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UKTFA members transfer to new BM TRADA
Date: 30th March 2010
Members of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) have taken the decision to transfer their certification under the former UKTFA Q-Mark and Q Mark Plus schemes to the new BM TRADA Q-Mark for Timber Frame.
At the end of last year, the UKTFA announced to members that from 2010 they would require either UKAS-accredited ISO 9001 quality management certification or BM TRADA product certification as a condition of membership. The former schemes have therefore been suspended, but UKTFA members have been offered a direct transfer to a transitional ‘like for like’ replacement with BM TRADA, open to designers, fabricators and erectors on the same basis as before, while the new BM TRADA Q-Mark schemes are being developed.
BM TRADA has been working closely with the UKTFA to ensure ‘seamless continuity of certification’ for its members, whilst forming the basis for specific activity-based BM TRADA Q-Mark schemes. Technical Client Manager Bob Foster said, ‘These are being developed in consultation with the industry, to satisfy the changing needs of specifiers, legislation, regulation and of course the timber frame industry itself.’
The new scheme for fabricators will be based on prEN 14732 Product Requirements For Prefabricated Floor, Wall and Roof and this will ultimately enable members to CE mark their products, Mr Foster added. Details of all three revised scheme formats will be made available in the next few weeks.
The transition schemes are open only to existing UKTFA members, but the new BM TRADA schemes will be open to all designers, fabricators and erectors within the timber frame industry.
Simon Orrells, UKTFA Vice-Chairman and Director, said: ’The UKTFA took the view that certification under a truly independent third-party scheme would give members the best possible credentials as the industry moves forward. BM TRADA managed our previous schemes, so have the knowledge and technical expertise to make the transition as smooth as possible for members. The new higher standards we are putting in place have already been welcomed by our members.’