15
PRO INSTALLER DECEMBER 2013
PRO NEWS
@proinstaller1
HOW TO FIT A
COMPOSITE
DOOR
New How to Video from Safedoors.
A new How to Video from Safedoors has been created to assist
tradesmen, experienced DIYers and
self-builders with installing a composite door. Just under three minutes long, the video gives a step-bystep guide to fitting the new door as
well as removing the existing door
and frame, coupled with handy hints
and tips.
“When it comes to installing composite
doors there’s a whole new set of rules,” says
Safedoors sales director, Adrian Wyatt. “Unlike timber doors composites are pre-hung,
and so there is no need to remove the door
leaf before fitting. So while an experienced
timber door fitter should be able to turn his
hand to installing composite doors without too much trouble, we still get asked
questions, and this video goes some way to
addressing those. Plus, with most people
The Wood Window Alliance (WWA) and
British Woodworking Federation (BWF) have
announced a new merger in a drive to achieve
further growth in the timber sector.
Iain McIlwee, chief
executive of the BWF,
made the announcement at the recent BWF
Annual Dinner.
‘Ground-breaking’
He says: “We’ve supported
the Wood Window Alliance
from the start and the campaign has done a fabulous
job of promoting timber
windows – leading the way
within the industry. But, as
the campaign has evolved,
the benefits of integrating
the promotional side with
the wider services offered
It has been designed to answer frequently
asked questions and help avoid common
mistakes; a benefit to the tradesmen, the
homeowner, and the DIY enthusiast. Keeping it simple, Safedoors also advises the
viewer to check that they have all of the
necessary tools to hand before starting the
installation, as well as highlighting easy-toforget factors such as protecting the carpet
with a dust sheet and checking that the key
is present and correct!
‘Good quality workmanship
isn’t just about the
manufacture of a product’
Unity And Consistency
Are The Key To Growth
For Timber Windows
carrying a smartphone or tablet device nowadays it’s a handy reassurance.”
“Good quality workmanship isn’t just
about the manufacture of a product it is
also down to the fitting. For an experienced
installer achieving a high standard helps
keep call-backs to a minimum, saving both
time and money as well as inconvenience
for the homeowner. While for a Selfbuilder
or DIY enthusiast this video can also help
keep costs down; giving them the freedom
to fit their own door safe in the knowledge
that they are doing it correctly.”
For more information and to watch
the How to Video please visit www.
safedoors.co.uk or visit the Epwin Group
stand at the Building Centre in London.
by the BWF have become
increasingly clear. Together,
we can provide a seamless
offer, project our messages
further, and offer better value to our members.”
Sean Parnaby, chairman
of the WWA, says: “I’m
delighted to have led the
WWA into the BWF on my
watch as chairman. From a
standing start some eight
years ago, our influence and
effectiveness have grown
impressively. We’ve promoted timber windows based
on demanding quality, performance and sustainability
standards; we’ve undertaken
ground-breaking research
to support our marketing
proposition; we’ve increased
our value share of the market to around 25%. We have
also grown our membership.”
School And Glass Contractor
Fined For Asbestos Failings
A Birmingham academy and a glass
company have been fined for failing to
properly manage refurbishment works
and exposing workers to asbestos.
Equitas Academies
Trust, the owner and operator of Aston Manor
Academy, and Birmingham Glass Services Ltd
(BGS) were jointly prosecuted by the Health
and Safety Executive
(HSE) after an investigation found they put
employees at unnecessary risk in the incident
on 6 June 2012.
Birmingham Magistrates’
Court was told that four
BGS workers attended the
site, but did not receive an
induction by any employee of Equitas Academies
Trust. Nor was any information provided to the glass
company’s employees on
the location of any asbestos
containing materials. The
school’s site manager told
the BGS employees that
‘to the best of his knowledge’ there was no asbestos
containing materials in the
window area.
‘Exposing workers’
While removing the
windows, two of the BGS
employees encountered
strips of asbestos insulating board (AIB) packers,
which prevented them from
installing the new windows.
The packers were removed
from the frame using a
crowbar, then snapped and
dumped next to an asbestos
decontamination unit on the
school site that was being
used for unrelated work by
licensed asbestos removal
contractors.
The incident cost the
school £20,000 through decontamination and replacement of floor coverings. Soft
furnishings and children’s
work had to be disposed
of and parts of the school
could not be used for the
second part of the summer
term.
Information and advice
about working safely with
asbestos can be found on
the HSE website at www.
hse.gov.uk/asbestos