PROUD SPONSOR OF DOORS & WINDOWS
DOORS & WINDOWS available at a lower price , it can be tempting for fabricators to save money and increase their margins , especially when times are tough . This stance , however appealing , carries a certain amount of risk – the biggest of which is that Liniar is not able to support or guarantee the products should the worst happen and they fail .
“ In the worst-case scenario , this could leave the directors of fabrication companies open to civil suits for damage caused by defective products – with unlimited fines and even imprisonment .”
EXAMPLES AND RISKS
“ Notwithstanding trademark infringement and the lack of a Liniar guarantee for non-approved products , there are many other potential issues that can arise where alternative components are used .
“ For example , Liniar glazing platforms and run-up ramps are especially designed to support the weight of the glazed units , transferring the load in the correct places and ensuring perfect symmetry of the panes all the way around . Our design provides a proper bridged load bearing platform for Liniar windows and doors to be toe and heeled from , while allowing water to be drained effectively from the frames .
“ Alternative products made from inferior materials are sometimes substituted in order to save a few pence on each window or door – but the effects of this can be far more costly to put right . With bigger and heavier glazed units being utilised for thermal efficiency , including triple glazing , these cheaper platforms or packers can collapse under the weight . And as the alternatives are a universal design , made for any system , they don ’ t provide the correct bridge in order to drain water properly .
‘ it ’ s more important than ever to make sure the fenestration products that installers purchase and fit conform to full building regulations and accreditation standards .’
“ Mix this with steel reinforcement that doesn ’ t meet British Standard BS7412 – where the galvanised coating is half the thickness of the steel supplied by Liniar – and you could be asking for trouble .
“ Steel and aluminium supplied by competitors has been tested at up to 28 % lighter than Liniar ’ s recommended reinforcement – so if that ’ s used within a large window or door , would you want to take that risk as an installer ?”
THE HIGHEST QUALITY
“ Anyone who knows me will know that my philosophy has always been to design and launch the highest quality products for the benefit of our loyal customers . We have a great customer base , supported with an extensive library of Liniar test data , accreditation schemes , technical support and a database of thousands of thermal simulations , as well as marketing support to help them sell the Liniar range .
“ I understand the commercial aspects of choosing alternative products – after all , we all want to make a decent margin – but I also want to help our customers achieve our high standards , with the result that all Liniar products available in the marketplace are fully Liniar approved .
LINIAR APPROVED SCHEME
“ We ’ re therefore encouraging all Liniar fabricators to be fully audited to join the Liniar Approved Fabricator scheme , which was launched a couple of years ago in order to help our customers achieve and prove their high standards .
“ If a fabricator carries the Liniar Approved logo , installers and consumers can be assured of a fully Liniar approved , tested , accredited and guaranteed product – which means we can continue to pass on leads and commercial tender opportunities to those fabricators .
“ Fabricators can also go one step further and apply to be registered with CORGI Fenestration , demonstrating their commitment to a fully trained workforce , and manufacturing products within a fully audited organisation . Having already been appraised by Liniar , all Liniar Approved Fabricators have a reduced audit process and fee from CORGI Fenestration , making it much simpler and quicker to apply .
REASSURANCE “ The vast majority of products in the marketplace are made to exceedingly high standards – so I don ’ t wish to ring alarm bells . However , I feel it ’ s important to reiterate that fabricators relying on any systems company ’ s testing or accreditation , such as PAS24 and Secured By Design , must have their products re-tested if they choose to use different components to those forming part of the test evidence .”
ROGER CONCLUDES :
“ I ’ m sure no-one wishes to see a disaster caused by faulty products bringing the industry into disrepute – so it ’ s more important than ever to make sure the fenestration products that installers purchase and fit conform to full building regulations and accreditation standards . And please remember :
“ A window is not a Liniar window unless all of its components are Liniar approved .”
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM » APR 2018 » 47