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General Information

A standard specification for Windows & Doors was formed which is updated on a regular basis to keep up with the ever changing standards. These specifications include items such as fully welded frames, internally beaded; Espagnolette and shoot bolt combination locking systems to windows, Claw/Hook bolts locking systems to doors, Egress fire hinges to all habitable rooms, Dog bolts, Restrictors to all large opening ground floor windows and Slot/Trickle vents where necessary, cill sections notched around brickwork reveals, reinforced to Profilers recommendations,  Low Emmisivity glass, Fischer type frame fixings installed to BS 8213, safety glass as required to BS 6206 and BS 6262.  In the case of Bay Windows, poles to sit upon reinforced cill sections where there is no load, poles to pass through the cills with jacking screws and plates where load exists. Code 4 Lead to be used in accordance with BS 1178 BS EN 12588 and all to be pre-patinated. Bedroom Bay windows to have a stub 50-70mm Hardwood Window Board. All other window boards to be MDF, Durapol or Cappit as indicated or required. All work to carry a ten-year Insurance Backed Guarantee to be issued on completion and payment of the work in compliance with Fensa Regulation 3.1.3 and Deposit Indemnity Insurance (to be completed at sale) in accordance with Fensa Regulation 3.1.4. Porch base work as standard Conservatory Specification.

The specification for Conservatories and Porches is equally as high. Footings at 450 x 600 required, 1000 if clay soil in accordance with BS 8004, Base work in accordance with GGF data sheet 5.7.7 December 2001, Drainage to be installed to meet Building Regulations, Soakaway if required to be one (1) cubic metre and 5 metres away from the structure in accordance with document H. Dwarf cavity wall fully insulated as standard. If none standard see below. None ferrous wall ties to BS1243 and proprietary stainless steel wall connector system (Crocodile strip) to the host wall.  Squint bricks to external brickwork corners as required. Air vents from main property to be vented through the new base. New brickwork to be vented with air bricks as standard. Conservatory roof systems BBA approved type as specification. Sealed units to roof to be constructed using toughened glass, Polycarbonate roof panels to be minimum 25mm wall thickness. Tie bars as required by system provider. All fully welded mullions transoms and outerframes as standard. Manufactured triangles to lean to roof sides as standard.

Reinforced to manufacturers standards. Poles to go through cill section onto plates top and bottom. All doors to have dog bolts and restrictors as standard. All lower opening push out or side hung vents to have Restrictors. Fischer type frame fixings to be used correctly spaced to BS8213. Claw / hook bolt combination locking systems to doors. Espagnolette and shoot bolt combination locking systems as standard. Flag hinges to doors as standard. All internally beaded for maximum security. Code 4 lead pre-patinated flashing with flash band underside in accordance with BS 1178. BS EN 12588. Security stainless steel friction hinges. All toughened glass as necessary to BS 6262 & BS 6206. All units to be low Emmisivity glass.  All work to carry a ten-year Insurance Backed Guarantee to be issued on completion and payment of the work in compliance with Fensa Regulation 3.1.3 and deposit Indemnity Insurance (to be completed at sale) in accordance with Fensa Regulation 3.1.4. Electricity supplies for the conservatory to be installed by a recognised NICEIC/ECA approved contractor to part P of Building Regulations, certification required. All plumbing work to be carried out by a qualified Corgi Registered plumber.

 Design & Install General Information

The selected companies we have chosen have now received the email / faxed details of your requirements. They will study these details and when prices are available will ring and fax our office and advise accordingly. The office will check these prices to make sure they are all similar in terms of value. If there are variations, the appropriate company will be contacted and given the opportunity to check their prices. As soon as we are satisfied, they are satisfied with their prices we will ring you and advise you accordingly. It should be noted that these prices are only approximate and subject to checks by the company representative and a full survey.

At this time, we will ask you for your intentions. If you so wish we can then pass your details to all or one of the companies concerned for them to contact you direct. The prices and your intentions will be recorded onto your data file.

It is of course preferable for the company or companies that have quoted to see what they are quoting for, it is also a good opportunity to meet the people concerned and see the product they will be using. All of the products are of the same quality and standard throughout; however, they all look different in their individual design.

They should bring a sample of this with them, we have already asked them to do this when we faxed the details.

