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Latest Guidance on CE Marking

Chiltern Dynamics and sister company BM TRADA Certification have produced a free technical information sheet with up-to-date information on CE marking of windows and doors.

They have taken this initiative, said Marketing Manager Tom Gregory, to clarify for manufacturers and specifiers what impact CE marking could have on the market. 'Although it is not mandatory in the UK, CE marking is the preferred method of proving compliance with the Construction Products Directive. If manufacturers are trading in Europe, compliance with the CPD is a legal requirement.'

The CPD requires products to demonstrate:
* Appropriate performance for end-use - based on testing (initial type testing and audit testing)
* Consistent manufacture - based on factory production control (initial and on-going inspection).

These tasks may be carried out by the manufacturer and/or a Notified Body, an independent third party recognised by the European Commission and typically a test laboratory and/or certification body. Chiltern Dynamics and BM TRADA are both Notified Bodies, able to provide the necessary testing and certification to CE mark doors, windows and glass.

Mr Gregory added, 'The CE mark is not a quality mark, but there is something reassuring about it and, in the same way that specifiers now want 'sustainable' timber with chain of custody certification, many will add CE marking to their list too. It is, after all, a very familiar sight now on electrical and other household products.'

The Product Standard provides a 'route map' to CE marking specific to a product group. Once the Product Standard has been agreed by EU member states and posted in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ), compliance with the CPD becomes a legal requirement and CE marking is possible. 'On that basis, CE marking of industrial doors has been possible since 2005 and, with prEN 14351-1:2005 covering windows and pedestrian doorsets without fire resistance likely to be published any day, those products may also be CE marked in the near future,' said Mr Gregory.

The new free technical information sheet also provides a useful check list for CE marking, including
- Define your product eg External pedestrian doorset
- Identify the essential characteristics
- Determine your / NB's responsibility
- Undertake testing
- Set up Factory Production Control
- Produce a Declaration of Conformity
- Affix CE Marking.

For further information contact Vincent Kerrigan on 01494 569836 or email vkerrigan@chilternfire.co.uk.

Boost Spring Sales with Ultraframe's Conservatory Directory - now Half Price!

As Spring approaches, Ultraframe is helping its customers prepare for their busiest time of year by providing installers with the tools to maximise their marketing campaigns.

Ultraframe is offering its Conservatory Directory, designed to clearly show the benefits of choosing an Ultraframe roof and make the job of selling them to the homeowner even easier, at half price until Easter. The promotion on the standard Conservatory Directory is designed to help Ultraframe customers increase their sales and competitive advantage.

The Ultraframe Conservatory Directory is a comprehensive and stylish presentation brochure featuring the full range of conservatory styles, ancillaries and options, designed to impress potential customers and help to convert a sale. As well as explaining the wide range of conservatory styles available, the Conservatory Directory also underlines the technical reassurance offered by Ultraframe roofing systems to ensure the homeowner's complete peace of mind.

As part of a special limited promotion the standard Ultraframe Conservatory Directory, available in packs of 25 brochures, is priced at just 50 pence per copy. The 44 page Directory is packed with photography and case studies of both traditional and contemporary styled conservatories and showcases how to choose, design and build a dream conservatory.

Aside from the standard version, Ultraframe's Conservatory Directory can also be easily personalised with one of four template designs. These templates allow Ultraframe customers to choose a colour scheme for the front cover that best suits their company's livery and add in their logo and address details. A fully bespoke option is also available where the Ultraframe design team will create a unique cover on request.

Linda Doughty, Marketing Director at Ultraframe commented: 'We have developed an industry leading marketing support package for Ultraframe customers. New retail literature such as the Conservatory Directory combines practical advice and ideas with the style and presentation of a high quality lifestyle magazine and is a great marketing tool for our customers. Our limited promotion on the Directory is designed to ensure installers are in the most advantageous position to attract customers and convert sales this Spring.'

Until 13th April a pack of 25 standard brochures is priced at £12.50 instead of the normal price of £25.00. To order your Conservatory Directories contact Ultraframe's Installer First Team, 0870 4141002.

Customised Colour Brochures from Decra Led

Promotional literature is rightly said to be the Path to Profit, for successful companies invariably have a range of marketing literature to promote their business and to show to their customers the range of products that they have to offer.

Such promotional materials are essential, but they can also be very expensive to produce, requiring the services of a photographer, a graphic designer and a printer, none of which is cheap. Plus there is also an enormous time commitment required in order to complete the process.

Now, North Western Lead is offering a service that will help to overcome these hurdles.

The company has produced a brochure with 48 photographs of decorative glass panels: 24 with lead and film and 24 featuring Decra Bevels. NWL trade customers can have their own logo, their own name and address, plus full contact details professionally overprinted on the brochure for a nominal fee.

But for those who wish to be more selective, NWL has adopted a flexible approach to satisfy the most demanding marketing requirements, by drawing up a series of 10 different brochure layouts to allow for customisation.

The NWL trade customer can choose, according to their own preferences and local market requirements, from the full range of panels depicted in the Decra Led Design Brochure volumes 1 and 2, exactly which photographs to place in these layouts.

Again, for only a nominal fee, NWL customers can have 1,000 of these brochures printed, containing their own selection of photographs, complete with their own company logo and details, thus showing in a professional format the particular range of decorative glass that they would like to offer to their market.

For NWL customers this means that the costly barrier to producing quality promotional literature has finally been demolished, enabling those businesses with restricted budgets or a lack of people resources, to communicate with their markets more effectively yet quite inexpensively.

To enable the chosen designs to be fully integrated into the production process, NWL can also offer, for each design, a workshop drawing package, enabling each design to be drawn to size quickly and easily, thus considerably reducing production time and therefore the lead times that have to be given to the end user.

NWL trade customers can now offer a wide range of decorative panels to their market, and can promote the range effectively and at low cost, secure in the knowledge that the production of these panels has also been simplified, with any design work already complete.

‘Now you now longer need to be an artist, or to employ an artist, to be able to offer a wide range of decorative panels, which will increase profit margins significantly,’ says the company.

Tel: 0161 368 4491
Email: decraled@decraled.co.uk
Web: http://www.decraled.co.uk

New Catalogue Announced by Bohle

Bohle has launched the latest version of its huge and highly comprehensive catalogue of everything the glass and glazing industry could ever need.

Glass + Glazier 2006-2007 is a full colour, fully-priced and wide-ranging product ‘bible’ for the industry, offering more than 500 pages of products essential for glass processors, craftspeople and installers.

‘As ever, we listen to our customers and seek to enhance and improve,’ Bohle MD Gary Dean explains, ‘and I believe users of the new edition will agree that once again it takes a step forward. Our catalogue is unique in its range, its detail and style and offers the most comprehensive range of glass tools, equipment and consumables available from a single source.’

The new 2006 catalogue has an easy-to-use index, enhanced, highly detailed product information - especially the technical drawings - and a huge selection of new products.

‘We have a much extended range of machinery, more than 30 pages extra of glass hardware, and own-branded sealant products to name just a few of the highlights you can expect,’ said Gary.

Bohle's new catalogue will be available from the end of March - call free on 0800 61 61 51 to register for your copy now.

Pilkington Fires Up Specifiers with New CD-ROM

The specification of the correct fire-resistant glass for a given application is a crucial and potentially life-saving decision for any building project. With this is mind, Pilkington Building Products - UK has updated its popular Specifire CD-ROM. It now incorporates additional features and is also available for download from the Building Products - UK section of www.pilkington.com.

The Specifire CD-ROM is an authoritative source of information detailing the entire Pilkington range of fire-resistant glass and its extensive testing portfolio. It allows users to navigate through the application requirements in nine easy steps, each requiring just one click of the mouse. Based on the selections made, the details of the recommended glass type, together with its properties and links to the corresponding fire test summary sheets showing the tested framing and glazing materials, are displayed.

The updated version of Specifire takes into consideration feedback on the first version of the CD-ROM. It now includes data from Pilkington fire-resistant glass product's Certifire approval, a list of approved fire-resistant glazing sealants and details on Stockists of the fire-resistant glass range. The new version also clarifies test data in terms of the products for internal and external use.

Anne Quayle, Marketing Manager at Pilkington Building Products - UK commented: 'The first Specifire CD-ROM was extremely well received by specifiers. However, at Pilkington we are always striving to perfect our methods and improve upon our existing resources. The amendments to Specifire make it a more useful tool than before. It makes the specification process easier and more accurate so that our customers have the reassurance that the correct glass has been specified.'

Request your copy by e-mail to Pilkington@respond.uk.com or by telephoning the Technical Helpline on 01744 692000 or download it from the Pilkington website at http://www.pilkington.com/Specifire.

New Literature and Price Lists from Prefit on Sadev Decor Glass Connectors

New literature and price lists have been produced by Prefit, specialist in fittings for glass, on its Sadev Décor range of high quality, 316L stainless steel glass connectors, which include sliding track and hinged door systems.

The literature consists of 34, A4-size single sheets, collated and fastened, incorporating line drawings and images listing model number, description, dimensions, screw type, part number, price and other details in a clear, concise, easy-to-read style.

All the Sadev Decor fittings are designed for 8mm to 12mm thick glass, but special adaptors - to order - on most connectors allow for glass up to 19mm thick. The fittings are versatile and easy to use and many incorporate built-in adjustment to allow for holes in glass out of alignment and openings not square.

Tel: 020 8961 4777
Email: sales@prefit-fittings.com
Web: http://www.prefit-fittings.com

Metal Technology Wows with New Portfolio

Attractive and robust solutions to the external envelope are an essential part of a building’s success. To aid this process, a new, 36 page, colour brochure has been produced by Metal Technology which illustrates its latest portfolio of projects in the UK and Ireland.

Just slightly smaller than A3 size, the company’s high performance architectural glazing is shown in large picture spreads. While this is by no means a complete documentation of all Metal Technology’s work, the aim is to demonstrate its capability to specifiers by recording recent examples of curtain wall, structural glazing, and window / door systems that can be designed and supplied. Each architectural sector is represented – commercial, residential, retail, public sector and industrial.

Metal Technology, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, has grown from a small regional enterprise to one of the UK and Ireland’s leading architectural aluminium suppliers. It regularly has £1m+ projects going through the modern facility and is in the process of adding another 10k sq ft to its existing 50k sq ft. This is supported by major investments in both plant and IT.

Looking to the future, the company has recently acquired land adjacent to its current facility to accommodate further development and expansion. More information and a full list of projects and systems is available on http://www.metaltechnology.com

Upgrading Doorsets for Fire Resistance

TRADA Technology Ltd has published a revised edition of its Wood Information Sheet ‘Fire resisting doorsets by upgrading’, an invaluable reference source for building owners, facilities managers, fire authorities, developers and building control inspectors.

It provides a checklist for upgrading and outlines the criteria for checking the suitability of existing doorsets for upgrading to give a 20- or 30-minute fire resistance performance.

Methods of upgrading are discussed and guidance is given on marking and identification of upgraded fire doors, as well as testing, assessments and consultancy options.

TRADA's sister company Chiltern International Fire stresses that it is vital to look at each case individually. 'The existing doorset installation and the condition of the leaves and the frame will vary from building to building,' said Fire Engineer Andrew Forecast.

While representative examples of intended fire door designs are required to be tested to BS 476-22: 1987 Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-load bearing elements of construction, or to BS EN 1634 - 1: 2000 Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies, this is rarely if ever feasible for doorsets upgraded in situ.

However, in most cases regulatory authorities are willing to accept an assessment of likely performance in lieu of a test result.TRADA members and registered users can view the Wood Information Sheet on the askTRADA website at http://www.trada.co.uk (visit the Library). Members may download a PDF file free-of-charge.

To purchase a copy, please telephone the Publications Department on 01494 569602 or email info@trada.co.uk. Cost £5.00 plus postage & packing.

* For further information on testing, assessments and consultancy telephone Andrew Forecast on 01494 569800 or email aforecast@chilternfire.co.uk.

Celuform Guide is Invaluable Source of Information for Installers

Celuform, the UK specialist in PVC-ue products, has published a pocket-sized technical guide for anybody involved or interested in the proper installation of cellular PVC profiles.

The easy-to-use manual covers roofline, cladding, window boards and internal trims and provides a step-by-step guide to the removal of existing installations and the fitting of new Celuform products.

