Join Edgetech’s Part 3 Club

Written by Chris Alderson

Edgetech, the only dedicated manufacturer of Warm Edge Technology in the UK, has launched a Part 3 Club to celebrate the number of its customers that have passed EN1279 Part 3 in their own right. Andy Jones, Managing Director of Edgetech explains: “EN1279-3 is the European standard measuring gas loss from a sealed unit and as it becomes increasingly important, we want to help our customers demonstrate their credentials. Window Energy Ratings are the most obvious way for installers to comply with Building Regulations, so gas filled units will become even more common place to ensure that higher ratings can be achieved. Any sealed unit manufacturer filling their units with gas should already have this part of the standard but as more gas filled units come into the marketplace to improve the overall energy efficiency of a window, they must also achieve EN1279-3 to be compliant.

“While Part 3 is renowned for being a stringent standard to achieve, the majority of Edgetech’s customers pass the test first time and in their own right, so without having to call on the substitution rule within EN1279 part 1 unlike many of our competitors. The outdated substitution rule may allow for companies to use their existing Part 3 pass with aluminium spacer to substitute for other box spacers but at what potential liability cost to the customer? Not only is the substituted spacer made up from a product which expands and contracts at a very different rate to that of aluminium which puts added stress on the sealant, but in many cases the substituted bar is manufactured using a completely different manufacturing process i.e. cut and corner key verses a bar bent system. With non destructive gas testing with devices such as Gasglass now available within the market, manufacturers need to be more confident than ever that their products will hold up to scrutiny in the field. After all it is their liability, not the liability of the spacer bar supplier. If the spacer product of choice is proven not to perform adequately to meet the regulation requirement due to the process change in manufacture, or if the spacer material is not compatible to the sealant type, or indeed if the expansion and contraction of the spacer puts excessive stress on the integrity of the seal, the customer could potentially be putting their business on the line for a short term saving in not getting the products tested in the first place. After all would we accept that just because a seat belt works in one car that it will work in all cars?

“In true Edgetech style we want to take our customers’ achievement to the next level. That is why we are launching our Part 3 Club. Part 3 Club is specifically for companies that have passed EN1279-3 with Super Spacer. Members will benefit from special product discounts, dedicated marketing materials that quickly demonstrate their credentials to their customers, and Part 3 club customer days. Companies new to gas filling and looking to pass Part 3 can get in touch for advice, technical support and now the marketing materials to promote their achievement.”