From April 2002, all replacement glazing will come within the
scope of the Building Regulations. From then on, anyone who installs replacement
windows or doors will have to comply with strict thermal performance standards.
One of the main reasons for this change is the need to reduce
energy loss. The Building Regulations have controlled glazing in new buildings
for many years but this represents only a very small percentage of our total
building stock. It is also essential to improve the performance of the much
larger number of existing buildings if we are to meet increasingly stringent
national and global energy saving targets.
When the time comes to sell your property, your purchaser's
solicitors while undertaking the necessary search, will ask for evidence that
any replacement glazing installed after April 2002 complies with the new Building
Regulations. There will be two ways to prove compliance: -
1. A certificate showing that the work has been done
by an installer who is registered under the FENSA Scheme
Or
2. A certificate from the local authority saying that
the installation has approval under the Building Regulations.
THE FENSA SCHEME
It is estimated that around 1 - 1.2 million installations
of replacement glazing happen every year. If all of them went through the
normal Building Regulations application process it would place an enormous
burden on local authorities. It is essential to have a way to ensure that
the work is done properly without an unreasonable increase in the administrative
and financial burden on installers and property owners. The answer is a scheme,
which allows installation companies that meet certain criteria to self-certify
that their work complies with the Building Regulations. The scheme is known
as FENSA, which stands for the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme.
It was set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and meets with central
Government approval.
A sample of the work of every installer will be inspected by
FENSA appointed inspectors to ensure standards are maintained. FENSA will
also inform local authorities of all completed FENSA installations and issue
certificates to householders confirming compliance.
Any installation done by a firm which is not registered to
self-certify, or done as a DIY project by a householder, will need full local
authority approval under the Building Regulations. Local authorities will
know of all the approved installers in their areas and will be able to identify
unauthorised work very easily. You should note that you, as the house owner,
are ultimately responsible for ensuing the work complies with the Building
Regulations.
Before you sign a contract to buy replacement glazing,
be sure to ask whether the installer is able to self-certify. If not, either
they or you, will need to make an application to your local authority for
approval under the new Building Regulations and PAY the relevant charges.
