2022 in the fenestration industry has, in some respects, been tumultuous. Whether that’s the exit from the pandemic, material availability, rising costs (not least power) or regulatory change. The latter seems to have created the most column inches and online commentary.

However, this has sadly been brought into a clear focus with the result of the events in Rochdale following the death of a two-year-old in 2020; Awaab Ishak. In this instance, a coroner ruled that a direct contributary factor was a lack of ventilation in the one-bedroomed flat in which his family lived and was as a consequence full of mould build up. You will have seen this in the press at the time.

This is I feel where there is a link. The fenestration industry needs to take on board that part of the reasons for some changes in regulation are actually because there is a problem, which in our day-to-day work, we don’t see it. There has been talk of unnecessary regulation, interference, conspiracy and questions of how can get around the provision of background ventilation in windows. But this case demonstrates that there is a need to provide background ventilation in its many forms to prevent this happening again.

The only guarantee following this is that there will, in all likelihood, be greater regulation of landlords to provide safe environments for renters to live in and as a sector we should be encouraging this by offering these products as regulated, you never know they may be right.

The way highly airtight properties are used today leads to moisture build-up and it has to go somewhere, even if it’s purged through an open window. Unfortunately, we don’t all do this – especially in the middle of a cost of living crisis – and as I type this article, looking over a snow-covered vista, I’m probably not going to open my window.

There is a possible learning point here for those in the fenestration industry. There is only one guarantee in life, things always change and those that look at the regulations have a broad perspective and may actually be trying to make things better for your customers. Sometimes we have to do things differently.

Glazpart is pleased to announce that Dean Bradley has joined the Board of Glazpart Group of Companies as Sales Director.

Dean joined Glazpart in 2012 as Sales and Marketing Manager and has been instrumental in developing the business over the last decade, with continuous unprecedented sales growth.

In addition to growing sales, Dean has worked closely with Glazpart’s Technical and Design Team implementing a strong product development strategy that has introduced many new products to the glass, glazing, construction, industrial and automotive sectors.

On his appointment, Dean commented,

As part of its external affairs strategy, Glazpart has joined the British Plastics Federation (BPF).

With the trading environment adapting to legislative and policy changes made earlier this year, Glazpart felt it essential to have a voice in discussions with the BPF and its member companies in the plastics manufacturing and supply chain to the construction sector.

BPF is the world’s longest established plastics trade association and has more than 450 member companies, representing over 80% of the UK plastics industry by turnover.

On joining the BPF Moulders Group, Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director commented,

In addition, to being part of the Moulders Group, Glazpart also intend to have an input to the BPF Windows Group. Dean Bradley explains,

The revised “Approved Document F” aims to improve the standards concerning energy efficiency and air quality of a building. The amendments have also been designed to ensure that ventilation is not compromised in the drive to the Government’s net zero targets, which aim to prevent energy loss from residential properties and minimise potential overheating risks.

This uplift in standards is expected to be followed by the planned introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025. The standard is set to be the subject of a government consultation in 2023.

Dean Bradley of Glazpart says the changes to Part F of the Building Regulations will make trickle vents the hardware that both fabricators and installers have to get their heads around – and use for an upsell.

Bradley writes, everyone in the window & door sector will be aware of the impending changes to the building regulations especially the requirement for trickle vents to be used on most new windows installed.

The lack of ventilation and the harm it does has been ignored by both installers and homeowners – and fabricators, of course. Add a lack of information and education and there has been little incentive or motivation to improve the environment in dwellings.

So the government has decided to act. Not only does poor ventilation damage the internal environment, it damages health. The NHS is aware that better ventilation could save it a small fortune.

The government’s view is that there is a need for regulation to address the issues informed in part by a study that shows that very few homes meet the current minimum ventilation provisions recommended in ADF 2010: 2006.

The government audited 55 sites for compliance to ADF and only 2 sites complied to the 2006 regulations.

Fact Sheets

On 27 June 2019, the UK became the first major economy in the world to set its net zero greenhouse gas emissions target in law. To achieve this by 2050, updates to Part L and F of the building regulations come into force as of 15 June 2022.

Naturally the pace of change and ongoing debate around this has caused much disruption among the construction sector. Particularly concerning are tightening background ventilation requirements under Part F, with the Government making trickle vents mandatory for many new frames. In response, REHAU has developed these simple fact sheets as a reliable aid.

Rehau has worked with Glazpart to supply the 4000 link vent to assist window installers and specifiers with complying with part F of the building regulations – which changed last June in advance of the 2025 Future Homes Standards.

Part F covers ventilation. The change saw effectively made trickle vents mandatory within replacement window frames in existing dwellings and specified frames in new builds.

In response, Rehau has incorporated Glazpart’s new trickle 4000 Equivalent Air Area (EQA) link vent into its existing range alongside the company’s bigger 5000 EQA and the smaller 2500 EQA Link Vents. Its compact size alongside the inclusion of fixing clips enables easier and faster installation into window frames and sashes. The 4000 link vent has the advantage of easily complying with habitable, kitchen and bathroom ventilation regulations (8000 EQA).