Archives for October 2021

The closure date for this consultation has now been put back from 15^th October 2021 to 26^th November 2021.  

This is a consultation on proposed changes to energy standards within Scottish Building Regulations, including related topics such as ventilation, overheating and electric vehicle charging provision. It offers proposals as part of broader action by the Scottish Government on climate change, to further the ambition of becoming a net-zero society by 2045.

To access the consultation please click the link below

Scottish Building Regulations Consultation

If you require any further information or guidance on this consultation please email the GGF Technical team technical@ggf.org.uk

Former GGF President, Mark Austin of Hazelmere Window Ltd, has announced, he is set to retire from the industry in January 2022. The announcement has drawn accolades from all parts of the GGF.

As Marketing Director of Hazlemere Window Company Ltd in High Wycombe, Mark assisted in bringing the company into the GGF Membership in 2015 and the following year he was elected as Chair of the GGF’s Window and Door Group and took a position on the GGF Home Improvement Executive.

In 2018, Mark was elected Chair of Home Improvement Executive was ratified as GGF Board Director becoming vice president in 2019 and then elected GGF President the following year.

In his time on the GGF Board and various committees, Mark was instrumental in setting up the GGF Membership and Review Committee and the Chairperson’s Forum. As President he led the GGF through perhaps the toughest ever period for the industry, when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the UK just three months into Mark’s tenure as President.

On hearing the news of Mark’s retirement, GGF President, Tony Smith commented,

“I sincerely thank Mark for his great commitment, support and contribution to ensure the GGF Board made the right decisions under his Chairmanship during the pandemic. These decisions have gone a long way to ensuring the GGF is in a strong position to handle the challenges ahead. I wish Mark the very best for his retirement”.

John Agnew, GGF Group Managing Director added:

“I would like to thank Mark for all his support for the GGF and for me personally in my term as President and in my first year as GGF Managing Director during extremely difficult times for the industry. I wish him well for the future and for many happy years of retirement.”

On his service to the GGF, Mark summed up;

“It was my honour and privilege to work with the GGF Staff and Members on many projects and issues, but especially as GGF President. I’m pleased the GGF Group is in overall good shape and in a very strong position for whatever the future holds despite the uncertainty of the last 21 months. I wish all connected to the GGF the best for the future.”

Planned expansion of our Technical Department has created a requirement for an additional Technical Officer with a background in the commercial glass industry. Knowledge of both domestic and commercial product is a distinct advantage.

Experience in a production or technical position (min. 5 years) is essential for this position. This is a unique opportunity to work in a small but integral department within the UK’s largest trade association. You should have excellent people and communication skills and feel comfortable both in creating and presenting technical information to professionals in the Industry.

• Solid technical knowledge including relevant BS/EN/ISO Standards and Building Regulations.
• Ability to attend sites to inspect and report on fenestration disputes which may also include glass inspection.
• Provide secretarial services including minute taking at specialist technical meetings
• Assist Regional Managers by providing technical support at Regional meetings
• Respond to technical queries from members and building professionals through email and by phone.
• Provide occasional technical articles for GGF regular e-letters to members
• Create or update GGF datasheets & guidance documents through Working Groups
• Regularly attend & report at Technical Department meetings
• Be willing to travel to meetings and site visits throughout the UK. Although these are generally designated to nearest Technical Officer, you must be prepared to provide cover.
• Job is predominantly home based although you may occasionally be required to be based in our offices in London. Flexible working options will be considered.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. Travel expenses, subsistence, mileage allowance and a company credit card is included. A laptop and mobile phone will also be provided.

Please write in the first instance to GGF Senior Officer Ben Wallace at bwallace@ggf.org.uk along with a current CV.

With just over one week to go, the GGF is ready for the Glazing Summit, at Edgbaston Stadium on 21 October.

At the Glazing Summit, over 300 leaders from across the glass and glazing industry – with combined UK sales of over £1billion – come together to discuss and debate the burning issues, including; the supply-chain crisis and labour shortages to threats from upcoming regulatory changes.

The Glazing Summit is packed with expert speakers including David Borland, GGF Senior Technical Officer who will present “The Regulation Minefield: What the Industry Must Know”,

New regulations are set to change our industry when, according to Government plans, they come into legislation in June 2022. From U-value revisions and the ramifications of Approved Documents L (Energy Efficiency) and Document F (Ventilation), to fire regulations (Approved Document B) in the aftermath of Grenfell through to Approved Document Q (Security).

At the Glazing Summit, David Borland will outline what it all means for the industry and how every installer, fabricator and glass company will need to prepare.

Other GGF senior staff will also be present at the Glazing Summit including staff members of the GGF Technical department, BFRC, FENSA and the GGF.

If you are planning to attend the Glazing Summit you can still book your tickets here; https://www.glazingsummit.co.uk/tickets/

To see the full day’s agenda please click here.

The GGF is pleased to announce that John Mannell will be joining the GGF staff as a Technical Officer.

With 15 years’ experience in the industry John has had both hands-on experience in glazing and fenestration, studied with City and Guilds College in Architectural Stained Glass and Kiln Forming, through to completion of GQA’s Level 7 in Construction Senior Management.

Whilst having a practical background in installation of prefabricated systems and extrusions John has prided himself in working with designers, architects and engineers to meet bespoke designs for both domestic and commercials applications which are found outside some of the standard guides and parameters tested within codes of practice. In recent years John has had to work with a number of clients in the retrieval and testing of failed glass and the arrangement of performance load testing of glass in bespoke design applications.

On joining the GGF staff, John commented, “The Glass and Glazing Federation has been a great help to me throughout my career especially in terms of technical guidance, health and safety and training. I am both delighted and excited to join the GGF with so much going on in with the GGF and in our industry.”

Prior to joining the GGF Technical Team John was working with GGF Member, Prentice Glass. In his time as a Member he was Chair for the Health and Safety Committee and also London Region. Passionate about training for the industry, John was a contributing Member that saw the development of GGF Training and partnership with Total Support Training.

On the new addition to the Technical Team, David Borland, GGF Senior Technical Officer said, “I am delighted that John is joining the GGF. With many regulations changing next year, technical advice and guidance will be key to most companies wanting to deliver the best job to the highest professional standards. I have no doubt, that John will be a great asset to our already strong team of technical experts.”

John Mannell will start at the GGF on November 15th but will be with the GGF Technical Team at The Glazing Summit on 21 October. The GGF will be present at this event with David Borland presenting the “Regulation Minefield – what you must know”. If you are attending this event and whether you are a GGF Member or not, feel free to say hello to the GGF Technical Team at The Glazing Summit.