If you decide to go ahead with one of the Approved companies, you will sign a contract with that company. It should be clearly understood that the contract is with that company and not with Derek Waller Services. When the contract is signed, the company will fax a copy through to our office. This will confirm to us that you have signed with that particular company. If anything is changed regarding the design or specification prepared by Derek Waller Services, the company concerned should inform us accordingly. You may be asked in this case to sign a Variation of Contract (VOC). If you choose not to go ahead with any of the companies and select a company of your own, we would be grateful if you would contact us so we can archive the file accordingly.

Assuming you go ahead with an Approved company the company surveyor will make an appointment to visit site and take the final details. The dimensions on the drawings provided by Derek Waller Services are cursory only and do not for any part of the survey. It is the company’s responsibility to carry out a full survey prior to manufacture. This is the last opportunity for you to change anything that has been previously agreed. This is also the time to discuss the width and depth of opening windows and any changes to the basic designs or ancillary items. Again, any changes made should be conveyed to Derek Waller Services and you may be asked to sign a VOC as above.

Derek Waller Services work to Building Regulations (whether required or not) and all necessary British Standards. Therefore, any changes to the specification must be within these regulations and standards accordingly. Derek Waller Services are not able to check base work underground. Therefore, all work must comply with the GGF “Guide to good practice in the specification and installation of Conservatories within the United Kingdom. Conservatory Surveyors Guidelines Version 6.0 September 2001 and Guidelines of the installation of Conservatories GGF data Sheet 5.7.7 December 2001 and any local Building bye laws.

Therefore, any changes to the specification must be within these regulations and standards accordingly. Derek Waller Services are not able to check base work underground.

It is the customer’s responsibility to enquire if Planning Permission is required. In the case of new build the customer must check with the builder to ascertain if there are any protected development rights or that there is not a covenant on the land and acquire the neighbour’s permission in writing prior to any work being carried out. This is essential if the structure is to be on the boundary line. (Section 1 of the “The Party Wall act 1996”). 

It is also the customers responsibility to ensure that any Electrical work carried out within the Conservatory has been installed by a recognised NICEIC/ECA Approved Contractor to Part P of Building Regulations and that you are in receipt of the necessary certification. Additionally, any plumbing work should be carried out by a qualified and Corgi registered fitter.

It is the company’s responsibility to apply for Planning Approval if required on the customers behalf. It is not permissible to break through into the conservatory from the main building without installing doors etc unless planning permission is obtained. A radiator cannot be installed in the Conservatory which is linked to the house boiler/system unless Planning permission has been approved or unless the radiators/s can be controlled from the house. Derek Waller Services cannot be held responsible for the customers or companies failure to comply with any of the above requirements. 

Dimensions and designs shown on any drawings are approximate and may change when the survey takes place and the Conservatory is sent for manufacture, therefore do not form any part of the survey.

In the case of Conservatories, there are of course two different procedures involved. The base work will be the first stage. Footings will be dug out, brickwork up to DPC laid and then the base laid. This can be a very messy job particularly in bad weather conditions so please bear this in mind. The base team may require power and water so if you are not at home this should be available. When the base is completed, the structure will follow. Again, power may be required. Access to the rear of the property is sometimes a problem. If this is the case, the surveyor will decide how the work will proceed. He has to consider how the materials are transported to the rear of the property. Discuss this with him at the survey stage if necessary.

During the installation, you must deal with the company concerned at all times. Try to allow the installer to get on with his job unless there is something worrying you. During the installation you may see things you are unfamiliar with being carried out, if you are worried then ask. In the case of bay windows, the installer should supply and install twin Acro props to both floors and in circumstances where there is an overhanging Soffit and Apex roof above the bedroom bay, long external props should be used outside. If there are problems with the work ask the installer in the first instance if he can assist you and if not contact the company concerned. If in the unlikely event you cannot resolve any issues then contact Derek Waller Services for advice. In extreme cases, we may have to visit site to arbitrate. If this is the case then we must obtain permission from the company concerned and confirmation that they will pay for this visit. Derek Waller Services cannot guarantee you will not have any problems; this would of course be foolish. However, we can promise you that the installation will be right at the end.

When the installation is complete, the company will issue their own 10 year unconditional guarantee upon full payment. They will offer you an Insurance Backed Guarantee also. This type of warranty covers you in the unlikely event that the company concerned go into receivership or liquidation.  Please note, on completion of the work Derek Waller Services advocate that you settle the account with the company concerned directly. The company concerned will fax details to Derek Waller Services which confirms that they have completed the work. When the installation Derek Waller Services may contact you to book and appointment for us to carry out the final inspection. If you do not hear from us then please ring the office.

