Consolidation
of the European Window Market Expected in 2003
The
European Window Market fell down to a level of 71,598 million window units
in the year 2002, representing a net ex-works value of 16.4 billion euros.
For the year 2003, a further decline in terms of quantity by –1.9%
down to 70,222 million window units is expected. The market in terms of
value shall decline by –2.8% reaching a level of 15.9 billion euros,
according to the latest market study by the consultants of InterConnection.
Concerning the frame materials, PVC windows were the most sold product
in Europe in the year 2002, representing 41.7% of the market in terms
of quantity, but only 36.4% in terms of value, due to their lower average
price. Metal windows (the majority of which are aluminium) represented
28.0% of the market in terms of quantity and 29.9% in terms of value.
Wood windows reached a market share of 25.0% (quantity) and 26.6% (value),
while wood-aluminium combinations accounted for 5.3% of quantity sold
and 7.1% of value.
The repartition of the frame materials in the individual countries is
following more traditional aspects rather than a general trend: In Northern
European countries, wood and wood-aluminium windows are holding a market
share of more than 90%. In the Southern part of Europe (Portugal, Spain,
Southern Italy) aluminium windows are dominating. In the other European
countries the PVC window is the most successful product. Also, in terms
of price levels, prices are more affected by the competition situation
in a country than by the cost of production: Whilst in Germany for instance,
a PCV window is the cheapest window available, the same product is considered
a luxury product in Spain and therefore more expensive than wood or aluminium
windows.
The market development of the individual regions is varying greatly throughout
the continent: In the year 2002, Germany, Austria and Switzerland represented
25.8% of the European window market in terms of quantity, compared to
39.6% in 1997. A further decline in the importance of this region is expected.
By 2005, the market share shall decline to 22.2% of the market, mainly
due to the bad construction and economic development in Germany. The UK
and Ireland represented 20.0% of the European market in 2002, a further
growth to 21.6% in 2005 is expected. Nevertheless, the massive growth
rates of the last years that could be achieved in this region are legend;
the market will not grow more than around 2% every year until the end
of the review period in 2005. Spain & Portugal is the third biggest
region in Europe; representing 12,9 million window units or 18.1% of the
European market. After important growth during the last years (In 1997,
the Iberian peninsula accounted for only 12.4% of the European window
market), a consolidation is now taking place. Forecasts by InterConnection
sees this region at a market share of 18.9% in 2005. France accounted
for 14.5% of the European market in terms of quantity in 2002 and a slight
growth to 14.9% in 2005 is expected. The rest of the European market is
held by Italy (8.3%), the Benelux countries (7.6%) and Northern Europe
(5.6%).
Renovation is the main market segment in Western Europe. With the only
exception being the Iberian peninsula, the majority of all windows sold
are used for the renovation of existing buildings. In 2002, this segment
represented 55.7% of the total European market. By 2005, InterConnection
expects growth in the market share of renovation to reach 58.6% of the
market, leaving 41.4% of the market for the new construction segment.
This shift in demand represents a challenge for the industry: In the new
construction market, it is not necessary to convince the building owner
to use windows, whilst in the renovation market, a company can actively
stimulate new demand by launching and marketing new products and convincing
house owners that it is time to change to a new window.
IC-Market Monitor Panel ® Windows in Europe 2002
Issue: July 2003, 1100 Pages
Contact: Martin Bergant
Price Range: Euro 3.600 (One Region) to Euro 7.500 (Total Report)
Tel: +43(1)5854623-13
Email: mailto:bergant@interconnectionconsulting.com
Unfair
Practices of Door Dealer Stopped
A
door supplier has been stopped from supplying poor quality goods and fitting
goods badly by a court order obtained by the OFT.
Mark Talbot, owner of Surrey-based Specialist Doors, consented to the
order which was granted in the High Court. Mr Talbot had breached written
undertakings and assurances previously given to the OFT that he would
stop infringing the Supply of Goods and Services Act and in particular
would not:
* supply doors and fittings that were of unsatisfactory quality
* supply doors not fit for their purpose
* supply goods that did not match their description
* fail to deliver and/or fit goods within agreed time or at all
* fit goods without reasonable care and skill.
The OFT worked closely with Merton Trading Standards Service to obtain
the successful outcome.
Welcoming the court order John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said: 'Consumers
have a basic right to goods of satisfactory quality and proper installation.
The OFT will not hesitate to take court action against traders that breach
undertakings they have given to stop infringing those rights.'
