Author: MediaV7

Bluesky Certification has launched a new certification scheme for the Installation of Firestopping Seals. The Scheme has been developed to provide confidence to fire stopping installers, building owners, specifiers and Responsible Persons that fire stopping products are fitted correctly, so that the fire resistance of compartment lines is preserved.

The fire stopping installation scheme is similar to Bluesky’s existing schemes for fire door installation, inspection and maintenance schemes in that the installation company must nominate a supervisor who takes responsibility for a number of operatives. The installer must obtain appropriate data sheets from fire stopping product manufacturers, then fit their products correctly, in line with both the manufacturers’ instructions and fire test evidence.

Installations that have been carried out under the scheme will be easily identifiable by a label, placed next to each installation to confirm that it meets the requirements of the scheme. The work is also registered with Bluesky, so that a certificate can be e-mailed to the Responsible Person.

Companies wishing to join the scheme must undergo an initial audit at a site where they are fitting fire stopping seals. As well as showing that the firestopping seals have been fitted correctly, the company will need to demonstrate that appropriate training and monitoring procedures are in place. Further site audits are required on a six monthly basis to maintain the certification.

Correct fire stopping is critical in maintaining the fire resistance of compartment lines in buildings. Electrical, communications, water and gas services which pass through compartment walls must be appropriately fire stopped to ensure that the fire integrity is not breached.

For further information on Bluesky schemes contact Simon Beer on sbeer@blueskycert.com or telephone 01753 303828 or visit www.blueskycert.com

Unwanted noise is a blight on people’s lives and more than one in ten house moves is reported to be to escape unbearable noise.

For this reason, Tradesmith has worked with VEKA Halo, Warmcore aluminium and Deceuninck to engineer a range of windows which block out excessive sound. Tradesmith’s range has been independently certified through Bluesky and is available to installers, builders and developers across the South East, where a high proportion of homes and businesses are impacted by noise from Heathrow and Gatwick airports, road traffic, noisy neighbours and even from the sound of the seagulls.

For more information see https://www.glassnews.co.uk/tradesmith-invests-in-acoustic-certified-windows-to-combat-noise-pollution/

A recent World Health Organisation study states that three in one hundred deaths in the UK are caused by exposure to noise. Noise is now ranked second amongst all environmental threats to public health. In response, Bereco has launched its Ambient Timber Window & Door Range to deliver a reliable noise reducing solution. The range is certified through Bluesky’s Noise Reduction Window certification. Whereas many windows and doors on the market might achieve a C, D or E rating, Bereco’s sash window achieves a Bluesky A-rated noise reduction level. Fitting an A-rated product will greatly reduce noise levels in your building compared to a standard window.

For more information see http://archetech.org.uk/bereco-launch-new-ambient-timber-window-a-range-of-certified-noise-reducing-windows/

Washington & Riley has added Bluesky’s Fire Door Maintenance Scheme to its scope of certification. The Staffordshire based company wanted to stand out from others in the marketplace, and Bluesky’s certification has helped them to do this. Word of Bluesky’s Fire Door Maintenance Scheme has spread within facility management circles, leading to an expansion in Washington & Riley’s customer-base.

https://www.fenestration-news.com/news/item/18307/Washington-amp-Riley-Extends-its-Certification-with-Bluesky

When fast-growing West Port’s full-time head of certification left the business, the company had a problem.

Always priding itself on an uncompromising commitment to excellence across the board, the firm was suddenly left without someone to oversee a crucial aspect of its business at a time when fenestration firms were under the spotlight more than ever before.

West Port quickly set about finding a replacement. But before long, thoughts turned to a more convenient and cost-competitive solution.

Enter up-and-coming third-party certification providers Bluesky. Bluesky offer a comprehensive certification service which independently verifies that a company’s windows and doors are manufactured exactly in line with the desired specification.

By focusing on the manufacturing process, rather than on paperwork, Bluesky requires its customers to achieve a high level of consistency in the quality of the manufactured product.

West Port Operations Director Andy Tyas takes up the story on why his firm is now adopting Bluesky’s fire door scheme.

“The Grenfell disaster was a much-needed wake-up call for everyone in UK construction. For years, we’ve been warning about the shockingly poor fire safety standards we’ve repeatedly seen across fenestration and other related sectors – but, tragically, it’s only now that many in our sector are starting to take the issue seriously.

“At West Port, fire safety has always been one of our highest priorities -subjected to rigorous testing by both Cambridge Fire Research and BRE, our FD30 door managed to withstand temperatures in excess of 900 degrees Celsius for 42, or 40% longer than the required BS Standards.

“But now we’ve decided to take that commitment even further. When it comes to saving people’s lives, compromise isn’t an option. We need to know that every door we ship is going to meet our exacting quality standards, not just for the first six months of production, or the first year, but for the entire time that the product is produced.

“That’s meant that Bluesky’s approach is the perfect fit for our business. They not only help us to ensure that every product we manufacture is of the highest quality possible – they’ve actually saved us money too.

“Thanks to the technical information that we now have, and because of the way Bluesky manage our certification, we haven’t needed to recruit a replacement for our internal manager. The burden of administrating certification has largely passed to Bluesky.

“At the same time, sufficient separation exists between us and Bluesky to ensure that their certification process remains independent and rigorous. This means that West Port can have confidence that the product warranty it passes onto its customer really means something.”

Phil Jones of Bluesky comments: “West Port’s primary business is fenestration not certification, but certification is a key part of the offering to the purchaser.

“With this in mind, we used our expertise to create a managed service for West Port. This means that we now hold West Port’s certification records and are able to notify them of updates and respond to technical questions regarding certification requirements.

“We’re delighted to be working with one of the UK’s leading timber manufacturers and look forward to continuing to build our relationship with them in the future!”

Combining time-honoured craftsmanship with cutting-edge manufacturing technology, Cumbria’s West Port offers something unique in UK glazing. Today, the firm employs more than 180 craftsmen and technicians, and operates from a 175,000-square foot factory kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment, the result of a far-sighted attitude that’s seen it invest extensively in boosting efficiency, improving quality and helping it continue to stand out from the crowd.

Noise is increasingly becoming an issue in urban areas, and research is increasingly linking noise disturbance to serious mental and physical health issues, as highlighted by this article. Fitting noise reducing windows can make a huge difference, as the windows and doors are usually the main weak point in the building’s fabric for acoustics.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jul/03/sonic-doom-noise-pollution-kills-heart-disease-diabetes

Independent certification and testing is extremely important to Bereco, supplier of high quality, high specification windows and doors, and after a recent switch, it’s Bluesky Certification who is delivering the complete package.

“We do a lot of product testing to give customers complete peace of mind,” says Nicola Harrison, General Manager at Bereco. “Timber windows have been maligned over the years, so we tackle the misconceptions about the quality and longevity for timber windows and doors with certification. That’s why we test all our products to a much higher level than other timber window and door manufacturers. We like the unequivocal proof that comes with the independent testing and certification. Our windows and doors provide low maintenance and an impressive 60-year life span. “With Bluesky Certification we have joined the schemes for General Performance Windows and Doors, and Enhanced Security Windows and Doors to meet the requirement for Secured by Design. Also, we have certification for our advanced coating systems, to provide independent verification of the quality of our finish.

“We like to have everything backed up. Whether it’s for commercial customers or trade, we are always looking for ways to make our high-performance windows and doors stand out. The next one to be added is Bluesky’s acoustic scheme. We are launching it alongside a white paper on acoustics which includes information on links to health and wellbeing.

“We rely on our certification provider,” adds Nicola. “We need fast response times and one to one support from a company we trust. We already knew Simon Beer and how he works, so when Bereco was looking to get a more comprehensive service from its certification provider, it was an easy decision to switch to the team at Bluesky Certification.”

Swift Joinery Manufacturers Ltd has switched to the Bluesky Certification General Performance Windows and Doors, and Enhanced Security Windows and Doors that meet the requirement for the Secured by Design Scheme. “Switching to Bluesky Certification is really easy,” says Louisa Roberts, Sales Coordinator at Swift Joinery Manufacturers, manufacturers of timber windows and external doors.

“A lot of the work we do is for commercial projects, so having all the relevant certification in place is important for our customers. The switchover process was a paperwork exercise which Simon Beer and the team at Bluesky Certification made painless. They managed the whole process for us.

“We were looking to change as our previous provider wasn’t giving us the support we needed. Bluesky was recommended to us, and I recognised Simon Beer’s name. After a conversation with him, we were able to get our certification switched over very quickly.”

2018 has started well for the Yorkshire-based joiners. Swift Joinery Manufacturers has recently expanded its premises to give extra capacity and there is lots in the pipeline. The work Swift Joinery Manufacturers does is varied – as well as working on large-scale new build and heritage projects, the team work very closely with architects over the UK on some very grand homes. More recently, Swift Joinery Manufacturers has been working on some interesting industrial units in Leeds, as part of an extensive refurbishment to create city centre flats.

“It’s important that as part of the service to customers we have the back up and support from our certification provider,” adds Louisa. “And we are already pleased with our switch to Bluesky Certification.”

With all the publicity surrounding fire doors, Bluesky Certification is offering a one-day training course about fire doors at Cambridge Fire Research on Tuesday 13 March 2018. “The aim of the day is to give delegates an insight into what is important when specifying, manufacturing or installing fire doors, including what can go wrong,” explains Simon Beer, Managing Director at Bluesky Certification.

The day will focus on a fire test demonstration, which will show what is involved in testing, as well as demonstrating the impact of typical issues that are commonly found on site. In addition to the live demonstration there will be sessions on regulations and how they relate to fire doors. Simon adds: “We will also consider how a fire door is made up and the role of its components. After we have covered manufacturing issues, we will then look at installation, handover documentation and maintenance.

“Since Grenfell Tower, and before that Lakanal House, fire doors are under increased scrutiny. Subtle changes to the

specification of a doorset can have a substantial effect on its fire resistance, and it is important that those involved in fire doors understand how the various components work together. “We are aware that a large number of fire doorsets are currently being replaced following the Grenfell Tower fire, but if these new doorsets are not manufactured, installed and maintained correctly, their replacement will not improve safety. This informative day is designed to cover the relevant topics pertinent to the manufacture, installation and maintenance of fire doors.” Dr Eric Southern, Managing Director at Cambridge Fire Research, adds that the training day will make people more aware of how fire doors perform: “Cambridge Fire Research is hosting Bluesky’s fire door training day because we want to make people more aware of the ways in which fire doors work in a fire. The day will look at why doors fail, how to make sure fire doors provide the right protection and to educate people on the role of different types of intumescent. It’s all about improving people’s knowledge of how fire doors behave.”

The training will be held at Cambridge Fire Research’s site in Pampisford, and places are available for the course on Tuesday 13 March 2018. It’s open to anyone with an interest in the manufacture, installation, maintenance or specification of fire doors. For more information please contact Bluesky Certification on 01753 303828 or enquiries@blueskycert.com

Bracknell based R and M Windows and Conservatories Ltd has joined the Bluesky Certified Installer scheme for both windows and doors, and conservatories. The family-orientated business has been installing windows, doors and conservatories for more than 30 years.

The scheme, run by Bluesky Certification, is the latest addition for installers looking to differentiate themselves from competitors. Managing Director at Blue Sky Certification Simon Beer has years of experience delivering schemes for installation companies. Simon says: “I wanted to create something that gave companies a real advantage by signing up to the scheme. We keep ahead of the market and that means we keep scheme members ahead too.”

Mark Page, Director at R and M Windows, says: “I’ve known Simon Beer for many years and I trust him so it was very easy to choose the Bluesky Certified Installer Scheme. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, and the new scheme gives us exactly what we need to give customers confidence that they’re dealing with a reputable company. We are members of the installer scheme for external windows and doors scheme as well as the scheme for conservatory installation.”

Westport has achieved certification with Bluesky for the manufacture of timber windows and doorsets to BS644 and PAS 24 to meet the requirements for Secured by Design. Sean Parnaby, Westport’s Managing Director said “Today’s market is complex and constantly changing. It is important that our certification body can work with us so that we can adapt quickly to changing requirements and legislation. We felt that Bluesky Certification meets our needs for today’s market, and their expertise has already proven invaluable.”

Simon Beer, Bluesky Certification’s Managing Director commented “We are pleased that Westport have decided to join the Bluesky Certification scheme. Working with a manufacturer such as this demonstrates our credentials as a major player in the certification industry. We have also enjoyed demonstrating to Westport that credible certification can be provided together with a high level of customer service.”

 

Bluesky Certification, the fire, security and acoustics certification experts, adds Notified Body status for product certification for panic exit doorsets and fire resistant doorsets. The latest addition means Bluesky can offer CE Marking certification for products that need the involvement of a Notified Body.

“The number of bodies certifying these products is very limited in the UK and we could see that there was a requirement to give companies an alternative,” says Bluesky Certification’s Managing Director Simon Beer. “There are many occasions when it’s a better option to use a Notified Body. For example, a company looking to achieve Secured By Design for windows and doors is likely to need the additional service if they’re manufacturing entrance doorsets in a block of flats that have a requirement for both PAS 24 and fire resistance.

“Customers will get the benefits of this new certification immediately and while CE Marking isn’t a legal requirement for fire doors at the moment, third party certification is recommended in the Building Regulations. CE Marking for fire doors offers an excellent standard for companies and when it comes into UK law, companies will be ahead of their competitors.

“Rather than just a box-ticking exercise, we like to think about certification in a rounded way, that’s why we look at how businesses can gain commercial advantage from it.

“Acceptance from the European Commission is the last stage in a lengthy process to become a Notified Body and it’s a brilliant achievement for Bluesky Certification.”

Secured by Design have recently reviewed and accepted our Survey and Installation scheme for windows and doors as meeting their requirements. Installers can therefore now achieve full Secured by Design membership in their own right by joining the Bluesky Installer scheme when they supply Secured by Design accredited products.

You can find out more about the scheme by visiting us at the FIT show – stand K52.

Tradesmith has achieved certification with Bluesky for the manufacture of windows and doorsets to BS7412 and PAS 24, to meet Secured by Design requirements.

Mark Hutchinson, Managing Director of Tradesmith said “Bluesky Certification clearly care about providing a quality service to its customers. This is demonstrated throughout the process of achieving certification, from the way the initial enquiry is taken through to the presentation of the certificate. The audit process is thorough, with a focus on the aspects of production that really matter. I was particularly impressed with the appearance of our certificate and logos, which have been professionally designed to reflect the achievement of meeting the certification requirements. I’m proud to be associated with Bluesky Certification as we both share the same ethos of high quality, professional service and understanding of our customer’s needs and expectations”.

Mark went on to say, “I believe the best way to build a good relationship between customers and suppliers is to make the whole process of working together, simple and straightforward which is exactly what I found working with Bluesky”.

Simon Beer, Managing Director of Bluesky Certification says: “As a newly accredited body, we are aware of the sense of achievement that obtaining recognition by a third party can bring. We believe that the quality of the certificate, logos and listing on the website should reflect this. When designing our certificates we wanted to produce something that reflected the high standard that we seek to achieve in every aspect of our business, as well as looking the part in the showroom of a professional manufacturer such as Tradesmith. Feedback from our customers has clearly shown that this is something that is highly appreciated.

To find out more about Tradesmith’s range, please contact Tradesmith on T: 01323 84912, E: sales@tradesmith.co.uk, W: www.tradesmith.co.uk

 

The Glazerite UK Group Ltd has joined the newly-established Bluesky Certification scheme in partnership with the Network VEKA ACE initiative which provides many additional benefits.
The company is the largest PVC-U trade fabricator so far to sign up to Bluesky since the specialist certification body was launched last September. Glazerite Director Jason Thompson said “This is an organisation with a fresh, modern approach that is committed to giving us far more than just a certificate to put on the wall.

“Among many other advantages, working with this partnership allows us to cascade data from VEKA and Halo products without the need for type testing, which means any change of hardware is quick and easy.

“The cascading allows us to certificate a far wider range of hardware, providing us with enhanced flexibility on our product choice.

“There are many very real advantages with Bluesky Certification, all of which will be shared with our installer partners across the country, these namely being improved efficiencies and service, which can only benefit us all.”

The move also means that all three of the newly-expanded Group’s manufacturing sites will operate under the same scheme, which further streamlines the operation as a whole.

Simon Beer of Bluesky Certification said: “We are pleased that Glazerite have decided to work with Bluesky Certification as their certification body of choice. It is a great start to the business to have a major player such as Glazerite join as one of the founding members. Our aim is to provide the industry with credible certification and a high level of service at a competitive price and we have enjoyed demonstrating this approach when working with Glazerite.”

Before setting up Bluesky, Simon has over 16 years’ experience in developing and running certification schemes, having worked for BM TRADA Certification. During his time at BM TRADA, Simon developed and operated the majority of the BM TRADA Q-Mark door, window and glass schemes, as well as implementing services such as IGU testing and training.

The Glazerite UK Group Ltd is VEKA’s largest trade fabricator in the UK and a long-standing Network VEKA member. It offers a fully nationwide service based on manufacturing units in Northants, Peterborough and Greater Manchester as well as its South West distribution hub in Bristol serving South Wales and The West of England.

Prepared on behalf of the The Glazerite UK Group Ltd by VAST PR. For further information, contact Beth Maliszewska beth@vastpr.co.uk; 0845 0945 775; or visit www.glazeritewindows.co.uk. Feb 2017.

Everglade Windows has achieved certification with Bluesky for the manufacture of windows and doorsets to PAS 24. Managing Director Yogesh Gopal said “We were looking to start working with a new partner for our certification that was flexible and understood our business. We had worked with Simon Beer previously and therefore knew what we might expect from Bluesky. The approach of Bluesky is very refreshing and we look forward to working closely together.”

Sailesh Chudasama, HSEQ Manager also commented “As part of the free transfer process the Bluesky team worked through our test documentation to ensure that we had appropriate evidence for our scope of certification. They then worked with the system suppliers on our behalf to resolve any discrepancies. The work that went into this process gives us real confidence in the certification.”

Bluesky Certification has achieved recognition by Secured By Design for its certification for its Enhanced Security Door and Window schemes to PAS 24. This follows Bluesky Certification achieving accreditation for product certification to ISO/IEC 17065:2012 with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
“Our aim is to provide a one stop shop for companies manufacturing or installing doors, windows, glass and fire resistant products. Acceptance by Secured By Design is crucial for a certification body operating in the door and window industry and therefore achieving this recognition was key.”

Simon Beer has launched Bluesky Certification, specialising in the certification of doors, windows, glass and fire resistant products.
“Our conversations with customers have identified a need for credible certification, which is coupled with a higher level of customer support to that which is normally offered” said Simon.

Simon is already well known in the industry and has over 16 years’ experience in developing and running certification schemes, having worked for BM TRADA Certification as Product Certification Manager. During his time at BM TRADA, Simon developed and operated the majority of the BM TRADA Q-Mark door, window and glass schemes, as well as implementing services such as IGU testing and training.

“I have established a successful certification offering before, having taken the BM TRADA Q-Mark from a fledgling service, then achieving recognition and acceptance in the market. I am looking forward to progressing my own company, with the benefit of the knowledge, experience, contacts and reputation that I now have.” commented Simon.

