Pro Installer June 2016 - Issue 39 | Page 40

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SAFETY & SECURITY

JUNE 2016 PRO INSTALLER
www . proinstaller . co . uk

HELPING COMPLY WITH TOUGHER STANDARDS

GT Window Products has been in the forefront when it comes to developing niche products for the window industry . Starting back in 1993 the business developed a glass lock security clip that has become the only recognised clip system to hold glass units in place either for window and door security or fire retardant doors .
For many years the threepart clip system , which consists of a profile-related packer , high tensile steel plate and clip , has been used by fabricators and installers around the UK to assist in achieving PAS 24 and Kitemark for windows and doors . More recently with the introduction of Document Q and ever-changing more stringent security testing , GT has been working hard to provide customers with an easy , cost-effective and reliable product from which both fabricators and installers can benefit . Unlike the original GT Securi-clip for externally and internally glazed windows , the new GT Snap-Lok requires zero fabrication time . No screws are required and no measuring and it simply snaps into place using the profile detail to locate itself . This now means that fabricators will not need to install the clip until the unit is installed - or it can be fitted on site very quickly and easily by the installer . MD Carl Taylor said : “ We listened to our customers ’ feedback about
the current Securi-Clip solution , and found that it can be time-consuming to some fabricators . And we appreciate that it isn ’ t the easiest product to remove as its application was initially designed for externally glazed windows . Like the industry , products evolve , and the market evolves as standards become more difficult to achieve , so we have to move forward and evolve with the market , and that ’ s exactly why we developed Snap- Lok .” Like all GT ’ s Products , GT Snap- Lok has undergone tests that conform to PAS 24 and Document Q . In fact , GT Window Products was recognised at the FIT show 2016 by UCAS accredited test house BSI for the amount of work it put into testing its products - and the company was awarded a certificate for support to customers in achieving and promoting the PAS 24 accreditation . This means fabricators and installers can have peace of mind that this product will achieve the standards they require in modern test such as 2Kn load push , 3kn mechanical load , soft body impact and the manual manipulation test ,
all of which form part of document Q . These are exciting times for GT as this product opens up new avenues to a larger customer base enabling the business to service smaller fabricators and installers direct . Carl added : “ Because of the nature of our other products we relied heavily upon the fabricator to install the product on the production line , but now this new clip is so simple and universal it means that the installer can offer a security package and source the product direct if required .” This is not the only product that GT offers that can be retro-fitted . Two products that are already widely used are GT Sash Seal and GT Bow-Constrictor , both compression devices that improve gasket compression on side-hung or large to- hung windows respectively .
For information or samples or to find your nearest trade counter stockist please call GT Window Products 01684 290944 www . gtwindowproducts . co . uk
GT Snap Lok
GT Bow-Constrictor
GT Sash Seal

GUIDANCE ON FIRE SAFETY IN SHOPS

The Fire Sector Federation has been consulting on a draft document , ‘ Compartmentation in Shops .’
The document aims to help designers meet the functional requirements of the building regulations and demonstrate compliance with the Fire Safety Order . It also recommends that building control bodies and fire and rescue services may use this guidance when assessing designs that are not deemed to be strictly code compliant . This is to help them achieve a consistent interpretation and implementation of the Building Regulations and Fire Safety Order . ‘ Compartmentation in Shops ’ explains that the current guidance in the latest edition of Approved Document B ( ADB ) Volume 2 recommends limiting the compartment size of single-storey shops to a maximum of 2,000m ². However , where sprinklers are provided there is no compartment size limit . The guide explains that because goods need to be accessible to customers , a volumetric figure was not used in ADB for shops as it was assumed that the height of stored goods would be low level . However , it suggests that shops have now evolved and low level fire loading is not always the case . It recommends that where fire loading will exceed a height of 4m above floor level , this should be justified in the fire strategy unless an appropriate fire suppression system is installed . The document also discusses extensions to existing stores , alternative approaches to meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations , and the installation of life safety systems . It also provides advice on consultations between building control bodies and fire and rescue authorities and the potential impact of the Fire Safety Order .
The document is out for consultation for three months . For further information , or to download Compartmentation in shops , visit www . firesectorfederation . co . uk