Owen Coop, CEO of leading independent hardware supplier Carl F Groupco, has sounded the alarm on using disclaimers to avoid installing trickle vents as a means of complying with Part F of Building Regulations.
Owen says: “A recent report from RISA, which inspects window and door installations for compliance with Building Regulations and FENSA requirements, notes instances of signed disclaimers being provided as a means of avoiding fitting trickle vents. But it’s very clear that these disclaimers are not valid. Installations will be non-compliant and installers put their businesses at real risk if they use them.”
Owen cites guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities when the regulations came into force.
“The guidance explicitly stated that disclaimers and indemnities would not cover installers. It said: ‘A disclaimer signed by the homeowner stating that they do not wish to have background ventilators or that they will be installed in future is not a suitable way of complying with the Building Regulations. Work must comply with the Building Regulations and competent person schemes must monitor their registrants and take action against any registrant who is found to have carried out non-compliant work. Purchasing an indemnity policy is also not a suitable alternative to meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations in full.’”
The research from RISA finds that over a quarter of inspection failures are due to non-compliance with Document F, which suggests the regulations are taking a while to bed in.
Owen offers reassurance, saying: “Here at Carl F Groupco, we’re on hand to support our customers to ensure they comply with industry regulations. Our team is highly knowledgeable and experienced so we can offer all the guidance, input and advice that’s required.”
Alongside valuable technical expertise, the company also offers a comprehensive range of trickle vents. It includes the popular Glazpart Link Vent MK II, as well as options from Yale, RW Simon Ltd and Greenwood.
Carl F Groupco prides itself on being the hardware supplier that goes beyond order processing to solve problems, offer advice and find solutions. It’s an approach that’s evident in its offer to customers around compliance with Part F.
