January 2024

News Roundup
CERTASS TACKLES
PRODUCT REGS
For more news and the latest updates, visit www.total-installer.co.uk
CONSULTATION 'SHOCKS AND DISAPPOINTS'
Certass will present 'Navigating Products,
Product Regulation and Impact on
Installers,' as the next instalment in its
series of sponsored seminars.
The glazing industry is experiencing a
transformative period marked by regulatory
changes, making it imperative for
professionals to stay ahead of the curve.
Recognising the need for accurate and reliable
information, Certass will deliver another
comprehensive seminar that runs through the
critical territory of product installation.
The seminar will feature Jon Vanstone, Chair
of the Industry Competence Committee for
the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Jon
will provide insight into product regulation,
focussing on the impact it will have on
installers in the glazing industry.
Key topics include:
• Selecting the Right Product – uncover
compliance issues installers may face.
• National Regulator for Construction
Products – Understand their role and
influence.
• Accurate Product Information – Learn
how to access precise and reliable data.
• Product Knowledge – explore what
installers need to know about the
products they use.
• Relevant Schemes – Identify market
schemes crucial for installers.
'Navigating Products, Product Regulation
and Impact on Installers' will take place on
Wednesday, 17 January at 10 am.
Register at: www.certass.co.uk/seminar
Jon Vanstone
Rob McGlennon (above left) and Chris Alderson (above right, centre) have expressed disappointment at the Future Homes Consultation
The publication of the Future Homes Standard
Consultation has been met with shock and
disappointment by many in the glass and
glazing sector.
Among those to comment was Rob McGlennon,
Managing Director, Deceuninck, who said: "After
four years of speculation, the Consultation on
the Future Homes and Buildings Standards was
finally published on 13th December.
"Having been braced for a new notional value
for new build of 0.8 W/m 2 K, the news that there
would be no further increase in performance
beyond the 1.2W/m 2 K introduced in the revision
of Part L in June 2022, was at once a relief and a
disappointment.
"A disappointment because as industry it is
our role to look to the future, to innovate and to
design and develop new and better windows and
doors which require less energy and carbon in
manufacture, and which deliver further carbon
savings through life.
"A relief because at an initial reading it appears
that we won’t have to move to triple-glazing to
meet future requirements, but that’s at the first
reading. The consultation has an unexpected sting
in its tail – The Home Energy Model.
"This has ramifications almost as big for
fabricators as any U-value of 0.8 W/m 2 K might
have done because it has the potential to bring
the industry back to exactly the same place –
triple glazing!"
Conference postponed
With the future role of triple glazing now unclear in
relation to the Standard, Edgetech's planned 'Triple
Glazing Question' conference has also been postponed.
Edgetech’s Chris Alderson said: "With the Future
Homes Standard, the glazing industry has yet
again been overlooked. Like many in the sector,
we expected it to recommend high-performance
triple glazing to help drastically improve thermal
efficiency...
"The proposals make no change to required U-values
or minimum fabric standards. Instead, they focus on
heat pumps, airtightness and solar panels.
"Far from representing a step-change in building
performance, the suggested requirements are
lower than some homes are being built to now.
"Rather than improving energy efficiency, and
thereby reducing total energy consumption, the focus
is on rapidly decarbonising the energy we use.
"Who knows how long that will take – and the
country will surely be left struggling with supply
challenges for heat pumps and solar panels.
"At Edgetech, we feel this is a colossal missed
opportunity to make Britain’s buildings better, and
pave the way to a net zero future.
"As many of you will know, our intention had been
to hold an event in March 2024 to discuss the
impact of the Future Homes Standard. However,
in light of this announcement, which indicates
glazing has no place in the government’s plans,
we have decided to postpone the event.
"We are sceptical whether the measures will
achieve the required 75-80% reduction in
emissions, and think it’s possible the subject will
be revisited.
"If and when that happens, we will reschedule
the event, and help the industry adapt to this
unpredictable and rapidly changing situation."
6 TI JANUARY 2024 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST