In the evolving landscape of UK housing, certainty about the origin and quality of construction materials has become paramount. This renewed focus is primarily driven by stricter safety regimes, including the Building Safety Act, which places greater scrutiny on product performance, particularly for buildings with higher risk. However, the principles extend to all projects, ensuring long-term durability and simplifying future maintenance.
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For housing providers, it is crucial to partner with suppliers who offer clear traceability regarding product origin and manufacturing location. This due diligence helps prevent significant additional costs or project delays. Beyond safety, robust traceability also supports sustainable construction goals, as the lifespan of individual components, backed by evidence for claims such as corrosion resistance, is increasingly scrutinised in schemes like Passivhaus and BREEAM. Even seemingly minor components, such as fasteners used in windows and doors, are central to the installed unit’s quality, durability, safety, security, and thermal performance. Choosing the correct, high-quality fasteners is the only way to maximise these critical aspects.
Image © Rapierstar
To meet these demanding standards, suppliers must demonstrate a steadfast commitment to quality, innovation, and adherence to industry best practices. Rapierstar, a UK-based market leader in specialist fasteners, exemplifies this commitment. Their precision-engineered products consistently exceed British and European standards, including BS EN 7412 for PVC-U windows and BS EN 1670 for corrosion resistance of building hardware. For instance, Rapierstar’s carbon steel screws consistently exceed 300 hours in neutral salt spray tests, surpassing the 240-hour threshold for Grade 4 as specified in BS EN 1670:2007.
Certified to ISO 9001:2015, Rapierstar ensures full traceability and consistent quality, guaranteeing compliance with UK health and safety regulations. They also provide authoritative guidance through their Recommended Fixings Manuals (RFMs) to aid in selecting the correct fasteners for secure and compliant manufacture, which is essential for achieving enhanced security standards, such as PAS 24. Furthermore, their industry-leading technical services offer detailed datasheets with supporting test data for ranges such as STARFIX and STARTURN.
Ultimately, supply chain resilience is non-negotiable for maintaining project timelines and ensuring continuous progress in the build. Rapierstar’s strategic UK warehousing and significant stock levels of over one billion fasteners are key indicators of their ability to ensure uninterrupted supply and minimise costly production delays. By prioritising suppliers – such as Rapierstar with their commitment to traceability, adherence to UK standards, expert guidance, and robust supply chains, Housing providers can confidently deliver safe, durable, and sustainable homes for residents across the UK.
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