Flying the standard
Written for Window Industries October 2008 issue
In this article for Window Industries, Carl F Petersen provides an update on legislation and standards that have impacted the UK’s glazing market. John Crittenden, Managing Director of the established hardware distributor explains why, as a supplier to the window industry, it is important to keep a finger on the pulse of developments to standards and their impact on the industry.
John advises that, to ensure effective product selection, it is essential that the company’s role extends to monitoring the market for products best suited to meet latest standards. Carl F also invests time in understanding the implications of standards as this enables the company to provide effective advice to customers.
Hot topics for hardware
“Bumping has been a recent hot topic - fuelled by national press reports, one recently updated standard is BS EN 1303. Mass media coverage heightened awareness of this issue and changes to legislation mean that profile cylinders now need to pass an anti-manipulation test conducted by the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA).
We have monitored product developments and have observed a number of organisations making significant R&D investment to respond to the needs of the standard. As a result, there are a number of products designed to resist bumping.
An extensive market review was undertaken that involved both consultations with manufacturers and product demonstrations and we selected the KABA GeGe RAM cylinder. This is one of just four products to gain Kitemark accreditation and the first to achieve the Kitemark licence.
Multi-point locks with replaceable profile cylinders have made major advances from the old-fashioned mortice lock – most significantly, the number of key differs. Under BS EN 1303 Grade 4, a Euro profile cylinder must provide a minimum of 30,000 key differs. When a cylinder is not used, BS 3621 requires a minimum of only 1,000 differs. Replacing a cylinder is straightforward with the new generation profile cylinders and the homeowner has the opportunity to choose to have the same key fitting all doors in the property.
Market analysis has led us to promote the KABA GeGe RAM cylinder partnered with a high quality multi-point lock - the FUHR Multisafe range is recommended. This combination offers assurance that the lock assembly has passed independent testing for all EN 1303, PAS 024 and Secured by Design requirements.
With regard to ventilation, Part F has also had considerable impact on the window industry. Again, our technical department kept a close eye on developments and invested time in understanding requirements as the complex legislation prompted questions from our customers. Fortunately, it has been widely accepted that the calculations for Part F are so complex that it is impractical to carry out retrospective changes. We are delighted to report that a pragmatic solution has been reached which places the focus on new build projects. Based on a ‘whole house’ approach, the new requirements take both indoor air quality and building performance into consideration.
We have worked with Greenwood to provide quality ventilation solutions that are straightforward to install. Additionally, simplified summary calculations have been produced in an easy to use chart that assists in the assessment of airflow requirements.
Subtle standards
But the impact of standards is not always felt quite so directly by the market. Taking the International Organisation for Standardisation, or ISO accreditation, the effects on the industry are more subtle but no less important. Working to ISO standards demonstrates a company’s commitment to continual development and at Carl F we feel the ISO 9001:200 management standard is particularly important.
It is very easy, particularly in the hardware distribution business, to focus on day to day priorities. However, for longer term development, it is essential to address organisational and operational areas to ensure that these are measured, monitored, analysed and continually improved. On average, six training sessions each week are held at Carl F – these are tailored to meet individual needs and are designed to ensure that knowledge is shared and everyone is up to date with latest product, service, technology and standards information."
This article has touched on some of the standards that impact the hardware arena. Other legislation includes BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179 for fire exits and we are keeping a watchful eye on developments and the impact on the industry.
Changes to standards have wide ranging impact and, as distributors, it is essential that our knowledge level goes beyond product basics to wider industry issues. This broad educational approach not only supports effective product selection but it means that we can continue to offer informed advice to our customers.
