Pro Installer March 2022 - Issue 108 | Page 17

News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
MARCH 2022 | 17

News

STELLAR READY FOR THE CHANGES TO PART L

The new Part L of Building Regulations , which comes into force on 15 June 2022 , is the biggest shake-up of thermal performance regulations for a number of years . As such , the regulations will be especially complicated for many aluminium systems to meet . But one system is good to go already – Stellar , the multi-ward-winning aluminium system from Epwin Window Systems .
Phil Parry , Business Development Director at Epwin Window Systems , says : “ Stellar ’ s unique design doesn ’ t use dummy sashes or rebate adaptors so it ’ s more thermally efficient by design . Plus , its thermal breaks can be upgraded to meet the demands of thermal regulations that will only get stricter over time . It means we ’ re already ahead of the market and many systems will have to be redesigned and reconsidered to meet the new requirements .”
The new regulations pose a problem for many aluminium systems because of the way the U value now must be calculated . Instead of being calculated on a 1230w x 1480h single opening casement ( known as the CEN standard window ), U values must be calculated on the GGF 2.2 window configuration , as used in WERs . This is a window with an opening light next to a fixed light with a central mullion . It ’ s harder to achieve the required U value on this configuration because there is more frame
than in a CEN standard window . It ’ s especially problematic for aluminium windows that use a dummy sash or rebate adaptor to create an internally beaded fixed light next to an opener because they use even more frame .
Stellar is unique because it uses a patented reverse butt joint . It means there ’ s no need for dummy sashes , reverse profiles or adaptors . It helps it to meet the requirements of the new Part L legislation with the added benefit of being ready for the proposed
amendments to Approved Document Q too .
To illustrate the difference the patented construction makes , Epwin Window Systems ’ certified BFRC simulators simulated two GGF 2.2 windows . The first was a Stellar window constructed with a dummy sash . The second was Stellar window constructed using the patented reverse butt joint .
The reverse butt jointed window achieved a calculated improvement of 0.1W /( m 2 K ) over the dummy sash variant .
Phil concludes : “ Stellar was always designed to be competitive yet future proof . It ’ ll be ready for the changes now and it ’ ll be ready in the future too . Its stunning aesthetics mean it attracts consumer attention like no other aluminium system . And with the introduction of the new Part L , there ’ s yet another reason for it to be the aluminium system of choice in fabricators ’ and installers ’ portfolios .”
www . stellaraluminium . co . uk

DOZENS OF COMPANIES ALREADY SIGNED-UP FOR 2022 GLAZING SUMMIT

Momentum is already building for Glazing Summit 2022 , with some of the industry ’ s biggest names already on board for the biggest one-day conference in the fenestration calendar . The event will take place on Tuesday , October 18 at Edgbaston Stadium and despite being 10 months away , sponsors are already queuing up to get involved .
Andrew Scott , Glazing Summit founder , said : “ There was a buzz at last year ’ s Glazing Summit as live events returned for the first time since the pandemic , and this year we are planning to make it bigger and better .”
Industry giants and world-leading lock experts Yale are already confirmed as headline sponsors , while others on board include the likes of MACO , Exlabesa ,
Unique Window Systems , Glazpart , Carl F Groupco Limited , Shelforce , Caribbean Blinds , Business Pilot and Chase Taylor Recruitment .
Paul Atkinson , Sales and Commercial Director of Yale Door and Window Solutions , explained :
“ Glazing Summit 2021 was a really valuable experience and it ’ s the only industry event where it ’ s not just about selling products . It ’ s about the industry getting together , promoting best practice , and learning what the challenges are in different areas of the supply chain .
“ It brings together prominent people with plenty of influence in the industry so it ’ s a major event for Yale to be represented at and a good event to attend . It ’ s now a fundamental part of the industry .”
www . glazingsummit . co . uk