Pro Installer March 2015 - Issue 24 | Page 3

3 PRO INSTALLER MARCH 2015 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 A STEP FORWARD IN THE FIGHT AGAINST LOCK-SNAPPING Avocet Hardware has welcomed the RISCAuthority’s decision to incorporate an explanation of lock-snapping and the importance of TS007 and SS312 in the fight against it in its latest “Guidance to Occupiers”. Avocet, which manufactures ABS snap-secure locks, has long campaigned for the insurance industry to play an active role in helping to curtail the rise in lock-snapping and is delighted with what it describes as a major step forward. “Lock-snapping is a significant issue across large swathes of the country and what makes it so frustrating is that it’s easily preventable,” said Rythm Jain Saigal, CEO of Avocet. “All we need in order to stamp it out is for insurance companies to add TS007 3-star BSI Kitemark or SS312 Diamond accredited locks to their list of Minimum Security Standard products and maybe take the customer friendly step of compensating those who have to upgrade by offering a reduced premium.” “But to date they have maintained the preposterous stance of insisting on likefor-like replacements for snapped locks, meaning homeowners are doing nothing to prevent a repeat attack.” “We are extremely hopeful that the RISCAuthority’s publication is the first sign of a change in attitude, one that will benefit not just the British public, but the insurers themselves as a result of the significant decrease in break-ins such a measure would deliver.” Avocet uses Leeds as an example of the impact TS007 3-star and SS312 Diamond accredited locks can have on crime figures. In 2012, Leeds City Council fitted over 10,000 of Avocet’s ABS snap secure locks in the east of the city. Alongside other initiatives this led to a 36% decrease in burglaries in the area in the year to October 2012, which equated to 3,200 less victims in just one year. In addition, locksmiths across the country have been quick to praise the safety of such locks. Most recently, Bob Callard OBE, a director of Sheffield-based Callard Security, said: “I specified them (ABS) for a client earlier this year, who sadly was burgled last month, or rather he wasn’t. His entire street was hit by a team of ‘snappers’ who made successful entries against a range of properties, apart from his. The sacrificial element of the cylinder parted company in accordance with its design leaving his property safe. His neighbours have all asked him why they were unsuccesful, with the resullt that I have now specified Avocet for them all.” “There is no doubting the effectiveness of ABS and other TS007 3-star and SS312 Diamond accredited locks,” added Rythm. “What has been in doubt is the commitment of the insurance industry to take the steps needed to broadcast this message in suitable fashion.” “I firmly believe that the RISCAuthority’s publishing decision signals the beginning of the end for the lock-snappers.” UK Infrastructure Needs To Focus On Energy Efficiency The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) attended the UK Infrastructure Conference last month at the Institute of Civil Engineers in Westminster and called for politicians and policy makers to put more emphasis on energy efficiency with regards to UK infrastructure construction projects. Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive, was part of the delegation that heard key speakers Rt. Hon Ed Balls MP, Lord Andrew Adonis and Sir John Armitt present the Armitt Review of Infrastructure Planning as set up by the Labour Party in 2012. Sir John was asked to examine whether a new institutional structure can be established that better enables the long term decision making necessary for strategic infrastructure planning and how political consensus can be forged around these decisions. The National Infrastructure Commission is the key recommendation which has emerged from the Review, both Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Prime Minister and Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor, announced in July 2014 that Labour would implement this recommendation. As part of this, the Commission is to report across all of the key sectors of economic infrastructure. This should be done in light of the National Infrastructure Goals for the UK, namely: 1. The infrastructure is to help deliver more good jobs, stronger and more balanced growth and rising standards for all 2. The most connected and open trading nation in the world 3. The best place in the world to do scientific research 4. A decarbonised power sector and infrastructure that meets the challenge of climate change 5. A transport network which spreads growth and prosperity to every part of the UK 6. The most advanced telecommunications economy in the world 7. The most resource efficient economy in the world 8. A secure, sustainable energy system 9. Five cities in the European Top 20 for growth between now and 2045 10. The infrastructure, new towns and urban extensions that will ensure 200,000 new homes a year are built by 2020 and meet the housing requirements by 2025 Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive commented, “It was an interesting conference but there was perhaps too much focus on energy and not enough on energy efficiency. We will continue to push our energy efficiency glazing campaigns to Shadow Ministers as well as to the Government in the run up to the General Election and beyond. It’s vital that Government and policy makers are made aware of the advantages of energy efficient glass and glazing and that our industry gets treated equally with all the other energy efficient measures that are used in construction and home improvement.”