52
AUGUST 2015 PRO INSTALLER
PRO BUSINESS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
NEW GLASS REPAIR TECHNICAL
DOCUMENT RELEASED
The Glass and Glazing
Federation (GGF) is
pleased to announce
the release of a new
technical Data Sheet
entitled, “Glass Repair
Removal of Surface
Damage from Glass.”
The publication covers the
optical and quality factors
that influences the appearance of glass following
surface repair. The major
emphasis of this new technical document is on the
visual performance when
glass is viewed from inside
a building.
Bob Griffin of Re-newglass and Chairman of the
GGF Glass Repair Group
commented: “This will
prove not only a highly
useful data sheet but also
a very important one for
the sector. For some time
there has been concern
in the industry over glass
polishing and in particular
on toughened glass. This
document answers those
concerns.”
The Data Sheet addresses
causes and types of glass
surface and edge damage
as well as optical and visual
quality across many types
of glass including annealed,
toughened, laminated and
coated glass. The publication then explains the
repair process and method
of assessment.
Bob added: “I am very
pleased this publication
has been released. It will
provide vital information
for customers and glass
producers who are looking
for guidance on treatment
options for surface damage. It is the authoritative
technical publication that
should become a required
industry reference for all
looking to repair glass.”
Brian Baker of Glassolutions and GGF President
is a Member of the Glass
Repair Group and helped
produce this latest document.
He said: “It is yet another
excellent addition to the
GGF library of technical
information and I have no
doubt will be essential in
guiding the industry when
it comes to repairing glass
surfaces.”
The Glass Repair Removal of Surface Damage
(Ref 5.15.1) from Glass
Data Sheet is available
for free download for all
GGF Members from the
Members’ Area of the GGF
website.
Non-Members of the GGF
can buy this new product
direct from the GGF Shop
http://shop.ggfmembers.
com
Chairman Bob Griffin will
be presenting at GGF Members’ Day on 1st September
in London, where he will
be highlighting the Group’s
activity.
To find out more about
the GGF Glass Repair
Group please visit http://
www.ggf.org.uk/group/
glass-repair-group
GGF REACTS TO GREEN DEAL FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
The Government announced
last week that there will be
no further funding to the
Green Deal Finance Company, in a move to protect
taxpayers.
The announcement made by
Energy and Climate Change
Secretary Amber Rudd, stated that
Government will work with the
building industry and consumer
groups on a new value-for-money approach. Amber Rudd also
announced that the Government
will stop any future funding
releases of the Green Deal Home
Improvement Fund.
The Government recognises
that future schemes must provide
better value for money whilst
supporting the goal of insulating
a million more homes over the
next five years to fulfil the Government’s commitment to tackle
fuel poverty.
This announcement stressed
that the funding decision has no
impact on existing Green Deal
Finance Plans or existing Green
Deal Home Improvement Fund
applications and vouchers.
The announcement comes as
part of Government’s wider review
of energy policies. The Energy and
Climate Change Secretary confirmed that the first priority is to
get spending under control.
In response to the announcement, Nigel Rees, GGF Group
Chief Executive commented:
“This announcement is no surprise to the GGF. During the last
Government, the GGF constantly
worked with DECC (Department
of Energy and Climate Change)
on the development of Green
Deal and ECO and consistently
explained why both programmes
would not work for the replacement window industry; this has
been proven by the extremely low
numbers of glazing measures installations, 223 under Green Deal
and 972 under ECO. Combined,
these figures do not even make
up 0.1% of the total measures
installed under the schemes.
“The GGF now looks forward to
working with the current Government to “make new policy
and build a system that works” as
outlined by Amber Rudd. The GGF
believes it is essential to improve
the energy efficiency within the
existing building stock and people’s lifestyles as well as reducing
carbon emissions.”
The Government has commissioned an independent review
led by Peter Bonfield to look at
standards, consumer protection
and enforcement of energy efficiency schemes and ensure that
the system properly supports and
protects consumers.
Current Government policies
including the Energy Company
Obligation (ECO) scheme will
continue to provide support this
year to low-income and vulnerable
households, reflecting the fact that
ECO delivered 97% of home improvements in the last two years.
DECC also announced it will
work in partnership with the
Department for Communities
and Local Government (DCLG) to
improve the UK’s existing housing
stock.