Since its establishment in 1981, Haroon Company has supplied door hardware and electronic security solutions to some of the most prestigious and well-known projects in Dubai.

The Fairmont Hotel, Skywalk Towers, Dubai City Centre Hotel, Residence and Shopping Complex, Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort, Al Bustan Residence, Ramada Continental (Deira), Four Points Sheraton (Bur Dubai), Dubai Marina Beach Resort, Oasis Beach Hotel, Rydges Plaza Hotel and the National Bank of Dubai headquarters are just a few in a long list of projects that Haroon Company has supplied.

According to managing director Haroon Zaidi, the company offers a wide selection of architectural ironmongery suitable for all budgets - including hardware for commercial buildings, and decorative residential, life safety and panic and detention hardware, cabinet/furniture fittings, key cabinets, first-aid boxes, mail boxes, electronic access control, electronic hotel locking systems and guestroom safes, guestroom energy management systems, surveillance systems and CCTV (closed circuit television) for hotels, handrails and balustrades, sliding/folding door gear, public washroom and bathroom accessories, support fittings for the disabled, and premium decorative electrical accessories.

These quality products are designed to meet the customer's unique requirements and are backed by proficient workmanship and after-sales service to ensure his complete satisfaction, Zaidi says.

Focusing on panic exit hardware, Zaidi emphasises that the most important aspect to be considered during installation is who might be in the building in the event of an emergency.

"Where personnel have not been trained in the location and operation of the building's exit devices or members of the public have access," Zaidi explains, "exit devices conforming to BS EN 1125 must be installed, where each product is operated by a horizontal push-bar which, when pushed downward, withdraws either the bolts or the latch, releasing the door for immediate escape in the event of an emergency."

Haroon Company plans to launch the stylish CE-marked Briton 500 series this year, in response to the growing demand for slim-line panic hardware that can be matched with other products to enhance the overall finish of a building. It comprises a single locking device which can be upgraded to a three or five-point locking system, where additional security is required.

The Briton 500 series is available in silver, gold and 16 architectural colours combined with matt black channels, rod covers and strikes to match other products in the building. Its modular design offers increased levels of flexibility, resulting in ease of specification, ordering and potential failure upgrades, he says.

Exit hardware is designed for escape doors in commercial applications, schools, hospitals and other buildings requiring immediate exit in the event of a fire or emergency, often without prior knowledge of operation.

"In the event of a fire when everyone is around running towards the faint green glow of the fire exit sign, imagine the horror of finding that the panic bar on the door does not work," Zaidi exclaims. "The lives of terror-stricken people literally depend on that one piece of hardware. It is, therefore, imperative that the selection of panic exit devices is based on quality and performance and not cost.

"Since 1998, it has been mandatory for all panic exit hardware to comply with the European Standards of panic exit devices (BS EN 1125). This standard sets out the minimum requirements for a device to perform effectively and could prove, literally to be a lifesaver," he explains.

The Briton panic exit hardware has been developed not only to comply with, but also exceed, the minimum performance standards in the new CEN standard, he points out.

"The Briton 500 series is CE marked, indicating compliance with EU Construction Products Directive (CPD). This means that it not only satisfies the CPD's health and safety requirements but also meets EN 1125 and EN 179 standards," he adds.

Haroon Company also offers a comprehensive range of both functional and elegant products designed to make life easier and more pleasant for the physically challenged, he says. These are made of stainless steel grade 316 or coloured polyamide.

Discussing current market trends in the hardware industry, Zaidi says: "As the industry embraces the age of electronics, the role of door hardware and ironmongery is being redefined from being mere locking elements of a door to life safety and access control devices which have been designed and engineered to meet the growing service and security needs of the world.

"The manufacturers of various door hardware products are increasingly using electrical and electronic components in their devices. Imaginative and enlightened engineering, coupled with creative applications, has resulted in products with a wide range of functions. The industry has developed motor-driven and electromagnetic locks, keys with microchips and door-closers with sensors.

"However, interfacing these devices in a coherent system is a challenge for the specifier, vendor and end-user. Even today, the market is divided between two types of vendors - those who provide the mechanical and electro-mechanical hardware and those who provide electronic access control systems.

"An efficient working system requires seamless interface between these two types of vendors because the knowledge gap and lack of understanding of each other's products often results in ill-performing systems."

While trying to keep pace with the latest developments in service and technology, Haroon Company has always endeavoured to provide total solutions by combining mechanical and electronic security in order to meet the markets' growing demands and evolving needs, Zaidi says.

Recognising the markets' need to integrate electronic and mechanical hardware under one roof as well as provide service and warranties for the integrated system, Haroon Company has positioned itself today as a supplier of complete, integrated electronic and mechanical security solutions.

Factory-trained electronic engineers work with mechanical security experts to provide the customer an optimum solution. Maintenance and warranty facilities are available from a single source, offering the customer timely support.

Haroon Company offers state-of-the-art solutions for hotel guestrooms with Onity (formerly Tesa Electronic Systems) which combine the most reliable technology and wide experience in magnetic-strip locks and the newest smart card technology, opening a new concept in enhanced security and multi application possibilities.

"Onity is approved by major hotel chains worldwide and is the most installed system in the UAE," Zaidi adds.