In the case of Conservatories, we do not carry out a full survey of the Conservatory but check that the specifications have been met and that the structure is upright and diagonally correct. We also check the brickwork, frames and roof of course. We do not necessarily inspect underground.

Should you require us to do so we would ask that you provide an inspection hole 300 x 300 x 600 so we can inspect down the sides of the footings. This can be a single hole, two, or three. It would be helpful if the inside of the Conservatory can be cleared as best as possible for the inspection so that the base and floor area can be viewed and checked for levels with a laser level throughout.

In the case of windows, again we do not carry out a full survey. We will check that the specification has been met and that windows open and close correctly, that the frames have been installed properly, the glass is the correct type and installed the correct way round, that the frames are plumb and square and the drainage is correct. It would be helpful if the window areas can be cleared for the inspection and any net curtains etc removed, particularly to bay windows  and the window cills cleared of ornaments etc.

Please note, the appointment for final inspections may be subject to change at short notice. When the inspection is carried out any faults that may be found will be listed on a report which will be faxed or emailed through to the company concerned. Any faults that you have also found can be added to this report if of course, there is one and there are any. It is not necessary for you to have a copy of this report but it is available should you wish.

The company concerned should respond regarding the remedial work with 28 days of receiving the report. If this is not the case, please contact Derek Waller Services for advice. When the work is completed, you will be asked to sign the bottom of the report to say you are satisfied. The signed report will be then be faxed to Derek Waller Services upon receipt of which we will close the file. We do not carry out a second inspection free of charge. Should you require a second inspection please contact the office for advice.

Any time you ring Derek Waller Services you will be asked for your client reference number. This is a five digit number printed in the top right hand corner of the receipt issued to you during the site visit. This will assist us in finding you on the computer data base. Your file on the screen will be updated each time you ring with a brief outline of the conversation. It should be noted that this information is covered under the data protection act and our registration number is Z6364430. There are occasions when you ring us when we may have to fax a copy of the screen through to the company concerned. If this is the case, you will be asked for permission before we do this.

The new requirements under Fensa (April 1^st 2002) require that we do not downgrade designs from the existing windows, that the opening windows in habitable rooms comply to B1 of Building Regulations with the special use of Egress Fire Hinges to habitable rooms with openings giving .33 m2, adequate ventilation and the use of Low Emissivity glass to reduce CO2 emissions to name but a few when changing existing windows for new. Whilst Derek Waller Services make every effort to ensure these requirements are followed, it is the companies overall responsibility before and after installing the windows to ensure that they meet with these requirements. Derek Waller Services cannot be held responsible for the company’s failure to observe these requirements. With some of these points in mind, it is possible that some window designs you would like will no longer be permissible. You will be advised of this at our visit or the surveyors visit.

On completion of the work, the company advise Fensa that the work is complete. Fensa will issue a certificate directly to you which belongs to the property and is therefore transferable to any new occupier. The local authority does inspect a small proportion of the installations prior to the certificates being issued.

There are various types of Low Emmisivity glass available from different manufacturers. These types of glass vary in there appearance of the overall look of the windows but it should be understood that they are a requirement by law, they have to be installed. Please discuss these types with the company concerned as to which of these products they intend to use.

Derek Waller Services cannot be held responsible for any of the Approved Companies ceasing to trade. If you have taken an Insurance Backed Guarantee at the time of the installation in the event of the company ceasing to trade you should contact the Insurer. If you did not take up the Insurance we recommend that you contact Derek Waller Services where we may be able to assist with a Service Engineer. However, it should be noted that in this event the repairs would be chargeable. You may also have to pay an excess amount on the Insurance policy on each claim. Please check the policy before requesting a claim form.

We hope the installation goes well and according to plan and that, you enjoy the benefits of the new products. We will look forward to hearing from you when the work is completed. We hope that this outline of the procedures may answer any questions you have. If you are still in any doubt about anything that has been written in this document, or discussed during the site meeting, please do not hesitate to contact Derek Waller Services.

Finally, thank you for using Derek Waller Services and don’t forget to tell your friends and family about us if you are satisfied.

Terminology

Outerframe           The outer frame of the window fixed to the brickwork.

Mullion                  Vertical member/s of the window.

Transom               The intermediate horizontal members.

Sash/Vent             The opening section of the window.

Friction Hinges      The Stainless Steel Calliper type hinges

Espagnolette         This is the locking system common name

Shoot Bolts            These are part of the Espagnolette locking system (sometimes separate)

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