The British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) commitment to driving up the quality standards of timber windows continues apace through its work with the Wood Window Alliance (WWA) and now through its proposed revisions to BS 644, the British Standard for timber windows. The BWF Windows Technical Committee has compiled the proposed revisions which the BSI has issued for public consultation, with implementation scheduled for early in 2009.

In initiating the revisions, the BSI’s main objective was to ensure that BS 644 would be issued in time to comply with the European Standard BS EN 14351-1 on 1st February 2009 when the transition (or co-existence) period ends. For the BWF’s Windows Technical Committee this provided a perfect opportunity to radically change the scope of the British Standard by limiting it to cover only factory-finished and factory-glazed timber windows and to require the U-Value for each window design. Both of these changes reflect the requirements of a market increasingly influenced by environmental concerns and product life assessment. There is also a new emphasis in the proposed revisions on installation and maintenance advice for users aimed at improving long term performance. Manufacturers who follow the requirements of the proposed revised BS 644 and maintain written factory production control procedures will be able to use the CE mark on their products as an endorsement of their quality.

Says BWF’s chief executive Richard Lambert: “The Technical Committee saw this as a great opportunity to drive up the standards of UK timber windows, focusing on factory-finished and factory-glazed windows where real quality standards can be achieved.”

As the awareness of the thermal efficiency, durability and performance of 21st century timber windows increases quality standards are crucial to market confidence and growth. The BWF has taken a bold approach which we believe will pay off to the long term benefit of UK timber window manufacturers in a growing and developing market.”

BWF members will be able to comment on the consultation draft before it goes back to the BSI in October.

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Email: maggie@thegoodagency.co.uk