Pro Installer February 2016 - Issue 35 | Page 3

3 PRO INSTALLER FEBRUARY 2016 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 FREE FENSA ENERGY RATINGS FENSA certified installers can now use free window and door energy ratings (WERs and DSERs) as part of their registration package. The new window and door energy ratings are operated and independently verified by BFRC. It is exactly the same as the existing BFRC scheme in terms of ratings, ratings bands, license scopes and windows and doors covered. Labels provided will cover windows and doors rated ‘A++’ to ‘G’. The only difference is these new labels are branded FENSA and will have their own marketing support. They will be marketed heavily at consumers in the second half of 2016 to raise awareness and drive consumer demand. FENSA managing director Chris Mayne predicted that the move would boost numbers of installers using windows and door energy ratings to comply with Buildings Regulations - and put the labels in front of many more consumers. Opting in to FENSA energy rated windows and doors benefits installers in several ways. It is easier to sell products when homeowners understand and recognise energy rated labels, and installers get their own labels and a listing on BFRC website. Opting in is also the easiest route to Part L compliance, plus installers get consumer publicity and technical support. Currently just over 53% of Part L compliant notifications are through window and door energy ratings. The rest are by declaration of U-values. To opt in, FENSA certified installers should email [email protected]. uk with their company name, registration number and name of their fabricator supplier. TOUGHENED GLASS MANUFACTURER INVESTS IN AUTOMATED STORAGE Specialist toughened glass manufacturer TuffX Processed Glass has installed a new automated concertina racking system that will improve stock efficiency and extend storage space. Graham Price, TuffX’s Managing Director, said: “The new Hegla concertina racking system will have huge benefits for our business and customers. It has been tailor made for our 55,000 square foot factory and gives us more storage capacity than ever before, helping us to stock a bigger range of products to supply our growing customer base.” The racking system will store both 3m x 2m and 6m x 3m glass packs. It also caters for glass from between 4mm and 19mm thick, so can handle all of TuffX’s range of glass thicknesses. It has up to 110 different storage combinations and concertinas automatically to maximise storage and im- prove efficiency and health and safety. TuffX Processed Glass manufactures high performance toughened safety glass in its Merseyside factory. The range includes toughened laminated glass, conservatory glass, balustrading, stairs, glass canopies, curtain walling and screen printed glass. The customer base has recently been growing rapidly in both trade and commercial sectors thanks to the product range and customer service, which includes a standard delivery turnaround time of four to five working days, with a fast track service available on request. www.tuffxglass.co.uk