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BSI , THE BUSINESS standards company has launched a new Kitemark for Balustrades . The first organizations to achieve the BSI Kitemark™ for Protective Barrier Systems ( Balustrades ) are Delta Balustrades , Phoenix Balustrading Ltd part of Cooke Brothers and Q-Railing .
Launched in December 2016 , the scheme has been developed for manufacturers and importers of temporary and permanent balustrades to demonstrate that their products meet the appropriate British , European or international standard for quality , safety , performance and trust . This is the first scheme in the UK dedicated to ensuring balustrades are manufactured to the highest possible standard .
Protective barrier systems are increasingly being used in and around modern buildings . Whilst they can have a huge visual impact , any new balustrade system must be designed to ensure that it is safe for use and that any potential installation errors are minimised . An unsafe balustrade system can be costly to organizations and potentially life threatening to the public .
The BSI Kitemark for Balustrades provides reassurance that products have been manufactured to a consistently high standard . It also provides an incentive for installers of barriers to purchase complete
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systems from Kitemark suppliers , rather than a ‘ mix and match ’ assembly of unproven components .
Andy Butterfield , Product Certification Director of Built Environment at BSI said : “ With the increasing use of balustrades in the market place , it ’ s vital that these products are tested to ensure compliance and provide assurance to manufacturers , architects , and specifiers of new builds and refurbishments that products are manufactured to a high standard .
“ We ’ re really delighted to have been able to present Delta Balustrades , Phoenix Balustrading and Q-Railing with the first Kitemarks . This will help them to differentiate themselves from other organizations with non-assured products . The BSI Kitemark is recognised as a symbol of trust and we have a strong track record in promoting excellence when it comes to the safety and performance of products .”
In order to achieve certification , organizations are required to be independently assessed whereby they will have to demonstrate that they adhere to the requirements of BS 6180:2011 Barriers in and about buildings Code of practice . Products also have to be manufactured within a ISO 9001 : 2015 Quality Management Systems controlled factory environment .
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BSI has engaged the services of Lucideon , an international provider of testing to the construction industry to complete part of the international product assessment . The collaboration will enable both parties to share their extensive expertise in assurance and testing respectively and is part of a broader partnership which will see both parties develop Product Testing and Certification solutions for the construction industry .
‘ we have a strong track record in promoting excellence ’
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Steve Newman , Product Manager , Lucideon , said : “ We are very pleased to see the first certifications being awarded to manufacturers who have worked with Lucideon for their testing requirements . Delta Balustrades , Phoenix Balustrading and Q-Railing can now prove that they have developed market leading products , and taken the time and care to have them certified . This will no doubt help them stand out as manufacturers of balustrades with real quality and high levels of safety . Our collaboration with BSI means that between us , we can offer the most efficient route to certification .” |
Stephen Boyt , Founder of Delta Balustrades said , “ We ’ re committed to ensuring that our customer ’ s balustrades are safe and fully compliant with regulations . By achieving the BSI Kitemark for Balustrades , we ’ re able to give our customers the assurance that our products meet the highest safety and quality standards during the design , manufacture and installation .”
Bruce Bradshaw , General Manager at Q-Railing said , “ A balustrade needs to do much more than look good – it also needs to provide the utmost safety . We pride ourselves on the quality and safety of our products and services and achieving the BSI Kitemark demonstrates our commitment to this .”
Chris Pote , Quality Assurance Manager at Phoenix Balustrading said , “ Phoenix Balustrading is committed to quality assurance for our customers . Gaining the BSI Kitemark is part of our ongoing and continual commitment to providing our customers with products that satisfy all their requirements .”
For more details , please visit https :// www . bsigroup . com / en-GB / our-services / product-certification / industry-sector-schemes / construction / Protective- Barrier-Systems /
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