Pro Installer June 2016 - Issue 39 | Page 40

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SAFETY & SECURITY

JUNE 2016 PRO INSTALLER
www. proinstaller. co. uk

HELPING COMPLY WITH TOUGHER STANDARDS

GT Window Products has been in the forefront when it comes to developing niche products for the window industry. Starting back in 1993 the business developed a glass lock security clip that has become the only recognised clip system to hold glass units in place either for window and door security or fire retardant doors.
For many years the threepart clip system, which consists of a profile-related packer, high tensile steel plate and clip, has been used by fabricators and installers around the UK to assist in achieving PAS 24 and Kitemark for windows and doors. More recently with the introduction of Document Q and ever-changing more stringent security testing, GT has been working hard to provide customers with an easy, cost-effective and reliable product from which both fabricators and installers can benefit. Unlike the original GT Securi-clip for externally and internally glazed windows, the new GT Snap-Lok requires zero fabrication time. No screws are required and no measuring and it simply snaps into place using the profile detail to locate itself. This now means that fabricators will not need to install the clip until the unit is installed- or it can be fitted on site very quickly and easily by the installer. MD Carl Taylor said:“ We listened to our customers’ feedback about
the current Securi-Clip solution, and found that it can be time-consuming to some fabricators. And we appreciate that it isn’ t the easiest product to remove as its application was initially designed for externally glazed windows. Like the industry, products evolve, and the market evolves as standards become more difficult to achieve, so we have to move forward and evolve with the market, and that’ s exactly why we developed Snap- Lok.” Like all GT’ s Products, GT Snap- Lok has undergone tests that conform to PAS 24 and Document Q. In fact, GT Window Products was recognised at the FIT show 2016 by UCAS accredited test house BSI for the amount of work it put into testing its products- and the company was awarded a certificate for support to customers in achieving and promoting the PAS 24 accreditation. This means fabricators and installers can have peace of mind that this product will achieve the standards they require in modern test such as 2Kn load push, 3kn mechanical load, soft body impact and the manual manipulation test,
all of which form part of document Q. These are exciting times for GT as this product opens up new avenues to a larger customer base enabling the business to service smaller fabricators and installers direct. Carl added:“ Because of the nature of our other products we relied heavily upon the fabricator to install the product on the production line, but now this new clip is so simple and universal it means that the installer can offer a security package and source the product direct if required.” This is not the only product that GT offers that can be retro-fitted. Two products that are already widely used are GT Sash Seal and GT Bow-Constrictor, both compression devices that improve gasket compression on side-hung or large to- hung windows respectively.
For information or samples or to find your nearest trade counter stockist please call GT Window Products 01684 290944 www. gtwindowproducts. co. uk
GT Snap Lok
GT Bow-Constrictor
GT Sash Seal

GUIDANCE ON FIRE SAFETY IN SHOPS

The Fire Sector Federation has been consulting on a draft document,‘ Compartmentation in Shops.’
The document aims to help designers meet the functional requirements of the building regulations and demonstrate compliance with the Fire Safety Order. It also recommends that building control bodies and fire and rescue services may use this guidance when assessing designs that are not deemed to be strictly code compliant. This is to help them achieve a consistent interpretation and implementation of the Building Regulations and Fire Safety Order.‘ Compartmentation in Shops’ explains that the current guidance in the latest edition of Approved Document B( ADB) Volume 2 recommends limiting the compartment size of single-storey shops to a maximum of 2,000m ². However, where sprinklers are provided there is no compartment size limit. The guide explains that because goods need to be accessible to customers, a volumetric figure was not used in ADB for shops as it was assumed that the height of stored goods would be low level. However, it suggests that shops have now evolved and low level fire loading is not always the case. It recommends that where fire loading will exceed a height of 4m above floor level, this should be justified in the fire strategy unless an appropriate fire suppression system is installed. The document also discusses extensions to existing stores, alternative approaches to meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations, and the installation of life safety systems. It also provides advice on consultations between building control bodies and fire and rescue authorities and the potential impact of the Fire Safety Order.
The document is out for consultation for three months. For further information, or to download Compartmentation in shops, visit www. firesectorfederation. co. uk