Issue 1 Spring 2022
leadinglight NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF IN THIS ISSUE: • NARM NEWS & ACTIVITIES • ROOFLIGHTS & SUSTAINABILITY • CAMPAIGNING FOR ROOFLIGHT SAFETY • NARM IN THE MEDIA • WAYS TO SUPPORT NARM’S WORK • AND MORE
DAYLIGHT = SUSTAINABILITY
Find out more about NARM’s work supporting sustainability in the built environment on page 6
Welcome to the first issue of ‘Leading Light’ As the trade association serving the UK’s rooflight industry, NARM plays a wide range of roles, from providing technical information to government, legislators and specifiers, to supporting safety, sustainability and the effective provision of natural daylight in all kinds of buildings, from homes to commercial & industrial premises. Our board, committee members and delegates from member companies meet on-line or in-person, on a regular basis, to progress a varied
agenda in a spirit of co-operation and inclusiveness. Above all, we’re passionate about the art & science of daylighting and the very many advantages it can deliver, in terms of energy saving, health & well-being – and simply making internal environments more pleasant to spend time in. This new magazine is designed to give you a regular update on the work we’re involved in and our aims, goals and successes! We hope you’ll enjoy reading it.
Meet NARM’s new Chairman
We’re delighted to report that NARM has appointed Scott Leeder to the position of Chairman, following a vote at the association’s recent AGM. Read more on PAGE 2
LEADING LIGHT – NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF NARM
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Scott Leeder appointed NARM Chairman
We’re delighted to report that NARM has appointed Scott Leeder to the position of Chairman, following a vote at the association’s recent AGM. As Market Director GB&I for VELUX and previously Sales Director at Glazing Vision – both NARM member companies – Scott brings broad experience to the role as well as a real passion for daylighting and the contributions it makes to building energy efficiency, sustainability and human well-being. Scott said: “A high level of daylight delivers a ‘wow’ factor beyond almost any other design elements in a building – and that’s even before you consider the massive advantages in terms of energy saving, emissions reductions and healthier living spaces. A key role for NARM, is to communicate these benefits and create a wider understanding within
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New NARM social media platforms -
the construction industry and the general public.”
FOLLOW US!
He continued: “Looking around me at NARM meetings, it’s apparent that many people, once they become part of the rooflight industry, tend to stay with it throughout their careers. Speaking from my own experience, this is because being part of a community that exists to deliver a sustainable and lifeenhancing product is extremely rewarding. It’s a bit addictive! I have two young children who are, like many of their same age, very engaged with the sustainability agenda. I’m keen to explore the potential of future generations who can benefit from a career in this industry and I believe that NARM can support ways to achieve this.”
For a number of years, NARM has had a presence on Linked-In and Twitter, posting regular content mainly targeting specifiers and contractors.
The recent NARM AGM was one of three meetings held over two days at Swindon’s National Self Build & Renovation Centre. As always, progress was made by NARM’s very active sub-committees covering technical specification, legislation, safety and communications.
Recently, we have set up new accounts on Facebook and Instagram, where we are posting different content, relevant to homeowners, self-builders and home improvement businesses. For these two new accounts, it’s very early days – and we have only made a few posts so far. Please help us to build profiles for these accounts, by following and sharing with your colleagues & contacts. After all, spreading the word about the many benefits of daylighting with rooflights applies to everyone!
Click on the icons below to follow us on your favourite social media platform/s!
