Archives for August 2023

After discussion with the Chairpersons and following their relevant meetings, it
has been decided to merge the Tougheners, Laminators and Safety & Security
Group into one to form the Architectural & Engineered Glass Group. The
GGF and the Chairs believe that this change and rebranding better defines the
collaborative work between these sectors of the industry. By also widening the
scope and objectives, we are confident that not only will members producing
these products see the benefits of attendance at the meetings but it may also
encourage Architects, Glass Designers and Facade consultants for example to
participate and become part of the Federation and its aim to promote the
highest standards in the industry.

The newly formed Decorative Glass & Glass Structures Group met at Solihull
Moors FC on Tuesday the 6th of May. A total of 15 members attended with
interest shown in attending future meetings by another 16 members. There
was lively discussion on topics of interest and members gave a strong
indication of what GGF datasheets and guidance documents were needed to
support this sector of the Industry. Attendees’ interests were wide and varied
covering such topics as mirror installation; UV Bonding; Acid etching and
sandblasting; glass splashbacks & counter tops; balconies and balustrades;
leaded and stained glass; digital printing & glass processing

Previously known as the Emergency Glazing Group, this Group has been fairly
inactive of late. After consultation with its members, the decision has been
made to widen the scope to better reflect the glazing market. Focused on the
commercial side of the industry this is now the Glass Installers Group.
Members who are involved in shopfront glazing; curtain walling; specialist
access glazing including lifting equipment suppliers as well as emergency
glazing are invited to join this Group.

Under the direction of the new Building Safety Regulator, the changes
included within the Building Safety Act are gaining momentum and the
milestones set out in the timeline are largely being achieved. While these
changes are currently only affecting those companies working in High Risk
Buildings (HRBs) this will filter down to cover all construction.

Our Senior Technical Officer Kevin Jones has been back on the road again.
With 4 presentations under his belt for members’ seminars so far this year, he’s
been much in demand. His talks on Building Regulations and the Future Homes
Standard have been extremely well received and attendees have been very
complimentary about the information provided and the way it has been
presented. Kevin also presented on several topics at this year’s FIT show. If you
wish a Technical Officer to attend your event to do a presentation on any glass
or fenestration topic, please contact us.

The latest version of the Technical Department update will soon be
available for members in a new video format. You can view the full
presentation or select specific topics. The report can be viewed in full or
you can select the sections that are of specific interest to you and your
company. Sections include:

• Building Regulations and the Future Homes Standard
• The Building Safety Regulator
• Competency and the Joint Competency Initiative
• Technical Group Updates
• Standards from BSI, CEN & ISO

In conjunction with the launch of our new website, the Technical Department are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the New Technical Library. GGF Head of Technical David Borland said “Members have often expressed their difficulty in finding specific datasheets or guidance documents. During the
website rebuild, we took the opportunity to rethink our methods for finding documents and we think this new style will be welcomed by the members. We’ve nicknamed it the 3 click system i.e. any document should be found within 3 clicks of the mouse”. In the meantime, members are requested to contact their
Technical Officer or the Technical Department in general if they experience difficulty in finding any document before the new system is up and running.