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Archive NewsNEW HAPAS GUIDELINE FOR HIGHWAY PAINTS (06 December 2006)
The BBA, which operates the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) , has announced the completion of the Technical Guideline setting out how Highway Paints will be assessed under the requirements of the Scheme.
Previously, the Highways Agency (HA) and earlier the Department of Transport, approved paints for highway uses on the basis of Item Numbers in BD 35/99 Design Manual for Roads and Bridges: Quality Assurance Scheme for paints and similar protective coatings. These items covered particular polymer types and applications, and subsequently, the HA introduced new items to cover new paint types as they became available, withdrawing others as they became obsolescent.
With the increasing pace of change in the paint industry, such as developments in new products and modified existing products in response to concerns about air quality, worker safety, toxicity and ozone depletion and as well as meeting new challenges in demanding areas (eg North Sea oil industry), it became clear a more responsive procedure was necessary, and a HAPAS Specialist Group was set up to prepare a Guideline. This Group included representatives of the BBA, HA, County Surveyors' Society, British Constructional Steelwork Association, British Coatings Federation, Corus, Network Rail and independent experts. One of the aspirations of the work was to harmonise the requirements of different specifiers for the same service conditions, and Network Rail was invited on to the Group to achieve this.
As work neared completion, the HA revised BD 35/99 in May 2005 requiring paints used in highway work should hold a BBA HAPAS Certificate, the BBA and Highways Agency co-operated to issue nine HAPAS Certificates covering 101 separate products which had previously been covered by approvals under HA item sheets.
The HAPAS Guideline for the Assessment and Certification of Paints and Similar Protective coatings 2006 has now been completed, approved and its key points are:
The BBA is now conducting its first assessments for highway paints and looks forward to further applications for paint companies seeking HAPAS Approval.
For more information, contact Alan Thomas athomas@bba.star.co.uk
Tel: 01923 665382
RUGBY RECEIVE BFRC CERTIFICATE
(06 December 2006)
Rugby Windows, the commercial fabricator based in Sapcote, Leicestershire is celebrating the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) rating results for energy efficiency for its products.
The white casement window, manufactured from Deceuninck's Zendow 3000 series, has been awarded an energy efficiency rating of B during the simulation process carried out by the BBA.
This rating features an ‘energy label’ (similar to that for electrical appliances such as fridges and washing machines) that manufacturer’s can affix to their windows.
The rating is calculated by a formula involving thermal transmittance — the U value of the whole window, not just the glass — solar heat gain and air infiltration. The three elements are combined to give a figure that is then converted to an alphabetical A to G rating (A being the most efficient).
Anthony Hopewell, Works Director at Rugby Windows, who led the project to achieve certification, commented: ‘We're delighted to have achieved such an excellent rating. Certification involved a lot of work, because we had to gather information for the independent assessor, the BBA, but the help and support that Deceuninck gave us throughout the process was invaluable.’
The BBA has introduced a new BFRC Certificate to verify rating achievements and Rugby Windows is one of the first companies to receive their Certificate. Anthony explained why the company sought certification: ‘Energy efficiency is becoming such an important area and we're confident that our forward-thinking approach will pay dividends. As part of the Home Information Pack the government plans to introduce next June, every home that's put on the market will be awarded an Energy Performance Certificate and this is going to have a big impact on the market. It's likely that just as double glazing is an important selling point for a house now, a good energy efficiency rating will be just as important in the future. The B rating we achieved will be a huge selling point for our retail installers and will help us in our trade partnerships too.’
POLYPIPE CIVILS' WINS APPROVAL FOR POLYSTORM
(06 December 2006)
Polypipe Civils, the UK manufacturer of ducting, drainage, sewerage and environmental systems has recently received BBA approval (Certificate No 06/4297) for its Polystorm modular cell.
The Polystorm units are manufactured from light grey polypropylene and the matrix structure allows for a 95% void ratio which incorporate preformed sockets enabling connection to pipework or ducting.
The Polystorm unit is designed for landscaped or lightly-trafficked applications and is capable of withstanding a 40 tonne vertical load. The units are used in conjunction with a permeable or impermeable membrane depending on whether the units are utilised for attenuation or soakaway purposes respectively and are an integral part of the stormwater management from Polypipe Civils.
Oliver Monk, Divisional Head of Quality and Standards for Polypipe Civils comments: ‘We went through a rigorous testing procedure with the BBA to ensure our Polystorm product met their criteria. With ongoing product development at Polypipe Civils, we have to ensure that we work closely with the BBA to provide the relevant approvals and certification.’
‘Polystorm has now been approved by the BBA and we are beginning a performance process and testing for our Polystorm Lite product which has been specifically developed for non-trafficked, landscaped applications.’
Rachel Roberts, Marketing Manager for Polypipe Civils comments: ‘We are delighted to have received BBA approval for Polystorm and look forward to the testing and production control assessment for our new Polystorm Lite product.’
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