Pechiney,
currently the subject of a hostile takeover bid by Alcan, has issued a
consensus forecast on its second quarter results and for the group's full
year 2003 results. The consensus was prepared by 13 analysts who have
been following the stock and indicates an adjusted net income for Q2 as
a mean figure of 26m euros (or somewhere between 8m and 37m) against a
74m in the same period 2002. Full year forecast suggests somewhere between
50-171m euros against 211m euros last year.
Click here
to view the full forecast
Thermoseal Scoops Major Distributor Award
Following
the Vitrum exhibition in Milan last month, the Thermoseal Group was invited
to a Grand Open day at Profilglass, the world's biggest i.g. spacer and
georgian bar manufacturer, which is based on the Adriatic coast a few miles
south of the well known tourist resort of Rimini.Thermoseal Group Sales Director Mark Hickox explains: 'The Open Day was preceded by a lavish dinner dance held at the opulent Villa Santtini. The scenery was dramatic and the function was attended by over 250 agents from around the world, acting on behalf of the industry's major suppliers'.
It is thought that Profilglass is now the biggest supplier of spacer bar and georgian bar in the world, being the only manufacturing company to have several rolling mills and two continuous casting plants.
During the evening various awards were made to companies for achievements such as Years of Service, Best Agent etc. Thermoseal Group won the enviable title of being the Biggest European Distributor of 2002. The award was presented to Thermoseal MD Gwain Paterson by the owner/president of Profilglass Mr Paci.
Considering Profilglass manufactures in excess of 400 million metres of profile per year this reflects on the increasing size of the Thermoseal Group percentage of the English market.
'We were naturally very pleased to receive this award, which confirms our special relationship with Profilglass' continues Mark. 'It also goes very well with Thermoseal winning the award for being 2002 Distributor of the Year for UOP molecular sieves.'
Contact Mark Hickox at Thermoseal for more information on the Profilglass range (0121 331 3950) or online at www.thermosealgroup.com
Success
Fuels Drive for BWF Approved Fire Door Centres
With a burgeoning network of BWF Approved Fire Door Centres - currently
running at 26 - the British Woodworking Federation is accelerating into
the second phase of its drive to recruit a network of 100 centres by the
end of 2003.
The Approved Fire Door Centres initiative is part of the BWF’s Fire
Door & Doorset Scheme. All approved centres stock, sell and recommend
BWF-CERTIFIRE certificated and labelled fire doors, frames, glazed apertures,
seals and other compatible accessories.
'The drive to recruit fire door centres has been a tremendous success
so far,' says Sharjeel Khawaja, manager of the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door
& Doorset Scheme. 'Our ultimate target is to have 200 by the end of
2004 - it’s ambitious, but we’re pretty confident it’s
achievable.
'We had a target of 25 centres by the end of 2002 and we achieved that;
now we are launching a new recruitment drive across the country, using
PR, advertising, direct mail and other marketing initiatives to take us
to the 100 mark by the end of this year.'
The benefits to existing centres –which currently include Shropshire
Building Supplies (which launched the first approved centres), the Alsford
Timber chain and branches of Brooks in Northern Ireland – have quickly
become apparent.
At Robert Price of Newport, a new member, they are already experiencing
increased interest in fire door and doorset sales. The BWF has high hopes
that this will encourage others in the 14 branch chain across Wales to
send staff for training in order to become Approved Fire Door Centres.
A full training programme run by the BWF, with the support of the Builders’
Merchants Federation, gives merchants’ staff a clear knowledge of
fire doors and doorsets performance criteria, along with the components
best suited for use with them. Additional training is given at two year
intervals to ensure that employees are kept up to date with product developments
and the legislation relating to fire safety.
In addition, the consequent improved purchasing of fire doors and compatible
hardware, backed-up by staff who are capable of advising customers, has
meant increased sales for all BWF Approved Fire Door centres.
For a complete list of BWF Approved Fire Door Centres and information
on how to apply, contact the BWF on tel: 020 7608 5050 or e-mail: mailto:firedoors@bwf.org.uk
£7
Million Social Housing Contract for Status Fabricator Select
The
Walsall Housing Group has awarded the window and door refurbishment contract
for its Aldridge and Brownhills Trust social housing scheme to Status
fabricator Select Windows & Conservatories. The programme will cover
3500 properties, and has a contract value of approximately £7 million
over a five year period.
This
contract has been achieved by Select alongside a number of other commercial
projects. These include a Blackpool hotel requiring 200 new windows, and
a sub-contract through the Elliot Group for over 2000 low decibel triple
glazed windows at the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow.
