Quality and Standards
Safestyle strive for the very highest standards in the work we do and in the installations that we provide. One way that we are able to guarantee those standards is through our membership of the organisations that oversee our industry. Our membership of the Glass and Glazing Federation, its offshoot the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme - commonly referred to as FENSA scheme are a way to ensure that every aspect of our work is at the forefront of our industry.
Organisations, such as FENSA regularly check the products and service of companies like ourselves to ensure that we are maintaining the standards as set out in Building Regulations. That means, for example, that when we make a claim about the energy efficiency of our windows you can be confident that what we say has been checked and certified by an independent, government approved body. What each of these different bodies does is outlined below.
GGF
The Glass and Glazing Federation
The GGF is the overall umbrella authority for the glazing industry in the UK. Established in 1977 as a relaunch of the Flat Glass Association (est. 1964) the GGF exists to represent the interests of companies in the UK who make, supply and fit glazing and glazing-related products. This representation involves advising and lobbying government and European authorities as well as ensuring that its members’ dealings with individual members of the public are conducted in a way that meets the needs of everyone involved.
Consumer protection is something the GGF takes extremely seriously. A formal code of good practice is set out and member organisations are required to honour a comprehensive customer charter. As that charter states, The Federation’s logo on a company’s literature or vehicles is a mark representing quality and reliability.
The Window Efficiency Rating (WER) that tells you how energy efficient an overall window unit is (not just the glass) is set by the British Fenestration Research Council (BFRC) which was formally taken over by the BGF in 2005. The A to G rainbow ratings that are widely used for other products are now part of Buildings Regulations compliance thanks to the direct input of the BFRC and the GGF to government policy.
Safestyle is a proud member of the GGF.
FENSA
FENSA
The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme is another GGF initiative. It was set up in 2002 as a way to enable competent door and window fitters to self-certify their work as complying with Building Regulations. With so many replacement doors and windows now being fitted this self-certification approach was introduced as a way to prevent local authority planning departments becoming overrun.
Certification
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management
BSI ISO 14001 (EMS) Environmental Management System
BSI ISO 45001Occupational Health and Safety Management
BSI BES 6001Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products
BS7412Plastic windows made from PVC-U extruded hollow profile
BSEN 12608-1PVC-U profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors
BSEN 1279-1Insulating Glass Units
BSEN 1279-3Insulating Glass Units
BSEN 12150Safety Glass for use in buildings
BBA 93/2906Durability of PVC-U Casement and Tilt & Turn Windows
BBA 94/3000Durability of PVC-U Residential, French and Patio Doors
