SHEFFIELD: Jeld-Wen has been working in partnership with the British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) to deliver the first stairs that are recognised under the BWF Timber Stair Accreditation and Fire Certification Scheme.
The stairs, which were manufactured in Jeld-Wen’s factory in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, were the first to be applied with the distinctive scheme badge, which will become a hallmark for stairs produced to meet the very highest standards.
Jeld-Wen supplied a number of flights of timber stairs that were rigorously tested to assist in devising a standard for stairs in dwellings that met the relevant performance requirements for loading and deflection, as well as fire testing carried out by the BRE.
An increasing number of building designers and developers are specifying timber stairs, due to their much lower cost, as well as their improved aesthetics, compared to steel or concrete alternatives and the new standard will help to reinforce this even further.
Jeld-Wen’s technical director Ian Purkis said: “This scheme is great news for the industry, as it will help to drive up standards and contribute to future building safety, as Building Control inspectors will know that if they see a badge on a stair, they can be assured that the product has been manufactured and audited under controlled procedures.”
He continues: “This is a powerful message for the timber stairs sector, too, as it provides a valuable point of difference that will help us to promote timber’s use over other materials. We worked closely with the BWF to help develop the standard and this should set a precedent for timber stairs specification for developments in the future.
The Stair Scheme, developed by the BWF’s Stairs Technical Committee, provides a simple way for specifiers and developers to select stairs that met the appropriate requirements.
Jeld-Wen’s craftsmen apply the scheme badge, which is only available through the BWF and provides the customer with a guarantee that the stairs have achieved this prestigious standard. Each stair is then fully traceable through having its own serial number on the disc, which identifies the level of accreditation or certification and the manufacturer’s contact details.
Records of badged stairs will be kept for a minimum of 10 years.
