Sliders UK, the specialist manufacturer of inline sliding, bi-folding and composite doors, has warned that the reach of Part Q may extend beyond just the new build sector to home improvement.
With Part Q of the Building Regulations now in effect, all new build installations are required to demonstrate compliance with PAS24:2012 or Secured by Design accreditations, as part of the government’s commitment to establish a new minimum security standard in new build.
Installers who are unable to demonstrate that the products they are supplying meet the new regulations, are ‘locked out’ of the sector with immediate effect.
Ian Longbottom, chairman, Sliders UK said: “Part Q is a problem if your supplier doesn’t comply, but overall it’s a positive move for our industry, driving standards and security specifications higher.
“There’s nothing onerous about compliance, you simply need to ensure that you’re fitting a PAS24:2012 or SBD accredited product. This isn’t a bad discipline to get into because whatever starts off in new build sooner or later also has an impact on the home improvement sector more broadly.”
But he warned that the regulation also applies to products installed in new build home improvements, for example extensions. Depending on how literally the regulation is interpreted by building inspectors, it could even apply to new build orangeries or conservatory hybrids.
“This seems to have been overlooked by the industry,” he said. “For the purpose of the regulation, the definition of ‘new build’ includes new build extensions, orangeries and conservatories – anything that puts more square footage on a property. It even applies to the conversion of garages into habitable space.”
Sliders UK claims to have manufactured the UK’s first SBD approved inline sliding door in 2008 – three years ahead of its nearest competitors. It now supplies more than 300 inline sliding doors, 50 bi-folds and more than 200 composite doors to the trade each week – with SBD and PAS24:2012 approved specifications offered as standard across its Ultimate range.
Ian concluded: “While the fix for installers is easy, it really is worth making sure that your supplier is on top of the change. PAS24:2012 or Secured by Design status isn’t awarded overnight, so if they don’t have it now, it may be some time before they do.”
