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Following the recent fire tragedy in London and the reaction across the UK, fire safety is at the forefront of the minds of those involved in construction, property management and in local and national government.

One week after the tragedy, FIREX International (June 19-21) took place at London’s Excel. At FIREX, professionals from every area of the industry came together to reflect on where the sector is and where it needs to go to ensure people and properties are safe and secure in the event of fire.

The GGF exhibited at FIREX to raise the profile of fire resistant glazing and the work the GGF’s Fire Resistant Glazing Group (FRGG) has undertaken to educate, guide and highlight the importance of fire resistant glazed systems to the broader fire safety sector. 

Throughout the three day event, the GGF showed its online video, “Fire Resistant Glazing – Getting It Right vs. Getting It Wrong’.

The video which is available to view online on the GGF website, visually shows the effects of why Fire Resistant Glazing should be used and just as importantly why it should be installed correctly.

You can view the video online https://www.ggf.org.uk/groups/fire-resistant-glazing-group/video

In addition to exhibiting at the show, Richard Kells, GGF Technical Officer and Secretary of the Fire Resistant Glazing Group was available on the GGF stand to answer any technical questions regarding the performance of fire resistant glazing systems.

Richard commented, “In light of recent events, FIREX was an important event for the GGF. Our participation raised the profile of fire resistant glazing to the key players in the fire safety sector and I have no doubt everyone we engaged with, highly valued the information and guidance we provided.” 

In addition, the GGF also promoted the Helix Group’s Fire Resistant Glazing Training Course at the event. https://trainwithhelix.co.uk/training/fire-resistant-glazing-training 

To find out more about the GGF Fire Resistant Glazing Group please visit the Group web page: https://www.ggf.org.uk/group/fire-resistant-glazing-group

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) would like to express its deepest sympathies to all who have been affected by the terrible and tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in West London.

Whilst our thoughts are with those victims of the tragedy at this time, it is important that the GGF does whatever it can to support the investigation that will take place to not only identify the immediate causes of the fire but also the manner in which it spread so rapidly.

With regards to the enquiry announced today by Prime Minister Theresa May, the GGF feels strongly that all aspects of fire safety and fire containment must be considered and that all multi-occupancy buildings are as fire resistant as possible thus protecting lives and property.

The GGF has a specific Fire Resistant Glazing Group (FRGG) that consists of manufacturers, distributors and installers of fire resistant glazing products.

The FRGG’s focus is to work with the wider fire safety community in the UK to achieve the optimum fire protection in buildings. The Group seeks to meet its objectives by bringing together and making available the latest expert advice of those who work with fire resistant glazed systems on a day to day basis.

After the recent events, the GGF has now also set up a specialist advisory group drawn from our pool of the world’s leading fire safety experts in glass and glazing who are willing to offer free technical advice and information if required.

The GGF is passionate about creating the highest levels of fire safety and ensuring that any enquiry and future legislation is focused on protecting lives.

The GGF is currently writing to all the government authorities, politicians and local government bodies that are or will be concerned with fire safety and any emerging enquiry as a result of this tragedy.

For further information on the GGF’s Fire Resistant Glazing Group please visit here

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has launched the re-energised GLASS Charter Merit Scheme for GGF Members. The GLASS Charter Merit Scheme aim is to address and improve the Health and Safety performance within the UK Glazing Industry.

In 2001 the glass industry took up the Government’s Revitalising Health and Safety Initiative. In partnership with both industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the Glass and Glazing Federation launched the GLASS Charter (Goal; Less Accidents, Safer Sites).

Phil Pinnington, GGF Health, Safety and Facilities Manager, commented: ‘This next phase of improving Health and Safety in our industry sees us move from just compliance to continuous improvement. Within the GGF there are many member companies who have adopted ingenious and effective measures to improve safety and just as importantly these measures are appropriate to their business. We believe these companies should be recognised and encouraged to progress further.’

The merit scheme is open to all GGF Members no matter the size of business, sole trader to multi-national companies. The unique advantage is that it focuses on systems appropriate to the size and nature of the business whilst applying a set of common standards.

The merit scheme is built with a roadmap to support GGF Members to continuously improve their Health and Safety profile. It is divided into three levels. Bronze, Silver and Gold with levels in Bronze and Silver sub-divided into three grades. Alongside the scheme the GGF also offers access to resources designed to guide and aid Members in achieving progression within the scheme.

The scheme has two main objectives:

1. To improve the safety standards within the glazing industry and in turn limit the additional hidden costs incurred by accidents and incidents to business.
2. To identify, through sharing of incident data, key areas of concern to the industry and bring about change where necessary.

For further details please contact the GGF Health and Safety Team for more information or download a copy of the GLASS Charter brochure here: https://www.ggf.org.uk/publication/glass_charter

See previous articles on GGF Members success within the GLASS Charter below:

The Window Company Reaches New Heights In GGF Glass Charter

GGF and its Members have been subject to recent attacks online. The most recent appearing on DoubleGlazingBlogger by Anthony Jones, Chairman of National Federation of Glaziers.