Packed with useful information and clear full colour diagrams, the publication also includes an 'at-a-glance' glossary of the most common terms used in the industry (very helpful for newly trained installers) and a guide to the maintenance and repair of installed products.

‘We believe this will become the must-have document for everyone in our industry,’ says Ged Ferris, marketing manager of Celuform.

There is also advice on the preparation and survey of roofline structures, a summary of the key points, guidance on site safety, information on guarantees and warranties and recommended sealants and adhesives, as well as directions as to when and where products should be used.

‘Celuform is dedicated to promoting best practice through training and education and we thought it would be useful for installers to have a pocket guide that answers FAQs, gives a practical step-by-step pictorial guide and provides specific technical advice,’ said Technical Manager Len Meredith.

Tel: 01622 719199
Web: http://www.celuform.co.uk

SFS Intec Launches Two New Brochures for Glass and Canopies

SFS intec has produced two new brochures for its precision engineered glass fixing system and its glass canopy fixing system, solutions which offer high quality single point fixings for attaching glass elements in a wide variety of applications.

Both SFS systems offer fixings which are suitable for both internal and external projects, and are designed to bring numerous architectural concepts to life while providing total assurance on strength, integrity and long term performance.

The glass fixing system is suitable for glass façades, entrances, staircases, balustrades and partition walls, plus interior office furniture applications. The new brochure includes updated specifications for the four main products which provide single point, bevel point and flush point fixings. A range of 'spiders' is also available.

Providing a combination of functional and aesthetic benefits, the SFS intec canopy fixing system allows the creation of glass canopies to protect against the rain and wind, but with the advantage of open, transparent architectural design. The system’s simplicity and system based design delivers three standard system sizes, small for canopies 800mm to 1100mm deep, medium for canopies up to 1300mm, and large for canopies with an overhang of between 1400mm and 2000mm. Bespoke sizes are also possible.

All fixings are European-manufactured and available in a high quality stainless steel which, with a perfectly finished surface, makes a contribution to the overall aesthetic appeal of the glass application. The SFS intec fixings come in an all-inclusive package to ensure rapid and easy installation by metalwork and glazing specialists.

For a copy of the new glass fixings brochure or the glass canopy system brochure, telephone SFS intec on 0113 208 5500 or download a pdf at http://www.sfsintec.biz/uk

Cost and safety are overriding issues for social housing managers as the introduction of the new Work at Height Regulations (2005) brings new responsibilities to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to ensure that the minimum risk is afforded when maintaining a property.

Cleaning windows is recognised as a hazardous task under the Regulations and increasing numbers of RSLs are installing Pilkington Activ™ self cleaning glass to reduce the risk of accidents. To reflect the demand in the marketplace, Pilkington has published a full colour brochure aimed at the social housing market, detailing the benefits of specifying the product, compared with alternative approaches to dealing with cleaning and maintenance issues.

The brochure highlights the key issues facing RSLs in the replacement or installation of windows for social housing programmes. Fully reversible windows are often specified by RSLs as they enable cleaning to be undertaken from the inside of properties.

Because Pilkington Activ™ keeps itself clean through a chemical reaction process, there is no need for potentially dangerous inwardly opening or fully reversible windows, including tilt and turn profiles. Additionally, where the building is of three storeys or more, or functions as a special needs facility, the RSL is responsible for keeping windows clean. This can amount to a significant cost burden, as within the public sector, particularly with local authorities with a large percentage of multiple occupancy buildings, the design of the actual buildings often makes cleaning impossible by conventional means, incurring extra expense in hiring specialist cleaning contractors.

The brochure also targets the cost implications that affect social housing, always a major consideration for RSLs. Installing standard side opening frames with Pilkington Activ™ represents only one third of the additional cost of installing tilt and turn profiles in the same project. Under the Government's Decent Homes Standard, RSLs are required to provide an acceptable living standard for tenants by 2010, but there is a shortfall of money available for the replacement of windows that have come to the end of their life. Using Pilkington Activ(tm) in a conventional window system eliminates the need to for replacement and thus allows more properties to be reglazed for the same budget.

