Glazing Industry

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is a highly respected governing body of the glazing world and covers a wide range of workers not just those dealing purely with window installations. Members of the GGF work in a broad cross section of the glazing industry including:

Conservatories, windows, doors
Mirrors
Extrusions
Curtain walling
Curved, toughened glass, fire resistant and laminated types of glass

Although membership to the GGF is voluntary it will give the company benefits in the form of professional guidelines to work to, as well as giving them a standard of accreditation that will assure potential clients of the business' quality products and customer service. It provides potential clients with more peace of mind because they can be sure certain guidelines will be met and if not there is someone they can go to for resolvings issues if any arise.

Benefits of using a GGF member?

Before the Federation will recognise you as a member they will have to inspect your quality of work in previous jobs and may look at qualifications. In the unlikely event of extreme dissatisfaction from your chosen company, you can enlist the help of their Free Conciliation Service to try and sort out the issue to the satisfaction of both parties.

All members are expected to abide by the Code of Good Practice, and the methods described in the Glazing Manual set out by the Federation.

Alongside these codes of practice, a GGF member is also likely to adhere to The GLASS (Goal: Less Accidents, Safe Sites) Charter. Managed by The Glass and Glazing Federation and the British Glass Manufacturers Confederation, the Charter is dedicated to the issue of health and safety within the glass and glazing industry, and as such is advocated by the Health and Safety Executive.

The GLASS Charter Industry Scheme is aiming to help glass workers improve their health and safety while working. The Scheme aims to provide a platform in which to discuss health and safety matters, put forward new ideas, and learn about the recommended safety guidelines. The results are that the workers will hopefully have a lower rates of accidents keeping all employee's safer whilst at the work site.

FENSA

The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme was established with Government approval by the GGF following the creation of the new Building Regulations for England and Wales. Similar to the GGF it is a voluntary scheme and has been created to relieve some of the pressure from the Building control in up holding the new building regulations.

The building regulations that were enforced several years ago now mean that any replacement doors or windows that are fitted on your home must comply with the requirements for energy conservation.

In practice, this means that if you wish to have any doors and windows replaced you must:

1. Obtain a certificate from the Local Authority Building Control, or
2. Have a FENSA Registered Company carry out the replacement.

Members of FENSA are able to self certify their work, and so cut down on the time consuming hassle of involving Building Control, making FENSA registration appealing to both the glass and glazing business and to prospective clients. Employing a FENSA member automatically entails that your window or door replacement will comply with the new Building Regulations, whereas normally you would have to fill out forms, get an inspection, and wait for verification from your local Building Control.

When in relation to a new build you wouldn't go through FENSA as you would still have to obtain permission before proceeding with your build, so you would still have to go through the normal channels of your local Building Control.