Giles Willson, GGF Managing Director, has defended GGF Members and underlined the GGF’s work and position as the industry’s leading trade body.

See full response below.  

“Rather than engage in a public cyber squabble, we respond to Anthony Jones’ earlier post, with a few questions for Anthony with regard to his inaccurate (and bordering on defamatory) comments as well as providing some facts to help him understand the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), our work and the scope of our long standing success, as we try to continue to improve the operating environment for our Members and the wider industry.

Consumer-biased laws?
For several years, the GGF Home Improvement department and specialist groups have been working hard on behalf of the industry on consumer legislation with Government departments and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. We are therefore curious to know which “consumer-biased laws” Anthony is referring to and which GGF Member companies he feels have brought these “consumer-biased laws” upon the industry. Please can you provide this information Anthony?

Selling techniques v dishonest practice
Each company, whether a GGF Member company or not, decides on its own business model as to pricing and discounts. It is not a dishonest practice provided the trader is clear to the consumer as to what the list price is and what discounts apply. We appreciate that many in the industry have an opinion on traders which have a list price with substantial discounts available, however this practice is also common in many sectors such as automobiles, kitchens, furniture etc., and is not illegal or unethical.

GGF Members and voting
No single GGF Member or group of GGF Members “calls the shots” at the GGF. At GGF meetings when a vote is taken, the democratic policy in effect is “one Member, one vote”, so each Member company has just one vote on an issue whether it’s a large, medium or small company. However, we estimate that GGF Members do represent over 50% of the glass and glazing industry by turnover, so the GGF being the main trade body is approached by, and considered by Government, on issues of policy affecting our industry.

Such is the GGF’s strong relationship with Government departments and given the Federation’s size and scope, it is reasonable to consider the GGF as “the voice of the industry”. However to add even greater strength to our voice to Government, the GGF last year set up a new independent group in conjunction with several other trade bodies and manufacturers called The Glazing Supply Chain Group which is a forum that meets quarterly to share views and opinions across all areas of the industry and not just from GGF Members.

The GGF Consumer Code of Practice
The GGF Consumer Code of Practice formerly The Code of Ethical Practice (the name changed over ten years ago) was revised and re-launched last year to GGF Members, and is freely available for download on the GGF website https://www.ggf.org.uk/ and on the GGF’s consumer site https://www.myglazing.com. The Code has been updated, taking into account changes in consumer legislation. The GGF is currently in the process of gaining approval from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute for the new Code. It is compulsory that all GGF Members who sell directly to consumers have to sign up to the Code and if they breach it, they risk losing their membership in accordance with GGF Rules.

It would be interesting for all readers if Anthony could explain which part of The GGF Consumer Code of Practice he considers a “sham.” You can download the GGF Consumer Code of Practice here:
https://www.ggf.org.uk/publication/code_of_practice

How the GGF deals with dishonest practice
It is clear in our new Consumer Code that Members must not state inflated prices for goods and services above those of the company’s price list, then offer discounts or “special one- day offer prices” that are not true; only genuine discounts agreed by the company must be applied.

GGF Members are operating completely honestly and ethically by complying with the GGF Code. As stated before, it is the commercial decision of traders as to the pricing and business model they operate; however they must comply with the GGF Code if they are a GGF Member. As a trade body the GGF is bound by the Competition Act not to discuss pricing or pricing methods with Members. Members must however comply with the law and the GGF Consumer Code. Any Member in breach of the Code (and the GGF Rules) would face a disciplinary procedure through the GGF Finance and Membership Committee.

The status of the GGF in the industry
With our Membership comprising most of the major players and leading experts in the industry covering 35 different sectors, the GGF has naturally become the main trade organisation in the industry.

Given its position, the GGF offers its Members over 70 Membership benefits and great networking opportunities at over 200 specialist, regional and national group meetings across the UK.

Though networking is undoubtedly a very popular benefit, the GGF’s many other benefits include: solid political campaigning, unrivalled technical and health and safety information, a comprehensive library of publications and standards, consumer leaflets and support, website directories, business support and multiple online benefits such as Member company profiles on GGF websites ggf.org.uk and myglazing.com, plus the GGF digital news service and digital magazine. With so much digital development, the GGF has grown its online audience by over 400% (132,000 unique visitors in 2015) in 4 years. In the last couple of years the Federation has also enjoyed record attendances at meetings and many high profile companies in the industry have joined.

Given the quality, scale and profile of our technical publications, articles and specialist groups, it is no surprise that we are often the first point of contact not just for GGF Members but also for Government, the media, related third parties, the wider industry and consumers to answer questions and provide information on the key issues affecting our industry. Indeed, our technical content in the public domain is even referenced and used by the National Federation of Glaziers, which the GGF provides royalty free.

We are the first to admit that we are not perfect, but we do try our very best for our Membership and the wider industry to make the operating environment better for all. We always encourage any company not in Membership to consider joining and to contact us for more information about the Federation and its activities. If requested we would also happily invite interested companies to attend one of our meetings.

We trust this response will be taken in the spirit it is intended, to educate, inform and help Anthony or anyone else who may have any doubts about the position, integrity and work of the Glass and Glazing Federation, the industry’s leading trade body.

