OCTOBER 2022 | 27
Installer Support
What can happen when a DGU is just bonded to a timber frame . On this case , after the inner pane shattered , the outer pane could have just lifted away from the inner pane in the event of a strong wind . Glass fragments fell into the building below , causing danger to building occupants and the building was no longer secure as the outer pane could just be lifted off the opening . Exposed metal screw heads probably caused the inner pane to shatter in the first place .
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we strongly advise close adherence to manufacturers ’ installation guides and reference to any specific requirements
’ tal fall onto the rooflight ; and a ‘ walk-on ’ rooflight , designed to allow frequent foot traffic for a roof terrace , for example . Walkon roofllights are designed and built to floor loadings , to match the surrounding roof area – and are therefore much heavier and significantly more expensive than conventional rooflights . For more information , download our publication : Understanding the differences between non-fragile rooflights and walk-on rooflights : https :// www . narm . org . uk / new / wp-content / uploads / 2021 / 06 / NTD11-2017 . pdf
Thermal Performance
Approved Document L of the Building Regulations defines the requirements for Conservation of Fuel and Power by setting the standards for energy performance and carbon emissions for new and existing buildings .
This part of the Regulations has recently been updated . In respect of rooflights generally , the limiting rooflight U-value is now 2.2 W /( m 2 K ) when assessed in the horizontal plane . It ’ s important to note that the quoted u-value needs to be for the whole rooflight , not just glass centre pane u-values , which we still see quoted by some suppliers . Even when just a DGU has been bonded to a timber upstand , the centre pane u-value is not the u-value for the installed rooflight as account has to be taken of the spacer bars and edge seal of the sealed unit , the centre pane u-value excludes these heat losses around the edges . A reputable rooflight supplier would be able to provide these accurate values for their product .
Security
Part Q Building Regulations state that ‘ Ground floor , basement and other easily accessible windows ( including easily accessible rooflights ) should be secure windows made to a design that meets the security standards of British standards publication PAS 24:2012 .’
A PAS24 certification is a security standard that can only be met once a product has been certified for its security performance . The acceptable security standard ensures that products meet high-security performance levels , offering reassurance to homeowners that the entry points to their homes have been rigorously tested and are resistant to breakins and home invasion .
Products satisfying other standards that provide similar or better performance are also acceptable . These standards include : STS 204 Issue 3:2012 ; LPS 1175 Issue 7:2010 security rating 1 ; and LPS 2081 Issue 1:2015 security rating A . Frames should be mechanically fixed to the structure of the building in accordance with the manufacturer ’ s installation instructions .
Other considerations
Even a fully compliant , high quality rooflight can be compromised by inappropriate installation methods or standards on site . For this reason , we strongly advise close adherence to manufacturers ’ installation guides and reference to any specific requirements relating to roof finishes abutting the rooflight .
A simple way to ensure that the rooflights you specify for a project will meet appropriate standards and regulations , is to source them from a NARM member company . Our membership comprises businesses supplying all types of rooflights and NARM membership is only open to businesses whose products are fully compliant .
For further information , visit : www . narm . org . uk
QUICKSLIDE REACHES FINALS OF G AWARDS IN TWO KEY CATEGORIES
Leading window and door fabricator and VS specialist Quickslide has become a finalist in this year ’ s G Awards in two key categories .
For Customer Care Initiative , Quickslide submitted a scheme that has successfully reduced its engineer callouts by more than 60 %, by identifying that many installers assumed handling and fitting VS windows was the same as other frame types , whereas the reality is quite different . Quickslide therefore set out to train its installer customers , which in turn allowed greater resource to be applied to quality control in the Quickslide factory , further reducing remedial site visits .
For the Fabricator of the Year entry , Quickslide submitted details of the company ’ s extensive system development programme , within which its in-house R & D team developed integrated CRM , Scanning and Despatch applications designed to provide solutions way ahead of standard industry products . These have resulted in significant increases in lead conversion rates , average order values , reductions in after-sales callouts , together with on time and in full ( OTIF ) improvements at the highest levels since pre-COVID .
“ The investment that we have made in our internal systems is producing significant benefits to our customers , which is the whole point ,” explained Quickslide Chairman Adrian Barraclough . “ Previous wins for Quickslide have been terrific for showing appreciation for our people and the effort that they put in to create excellence within our company . Even being recognised as a finalist is a huge boost for us all at Quickslide .”
www . quickslide . co . uk