Thermal Rating Register And Pilkington Save Substitution From Simulation

The scheme, designed in association with Pilkington Building Products, enables registered companies to change IGU supplier without arranging, and paying for, another simulation and, in addition, makes it easy for an installer or trade supplier that buys frames and glazing separately to achieve a WER rating. At present, in order for a WER to be awarded, a company must have a factory production control system in place and each window design must be individually simulated by an accredited simulator.Once the configuration of window components has been approved the rating only applies to that particular window design. This means in practice there is significant cost and complexity involved to make changes and for smaller companies it can be an obstacle to get obtaining a WER.
 
After feedback from its members, Certass has recognised these problems and is pleased to have agreed to the use of the independently verified WER V4 calculator from Pilkington Building Products. Barrie Smith-Wright, MD of Certass states; “This system can be used to identify a WER to any rating up to and including an A. The system will also free up installers who prefer to buy their own insulating glass units. There have been numerous tales of woe from IGU manufactures that they are excluded from supplying glass to their existing customers due to restrictions placed on fabricators and installers regarding change of suppliers.”
 
The Certass/TRR scheme will use the output of the Pilkington WER V4 to produce a label for the member company and carry out the company audit based on the produced window specification. This streamlines procedures for the registered company, allows choice, easy substitution and provides the most simple and effective solution for WERs in the industry to date. It will also remove one of the main difficulties experienced by IGU and installers by encouraging free trade for IGU manufacturers.
 
Matt Buckley, Commercial Director, Building Products UK & South Europe says; “We are delighted that TRR has recognised the problems that our customers are facing to achieve a WER in the short time left to comply with the new regulations and that it has been able to use our data which has been independently calculated by Build Check Ltd within its scheme. Simulations will be available free of charge for Pilkington customers and for a small fee to customers of other glass manufacturers.”
 
TRR is a division of Certass the government licensed competent person for England & Wales. Certass is a member driven organisation that was brought to the market to increase competition, following industry demand, thus helping to reduce the cost burden of regulation for installer and now fabricators alike. Given the huge number of companies who have yet to do anything about gaining a C rating and will, potentially, be unable to sell windows after October, Pilkington and Certass both welcome the simplification of WER rating thus speeding up the registration process.”