'Two and a half years ago, Select was turning over £3.5 million
and was ticking along quite comfortably, if undramatically, after 23 years
in business,' said Select's managing director Paul Horton (pictured).
'Today, after initial investments amounting to £1.5 million in a
new factory, machinery and IT systems, we are well on course to hit a
turnover target of £7.5 million. We knew the commercial sector was
the next growth area for PVCu windows. This latest contract from the Walsall
Housing Group is an example of the opportunities open to us all as an
industry.'
The contract has been drawn up to work within the structure of Partnering
- methodology adhered to by housing associations, local authorities and
building contractors throughout the duration of a project.
'I have to say that during the course of my 23 years in the industry,
this has been one of the hardest tenders I have ever put together,' added
Paul Horton. 'But the extra effort is crucial to the overall performance
and finished results of the contract.'
As well as tendering for supply and fit jobs in the commercial market,
Select is also working with many of its trade customers in tendering for
contracts on a supply only basis.
Tel: 01543 370666
Web: http://www.selectwindows.co.uk
Pictured: Select Windows & Conservatories at work on behalf of The
Walsall Housing Group. Paul Horton, managing director, Select.
Optima
Partitioning Achieves its Fastest-Ever Installation for Leading Insurance
Firm
Optima Partitioning Systems has completed its fastest installation to
date with a six-week £850,000 partitioning contract in the City
of London. The company has installed its futurewall partitioning on 13
floors of the Fenchurch Street UK headquarters of American International
Group (AIG), the world's leading international insurance and financial
services organisations.
Futurewall is Optima's latest fully demountable and relocatable partitioning
bi-panel system. Enhanced acoustic performance was achieved using single
and double glazed frameless glass screens, and metal-framed timber doors.
More than 170 veneer doorsets with associated architectural ironmongery
complemented the office partitioning, which was constructed with futurewall
single and double glazed panels and melamine and laminate crosswalls.
Optima's project manager, Jon Ball said: 'This has been our fastest installation
to date. The design of futurewall partitioning enables us to install this
flexible system quickly and easily. More than 30 skilled fitters worked
long hours during the week and at weekends to complete this extremely
challenging project within a tight six-week schedule.'
Tel. 01494 492 731
Web: http://www.optimasystems.com
Intelligent
Investment in Cutting Edge Technology
As
part of a recent investment programme in the newest factory, Shepley has
spent over £100,000 on one of only three Pertici high-tech cutting
centres in the UK. The company says that the new automatic cutting centre
is three times faster than other saws so improves efficiency as well as
quality.
'The
new machine is operating so efficiently it has already reduced waste by
approximately 7%', explains Gary Torr, managing director of Shepley. 'So
as well as removing a bottleneck in production we estimate that in two
years time the centre should have paid for itself by the reduction in
waste alone.'
'The machine keeps production simple, meaning less can go wrong.' Tony
Fry, production director of Shepley adds: 'You can buy cutting centres
to cut and prep, but if the machine breaks down, production stops in all
areas rather than just one. The cutting centre has been brought in to
fulfil just one process on the shopfloor. In an 8-hour day we can easily
cut treble what we used to do.'
Tel: 0161 339 2433
Email: mailto:james.brisbane@shepley.com
Web: http://www.shepley.com
Established
Glass Company Nearly throws in Towel over New Regs
A
year ago Bryan & Gill James of Bromyard Glass, Herefordshire, thought,
'Here we go again. More Government rules and regulations, Document L and
EN1279.' Was this another Government way of squashing small businesses?
They thought that perhaps it was time to throw in the towel!
Bromyard Glass, established over 22 years ago is a small family run business
employing just six people, manufacturing sealed units for the trade. The
company prides itself on quick reliable service and has built a loyal
and regular client base, so Brian & Gill decided to carry on.
Over the past twelve months they have invested in excess of £80,000,
and have extended their factory, bought some new machinery and gone down
the EN1279 compliance route, which DJ Glass Consultants are helping them
with.
During a conversation on which glass cutting table to purchase, a business
acquaintance of Bryan’s recommended Exceldee Ltd, manufacturers and
suppliers of new and refurbished glass cutting machines.
Exceldee take machines in part exchange, these are fully refurbished and
improved upon, often to a higher specification than the original, and
are sold with a twelve month warranty.
