The BFRC and Fensa are to meet government officials to air the industry’s grievances over changes to energy efficiency and trickle vent specification in proposed changes to Building Regulations.

The bodies together with the GGF have been invited to have their say after their surveys revealed a broad range of feelings on the proposals.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Government department responsible for the Regulations, asked them to attend as part of the consultation process undertaken in preparation for the publication of the new Building Regulations, and specifically to discuss the various concerns.

The survey showed that over 90% of installers were against making trickle vents compulsory but were split almost evenly on whether rules on U values and BFRC rainbow bandings for windows should be tightened https://www.the-glazine.com/?p=2357

The changes, says the BFRC, would mean that 46% of existing BFRC door licences and 26% of window licences would not meet building regulation requirements for energy ratings.

Anda Gregory, managing director GGF Commercial Group, which includes the BFRC and Fensa, said: “We are very pleased that we will have the opportunity to convey the disquiet expressed by the majority of Approved Installers through the recent Fensa survey, together with the findings expressed by BFRC that so many products will become non-compliant with energy ratings, to MHCLG.

“The effects that the changes to the Building Regulations will have on our market should not be underestimated: 85% of installers that responded to the Fensa survey believe that they will lose business as a result of an insistence upon trickle vents in all frames, fearing that customers will turn to an alternative installer operating in the ‘grey market’ who is happy to turn a blind eye to regulations to please the homeowner.

“We are in broad support of the proposed improvements in the performance of windows and doors, which have not changed for more than a decade. But we hope to encourage MHCLG to allow time for the industry’s views to be heard, and for the practical and logistical impact of the changes to be adjusted and implemented.”

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