The Farmers Mart Dec/Jan 2015 - Issue 37 | Page 19

farm buildings Trading Standards cracking down on ‘illegal’ farm building contractors The overall FAB Award winner 2013 was Simpson & Allinson Ltd for Cross Lanes Organic Farm Ltd. Farmers could face a shortage of building contractors if a crackdown on CE Marking weeds out those who are supplying steel frames illegally. That is the warning from RIDBA (the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association) which has campaigned to help steel frame contractors meet the requirements of CE Marking legislation. This was introduced six months ago when it became a criminal offence, punishable by a prison sentence, for a steel framed building (which most agricultural buildings are) to be supplied without a CE Mark. Some Trading Standards departments are now contacting businesses subject to CE Marking to establish what steps they have taken to achieve compliance with the new legislation under the Construction Products Regulations 2011. CE Marking demonstrates, among other things, that the building is fit for purpose under BS EN 1090-1:2009 ‘Execution of Steel Structures and Aluminium Structures’. Recent winters appear to have shown that many farm buildings may not have been fit for purpose since they have collapsed under the weight of snow because they were either not correctly designed or fabricated. Farmers can ensure the new buildings they are investing in are correctly designed and fabricated to CE Marking standards by engaging a steel-framed building manufacturer member of RIDBA, see www.ridba.org.uk/cemarking.htm RIDBA is holding the 2015 FAB Award Ceremony in York on Friday 24th April 2015 in the Royal Hotel. This competition recognises excellence in farm buildings and aims to recognise and reward contractors and clients who have taken the time and effort to ensure their new building is sympathetic to, and even complements the local landscape, while ensuring it is fit for purpose and has been designed with sustainability in mind. Prizes will be awarded to the winning contractors and clients and presented by Tom Heap. More details: www.ridba.org.uk COW KENNELS ALL PURPOSE MANUFACTURER OF TIMBER BUILDINGS • COW KENNELS • HOUSE & FEED • COMPLETE DAIRY UNITS • ANY LIVESTOCK BUILDING Farmplus Constructions Limited, Shay Lane, Longridge, Preston PR3 3BT A talent for timber buildings Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: www.farmplus.co.uk TRADITIONAL To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk LIVESTOCK EQUESTRIAN FarmersMart Dec/Jan 2015 19