Safety first

The imminent launch of Fire Door Safety Week later this month has once again raised the issue of the responsible installation and use of fire doors which, we are told, is far less strictly controlled than the construction of the doors themselves.

Following last week’s call for a register of ‘Responsible persons’ who are appointed by building owners (Read Here) we now hear of one commercial installer supporting the need to make training and certification for installers mandatory.
Read Story

It seems a contradiction that fire doors must be made to a strict specification yet can in theory be installed by almost anybody who has a van and a screwdriver. The industry has come a long way in the last decade to set legally enforceable standards for almost everything that is made or installed, not only helping to drive up quality but also marginalising the bodgers and cowboys. Perhaps this issue is one that might be the next focus of attention.

And speaking of doors, we hear this week that two senior figures will making their exit from the GGF Group, each saying it is time to move on in the light of the organisation’s restructuring. Read Story

We hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

Rees retires as GGF Chief – ‘time for a fresh approach’

Nigel Rees today announced that he is to retire as Chief Executive of the Glass and Glazing Federation, saying that with the planned restructuring of the Federation, the time is right for ‘a fresh management approach’.

Rees, who has held the position for 15 years, said in a statement: “In my time at the GGF, I have overseen the growth of the Federation, from a stand-alone Trade Federation to the Group of commercial companies that are now prospering so well. I have put everything I could into the Federation over the years and feel that with the planned changes now starting and with the Group moving to new premises, the time is right for new ideas and a fresh management approach to deal with the challenges ahead.”

Read More Here...

Short term bleak, long term rosy - survey

Industry owners are optimistic for a long-term future in the post Brexit era but there is far less hope of growth in the immediate future, according to a new survey.

The report, based on the views of 15,000 installers, housebuilders and architects, also highlights retrofit and refurbishment as the predicted growth area in the face of a slowing residential market through likely planning delays.

Read More Here...

Get set for Glasstec

Around 1,200 exhibitors are due to gather at Düsseldorf on September 20-23 for glasstec 2016.

The previous event in 2014 attracted over 43,000 visitors from 87 countries from mechanical engineering, glass manufacturing, processing and finishing, the trade sector, architecture and construction, windows and façades and solar.

The support programme will centre around a special exhibition entitled Glass Technology Live with an industry symposium.

Read More Here...

GGF Health & Safety Charter returns

The Glass and Glazing Federation has relaunched its GLASS Charter Merit Scheme for its Members with the aim of addressing and improving Health and Safety performance within the UK Glazing Industry.

In 2001 the glass industry took up the Government’s Revitalising Health and Safety Initiative and, in partnership with both industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the Federation launched the GLASS Charter (Goal; Less Accidents, Safer Sites).

Read More Here...

We Have Email

From:
Alan Parker,
MD,
Winlock Security

With the 1st October deadline looming, fabricators who have not yet found a PAS024 solution may be concerned that they’ll be excluded from residential new build business, and some trade fabricators may only just be realising how much of their product ends up in new homes, but they needn’t worry.

Read More