Building productive partnerships with NARM

In this article from NARM (National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers), the trade association analyses the most important work it carries out…

“WHAT does a trade association actually do? A common perception is that many trade associations exist to protect the interests of their members – and maybe provide some kind of ‘club’ environment, in which like-minded people share ideas and socialise.

NARM, the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers, is committed to a remit that goes way beyond this limited view. Yes, of course we do play an active role in supporting our members and our industry.

However, the biggest aspect of our work – by far – takes us outside the confines of our own membership, working with partner organisitions and individuals, towards a common goal of improving standards within the construction industry: specifically those involved in the provision of daylight.

For example, NARM technical representatives have liaised with DCLG and the Industry Advisory Groups that worked on development of Part L Building Regulations.

More recently, we have worked closely with the BRE (Building Research Establishment) on their publications regarding solar shading. A NARM technical representative recently made a presentation at their document launch as well as previously having assisted them with SBEM development.

NARM has also commissioned independent research by leading universities and research bodies.

A study undertaken on our behalf by De Montfort University indicated that rooflights make a positive contribution to the internal environment in a building, as well as reducing energy usage.

This in turn contributes to the external environment by reducing the carbon footprint, helping to meet the requirements of Part L Building Regulations.

Another independent report prepared by Oxford Brookes University’s Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) has revealed that properly ventilated metal clad buildings are not prone to overheating, even at higher rooflight areas.

We have also worked with Elmhurst Energy, the government approved accreditation body. An influential report produced by them on our behalf, provides an analysis of the effects of improving daylighting and lighting controls on existing non-domestic buildings.

As with all our Technical Documents, this can be downloaded free of charge from our website www.narm.org.uk

We are active members of the RIBA CPD Providers Network, publishing high quality CPD material that draws upon our knowledge, available to architects and specifiers.

As all these projects and partnerships testify, NARM is closely involved with supporting excellence in the specification of rooflights, but our influence also extends to installation, roof safety and other areas.

As a supplier member of NFRC, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, we actively promote best practice in rooflight installation.

For example, this year we have published NARM Technical Document NTD15 ‘A Guide to Rooflights for Profiled Sheeted Roofs’, which provides detailed installation guidance as well as design and specification information.

This document will form the basis of the rooflighting section of the NFRC’s soon-to-be-published profiled roofing ‘bible’, the ‘Blue Book’.

We are passionate advocates for improving safety for roof workers and have a long track record of working with the industry in this respect.

We have had a close working relationship with both the HSE and ACR (Advisory Committee for Roofsafety), since the Association was formed. In this time, we’ve played a major role in improving safety standards.

As a case in point, we have no evidence from the HSE that anyone has died by falling through a rooflight that was built since year 2000.

In addition to the above, we have ongoing dialogue with major manufacturers of glazing materials and other rooflight components; and we are members of the Construction Products Association and Eurolux, the European trade association for rooflight manufacturers.

Last but most definitely not least, NARM draws on the combined knowledge held within its membership, which comprises most of the UK’s leading suppliers of rooflights and associated products.

It all adds up to what is arguably a world-class resource in the provision of daylight. A resource that is committed to information sharing through our own channels and via the construction media.”

For further information, please contact NARM using the contact details on our website, where you will be directed to the appropriate person.

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