The Rooflight Association: ‘Now there’s a voice for the whole industry’

Earlier this year, following consultation with member companies, the board of directors of NARM, the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers, took the decision to consider re-branding the Association as The Rooflight Association. In this article, Chairman Ian Weakford explains the strategy behind the change…

“Previously operating under the NARM banner, the Association’s membership was only open to manufacturers of rooflights, components and ancillary products. Formed in 1998, our mission was and is, to support best practice in all aspects of rooflighting.

Over the years, we’ve played an important role commissioning, analysing and publishing research to inform legislators and standards organisations. Our work in the field of daylight and energy saving has been put to use in Approved Document L of The Building Regulations. We have also been instrumental in driving improvements in safety for roof workers, through our close working partnership with ACR, the Advisory Committee for Roofsafety. As a member organisation of European rooflighting trade association Eurolux, we’ve also maintained close ties with the European market for rooflights.

Industry-wide representation

We’ve always referred to the Association as ‘The Voice of the Rooflight Industry’. However, more recently the question has been raised amongst our membership: ‘Can we truly be the voice of the industry if we only represent one sector: manufacturing?

The rooflight supply chain also encompasses designers, specifiers, distributors, contractors, installers, component and ancillary suppliers, consultants and others, so these groups should be able to contribute and have their voices heard, too.

Having taken the decision to open the Association’s membership to businesses and individuals within these disciplines, the name change became a neccessity and plans for the re-brand were set in motion.

So our re-brand is much more than just a new name and logo. It’s the result of a strategic decision to make fundamental changes which will affect the future of the industry, as well as our members.

Strengthening our position, broadening our role

Legislation, standards and business practices are evolving at an increasing rate, due to political and technological factors. Wider representation among the different groups within our industry will strengthen our role in informing and influencing legislation and standards and help us to develop our ability to provide a lead on training and competency.

Until now, we have been largely dependent on our member volunteers. Our planned growth will allow us to:

 – Strengthen and increase our technical resources
 – Develop additional services and member benefits
 – Continue to enhance our position in regard of shaping legislation
 – Raise awareness and grow membership further

Building on our achievements

Work undertaken by us in the past has fundamentally shaped the industry’s understanding of the role that natural daylight plays in improving sustainability through reductions in energy consumption for artificial lighting, as well as its contribution to human health and wellbeing. In addition to providing data used in The Building Regulations, we have published a range of freely available specification documents on this subject – all of which are available on our website: www.rooflightassociation.org.

Our contribution to improving safety for roofworkers has also been significant. As an example, we collated extensive test data from member companies, to inform the ACR[M]001 ‘Test For Non-Fragility of Large Element  Roofing Assemblies to GRP Profiled Rooflight Sheeting’.

These and other important rooflighting-related issues remain at the core of our mission. Growth will allow us greater opportunities to contribute to a better, more sustainable and safer built environment.

Does your businesses qualify for Rooflight Association membership?

Membership of the Association is open to manufacturers, contractors, installers, component and ancillary suppliers, specifiers, distributors, consultants and other professionals involved in the rooflight industry.

Membership is dependent on meeting specific criteria in respect of quality; compliance with standards and legislation; and business practice. This means that choosing a Rooflight Association member as a supplier, carries a high level of reassurance.

Look for the RA logo for natural daylight with peace of mind. For more information, please visit our website.”

Join The Rooflight Association

Rooflight Association membership provides recognition of high standards of quality and compliance, as well as a host of other valuable membership benefits which are outlined on our website. You can also download a copy of our Membership Prospectus, which gives comprehensive information on the full membership experience.
https://rooflightassociation.org/become-a-member/

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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