4 | FEBRUARY 2020
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
IN MEMBER PROUD TO HAVE
AMASSED 300 REVIEWS AS
A WHICH? TRUSTED TRADER
Vantage Windows became an official Which? Trusted
Trader in 2017 and has now passed a milestone
300 reviews, with ‘phenomenal feedback’. 2019
also saw the business named ‘Best Window and
Door Company’ at the Scottish Home Improvement
Awards, for the second consecutive year.
Vantage Windows is
an Independent Network
member based in Belshill,
and the company has used
only VEKA products since
it was founded in 2011.
Vantage MD Ernie Rea
believes this has been a
significant factor in the
firm’s success: “We’ve
always used VEKA sys-
tems, supplied via Consort
Windows, and the quality
of the windows is second
to none. We’re able to offer
virtually limitless options
when it comes to style, col-
our, energy efficiency and
that reflects really well on
our business. We can rely
on quality and quick turn-
arounds from both VEKA
UK and Consort, so our
customers don’t have long
to wait for their dream
home improvements.
“We’ve built a reputation
for quality and attention
to detail, so becoming a
member of Independent
Network last year has
been another really good
way to demonstrate our
commitment to craftsman-
ship to new customers.
It’s also very reassuring
to know that we have
that extra level of support
behind us whenever we
need it – whether it’s sales,
marketing or technical
assistance.
“Vantage was already an
‘official’ Which? Trusted
Trader when we joined IN,
so we understand firsthand
the value of IN’s partner-
ship with this organisation.
We recently passed 300 re-
views as a Which? Trusted
Trader and the feedback
has been phenomenal.
“A company is only as
good as its people, and I’m
very proud of the whole
team here at Vantage who
always go the extra mile,
ensuring lots of happy cus-
tomers and lots of repeat
business. It’s down to our
continuous commitment to
quality and service that we
were named ‘Best Window
and Door Company’ at
the Scottish Home Im-
provement Awards for the
second time running, and
we’re delighted to have
been recognised for all our
hard work.”
VEKA UK’s Head of
Partner Programmes Karen
Lund congratulated the
team at Vantage on their
success; “Vantage Win-
dows is a great example
of an Independent Net-
work member; a loyal
user of high quality VEKA
UK systems completely
committed to craftsman-
ship and customer service.
It’s no surprise they have
continued to achieve such
glowing feedback and have
been celebrated twice in
the Scottish Home Im-
provement Awards. Well
done to Ernie and the
team.”
www.inveka.co.uk
ASSA ABLOY
advises industry and
professionals on
fire safety liability
Liability for fire safety breaches is
being increasingly pushed down from
building owners and occupiers to those
that have been consulted, assessed and
advised on the appropriate fire safety
solutions for a site. Should these products
fail to perform as expected, then those
professionals will be held accountable,
and could potentially even be prosecut-
ed.
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK &
Ireland believes that this issue will be a
real game changer for the industry, with
architectural ironmongers, merchants, and
safety and security consultants all set to be
deemed responsible.
Only recently, a representative from
leading law firm Russell Cooke LLP cited
a growing trend for building owners to
hold suppliers responsible for a lack of
suitable fire risk assessments and the use
of inappropriate materials and products.
In 2014 – for the first time ever – a risk as-
sessor went to prison for nine months for
a breach of health and safety rules. It is
clear that accountability surrounding fire
safety will fall to the supply chain more
and more in the future.
David Hindle, Head of Door Control
Sales at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions
UK & Ireland, explains: “From architectur-
al ironmongers that might be selling prod-
uct with little or questionable certification,
to merchants providing hardware that
might not be fit for purpose, and consult-
ants that are potentially not carrying out
the right risk assessments for clients, the
liability for fire safety in buildings will fall
to professionals in the industry. It is there-
fore vital that all of these groups have the
right accreditation in place to meet these
demands.
“Relevant schemes include Warrington
Certification’s FIRAS Installer Certification,
BM TRADA’s Q-Mark Fire Door Installation
and the Guild of Architectural Ironmon-
gery’s diploma. It is also vital that architec-
tural ironmongers, merchants and consult-
ants have a comprehensive understanding
of the legislation covering fire safety
matters in and around buildings, such as
Approved Document B, BS EN 1634 and
BS 476.
“At ASSA ABLOY, all our products are
tested and certified to the appropriate
fire safety standards, and we are taking
increasing steps to ensure that those
throughout the supply chain can feel
confident that they have put forward a
compliant solution.
“We predict that we will be seeing many
more instances where professionals will
be held accountable for any breaches
around fire safety. As a result, it is critical
that those throughout the supply chain en-
sure products are certified, and they have
the correct training and qualifications to
be able to advise customers on the most
appropriate fire safety solutions.”
www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk