Building Fabric As we now know, Grenfell wasn’t the only building that used a combination


of cladding materials that had been mis-sold because they had never been tested together and proven safe to be used. Tis culture has leſt us with the cladding scandal legacy, and how to address


the problem of properties clad in materials deemed unsafe. Many homeowners are living in properties rightly condemned; however, many aren’t, due to a lack of understanding by lenders and cladding consultants quick to condemn.


VIABLE SOLUTIONS BEING MISSED With Dame Judith Hackitt repeatedly calling for an outcome-based solution, rather than prescriptive legislation, the biggest challenge is to provide, as a matter of urgency, a balanced and unambiguous method of demonstrating fire safety to the entire industry. Stakeholders can then confidently make informed decisions when specifying, building, warranting, and funding their projects. It’s not healthy for the industry that there is a ‘binary’ view that all non-


combustible materials are good, and all combustible materials are bad. Some perfectly viable solutions are being missed because of the confusion perhaps created by those in a position to benefit commercially from scaremongering. Insisting that everything should be A1 or A2 is a very challenging delivery


due to an over-reliance on a limited range of suppliers and the impact on our environment of using cement-based materials and unsustainable mineral resources such as sand and cement. We also must not lose sight of the fact that if non-combustible materials are designed and assembled incorrectly they too can be vulnerable in a fire.


MOVING FORWARD With innovation and new products being brought to market, questions around technical performance are heavily focussed on combustibility. Previously it was weathertightness, fatigue and thermal movement related questions and the importance of these issues should not be overlooked as statistically cladding systems are exposed to the elements, rather than fire, 99.9% of the time. Requests for third-party evidence to prove the performance of materials have increased. Companies who have invested historically in people and testing, to


enable the provision of clear and robust technical support, are being rewarded with specifications as there are no long waiting periods for busy test houses to become available for testing retrospectively. Changing a culture of ignorance and indifference won’t happen overnight,


but with changes to roles and responsibilities, as well as regulatory reform, there is reason to remain optimistic that our industry has the desire and ability to take collective responsibility for change.


Paul Richards is managing director of Aquarian Cladding Systems. Carl F Groupco Successful in Tai Tarian Tender L


eading hardware distributor, Carl F Groupco has successfully secured a tender to continue hardware supply to one of


the largest social housing providers in Wales, Tai Tarian. Having supplied window and door hardware for the past five years, the contract has recently been awarded for another three to five years. Servicing over 9000 properties in the Neath


Port Talbot County Borough, Tai Tarian is one of the only housing associations in Wales that manufacturer PVC windows and doors for its own properties, leaseholders, and external clients. Doors and windows supplied by Tai Tarian are fabricated to Secured by Design and PAS 24 security standards and provide Energy Rating Scheme certification. With a proven history supplying large scale


projects, Carl F Groupco are well placed to continue hardware supply to Tai Tarian. As one of the only major independently owned distributors in the UK, Carl F Groupco’s access to leading hardware brands including Cotswold, FUHR, Hoppe, Kenrick, Rapier Star, Roto and Yale has been key in securing the tender. Commenting, Steve Meredith, Production


Manager for Tai Tarian said: “Aside from the product range and delivery service, a big reason for Carl F Groupco being awarded the tender is down to their customer service levels. Especially Andrew Price, Nathalie McKee, Lyn Richards,


Cladding Feature


Carlia Corras and Lorraine Robinson. Tey’ve all been exceptional, all period.” With a trading history dating back over 70


years, Carl F Groupco has a strong reputation for hardware expertise and the company prides itself on supplying it’s UK fabricator partners


42 | HMM February/March 2022 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk HMM02_Carl F Groupco_Building Fabric - Doors & Windows - Door Hardware_HPAdv.indd 1


large and small. Te team are always on hand to provide advice on the most appropriate hardware solutions for all projects.


01733 393 330 www.carlfgroupco.co.uk


14/02/2022 15:55


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