NARM’s outgoing Chairman Tom Ogilvie, said: “We’re delighted that Scott has taken up this new role. His committment, energy and experience will serve NARM well as it looks to take on new and existing challenges for the rooflighting industry”. You can contact Scott at: scott.leeder@velux.co.uk
LEADING LIGHT – NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF NARM
Current British Standards define that inner panes on rooflights must be laminated in applications more than 5 metres above floor level (increased to 13 metres in limited circumstances) or are located over water (eg swimming pools). HOWEVER, the relevant standard permits use of toughened glass inner panes in other applications, if a risk assessment is carried out and confirmation provided that this does not present additional risk to those below the rooflight. The term ‘toughened’ implies a degree of safety which in the case of rooflights, is misleading. Toughened glass inner panes actually bring a risk of shattering and falling into the
Our Safety Representative, Mark Wilcox said: “It is difficult to see how use of a toughened rather than laminated glass inner pane doesn’t present a risk to anyone beneath a rooflight, whatever the position or height of the installation. In our view, any risk assessment of a toughened inner pane is therefore largely irrelevant.” This is a position strongly supported by ACR, the Advisory Committee for Roofsafety, a body founded by the Health & Safety Executive, dedicated to making working on roofs safer. ACR has published its own document covering this issue, entitled: Glass Specification in Flat Rooflights., which can be downloaded here: https://www.the-acr.org/
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room beneath and it is this fact that we are addressing with our campaign, following a number of worrying reports of potentially dangerous incidents involving poorly designed or installed rooflights.
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Be a part of our campaign to O make glass rooflights safer AFE CH ICE
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LAMINATED INNER PANE ENDORSED BY
Our campaign focuses on this symbol, which is being promoted via on-line, printed and social media and it’s available to NARM member companies, for use on their own marketing materials. We’re asking that wherever possible and appropriate, NARM members apply this symbol to their own products & materials. For artwork and guidelines on its usage, email: paul@bennettb2b.co.uk
WANTED: your case studies! Do you publish case studies of rooflighting projects? Did you know that NARM places case studies from member companies, FREE of charge on our website? All you have to do is send text and images – and we’ll format them in NARM style, with your contact details.
Case studies are uploaded to the site monthly, on a first come, first serve basis, so hurry! Take a look at our case studies page HERE. To get yours published, send text & images to: paul@bennettb2b.co.uk
Case Study 29 Wolverhampton Combined Courts Case Study 30 West Midlands Product: Lareine Engineering bespoke self-supporting rooflights Principal Contractor: ISG
University of Cambridge Primary School Product: VELUX Commercial bespoke structural glazing systems Architect: Marks Barfield Architects
Wolverhampton’s Combined Courts Centre in the West Midlands, combines Crown Court and County Court functions in one building housing three court-rooms, as well as public areas, interview rooms, offices and other related spaces. An imposing concrete structure originally constructed over thirty years ago, the building occupies a prominent position close to Wolverhampton’s busy city centre and mainline railway station. In 2019, a survey revealed that the waterproofing to the concrete roof was starting to fail and there was water ingress
through the rooflights in some areas, causing internal damage and structural concerns. With a long and successful track record serving the legal sector, global construction group ISG was appointed as main contractor to carry out the work. >>
Bespoke structural glazing systems by VELUX Commercial connect the University of Cambridge Primary School with nature 350 square meters of structural glazing from VELUX Commercial was installed to bring natural light and ventilation to the University of Cambridge Primary School – part of a much larger expansion project. The Northwest Cambridge development is a self-sustainable, modern urban space aiming to create a vibrant area for the university’s key workers. The Cambridge Primary School, designed by Marks Barfield Architects, was the
first building completed in readiness to serve the local community. The unusual shape of the building, coupled with the 15˚ pitch roof, required more non-standard shapes of glazing, kerbs and upstands to be installed effectively whilst maintaining the required performance.
LEADING LIGHT – NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF NARM
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NARM 2022: planning the work, working the plan A brief overview of NARM’s current and forthcoming activities this year
AGM Meetings March 2022 March 2022 saw the first in-person NARM meetings since the start of the Covid pandemic, during which time all meetings were held on-line. The AGM, general and technical meetings were held at Swindon’s National Self Build & Renovation Centre, where NARM has a permanent display, and the meetings were preceded by an evening dinner the night before, at the Swindon Marriott Hotel. Outgoing chairman Tom Ogilvie welcomed all present to the general meeting, including guests Tony Nicholls of BBS Rooflights and Dave Bennett of Howells Patent Glazing. Among the key topics discussed, was the new Building Safety Act which is due to become law later this year. This highlights a growing emphasis on competency and the importance of maintaining ‘up-to-date knowledge of all regulations and standards’. Reports from committee meetings and working groups were presented, covering a wide range of topics, driven and informed by the work of these individual groups, each staffed by volunteers from within NARM member companies.
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NARM’s support for – and stance on – sustainability in the built environment was also discussed.
NARM Technical Committee NARM’s Technical Committee meets on a regular basis to share information and discuss matters relating to rooflight design, performance, safety, standards and legislation. The committee encompasess a number of specialist sub-groups and has played a pivotal role in establishing the effects of rooflighting on building
performance and in the development of rooflight standards. Topics under current discussion by the committee include: forthcoming revisions to European and British Standards; Updates to NARM Technical Documents; NARM representation on external groups and committees.
NARM Thermal/Part L sub-group New Approved Building Regulations Document ADL parts 1 and 2 for
LEADING LIGHT – NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF NARM
England has now been published and comes into effect in June 2022. The changes to the regulations for all the devolved nations of the UK will involve significant updates to a number of NARM Technical Documents, which the Thermal/Part L sub-group will be addressing.
NARM: reaching out across our industry
NARM Marketing Committee
We have representation on a wide range of industry-wide organisations and trade associations.
The Marketing Committee is primarily involved in communicating the benefits of rooflighting to external audiences including specifiers, contractors and building owners, via on-line and print media, social media and our website – as well as making NARM technical information widely available.
Further sub-groups When needs arise for specific initiatives , further sub-groups have been formed on an ongoing basis. These are typically in response to evolving technologies or regulatory changes.
join a NARM working group Joining one of these active and friendly groups can be a great way to not only make a contribution to our industry, but also to broaden your knowledge and improve your career prospects, so it’s a win-win situation! Email: info@narm.org
WE’RE ACTIVELY SEEKING NEW MEMBERS FOR THE MARKETING COMMITTEE Email: iw@narm.org.uk
NARM spreads its knowledge and expertise to beneficial effect, throughout the wider construction industry.
NARM delegates sit on high level committees shaping UK and European product standards and legislation relating to rooflights. We are a participating member organisation of Eurolux, the European trade association for rooflight manufacturers. We have representation on The
Advisory Committee for Roofsafety (ACR): the UK’s authority on roof work & roof safety. We are a member organisation of the Construction Products Association (CPA) and currently committing resources to their Construction Product Competencies working group. NARM is also represented at technical meetings of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Skylights European Technical Information Model working group - and others.
2022 meetings involving NARM personnel Bi-weekly 04-05/5/22 09/5/22 12/05/22 13/05/22 08/06/22 09/06/22 13/06/22 21/06/22 23/06/22 28/06/22 29/06/22 30/06/22 04/10/22 05/10/22 07/10/22 08/10/22 11/08/22 12/10/22 15/11/22
CPA Construction Product Competencies WG12 CEN/TC128/SC9/WG2 Committee B/542 BSI Committee NARM Thermal/Part L sub-group BMF Skylights ETIM Working Group NFRC Joint Flat Roofing Technical Committee NARM Marketing Committee BS FSH/22/_/0 External Exposure to Fire Committee NFRC Slating & Tiling Technical Committee Eurolux General Assembly - Brussels NARM Technical Committee NFRC Sheeting & Cladding Committee NARM General Meeting NFRC Slating & Tiling Technical Committee NFRC Joint Flat Roofing Technical Committee NARM Technical Committee NARM General Meeting ACR Committee NFRC Sheeting & Cladding Committee NARM Marketing Committee
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Rooflights & sustainability: help NARM to share the knowledge While the main reason for installing rooflights is often simply the ‘wow’ factor of a brightly daylit room, one of our key missions is to promote better understanding of how rooflights can save energy and reduce harmful emissions. With concerns about global warming becoming more urgent and widespread, there’s never been a better time to reinforce this message - and you can play a part. lights provide up to three times more light than the same area of vertical glazing, to provide a highly efficient means of reducing the demand for supplementary artificial lighting during daylight hours.