Giles Willson
Managing Director
Glass and Glazing Federation”

To visit the live blog and see comments, click here: https://www.doubleglazingblogger.com/2016/01/can-the-business-models-of-the-nationals-work-in-a-modern-fenestration-industry/ 

Entries are now invited from across the spectrum of housing modernisation projects and associated activities including energy efficiency, glazing, roofing, gas safety and aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades. 

The Best Home Improvement Glazing Project award is sponsored by the GGF, other awards include Glazing Services with Community Benefit, Aluminium Systems for Windows, Doors & Facades and Energy Efficiency in Local Communities amoung others.

Entry for each award is free and more details are available on the NHIC website here or by clicking here to download an application form. 

The straight forward entry form must be submitted with any supporting evidence by the closing date of 22nd September.

The Glass and Glazing Federation is one of the sponsors of this prestigious event, along with others such as British Gas, National Federation of Roofing Contractors and Schueco UK. 

Companies and organisations working in disciplines covered by the award categories can enter a project completed within the past year.  In this way they can take advantage of an opportunity to raise the profile of the many inspirational initiatives that are characteristic of our nation’s outstanding ingenuity in the field of housing.

The winners will be announced at a special luncheon in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on Thursday 12th November 2015.

In the letters, the GGF underlined its position as the leading authority and voice of the industry and highlighted the five main campaigns it is currently working on including;

• Supporting the case for a reduced rate of VAT on energy efficient products and on home improvement, repair and maintenance work and on energy efficient windows
• Working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to help promote and improve energy efficiency schemes such as the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• Working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to ensure that the Consumer Bill of Rights works in the best interests of consumers and businesses
• Making the case for an integrated approach to fire safety, where fire safety products are tested to the correct specification and installed and enforced correctly and in particular fire resistant glazing systems
• Addressing the impact of the change of ownership of private sewers to businesses and consumers wishing to build conservatories or extensions on their properties

Nigel Rees, Group Chief Executive commented, “It is important to raise the profile of our key campaigns at this time. We have emphasized to hundreds of MPs that the issues that concern us not only affect the businesses operating in their constituency and across the UK, but also the householders who benefit from more energy efficient homes and appropriate regulations and enforcement.”

The GGF accompanied the letter with a more detailed list of campaigns and invited the respective MPs to meet with GGF representatives to discuss the issues and campaigns in more detail.

The full list of campaigns are available on the GGF website in the publications section www.ggf.org.uk

The GGF will yet again be in attendance at the political party conferences this Autumn to raise Members concerns across a range of political campaigns including:

• Reducing the rate of VAT on home improvements and energy efficient glazing

The GGF has long argued for a reduced rate of VAT for energy efficient windows and doors, from the current 20% rate to a 5% rate – to bring energy efficient glazing into parity with other energy saving products. In addition, the GGF supports the wider campaign to cut the VAT on home improvement, repair and maintenance work from a rate of 20% to a rate of 5%.

• Consumer Bill of Rights  

The GGF have been raising awareness of potential problems over the current wording of some parts of the Bill, to avoid confusion for consumers and to protect businesses from potential “rogue consumers”. 

• Manifesto for Barriers Containing Glass to Resist and Contain Fire and Smoke

The GGF’s ongoing campaign to urge all those involved in fire safety (including regulation, design, installation etc.) to advocate an integrated approach to fire safety. 

• Addressing the impact of the change of ownership of private sewers

A significant number of GGF Members who manufacture, supply and install conservatories have found that homeowners wishing to build conservatories on their properties are being hampered as a result of the change of ownership of private sewers.  The GGF has developed industry guidance which outlines best practice for installing conservatories or extensions in cases where building work may go near to a sewer.  Given the absence of a water companies’ code of conduct, the GGF is campaigning for this guidance to be adopted by the water companies, in order to provide clarity for consumers who wish to extend their homes.  

• Incentivising the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation

The GGF’s key focus is on improving the energy efficiency of households and commercial premises. Since 2011, the Federation has been lobbying all of the main political parties to provide evidence and advice on how to better incentivise the schemes to boost the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock. 

Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive commented, “We have a full on itinerary at the Party Conferences with face to face meetings with MPs and MEPs responsible for energy, employment, local government and planning, skills, treasury and tax. We look forward to attending various events and sessions to raise and discuss our concerns to Ministers and policy makers. With 2015 being an election year and with a great degree of uncertainty around the outcome, it is important we reach as many key influencers as possible.”

Party Conference Dates and Venues:

• The Labour Party Conference, 21^st-24^th September, Manchester
• The Conservative Party Conference, 28^th September to 1^st October, Birmingham
• The Liberal Democrat Party Conference, 4^th – 8^th October Glasgow

As well as Senior GGF staff attending, the GGF’s political advisers and public affairs firm GK Strategy will also have representation at all three party conferences on the Federation’s behalf. GK Strategy are in the line-up of guest speakers for GGF Members’ Day (30^th September) where they will present an update of all the GGF’s political campaigns.