Testing & Certification
‘ Rigorously tested ’ letterplate receives BSI Kitemark
» THE TS008 POSTMASTER Professional letterplate from Yale has been granted the British Standards Institute ( BSI ) Kitemark – adding a new accreditation to what is already the most rigorously tested TS008 product on the market .
Brett Evans , Technical Director for Door Hardware at Yale , comments : “ Kitemark from BSI is recognised throughout the construction industry as a symbol of quality , safety , security and trust .
“ The accreditation is the result of rigorous testing , and underlines the high quality of the product . It helps our customers demonstrate that they are in compliance with the letterplate test requirements of PAS 24 and Approved Document Q of the UK Building Regulations .”
The Yale TS008 Postmaster Professional letterplate combines superior security with a modern design and a range of unique features , making it an unrivalled product on the current letterplate market .
With a 96mm sightline height and a telescopic feature allowing it to suit a range of door types and thicknesses , the letterplate offers utmost practicality and versatility .
Designed with security in mind , the inner flap has a positive stop feature to guard against common attack methods and ‘ fishing ’. The external flap features a complete peripheral seal to help form a thermal and acoustic barrier .
Available in a wide range of finishes including polished , brushed , satin silver , gold , black and white , the product meets works with many finished door aesthetics . Its elegant and slim design makes it suitable for even narrow hallways , while its lack of sharp corners protects children and pets when the flap is held open by packages .
In addition to the BSI Kitemark , the Yale Postmaster Professional letterplate has also been successfully tested to meet the requirements of FD30 and FD60 , as well as PAS 24:2016 , when tested as a complete doorset .
“ At Yale , we believe that meeting standards is about more than just compliance – it means leading the way and manufacturing top-quality products that reassure everyone who uses them ,” concludes Brett . “ This new BSI Kitemark accreditation is another example of that , and provides our customers with that extra confidence that they can always have in Yale .”
www . yaledoorandwindowsolutions . co . uk
NOT ALL REINFORCING IS EQUAL
» WITH FABRICATORS LOOKING AT From PVC-U Hollow Profiles ), which is the their margins and trying to reduce costs , standard to which PVC-U fabricators are Phil Parry , Business Development Director assessed to successfully achieve a Kitemark at Epwin Windows , sounds a note of licence . warning when it comes to purchasing
Phil explains : “ Reinforcing plays such reinforcing from alternative suppliers . a major part in the performance of a
He says : “ When you buy reinforcing window . A component which may on the from your systems company , you ’ re face of it appear to have similar geometry essentially buying the reassurance that it and surface coating , could be vastly complies with a myriad of regulations . The inferior . Key features such as ‘ dutch folds ’ use of independently sourced reinforcing which are often used to locally stiffen means all test results and data supplied by up key areas are neglected in cheaper the systems company will be invalidated . sections to reduce material and cut cost . As a result , re-assessment and re-testing Coatings are also important , BS7412 states may be necessary to comply with the that galvanised coatings must be to Z725 relevant standards . This is a process that specification , thinner coatings applied to could cost tens of thousands of pounds cheaper reinforcing may be up to three for each system and each variant so isn ’ t a times thinner .” cost-effective solution .”
Calculations provided by the systems Such tests include BS6375 ( Parts supplier are affected too . These include 1,2 & 3 - Performance of Windows & Window Energy Ratings and U value calculations , and perhaps more importantly ,
Doors ) and PAS24 ( Enhanced Security of Windows & Doors ). It also includes BS7412 structural , barrier loadings and wind ( Specification for Windows & Doors Made loading calculations .
Phil concludes : “ Simply swapping one type of reinforcing for another cheaper option can seem like a good idea . But when an Epwin Window Systems product uses reinforcing from another supplier , it isn ’ t an Epwin Window Systems product any longer . You ’ ll need to get confirmation from us and your certification body about what additional testing may be required . The bottom line is it could be a false economy .”
www . epwinwindowsystems . co . uk
70 MARCH 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM