When is a DER not a DER?

The BFRC and Door-Stop have come under fire this week following the publication of a press release that announced that “Door-Stop has launched the first UK energy rated doors, just two weeks after the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) introduced the DER scheme”.

In the same press release, BFRC supported this assertion with a quote from Chris Mayne, general manager of the BFRC, who said: “The BFRC is delighted to announce the UK’s first DER ratings in such a short time after the scheme was launched. It’s a remarkable achievement for Door-Stop.”

The cherry on the cake was a photograph of James Strawbridge holding a copy of Door-Stop’s energy rating label (registration number D1000 for a Partially Glazed Pedestrian Door, Style 1).

What a coup! And yet, what a mess. As you can see from a couple of the emails below – Mark Simm from Rockdoor, and Martin Althorpe from Spectus – that other door companies are not happy with this revelation, primarily because the criteria for judging doors’ energy ratings have not been released by the BFRC, so Door-Stop, it seemed, lied to get that prestigious headline.

Well, that’s what everyone’s accusing them of doing. In fact, the BFRC has since issued a statement asserting that there has “been some confusion over terminology used in recent announcements”, and Chris Mayne told me that “the choice of words, in hindsight, could have been different”.

Nick Dutton also insisted that “every step of this process has been done with BFRC’s approval”.

Door-Stop was incredibly quick off the mark: when the company heard that the BFRC was going to launch the Door Energy Rating scheme, Nick was on the phone quicker that you can say ‘thermal transmittance’.

Predicting that the BFRC would eventually launch such a scheme, Door-Stop had already been working with BM Trada to compile a list of test results and corresponding U-values. Nick said that when the BFRC met the company at the beginning of September, they were impressed that so much of the leg work had already been done. “The BFRC was keen for the first energy rated doors to be out as soon as possible,” Nick claimed.

Nick was also at pains to explain that every word in the press release had the BFRC’s explicit approval. “Therefore, it’s unfair that we are taking the flak when everything had been agreed and signed off by the BFRC,” he said.

And what about the supporting image? James Strawbridge, I understand, is happy to support the DER scheme, but doesn’t want to be associated with any one company. “It was sent to me by the BFRC,” Nick said.

At best, this is an innocent confusion that has come about because of the eagerness by some to promote what could be a fantastic boost for the door sector. Unfortunately, from my conversations with door companies, the general feeling in the industry is not quite so charitable.

"The door energy rating scheme will be a good thing for our industry, and at Distinction Doors we believe that all fabricators should embrace it,” Dave Gomersall, operations director at Distinction Doors, told the Glazine. “Our concern is not who gets the first energy rated door, our concern is that the scheme is fair and policed properly. 

“Already the scheme is in turmoil because a fabricator is publicly claiming that every one of their doors now comes with its own DER certificate. Everyone in the industry knows that this isn’t possible, and collectively we look to the leading regulator to enforce fair play for all.  The BFRC must take ownership of this situation for the good of the industry, and for the good of the scheme.”

Nathan Bushell
Editor

WE HAVE EMAIL Dear Nathan Rockdoor is pleased to announce the industry’s 1st AAA+ energy rated door. [Read the Rest Here] Dear Nathan It was with much surprise that I read news in this week’s Glazine of certain companies expressing their pride at becoming among the first to register on the BFRC’s Door Energy Ratings (DER) scheme. [Read the Rest Here] Dear Nathan Re: Companies registering on the new Door Energy Rating Scheme. [Read the Rest Here] Dear Nathan I feel compelled to reply to a recent comment from ABS Secure stating that lock snapping isn’t covered by BSI standards, which I felt was slightly disingenuous. [Read the Rest Here] THIS WEEK'S NEWS   Appearance and security A new national consumer poll by super-fabricator Sierra has revealled appearance and security are the single most important factors for homeowners when buying new windows and doors. [Read the Rest Here] Construction focus will help Wales The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Wales is ‘delighted’ with the Welsh Government’s decision to make construction a priority sector. [Read the Rest Here] Strike ballot at Epwin Window factory workers at Epwin Group companies in south Devon are to be balloted over carrying out possible strike action over pay. [Read the Rest Here] Green Deal backing Rehau has given its backing to the GGF and Fensa in their warnings to members not to jump the gun on the Green Deal. [Read the Rest Here] New opportunities? According to Insight Data, the number of IGU (sealed unit) manufacturers in the UK has dropped in the last year, with some companies choosing to close their IGU production lines and buy-in units. [Read the Rest Here] Eco-friendly first AGC Glass Europe has claimed to have become the first glass maker to obtain the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ eco-certification, achieving the silver level for its float glass and magnetron-coated glass products. [Read the Rest Here] Reflected glory Duralux Solar Coatings, the new range of solar mirror coatings by the Fenzi Group, won the attention of visitors at the recent GlassBuild America 2011. [Read the Rest Here] New website Rehau has launched an improved version of its Authorised Partners website. [Read the Rest Here] There’s an app for that Trada Technology, on behalf of Trada, has developed a mobile app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, to be launched at Timber Expo 2011. [Read the Rest Here]

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Carl F Groupco has strengthened its internal sales team with the appointment of two new members of staff.
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Veka has created two new roles within its sales operation and welcomes Nathan Barr and Jason Wootton to the team.
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Mexican glass processor Templados del Centro commissioned the Speed’cut from Bystronic glass this summer.
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At Timber Expo 2011 Trada Technology will launch a new service to provide independent assessment of the technical claims made by clients in their marketing literature.
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Securistyle claims to have become the first hardware company in the UK window industry to achieve BM Trada Q-Mark certification for ‘Hardware for use in General and Enhanced Security Fenestration Products’.
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Certass has applied to join the UKAS pilot scheme covering accreditation for the certification of installers and advisors of the Green Deal framework.
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Comedian Sean Lock will host the G11 Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner at the Hilton Park Lane hotel in London in November.
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Leads2Trade has joined forces with fellow lead generator and price comparison website Local Quoter in a bid to increase the volume of leads available to Leads2Trade network members.
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A guide to specifying sustainable architectural aluminium glazing systems for the new-build and renovation residential market has been launched by Kawneer.
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Conservatory gable and raked frame manufacturer GableCraft, has just launched its new digital retail brochure.
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A guide designed to help building professionals correctly specify CE marked timber doorsets has been published by the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF).
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The Glass and Glazing Federation has re-launched The Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems Edition 3.
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Kestrel has awarded the first Q-Card to Ultegra Services for achieving the GQA Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Domestic Fascia, Soffit and Bargeboard Installation (QCF).
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Assa Abloy has reported success for its purpose-built training academy, since opening its doors over six months ago.
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Network Veka has updated its Surveying and Installation Manual, a key part of the training programme offered to new members.
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Kestrel has launched its Q Card installer training programme, designed to give installers formal training in fitting roofline products, legislation affecting the products they sell, and more specifically the benefits of installing products from the Kestrel range.
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Exhibition Calendar
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for upcoming exhibitions in the UK and the rest of the world

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The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN), WWF’s initiative to eliminate illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management, will be at the Timber Expo, Ricoh Arena in Coventry on the 27th and 28th of September.
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RegaLead, the market leader in decorative products for the flat glass industry, plans a strong presence at the International Trade Fair Vitrum, to be held in Milan from the 26th to the 29th October 2011.
[Read the Rest Here]

Timber Expo is a new event designed to bring the timber industry together for the first time under one roof.
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The Bystronic glass group is exhibiting at Vitrum 2011 in Milan.
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Vitrum - Milan will be the venue for the 17th biennial International trade fair for machinery, equipment and systems for the processing of flat and hollow glass; glass and finished products for the industry from 26 to 29 October 2011.
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Following a recent explosion of misinformation appearing in print and online about the Government’s Green Deal initiative, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and its sister company Fensa have issued a joint statement warning members...
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The Energy Bill finished its passage through the House of Commons last week, sparking concerns that it is not fit for purpose.
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PVC Recycling has reported stability returning to the marketplace with activity back up to pre-recession levels.
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In preparation for the introduction of the Government’s Green Deal in 2012, businesses in the renewable energy and building sectors are being invited to a range of free workshops and events run by Nottingham Trent University’s sustainable design project, Future Factory.
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