Bryan said 'We had a great deal of help from Exceldee, after discussing
our requirements they supplied us with a refurbished CoopMes cutting table
designed to suit our needs for space and affordability.
'Exceldee is a company which works very much like ourselves and did not
try to sell us more then we needed. They gave us good sound advice and
good instructions on using the new machine. The cutting table was installed
at a time to suit us and caused no disruption whatsoever.
'Now we are up and running, and with our new factory procedure and staff
involvement because of the EN1279, we are more efficient and can if need
be run two production lines to cope with any sudden increase in orders.
'We currently produce 500-600 units per week and anticipate an increase
to 1,000. The new machine from Exceldee is capable of producing a 1,000
units per day, so there is still plenty of room for growth.
'Twelve months ago things looked bleak but now we have a more positive
outlook for the future.'
Bromyard Glass
Tel: 01568 614611
Exceldee Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 407 003
Email: mailto:mgxld@netcomuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.exceldee.co.uk
Tenants
Choice is a Real Option with Masterdor
Manse Masterdor ltd showcased its wide spectrum of services aimed at guaranteeing
tenant satisfaction at this year's Chartered lnstitute of Housing Exhibition.
Visitors
to the Masterdor stand examined samples of the high performance residential
door-sets and took a closer look at the latest hardware, designed to allow
the specific needs of disabled and elderly tenants to be readily incorporated
into the product.
Following the success of the Masterdor stand at the exhibition, Mike Hudson,
director of Manse Masterdor, has announced the forthcoming launch of the
company's new 'Tenants Choice' brochure.
Mike comments, 'The brochure will be a detailed and informative piece
of literature which tenants can keep and refer to in the future. In this
way it goes one stage further than the traditional leaflets circulated
to tenants by the majority of door manufacturers, which are designed to
be a lasting record for the housing provider of the door styles selected,
but which are of little benefit to the tenant.'
By highlighting the benefits of the Masterdor system, the brochure will
demonstrate clearly and effectively to tenants why their landlord has
opted for Masterdor and why it is so often the system of choice amongst
tenants. The design of the brochure will also enable it to be customised
to include details of individual social housing providers and the specific
range of colours and styles offered by the provider to tenants, ensuring
increased tenant involvement and satisfaction.
'Tenants choice' has been an integral part of the company's service for
many years, and has already been well received by many social housing
providers across the country.
In addition to the brochure, Manse Masterdor gives tenants the opportunity
to
view the door-sets close up at tenant evenings. This not only enables
tenants to gain a broader understanding of the way in which the doors
will meet their needs in terms of security and low maintenance, but also
helps them to choose the right look for their front door from the wide
range of colours and styles available.
Manse Masterdor production technique of fitting a timber door into a PVCu
frame means the system is flexible in design terms and has all the energy
efficiency and good looks of a wooden door leaf, without the weather-related
maintenance problems. Endorsed by a Secured By Design Licence and PAS23/24
tested, the bespoke Masterdor also offers protection against burglary
or vandalism and if damaged can usually be economically repaired rather
than replaced.
Email: mailto:info@masterdor.co.uk
Web: http://www.masterdor.co.uk
Hook
Locking System for Sentinel Doors
Sentinel
Doors and lock manufacturer Roto have collaborated on a hook locking system
that is specially designed for Sentinel's range of composite doors.
The idea for the new system - consisting of two hooks, a latch and a deadbolt
- was suggested by Sentinel and designed by Roto, who will also manufacture
the system.
Sentinel MD Steve Brown says the project came about as a result of the
Supply Chain Partnership agreement between the two companies, adding that
the very close working relationship means that ideas are shared and both
companies benefit from the result.
Comments Adrian Vicker of Roto: 'Designing and manufacturing the new locking
system to Sentinel's exacting requirements demonstrates that the relationship
can develop beyond a simple supply partnership.'
Contact Phil Mundell
Tel: 01443 22921
Wrekin
Housing Trust Specifies Egress Hardware from Securistyle
Wrekin
Housing Trust has upgraded its window specification on 200 properties
in Telford to include emergency egress hardware from Securistyle, the
UK window hardware manufacturer.
The
installation of almost exclusively egress hardware exceeds the requirements
of the previous specification, which stated that just one window per property
should allow emergency egress. The new specification includes Securistyie's
Defender Egress hinge, Virage egress handle and the Vector Excluder locking
mechanism.
