Clearview National December 2015 - Issue 169 | Page 78
CONSERVATORIES
First Certificate awarded under new
conservatory installation scheme
BM TRADA, part of the Exova Group, has awarded the first certificate
under its newly launched Q-Mark Conservatory Installation Scheme.
»»The new scheme,
which aims to improve the
quality and consistency of
installed conservatories and
orangeries, enables installers to
demonstrate their competency,
providing the end user
with confidence that their
conservatory will be installed
in a controlled and professional
manner.
The scheme requires installers
to have processes in place to
ensure that their conservatories
are built consistently to an
appropriate standard. It also sets
out a range of specific technical
requirements for the specification
of the conservatory, designed to
ensure that the finished product
is both useable and durable and
that wherever possible, follows
the guidance in the Building
Regulations.
Awarding the first certificate
to R&M Windows &
Conservatories Ltd of Bracknell,
Berkshire, BM TRADA Business
Development Manager Simon
Beer said:
“In many cases, work on
conservatories is not covered by
Building Regulations, which
means that that there is no
requirement for any external
approval of the work undertaken.
This has resulted in a huge
variation in the quality of
conservatory installation work.
“This scheme was developed
following extensive consultation
with manufacturers, system
suppliers, installers, building
control bodies and other relevant
bodies within the industry. It has
generated strong interest, and we
are pleased to be able to award
this initial certificate.
“As more installers join, we
hope it will drive improvement
in the quality and consistency
of installed conservatories and
provide a clear distinction
between those that have been
installed by third party certified
installers and the rest of the
market.”
Mark Page of R&M Windows
& Conservatories added:
“There are currently no
regulations that need to be met
for the majority of conservatories,
and therefore anyone can fit one.
Because of this, there is a wide
variation in specification, quality
and cost that may be offered to
78 » dec 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
someone obtaining quotes, and
the end product may not be fit
for purpose or even structurally
sound.
“We have joined this scheme,
because it covers the complete
installation from the foundations
upwards, differentiating a quality
installer from the rest of the
market and taking into account
ground works, walling products
and the roof as a complete
structure.”
BM TRADA’s Q-Mark
Conservatory Installation Scheme
covers new build installation,
replacement and refurbished
products manufactured from
PVCu, timber, aluminium, steel
and composite. It requires the
installer to have processes in
place for the initial sale/contract,
purchasing of components,
survey of the site, as well as the
actual installation.
It also sets out technical
specifications for features such
as the footings, damp proof
membranes, glass specification
and insulation. Although often
hidden from view, these features
are critical to performance
and if correctly installed will
help to ensure that problems
such as damp, loss of heat and
subsidence are avoided.
In order to become certified
under the scheme, applying
companies are subject to an
initial office audit to ensure
that satisfactory documented
procedures exist. An annual
audit of office procedures and a
minimum of two live site audits
a year or 1% of all installations
completed in any one year will
also be undertaken to monitor
the continued competence
of installers and ensure ongoing compliance with specific
technical requirements.
By joining the scheme,
installers can prove that their
products are designed as a
complete solution that will
maximise the product’s service
life. The scheme provides peace
of mind to the homeowner that
the installer is suitably qualified
since their work is regularly
assessed by an independent
body.
Visit www.bmtrada.com,
email: [email protected];
or call 01494 569821