Vista Panels has welcomed the role of the Association of Composite Door Manufacturers (ACDM) in promoting industry standards and compliance. The ACDM sets out to highlight the need for composite doorset manufacturers to adhere to building regulations, and the need for independent, third-party product certification to demonstrate constancy of performance for the manufacture of composite doorsets.
The ACDM operates under a constitution that requires all members to adhere to its code of good practice, claim a recognised security performance – usually PAS24 – and hold independent, third-party certification by a UKAS-accredited certification body. Ian Smith, Vista’s business development and marketing manager, said: “With changes to Approved Document Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and expected changes to Part Q (security), it’s vital that everyone fabricating a composite doorset is making it to a required performance standard.
“Installers and consumers should also be aware that external doorsets must be UKAS or CE marked (valid until 1 January 2023) in accordance with the Construction Products Regulations, to demonstrate claimed U-value performance. The company should also be able to provide a copy of its PAS24 test report.
“Given the government drive to improve the thermal performance of homes in the UK, the need to improve the protection of families in their homes, a U-value of 1.4W/m²K or under for replacement doorsets and the proposed changes to Document Q, composite doorset manufacturers should be able to demonstrate compliance, and not rely on cascaded information from another manufacturer or supplier. This type of proof, which shows the manufacturer’s name on test reports as well as third-party certification, gives the end user certainty of performance and trust in the doorset.
“Trade associations like the ACDM can help businesses develop through BSI and promotes standards by having strict membership criteria that will in turn give installers and homeowners peace of mind that the doorset they are fitting is tested and fit for purpose. The new changes that have been introduced should put off companies from trying to make and market a composite doorset without properly investing in the required testing.
“We have been proud members of the ACDM for the last three years; it is an association that promotes the correct manufacturing standards of composite doorsets. We look forward to working closely with them going forward as legislation and standards change”.