Surveyor at Wrekin Housing Trust, Martin Holt, said, 'Safety and security
are key issues when specifying window hardware and there seemed no reason
why the majority of windows could not be egress versions of the components
we were already using. The Vector Excluder locking mechanism was effectively
demonstrated to us by Securistyle, and with recommendations from our suppliers
and contractors we decided to specify it for this project.'
The combination of the Defender Egress hinge and the Virage in-line green
button egress handle allows for quick and easy emergency egress. The Defender
Egress hinge is available in both ferritic and austenitic stainless steel,
allows casement windows to open to a full 90 degrees, complies to BS5588,
and meets Approved Document B of the Building Regulations. The in-line
Virage green button egress handle is suitable for slimline profiles and
non-handed applications. Both components come with a l0-year guarantee.
Vivienne Taylor, Northern Specifications Sales Manager at Securistyle
commented, 'lt is always good to work with forward thinkers such as Wrekin
Housing Trust who clearly have the same priorities in mind for their tenants
as we do. We are always keen to offer support and advice to specifiers
and regularly visit organisations to demonstrate our products.'
Securistyle offers a free CPD-certified seminar covering all aspects of
safety, security, emergency egress, corrosion resistance and 'Best Value'
in relation to window hardware specification.
Tel: 01242 221200
The
UK Door Panel Network has seen an increase in demand for companies wanting
to make their own door panels, with the group setting up five new companies
in the past two months. One of the new companies, Hampton Door Panels
explains why.
Hampton Door Panels is a new company to the industry, based in Leicester
it is run by Arvind Mistry, who’s background is in textiles, but
he realised that door panel production could provide a very lucrative
extension to his standard production.
Arvind says, 'I have many friends who produce PVCu windows and doors,
and they had been saying for some time that they would like to see a door
panel producer based in Leicester who could provide them with a local
service. I felt I could fill the gap in the market and contacted the UKDPN
for advice and information.
'The UKDPN gave me all the assistance I needed to set up the panel production
side, the capital cost was relatively low and the space requirement modest.
'Our target area is in and around the Leicestershire area and we are gradually
gaining more customers as our reputation grows. We aim to making a hundred
panels per week within the next twelve months and are certainly on course
to achieve that target.
'The UKDPN have been pro active in helping us get custom, as was witnessed
recently when we obtained an order for one hundred panels for a company
in Dubai.'
The UKDPN is currently in negotiations with ten possible new members this
year and anticipates an even greater increase next year, which should
help the UKDPN achieve its target figure of one hundred and fifty members
by the end of 2004.
Tel: 0800 018 3499
Birthday
Celebrations at Rhino
Peterborough
building plastics specialist, Rhino, celebrated its first anniversary
by throwing open its doors to customers in a combined birthday party and
open day event. Since taking over the site twelve months ago, Rhino has
become a one-stop shop for a range of products from hand tools and building
plastics to door panels and roof kits.
Serving builders and window companies in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding
area, Rhino has enjoyed a great inaugural year. Celebrating the success
with Rhino were some of its key manufacturers and suppliers, including
Premier Profiles.
The site was previously a Procell depot and the company continues to stock
Premier Profiles' complete Procell range of PVCu cellular foam roofline
and cladding profiles.
At the open day, demonstrations and teachings from suppliers were staged
in a marquee housed in the warehouse, with both current and prospective
customers invited to learn about new and existing products on offer at
Rhino.
Mark Greenwood, managing director at Rhino said: 'I am delighted our celebrations
have been such a success. It has been a great first year for our suppliers,
our customers and ourselves and we are looking forward to the move in
to phase one of our new 9,000 sq. ft. central distribution depot later
this year that will give us further opportunity to grow on this initial
success.'
Materials
Technologists Launch new Consultancy
The Edge at Arup was the venue for the launch of Arup's latest specialist
consultancy - Arup Materials Consulting, on Tuesday 8th July. Combining
the existing skills of Arup R+D and Arup Facade Engineering, the new independent
consulting service offers a multi-material capability across the industry.
Materials technology in Arup has been an established skill contributing
to Arup projects and clients for almost 40 years. During this time Arup
materials technologists have been employed working on projects as diverse
as The Angel of the North to the concrete and steel Stonecutters Bridge
in Hong Kong, the Biennale glass chandelier in Venice, the Lloyds' building
and British Library in London and Sydney Opera House, from the design
and construction of offshore oil and gas platforms in the UK and SE Asia,
and the re-working of Kings Cross and St Pancras underground station,
to the design of a 120m steel mast - The Spire - in O'Connell Street,
Dublin. The advice provided covers the full range of a materials life
from concept design to re-use or demolition whilst also dealing with wider
issues such as service life and environmental impact.
