FENSA & GGFi
The FENSA
Scheme
It is
estimated that around 1-1.2 million installations of replacement
glazing happen every year. If all of them went through the
normal Building Regulations application process it would place
an enormous burden on local authorities. It is essential to have
a way to ensure that the work is done properly without an
unreasonable increase in the administrative and financial burden
on installers and property owners. The answer is a scheme which
allows installation companies that meet certain criteria to
self-certify that their work complies with the Building
Regulations. The scheme is known as
FENSA which stands for the
Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. It was set up by the Glass
and Glazing Federation and meets with central Government
approval.
A
sample of the work of every installer will be inspected by FENSA
appointed inspectors to ensure standards are maintained. FENSA
will also inform local authorities of all completed FENSA
installations and issue certificates to householders confirming
compliance.
Any
installation done by a firm which is not registered to
self-certify, or done as a DIY project by a householder, will
need full local authority approval under the Building
Regulations. Local authorities will know of all the approved
installers in their areas and will be able to identify
unauthorised work very easily. You should note that you, as the
house owner, are ultimately responsible for ensuring the work
complies with the Building Regulations.
Before you
sign a contract to buy replacement glazing, be sure to ask
whether the installer is able to self-certify. If not, either
they, or you, will need to make an application to your local
authority for approval under the Building Regulations and pay
the relevant charges.
Obtaining
Building Regulations approval
From April
2002, all replacement glazing came within the scope of the
Building Regulations. From now on, anyone who installs
replacement windows or doors have to comply with strict thermal
performance standards.
When the time
comes to sell your property, your purchaser's solicitors, while
undertaking the necessary search, will ask for evidence that any
replacement glazing installed after April 2002 complies with the
new Building Regulations. There will be two ways to prove
compliance:-
-
a
certificate showing that the work has been done by an
installer who is registered under the FENSA Scheme
-
a
certificate from the local authority saying that the
installation has approval under the Building Regulations.
TailorMade
windows are a
registered member of the FENSA scheme and we are therefore are able to self
certify our work.
GGFi
GGFi is the
insurance division of The Glass & Glazing Federation and a leading provider of
Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBG's) to the domestic and commercial market.
Founded in 2005, GGFi is unique in that it is the only IBG
provider to be approved by FENSA and The GGF and operates alongside those
organisations from their Ayres Street, London offices.
Aswell as providing tangible benefits on price and admin to
FENSA-registered businesses for their IBG's, GGFi is the core insurance provider
for Trustmark, The Guild of Master Craftsmen and Ultraframe.
TailorMade Windows provide you with the peace of mind of the
GGFi scheme.
