INSTALLERSUPPORT
COVID-19 ADVICE AND INFORMATION FROM FENSA
AS ITS APPROVED INSTALLERS RETURN TO WORK
» AS HOME IMPROVEMENT WINDOW
and door businesses return to work in
response to the gradual lifting of lockdown
restrictions FENSA, the UK’s largest
government-authorised competent person
scheme for replacement windows and doors,
has issued a number of documents designed
to assist FENSA Approved Installers as once
again they prepare to enter homes and
commercial premises to replace and install
windows, doors, conservatories and related
products.
Having maintained services for FENSA
Approved Installers and homeowners
throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, with key
FENSA advisors operating in isolation from
their homes, the publications now provide
timely support for installers and, through
them, for homeowners seeking guidance about
engaging with installers as they undertake
home improvements.
These include Practical safety precautions
when installing windows & doors during
the COVID-19 pandemic; Guidance on
completing a risk assessment; and a guide
specifically for homeowners; Having windows
and doors installed during the COVID-19
outbreak.
PRACTICAL SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS…
In the first of these, with the lengthy if
unequivocal title Practical safety precautions
when installing windows & doors during the
COVID-19 pandemic, the information will
often be regarded as common sense for skilled
FENSA installers. However, as well as offering
practical tips the guide serves as an excellent
check list and one that may easily be circulated
to every member of the team, to ensure
consensus.
The document is organised into 11 easy
to follow sections and that order, in itself, is
useful to provide structure to the installation
process. These are: Materials; Travelling to site;
Communication with the occupant; Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE); Arriving at
site / pre-installation; Social distancing &
minimising contact; Access equipment;
Refreshment breaks; Packing up at the end of
the day; Disposal of waste products; Returning
home. Each section is concise and written in
clear, jargon-free language.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Again, whilst many installers may have
experience of producing Risk Assessments or
indeed, have trained personnel to carry out
such tasks, for many the FENSA Guidance
on completing a risk assessment, including a
template form, provides a check to ensure that
such assessments are carried out and, actually,
fulfilled. In fact, as well as providing guidance
on correct procedures the completion of a Risk
Assessment for each job is essential to protect
the company and individuals in the case of
any potential claims arising from work carried
out on site.
ADVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS
The guide for homeowners provides similar
information as provided in the Practical safety
precautions….’ document but of course, as
its title suggests, from the perspective of the
homeowner. FENSA Approved Installers
are now encouraged to pass a copy to their
customers in advance of an installation to
ensure that both sides are fully engaged
in all processes, to ensure swift and safe
installations.
All documents, which are written by
experienced former installers, are available
free of charge to FENSA Approved Installers,
in addition to other benefits such as fast and
efficient installation certification from the
UK’s leading compliance body and TV, radio
and social media promotion for the FENSA
brand and its Approved Installer network.
Chris Beedel, FENSA Director of
Membership, says it is important that FENSA
Approved Installers operate to agreed and
shared standards: “There are a number of
FENSA is a government-authorised
competent person scheme monitoring
building regulation compliance for the
installation of replacement windows and
doors. When homeowners choose a
FENSA Approved Installer, they receive
a FENSA certificate when the work is
complete: all the proof they need of a
job done right. Every FENSA Approved
Installer is assessed regularly to
ensure their standards are continually
maintained.
FENSA’s mission is to improve window
and door replacements across the
UK, by professionalising installers
and protecting homeowners. FENSA
ensures the work complies with
building regulations, is energy efficient,
registered with the local council and
verify that every FENSA Approved
Installer’s guarantee is insured.
documents around offering advice about how
installers may return to people’s homes and all
offer relevant if slightly differing information.
Our publications, written by highly skilled
former installers, bring all effective advice
together for FENSA Approved companies so
there is consistency throughout the FENSA
network, with all operating to the same high
standards.”
For more information on FENSA,
including details of how to join, please visit:
www.fensa.org.uk
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