Did you know that artificial lighting currently accounts for between fifteen and twenty percent of global energy usage? This means that maximising the availability of natural light in buildings must be a priority for designers, developers and owners of all kinds of buildings, from factories and offices to private homes. NARM has played a key role in commissioning research and analysing data which highlights the effectiveness of rooflights in creating more sustainable buildings. Roof-
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Research commissioned by NARM and carried out by the De Montfort University’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, showed that where rooflights are installed, minimal losses in thermal insulation are greatly offset by energy savings resulting from reduced demand for electric lighting and that generally speaking, the greater the rooflight area the greater the potential energy savings and corresponding reductions in CO2 emissions from power generation. Further studies commissioned by NARM have highlighted means by which solar overheating in buildings can be controlled, and the potential for greater energy savings through the integration of automatically controlled electric lighting, with natural daylighting. Rooflights can also provide opportunities for ventilation, which as well
as improving internal environments, can further reduce energy requirements by minimising dependence on powered climate control systems. Our Technical Committee was instrumental in collecting, analysing and interpreting rooflighting data upon which the regulations pertaining to rooflighting in The Building Regulations Approved Document L (Conservation of fuel & power), have been based. Using rooflights delivers cost savings, improved health & well-being for building occupants and a tangible contribution to achieving the government’s Net Zero target. How you can get involved:
Be better informed Sustainability has been a key driver in NARM’s work, since its inception in 1998. As such, we have published many documents and guides covering different aspects of the topic. These are all available on our website, so you can read up and improve your knowledge and understanding here: https://www.narm.org.uk/rooflights-sustainability/
LEADING LIGHT – NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF NARM
Engage with social media We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In and Twitter and our pages often carry messages on sustainability. You can help to spread the word by sharing and liking. You’ll find links to our social media accounts on page 2.
Join NARM meetings See details of opportunities to contribute to our industry on page 5.
Be a daylight ambassador! Everyone’s talking about ways to tackle global warming, but daylighting and rooflights are rarely mentioned. Bring them into the conversation!
BE A ROOFLIGHT EXPERT! With hundreds of different types & specifications available to suit every kind of building while meeting regulations, rooflighting can be a complex subject.
Here’s a good place to start, with a basic overview.
For those in our industry, it pays to have a broad knowledge of what’s available and suitable for a given application – even if your day-to-day focus is limited to one kind of rooflight. The good news is that NARM offers the perfect, broad-based knowledge resource, via our website.
For inspiration on rooflighting applications and projects, take a look at our gallery pages and case studies.
For more in-depth learning on specific rooflight-related subjects, visit our technical library.
And here’s where to find out more about us and the work we do for the rooflight industry.
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NARM in the media NARM is active in on-line and printed trade media and social media. Here’s a selection of recently published items. To see them in full, click on the images*.
Trade media – on-line & print
Social media
Linked-In - Apr 2022
Roofing Today - Apr 2022 Daylighting - Dec 2021 RCI - Jan 2022
The rooflighting authority NARM, the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers, represents manufacturers and suppliers of all types of
Twitter - Mar 2022
rooflights and has played a pivotal role in establishing the effects of rooflighting on building performance and in the development of rooflight standards which protect the marketplace from potentially poorly performing products – as well as promoting best practice among specifiers and installers. Recognised as the UK’s leading independent and impartial authority on rooflighting, NARM’s knowledge and expertise is freely available, together with member company
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listings, at www.narm.org.uk
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THE TRADE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING LEADING UK ROOFLIGHT SUPPLIERS
Instagram - Apr 2022 Daylighting - March 2022
Total Contractor – Jan 2022
Daylighting - Mar 2022
RCI Website - Dec 2021 BuildingTalk - Mar 2022
Facebook - Mar 2022 RCI - December 2021
* Where direct links to specific pages are available, these have been used. In other instances, links are to publications in which the articles appear.
Published by: NARM National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers Ltd
Email: info@narm.org.uk
www.narm.org.uk
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