Hinges specified throughout communal areas of the building, providing a functional and durable solution.

Helping social landlords and local authority housing providers fulfill the duties required under the Equality Act, satisfying recommendations of BS8300 and Approved Document M (ADM), the escape exit hardware features a return to door lever enabling safer use, as well as a spilt spindle for function flexibility.

Dave Hague from Lloyd Worrall, said: “This was a large-scale refurbishment project to ensure that Gateshead Housing maintain its high levels of tenant satisfaction and decent homes standards. To guarantee tenant disruption was kept to a minimum and that the refurbishment is delivered on time and in budget, we needed functional and durable architectural hardware – its heritage and experience made UNION the obvious choice.

“Not only has UNION been able to meet with the rigorous demands of the installation schedule, supplying high quantities of its architectural hardware products but it has also delivered a fit for purpose product – increasing tenant safety and helping to meet relevant building standards.”

Barry Harris, Regional Sales Manager for ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, added: “UNION has a longstanding history of social housing work, so we were really pleased to work with a housing association known for its high levels of decent housing stock, as well as such a high profile architectural ironmonger.

“The sprung handle mechanism on our JL224403 lock is ideal for providing ease of use across residential applications.”

UNION Architectural Hardware supplies an extensive range of locks and architectural hardware used in many applications through professional locksmiths and ironmongers. UNION is part of ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions.