From April 2002, all replacement glazing comes within the scope of the
Building Regulations. From now on, anyone who installs replacement
windows or doors will have to comply with strict thermal performance
standards.
One of the main reasons for this change is the need to reduce energy
loss. The Building Regulations have controlled glazing in new buildings
for many years but this represents only a very small percentage of our
total building stock. It is also essential to improve the performance of
the much larger number of existing buildings if we are to meet
increasingly stringent national and global energy saving targets.
When the time comes to sell your property, your purchaser's
solicitors, while undertaking the necessary search, will ask for
evidence that any replacement glazing installed after April 2002
complies with the new Building Regulations. There will be two ways to
prove compliance:-
- a certificate showing that the work has been done by an installer
who is registered under the FENSA Scheme
or
- a certificate from the local authority saying that the
installation has approval under the Building Regulations.
The FENSA Scheme
It is estimated that around 1-1.2 million installations of
replacement glazing happen every year. If all of them went through the
normal Building Regulations application process it would place an
enormous burden on local authorities. It is essential to have a way to
ensure that the work is done properly without an unreasonable increase
in the administrative and financial burden on installers and property
owners. The answer is a scheme which allows installation companies that
meet certain criteria to self-certify that their work complies with the
Building Regulations. The scheme is known as FENSA which stands for the
Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme. It was set up by the Glass
and Glazing Federation (GGF) and meets with central Government
approval.
A sample of the work of every installer will be inspected by FENSA
appointed inspectors to ensure standards are maintained. FENSA will also
inform local authorities of all completed FENSA installations and issue
certificates to householders confirming compliance.
Any installation done by a firm which is not registered to
self-certify, or done as a DIY project by a householder, will need full
local authority approval under the Building Regulations. Local
authorities will know of all the approved installers in their areas and
will be able to identify unauthorised work very easily. You should note
that you, as the house owner, are ultimately responsible for ensuring
the work complies with the Building Regulations.
Before you sign a contract to buy replacement glazing, be sure to ask
whether the installer is able to self-certify. If not, either they, or
you, will need to make an application to your local authority for
approval under the Building Regulations and pay the relevant charges.
