CENSolutions Ltd & Mr Wayne Rogerson - an apology and clarification

On 26th February 2008 in an article entitled ‘The facts around EN 14351’, Giles Willson of the Glass and Glazing Federation wrote an article about BS EN 14351-1 with which window and door manufacturers must comply by 1st February 2009.

This article followed up a previous article which had been published by Wayne Rogerson of CENSolutions Ltd under the title ‘Goodbye Old Standards Hello New!’ on 19th February 2008 to alert readers of Gl@zine to the importance to manufacturers of acquainting themselves with the New European Norm. Different views were expressed in the articles about compliance with BS EN 14351 - 1 particularly about the inter-relationship between existing British Standards and the new European Norm with which compliance will be mandatory from 9th February 2009.

In the context of a lively debate alerting manufacturers to the importance of EN 14351-1; Mr Willson's views were robustly expressed. It was not, however, his intention (or the intention of the GGF) to impugn the competence, professionalism or integrity of CENSolutions Ltd or of Mr Wayne Rogerson; Mr Willson regrets that his article may have given that impression to readers. Mr Willson and the GGF acknowledge that Mr Rogerson and CENSolutions Ltd are consultants who have made a valuable contribution to the fenestration industry for many years.

Mr Willson and the GGF apologise unreservedly both to Mr Rogerson and to CENSolutions Ltd and regret any embarrassment to them which may have been caused by the content and tone of the article in question.

The GGF and CENSolutions Ltd have recently met to discuss the requirements for the industry to comply with BS EN 14351-1 and agree on the following requirements:
BS EN 14351Part 1 - Windows and external pedestrian doorsets without resistance to fire and external fire characteristics.

This was cited within the ‘Official Journal’ on 13th December 2006, this provides the start date 1st February 2007 (when CE marking may be applied to the product) and end date 1st February 2009 for the co-existence period (when it will be mandatory to comply with the Construction Product Regulations).

This standard is a listing of different characteristics including:
Resistance to wind load
Resistance to snow and permanent load
Reaction to fire
Watertightness
Dangerous substances
Impact resistance
Load bearing capacity of safety devices
Acoustic performance
Thermal transmittance
Radiation properties
Air permeability
Operating forces
Mechanical Strength
Ventilation
Bullet Resistance
Explosion Resistance
Resistance to repeated opening and closing
Behaviour between different climates
Burglar resistance

To further assist the UK window and door industry the UK Technical Committee are working on developing a series of British Standards as UK implementation documents. BS 6375 is being re-written and will become:

BS 6375-1 Performance of windows and doors. Classification for weather tightness and guidance on selection and specification,
BS 6375-2 Performance of windows. Classification for operation and strength characteristics and guidance on selection and specification.
BS 6375-3 Performance of windows. Classification for additional performance characteristics and guidance on selection and specification.

In the UK from the characteristics listed above the only mandatory requirements are for Thermal transmittance, Dangerous substances and Load bearing capacity of safety devices.
All the other characteristics can be tested and details provided within the company declaration.

From 1st February 2009, any fabricator placing windows and doors on the market needs to have test evidence from a notified test laboratory, a fully documented factory production control system and to have made a declaration that their products conform to BS EN 14351-1. Failure to undertake this task will mean you are breaking the law and could face a fine or custodial sentence.

There is not much time to prepare for the mandatory requirements for BS EN 14351-1, however, you do require the necessary information to allow you to continue manufacturing and placing your products on the market.

For further information on this article contact:
Giles Willson
Director for Technical Affairs
The Glass and Glazing Federation
44-48 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1XB