BJ Waller’s Luke Piper leads Compliance discussion at PWE

BJ Waller’s Luke Piper chaired a vital seminar at the Professional Woodworking Expo, leading a timely discussion on the changing compliance landscape facing the window and door industry.

The seminar, titled “From Frames to Fabric: Why Whole Window Performance is the Route to Compliance”, brought together a panel of industry experts including Andrew Ball, Managing Director of The Joinery Network, Kevin Jones, Senior Technical Officer at the Glass and Glazing Federation, Chris Proctor, architect and author from Proctor-Rihl Architects and Richard Bate, Managing Director of Buccaneer Solutions.

With Luke’s extensive experience in timber, he was said to be a natural choice to chair the discussion.

His perspective brings together practical hardware knowledge, application-led specification support and a clear understanding of the compliance challenges now facing the joinery sector.

The discussion focused on two main points around compliance: the current landscape and what’s to come including the new Future Homes Standard and updated Approved Document L regulations.

Focusing on the current landscape, Declarations of Performance (DoPs) that legally verify that a product meets required regulatory standards were a key topic of discussion.

To stay compliant, these documents must be backed by clear evidence and made easily accessible to customers even for retrospective requests.

And as regulatory audits and enforcement visits increase, the important message was that manufacturers must be seen to be proactively ensuring DoP compliance to meet tightening industry expectations.

The seminar also highlighted the increased focus on enforcement, with regulatory bodies investing in equipment and resources to carry out compliance.

Early test surveys in fenestration have already shown many fabricators falling short, in some cases due to administrative technicalities and in others because component parts do not carry the required testing accreditation or because full window or door test evidence is not available.

Whilst wording change within standards may appear small, the practical impact could be one of the biggest disruptions the fenestration sector has faced in recent years.

Alongside the technical requirements, this also drives increased costs of accreditation, additional administration and a greater need to ensure compliance evidence is in place and accessible.

Looking forward, a true window-by-window performance calculation to meet the compliance guidelines of Approved Document L is what is coming next for Joinery Manufacturers.

They can no longer rely on a standard U-value across a range of products. Each window produced will require its own U-value calculation, placing greater emphasis on accurate software and documentation, tested components and full window and door sets, testing certification and compliance evidence, and joined-up specification.

Glass was also an important part of the discussion, which included updates on continuous product developments like triple glazing and vacuum insulated glass.

These innovations will help meet lower U-values, reduce costs, improve suitability for heritage applications, and drive wider industry acceptance for timber installations.

Luke said: “The move towards calculating performance on a true window-by-window basis and product compliance is a significant shift for the joinery and wider glazing industry.

It reflects a broader shift across the industry, where regulations and standards are focused on whole product performance and how every element within the opening works together to deliver thermal efficiency, airtightness, security and overall compliance.

“Performance and documentation is not something that can be added at the end. It has to be designed in from the very beginning.

“Some manufacturers will feel pressure from this shift, but it also creates a real opportunity.

“Those who embrace the change, invest in the right machinery, tooling, processes and systems, and take a more joined-up approach, will be better placed to meet future requirements and ultimately produce higher-performing end products.”

BJ Waller is already having conversations with joinery manufacturers around performance, specification and compliance.

With specialist knowledge of timber window and door hardware, the team can advise on suitable components, sealing systems and product selection, helping customers make informed choices from the start of the project.

For further information, please contact BJ Waller: sales@bjwaller.co.uk or visit www.bjwaller.co.uk