‘Pilkington Activ™ addresses some of the most common problems associated with large scale housing stock,’ comments Ian Spokes of Pilkington. ‘With new legislation being constantly introduced, such as the Work at Height Directive, and the Andrew Stunnel Private Members Bill for RSLs to reduce the amount of water they use, the specification of Pilkington Activ(tm) ensures full compliance and offers a cost efficient alternative to conventional glazing. We have published this brochure as an invaluable guide to specifiers within the social housing market to raise awareness of the new legislation and the cost and environmental efficiency of installing Pilkington Activ glass.’

Pilkington Activ™ can be combined with a number of other Pilkington products to provide enhanced safety, security, noise and thermal control and offers RSLs an economic alternative that assists significantly in reducing maintenance costs. Installing Pilkington Activ™ dramatically reduces long-term maintenance costs and also eliminates the risks associated with cleaning multiple storey structures.

Bohle Launches the Hardware Gospel

Bohle, the manufacturer and supplier of tools, machines and supplies for glass processing in the glass trade and industry, has launched a new hardware catalogue aimed at the glass and hardware consumer and retailer that not only illustrates the latest range of quality products it has on offer, but also assists its customers in selling the products.

This full colour 12-page catalogue, called ‘The Iberian Collection’, features Bohle's most recent range of glass door handles and new economy shower hinges, accessories and balustrade clamps - all at competitive prices, but these do not feature next to the product.

Explaining the concept behind the new catalogue, Bohle UK's managing director Gary Dean said: ‘By not printing the prices we have designed a catalogue that aids our customers by enabling them to show their clients our products without restriction, which in turn allows our customers to price the products according to their specific market needs which we think is the catalogues big attraction. We not only wanted to extend our hardware to offer more variety under the Bohle brand, but we also wanted to support our customers in the sales process and therefore have developed a range that is extremely competitive in every respect.’

The new ranges are not going to replace Bohle's top-line products, but have been designed to offer an attractive combination of cost and quality to its customers who retail the products on, or combine them with glass to an end-user customer base.

Tel: 0800 61 61 51
Web: http://www.bohle.ltd.uk

Free Selling Guide for Installers from Masterframe

In a shrinking market, with increasingly competitive pricing, many installation companies feel they have to cut margins significantly just to remain in business. But competing on price is rarely the answer as others will always undercut you.

According to Results Corporation Europe Plc, only nine per cent of homeowners buy on price anyway. Masterframe Windows, specialist manufacturer of premium PVC-U sashes, has produced a selling guide for all window installers. It includes tips on how to target prospects effectively, increase conversion rates and sales volumes. It also helps companies identify simple and straightforward growth opportunities and advises on what you should be looking for from your manufacturer.

‘To survive in today's market,’ says Alan Burgess, Managing Director of Masterframe Windows, ‘installers must move away from price wars and offer homeowners more choice, and better value to differentiate themselves. This booklet should help firms compete more effectively and more profitably.’

For a free copy of the selling guide, ring 01376 511211 or email info@masterframe.co.uk.

Web: http://www.masterframe.co.uk

Modplan Ltd - Blazing the Trail of Customer Service Expectations

Modplan Ltd, the Veka trade fabricator has published a new trade-focused literature suite, THE Modplan Manual.

The Manual is a hardback portfolio of information designed to help trade clients by bringing together essential information in one easy-to-manage package. It will be sent to all new and existing Modplan clients this Autumn.

THE Modplan Manual, which is designed in Modplan's new contemporary branding, splits into six sections. The first, The Company, features information about Modplan Ltd and includes its terms and conditions and manufacturing sizes.

The second section is the price list. The third section features details of Modplan's extensive trade marketing support. Information on Modplan's profile supplier Veka, is presented in the Manual's fourth part. The Manual's fifth part has information on Network Veka, an organisation whose member companies boast a 97% customer satisfaction rating (against a recognised industry average of less than 85%). The last part will be a regularly updated news section, which will help to further develop Modplan's customer relationship management.

The trade-focused manual is one of two new literature suites published by Modplan Ltd this Autumn. Both form part of the company's continuous drive to boost its reputation for top quality products combined with top quality customer service.

For more information on THE Modplan Manual call 01495 246844.

Email: sales@modplan.co.uk

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