New Kitemark for PVC-u Window Installation

BSI Product Services has launched a new Kitemark scheme designed to save both time and money relating to the survey and installation process for PVC-u windows.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Radway Doors and Windows and Graham Holmes Astraseal were each awarded with their licences by Dr Eli Kienwald of the London Housing Consortium together with Chris Lewis, certification manager for construction products at BSI Product Services.

The scheme was launched with three clients at the new event for the construction industry, Public Sector Construction Conference on the 25 and 26 of May. The new Kitemark licensees now fulfil the requirements of the Survey and Installation of PVC-u Replacement Windows Kitemark scheme, which is based on the British Plastic Federation specification BPF W362/1.

Chris Lewis comments: "It is all very well having great quality products, backed by a quality mark scheme, but performance can be let down by poor installation. This new scheme addresses this issue. While, in the past, the Kitemark primarily covered the performance of the product, this new scheme means that the installers, specifiers and homeowners are assured that both the product and the installation are of a high quality.

"Ultimately, this means avoiding costly mistakes, saving time on site and providing the customer with a quality product, service and peace of mind."

Andrew McKeown, Managing Director of Astraseal says: "Our surveying and installation service is undertaken to high standards but it is always gratifying to receive an independent endorsement of that and we will be promoting our new Kitemark with a huge degree of pride."

This new Service Kitemark demonstrates that the company’s installation process has been assessed by BSI and meets the nationally accepted code of practise. The assessment includes a number of site installations, the surveyor’s responsibilities, measurement, fixing methods and typical installation details. The manufacturer's quality system is assessed, on a regular basis, to ensure continued compliance. BSI provides a cost-effective certification service to demonstrate that products and services are legal and fit for sale in the market place.

The usual route to achieving a Product Kitemark is by a combination of stringent and regular independent product testing and quality systems assessment - all to recognised British, European or international safety and quality standards. BSI runs Kitemark schemes for hundreds of products from pipes and valves to cricket balls.

For more information about Kitemarks please go to: www.bsi-global.com/Kitemark

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For more information please contact:

Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330