I do apologise to everyone who got the impression from a previous post that I might be retiring from RCG. It appears I’ve not done a very good job of it.
Anyway, here’s a press release that might be of interest:
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is extremely pleased to note from the final Approved Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Approved Document F (Ventilation) for England and Wales, announced on 30 April 2010, that the Communities and Local Government (CLG) have listened to the representations of the Federation and the industry.
The principal changes announced were as follows:
- For replacement windows, compliance to be based on Window Energy Rating Band C (currently Band E) with an alternative of a U Value of not worse than 1.6 W/m2K (currently 2.0). The centre pane alternative of 1.2 remains but for a limited range of applications only.
- Conservatories: The current exemption clause remains
- The potentially burdensome requirement of ‘Consequential Improvements’ has been excluded.
- A proposal for trickle vents to be fitted to all replacement windows has been dropped (under strong pressure from the GGF).
- For WERs it is pleasing to note that the calculations, bandings and a common basis for sensible control measures are listed within Advanced Document L ensuring consistency between potential future operators and thereby providing a level playing field for the industry and clarity for the consumer.
These will be become mandatory from 1 October 2010.
The GGF is also pleased to note that the corresponding requirements for replacement windows in Scotland will be similarly based (though not identical) which will ease the cross-border disparity that has existed since 2002. This will be particularly welcomed by those members operating in both Scotland and England.
GGF will be providing a fuller analysis for its members in due course and is collaborating with seminars planned for FENSA registered businesses over May and June to provide detailed guidance on compliance and changes required to the registration and inspection process.
The GGF and its Technical Director Giles Willson have been heavily involved throughout the consultation process, initially through the Fenestration Industry Thermal Performance Working Group, and continuing via close contact with CLG up to finalisation of the Documents. They have thereby ensured that the industry’s needs have been conveyed to the CLG and well reflected in a balanced final document supportive to the needs of the industry. Their input has been influential on behalf of its members and the wider industry, as it was with the consultations for the 2002 and 2006 editions of the regulations.
