12
NOVEMBER 2015 PRO INSTALLER
PRO NEWS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
BM TRADA makes
first award under
new conservatory
installation scheme
BM TRADA, part of the Exova Group,
has awarded the first certificate
under its newly launched Q-Mark
Conservatory Installation Scheme.
The new scheme, which aims
to improve the quality and
consistency of installed conservatories and orangeries,
enables installers to demonstrate their competency,
providing the end user with
confidence that their conservatory will be installed in
a controlled and professional
manner.
The scheme requires installers to
have processes in place to ensure
that their conservatories are built
consistently to an appropriate
standard. It also sets out a range
of specific technical requirements
for the specification of the conservatory, designed to ensure that
the finished product is both useable and durable and that wherever
possible, follows the guidance in
the Building Regulations.
Awarding the first certificate to
R&M Windows & Conservatories
Ltd of Bracknell, Berkshire, BM
TRADA Business Development
Manager Simon Beer said:
“In many cases, work on
conservatories is not covered
by Building Regulations, which
means that that there is no
requirement for any external
approval of the work undertaken.
This has resulted in a huge variation in the quality of conservatory
installation work.
“This scheme was developed following extensive consultation with
manufacturers, system suppliers,
installers, building control bodies
and other relevant bodies within the industry. It has generated
strong interest, and we are pleased
to be able to award this initial
certificate.
“As more installers join, we hope
it will drive improvement in the
quality and consistency of installed conservatories and provide
a clear distinction between those
that have been installed by third
party certified installers and the
rest of the market.”
Mark Page of R&M Windows &
Conservatories added:
“There are currently no regulations that need to be met for
the majority of conservatories,
and therefore anyone can fit one.
Because of this, there is a wide
variation in specification, quality
and cost that may be offered to
someone obtaining quotes, and
the end product may not be fit
for purpose or even structurally
sound.
“We have joined this scheme,
because it covers the complete
installation from the foundations
upwards, differentiating a quality installer from the rest of the
market and taking into account
ground works, walling products
and the roof as a complete structure.”
BM TRADA’s Q-Mark Conservatory Installation Scheme covers
new build installation, replacement and refurbished products
manufactured from PVCu, timber,
aluminium, steel and composite.
It requires the installer to have
processes in place for the initial
sale/contract, purchasing of components, survey of the site, as
well as the actual installation.
It also sets out technical
specifications for features such
as the footings, damp proof
membranes, glass specification
and insulation. Although often
hidden from view, these features
are critical to performance and
if correctly installed will help
to ensure that problems such as
damp, loss of heat and subsidence are avoided.
In order to become certified
under the scheme, applying
companies are subject to an
initial office audit to ensure
that satisfactory documented
procedures exist. An annual
audit of office procedures and a
minimum of two live site audits
a year or 1% of all installations
completed in any one year will
also be undertaken to monitor
the continued competence of
installers and ensure on-going
compliance with specific technical requirements.
By joining the scheme, installers can prove that their products
are designed as a complete solution that will maximise the product’s service life. The scheme
provides peace of mind to the
homeowner that the installer
is suitably qualified since their
work is regularly assessed by an
independent body.
For further information
on the BM TRADA Q-Mark
Conservatory Installation
Scheme, visit www.bmtrada.
com, email: [email protected];
or call: 01494 569821