One of the key selling points of Bluesky Certification is the ability to work with customers to enable them to use their certification to progress their business. Simon is used to working closely with customers, and as such has a very good working knowledge of how the industry works, as well as having a high level of technical and regulatory knowledge.

This article is also published at Fenestration news.

Bluesky Certification is now a UKAS accredited certification body, No. 9413.
UKAS accreditation is a requirement for acceptance by bodies such as Secured By Design and the NHBC, as it demonstrates the impartiality, independence and credibility of the certification.

Bluesky Certification offers schemes to cater for manufacturers, installers and maintainers of doors, windows, glass, and fire resistant products. Please visit contact us

Simon Beer of Calibso considers the benefits of acoustic windows and doors, sharing his experience of them being installed.

A typical urban housing estate will be subject to a wide variety of external sound sources, including planes, cars, lawnmowers, motorbikes and scooters and barking dogs – the list is seemingly endless. Whether sound is a nuisance really depends on the person who is hearing it, and when they hear it. For example, the person who constantly whistles their way around the garden might think that they are making a tuneful noise, but the neighbour who is trying to work inside might have other ideas. Or what about the noise from the lawnmower, circular saw, or party at a time when you were hoping to sleep? Modern housing policy requires people to live closer together. If you want to have easy access to travel, you will need to be situated close to transportation networks, which means that you will have flight paths, train lines and roads nearby. Couple that with the drive to use brownfield sites where possible, and the density of people occupying a space is dramatically increased.

Sleep disturbance
Then you have the 24-hour society. People come and go at all times of the night, with many shops and clubs staying open through the night to cater for them. It isn’t unusual for someone to leave their house at 3 or 4 in the morning. If this happens in the winter they will probably leave their car running for several minutes while scraping frost off the windows, causing sleep disturbance for others. Even the countryside is not immune to noise disturbance. Towards the end of the summer, you are likely to be kept awake by farmers using machinery through the night, so that they can reap the harvest in time. Roughly ½ million complaints are made to the council about noise every year, with less than 1% resulting in action being taken. That means that more than 99% of people who are sufficiently bothered by noise to complain about it have to carry on living with it, possibly with an acrimonious relationship with their neighbours as a result of the complaint. Complaints to the council are recorded, so when you come to sell your property, you will need to declare that you have had a dispute with your neighbours, which could cause problems with the sale of your house.

Excessive exposure
The potential impacts of excessive exposure to noise are well documented. It can cause a number of medical problems including depression, stress, high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, birth defects, low birth weight, stomach ulcers and changes to the immune system. Hearing gradually degrades as a result of old age, but this degradation is accelerated when you are constantly exposed to a noisy environment. Noise levels that can cause sleep disturbance are relatively low (around 40 dB) and sleep deprivation over a prolonged period can also cause problems. For example, sleep-deprived people tested by using driving simulators or hand- eye coordination tasks have been found to perform as badly as or even worse than those who are intoxicated. Prolonged sleep deprivation is also said to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Taking action
So what can action can someone take if they are regularly disturbed by external noise in their home? Moving house is a drastic step, which will cost a substantial amount of money and won’t even guarantee quiet. I have a friend who lives in a house at the end of a seemingly quiet country lane, surrounded by fields, but has to listen to his neighbour’s dogs continually barking through most of the day and night. You can’t change the location of your house, or in most instances what is happening around it, but it is possible to reduce the amount of noise coming into the building from the outside. Living under a flight path close to Heathrow, I am well aware of the impact that external noise can have, particularly on sleep. My road is used as a rat run during the rush hour, and occasionally as an illegal race track in the middle of the night. I like where I live, but on occasion, it would be nice to block out the external noise. Having been heavily involved in developing services relating to acoustic windows, I have often wondered what the impact of installing acoustic windows would be. So when one of my neighbours was recently choosing replacement windows, I suggested that he consider an acoustic window, and gave him details of a product that has been proven to achieve a weighted sound reduction of just over 40dB. The additional cost was not significant, so he took my advice and ordered the acoustic specification.

A little concerned
Before the installation took place, I have to admit that I was a little concerned. I had persuaded my neighbour to spend more than he would have based on what I had seen in a test lab, without having any practical experience of what the affect would be. Fortunately, my neighbour was extremely pleased with the result, and was keen for me to see, or rather hear the difference. Inside his front room, you can see the cars going past and planes going over the house, but they are now almost completely unheard. Sounds from inside the house are now prominent. The Sky box periodically makes a virtually imperceptible tick and you become aware that the compressor on the fridge is occasionally starting up in the other room. There is no doubt that the acoustic windows have dramatically reduced the noise levels in his home, so much so that another neighbour has now upgraded his windows and followed suit with the same specification. I would suggest that any manufacturer considering offering an acoustic window or doorset should have the performance of their complete product tested. The specification of glass fitted to the product will have a huge effect on its acoustic performance. However, my experience is that the glass is only part of the equation, with the profiles, seals, ventilators and other components all playing vital a part in the overall performance. How they are fitted is also important. Elimination of any air gaps and proper compression of the seals is crucial. I have seen different windows or doorsets fitted with a similar specification of glass having a variation in performance of up to 10 dB. In some tests, the performance of complete window or doorset can actually be better than that of the glass itself.

Completely eliminated
Companies who are considering offering acoustic products have often expressed concern about what the householder might say if noise from outside the building is not completely eliminated. In the same way that the glass is only part of the story with relation to the performance of the complete door or window, there are other areas in the building that will allow the passage of sound. You therefore need to include caveats at the time of the sale, stating that sound will be transmitted through other parts of the building. Examples include airbricks, loft insulation and gaps around pipework, all of which can be dealt with. A common issue with houses from the 1970s is that the walls often include a system whereby tiles are fixed over the top of a timber stud, often with no insulation in between. Details like this will not only affect acoustic performance though, the heat loss through that area will also be significant. If you are concerned about the householder complaining that the noise is still there, you should probably mention these areas as a potential source of heat loss when selling energy efficient products.

Very attractive
Some people may not consider replacing their windows just to cut out the noise, but if they are replacing windows or doorsets already, the additional cost of a product that performs better in reducing the amount of noise that comes into the building may be very attractive. It would be considerably cheaper to improve the specification at the time of ordering, than to retrospectively upgrade the windows at a later stage. You could therefore upsell your noise reducing product, to earn extra income at the time of the sale. Alternatively, you don’t have to look too hard to find houses on a busy road, under a flight path, near a train line, or in another location that is affected by noise – maybe the noise reducing capability of your products could be the argument that persuades someone to buy? Everyone is now selling energy efficient windows and doors, and even the minimum specification required for building regulations compliance is pretty high. If you are looking for the next unique selling point, maybe you should consider acoustic performance?

This article is also published at windows active.

Simon Beer, Managing Director of Calibso discusses the perils of not complying with the new Building Regulations for security in dwellings.
The introduction of a regulation is not new for the glazing industry. When a new requirement is introduced, some will comply fully immediately, some will partially comply and others will ignore it until they are forced to take notice. Approved Document Q (Security – Dwellings) came into effect on 1 October 2015 and like previous new Building Regulations, it is being phased in. Simon Beer, Managing Director of Calibso discusses the possible consequences of non-compliance for developers, manufacturers and installers if they either ignore the regulation, or inadvertently fail to comply. Simon believes there are 3 main scenarios associated with non-compliance, all of which could potentially cost huge sums of money and cause reputational damage.

Non-compliance scenarios

As enforcement officers get up to speed with the regulation, they are increasingly likely to request evidence of compliance for the windows and doors that are fitted to a dwelling. If non-compliant windows or doors have been fitted, the enforcement officer is unlikely to be willing to sign them off without proper evidence.

Scenario 1: – Retrospective test evidence achieved with a pass result: For most products, test evidence will be required to demonstrate compliance with ADQ, so the best case when requiring retrospective test evidence is a delay while the manufacturer proves that the product actually works. If all goes well, the manufacturer will book a test slot, test their product and achieve a pass result. However, even with a first time pass, you would expect lead times of up to 8 weeks to produce the test product (which need to be to the exact specification to that fitted), another 6 weeks for the test slot to be available, followed by a lead time for the report to be written (often at least another 6 weeks from the test date). The result of non-compliance in Scenario 1 is therefore the cost of the test, plus the impact of a 20 weeks’ (or more) delay on handover of the building.

Scenario 2: – Retrospective test evidence attempted with a fail result: Test laboratories would agree that windows and doors often don’t pass first time. If the product is retrospectively tested and doesn’t pass, you have to wait again for the lab to be free for a re-test. Several attempts may be required before a positive result has been achieved, and the enforcement body should then check that the tested specification is the same as that installed in the building. Because some redesign was required to pass the test, the specification will be different, so all of the installed windows and doors will need to be either re-worked or replaced. The result of non-compliance in Scenario 2 is therefore the cost of however many tests are required to achieve a pass, plus the impact of potentially several months’ delay on handover of the building, plus the cost of re-working or replacing all windows and doorsets in the building.

Scenario 3:– Non-compliance discovered after handover: It would be easy to think that once the building has been handed over that is the end of it. However, what would happen if the non-compliance with ADQ was uncovered by an opportunist burglar when they attempt to break in? If an insurance company finds themselves paying claims after a burglar discovers that they can enter the houses on a non-compliant estate, they could request proof of compliance for the windows or doors. Where the security performance has not been proven, there will have been a breach of the Building Regulations which could invalidate a claim. If there is suspicion over the evidence, it wouldn’t be difficult for the insurance company to remove a product from the site and test it, and they would then only need to work out who to go after to cover their losses.

ADQ explained on new site

Time will tell whether these scenarios prove to be realistic, however, it would be wise to avoid being the developer, manufacturer or installer that is involved in any test to see how this unfolds. Calibso believes that Approved Document Q has huge implications for the industry. The Approved Document is complicated and open to interpretation. It would be easy to think that you have complied when you haven’t which could prove very costly. Due to the number of requests for clarification received by Calibso, it has produced a website to give an impartial, easy-to-read interpretation of ADQ, to help developers, manufacturers, and installers to navigate their way through the regulation.

This article is also published in windows active.

Following a number of enquiries from the industry, Calibso has launched a new website to explain how to comply with Approved Document Q. The website is aimed at manufacturers, installers and developers, and is intended to give an independent view of the regulation. Simon Beer, Managing Director of Calibso said “Approved Document Q has huge implications for the industry. The Approved Document is complicated and open to interpretation. We believe that it would be easy to think that you have complied when you haven’t, which could prove very costly if it held up the handover of a site. This website is designed to give an impartial, easy to read interpretation of ADQ, to help developers, manufacturers, and installers to navigate their way through the regulation.

The new website can be accessed via the following address: www.DocumentQ.co.uk

This article is also published at Fenestration News.

Simon Beer has has left BM TRADA to form Calibso Limited.
Simon developed and ran certification schemes relating to doors, windows and fire resistant products for 10 years, before handing over the day to day management of the department in order to focus solely on developing and taking new services to market for a further five years, with experience in launching a new product or service, including initial development, project management, industry consultation, production of contractual and sales documentation, development of website content, staff training, technical presentations, building regulations compliance and certification requirements.Simon Beer has has left BM Trada to form CALIBSO LIMITED.

Calibso also provides inspection and auditing services associated with doors, windows, glass and fire resistant building products and can deal with issues ranging from app development to HR issues, through other industry contacts.
One of the new company’s first initiatives was the launch of a website, Approved Document Q, aimed at helping developers, manufacturers, and installers to navigate their way through the regulation.

This article is also published in the Glazine.