Graham Gedge, one of the leading specialists with Arup Materials Consulting
says, 'This is an exciting challenge for us, allowing us the opportunity
to provide best practice advice on the use of materials from design to
demolition, from steel and concrete, to glass, stone, timber and new materials
technologies. Our independence, breadth of materials knowledge and understanding
of the context in which materials might be used allows us to advise on
the most appropriate solution for a given application. This capability
enhances freedom of choice, optimizes value and reduces risks.'
Tel: +44 020 7755 3073
Ten
Year Partnership for PVCu Social Landlord Door Specialist
Manufacturer
and supplier of PVCu 'Secured by Design' doors to housing associations,
local authorities and other social landlords, Spire Window Systems Ltd,
is celebrating a ten-year partnership with systems company Kömmerling.
Dennis
Clark, Managing Director of Spire Window Systems Ltd., is pictured, receiving
his company's ten-year commemorative plaque from Winfried Tänzer
(centre), of Kömmerling's global management team, and Chris Breeze,
General Manager of Kömmerling International.
'In many cases local authorities, housing associations and contractors
are looking for continuity and stability, which only long term relationships
like the one we have with Kömmerling, can provide,' says Dennis Clark.
And Kömmerling's National Sales and Marketing Manager, Dan Whalley,
says: 'Many of our customers feel that such long term partnerships are
essential to their success, particularly in the commercial market.
'Although partnering has only recently come to prominence through Sir
John Egan's report 'Rethinking Construction,' whenever we present a ten,
20 or 25-year plaque like this to customers who have been with us all
that time, it shows that the concept of successful partnering has been
around a lot longer than that.'
Spire, based in Louth, became the first manufacturer in the country to
achieve PAS023 and PAS024 for PVCu doors, when those accreditations only
existed on composite doors. Dennis Clark says: 'Due to major and costly
problems experienced by some housing associations with their composite
doors, more and more specifiers are discovering that Secure By Design
PVCu doors are a more cost-effective alternative to composites, and meet
all the strict criteria governing products for social housing.'
Having the PAS accreditation has been instrumental in Spire gaining social
landlord contracts recently, including the provision of windows and doors
for 60 social housing homes in Skegness for Linx Homes.
Andrew Sweeney, Head of Property Services at Linx, says not only do Spire's
doors and windows meet a consistently high standard, but the company is
also sensitive to the various needs of their tenants.
Web: http://www.kommerling.com
Over
100 architects and glazing professionals recently attended the Glass and
Glazing Federation's (GGF) Fire Resistant Glazing Group CPD Rated seminar
on best practice issues relating to fire resistant glazing at the Royal
lnstitute of British Architects (RIBA) in London.
GGF Chief Executive Nigel Rees opened the proceedings highlighting the
benefits of using recognised installers and the use of products that have
been successfully tested against official standards. Nigel also highlighted
the strengths of the GGF as the only industry organisation to bring everything
together - glass, frames and seals, the whole package.
Nigel was followed by Graham Dodd and Tony Lovell of Ove Arup whose prerentation
looked at 'trends observed in the design of buildings'. This addressed
both the designers and occupier's needs and indicated the current trend
of constructing buildings with a light airy 'feel' to them. All of which
boded well for the use of glazing in the infrastructure.
It is important not to forget Regulations and John Allen of the Royal
Borough of Kensington and Chelsea looked at the subject from a Building
Control perspective. This included the dangers of product switching without
ensuring that there is any proven test evidence to justify the switch.
Geoff Deakin from Warrington Fire Research was the final speaker to address
the delegates. Geoff explained how the GGFs Fire Resistant Glazing Group
had become concerned that poor quality installations were in danger of
destroying the fire performance of many products and systems and so the
FlRAS ( Fire Accreditation) scheme was born. The FlRAS scheme looks at
developing the competence and specialist product knowledge of installers
and at the same time putting in place an operational quality plan for
the company which enables traceability of product supply and records training
and job assignment information for individual employees. It's the independent
third party.
Mike Wood from Piikington and Chairman of the FRGG commented: 'Glass is
such an important modern building material. It provides distinctive style,
aesthetics and tremendous functionality. However, today's seminar has
endorsed the fact that specifying a good product is simply not enough.
Without proper installation performance may not entirely live up to expectations.
That message is especially important for fire-resistant glazed systems'
Tel: 020 7403 7177
Web: http://www.ggf.org.uk