Hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has released guidance for fabricators and installers ahead of the update to Part F of the UK building regulations. The new standard requires additional ventilation to circulate air in living spaces.
“The new Part F comes into force on 15 June,” explained John Mitchell, said Carl F Groupco’s technical manager. “As a responsible hardware distributor, we feel it’s our obligation to ensure that the full supply chain is prepared ahead of this date, which is why we’re releasing this guidance now.”
Fabricators may need to review their production processes to cope with fitting new products, and they should be aware of the vents required to comply with the updated regulation while at the same time maintaining U-values, John argues. Installers will need to educate themselves on the stipulations of Part F for all scenarios, he said, to make sure that they are fitting compliant products and advising end users correctly.
There have been several attempts to improve ventilation standards in the past, John explained. But, due to ineffective management of building regulations, they have often been overlooked. According to John, it’s important that fabricators and installers don’t think these latest regulations will be the same.
“Local Authority Building Control is in charge of policing new-build installations this time round, requiring confirmation that each building complies. The ultimate responsibility falls with the installer to guarantee their installations comply with regulations. But we see it as our job to make the necessary arrangements to supply compliant products, and to assist installers with the requirements.”
Carl F Groupco stocks Part F-compliant vents from Glazpart, Greenwood, RW Simon and Yale. The business operates nationally, including to the Scottish Highlands and offshore islands, from distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld.
