Q-Mark Quality Scheme

Q-Mark - The UKTFA Quality Scheme

Aims and Objectives

A bespoke timber frame quality assurance scheme, suitable for all members of UKTFA and including elements of design, manufactured product conformity and site erection.

The scheme:

Is called the UKTFA Q-Mark Scheme.
Operates at two levels: Q-Mark and Q-Mark Plus.
Complies with the requirements of EN 45011.
Integrates with ISO 9000, ISO 14001 and wood chain-of-custody certification.
Will provide straightforward access to ce marking in due course.
Is managed for UKTFA by BM TRADA who are UKAS accredited.

The main aim is a scheme with credibility and integrity that satisfies the needs and increases the confidence of our Members’ customers and the ultimate client. It also aims to meet the objective of improving the industry’s ability to increase market share at respectable profit margins. The scheme emphasises the merits of product offered under the scheme by being attractive and marketable.

In the interests of the industry, it is the intention to have all Members assessed and certificated at the earliest opportunity.

Q-Mark

This scheme is a condition of Membership of the UKTFA and is based on a benchmark scheme that the industry has used for some years to demonstrate fitness for purpose of manufactured panels. The former TFIA scheme is the model for this with additions covering product conformity being incorporated to cover all key structural components manufactured by the Member.

This scheme offers a benchmark for manufacturers, designers and erectors that provides sufficient confidence in their companies and products for them to be specified in the UK. However, the scheme is restricted to the timber frame elements of their business and does not confer anything on any other part of their business operations.

During the first year of the Scheme’s operation, all existing Members should satisfactorily complete the assessment and have certification awarded. This is also the case for all new Members who have to become accredited within their one-year probationary period.

Scope of Q-Mark

The Q-Mark sets the minimum performance standards that all members have to meet and is structured into three modules as follows:

Module One (Design)

a) Documented management system appropriate to the scale of the operation. Does not have to be an ISO 9000 certified system.

b) Competency of Business Principals and Management – number of year’s experience of timber frame manufacture, technical capability, “track record” of performance.

c) Competence/experience of design staff

d) Independent design verification procedures

e) Quality of standard details (if appropriate)

f) Computer Aided Design (CAD) provision and competency in use

Module Two (Manufacture)

a) Documented management system appropriate to the scale of the operation. Does not have to be an ISO 9000 certified system.

b) Competency of Business Principals and Management – number of year’s experience of timber frame manufacture, technical capability, “track record” of performance.

c) Quality of premises and manufacturing equipment, health and safety provisions etc

d) Quality of all personnel - experience, training, competency.

e) Quality of manufactured product - accuracy of manufacture, compliance with design specifications

f) Quality of materials – use of certified or approved products, compliance with British or European Standards or European Technical Approval (ETA), compliance with product specification.

g) Quality of site instructions – drawings, work instructions, guidance on safe working practices (storage and handling of materials etc)

Module Three (Site Erection)

a) Documented management system appropriate to the scale of the operation. Does not have to be an ISO 9000 certified system.

b) Competency of Business Principals and Management – number of years experience of timber frame experience, technical capability, “track record” of performance in relation to site erection.

c) Training/experience/competence of personnel

d) Quality of Site Practice – scaffolding, compliance with construction industry legislation (CDM regulations, Health & Safety etc)

e) Quality of Installation – workmanship, compliance with specification etc

It is recognised that one or more modules may apply to individual companies, depending on their range of operations.

Q-Mark Plus

This advanced scheme represents the ‘gold standard’ for the industry and is the level to which all Members are encouraged to aspire but is not mandatory.

It incorporates both full ISO 9000:2000 certification (a better Standard than its predecessor) and modules covering design, manufacturer product conformance and erection. The modules can be chosen based on the scope of the Member’s business. The design of these modules uses as a basis the experience gained from the Timber & Brick Q-Mark scheme.

The complete Q-Mark Plus provides the timber frame industry with a quality assurance scheme with inbuilt design, product and erection conformity checking unrivalled by any other building method.

The ISO 9000:2000 system can be written to incorporate these modules or the modules can be added to an existing ISO 9000:2000 scheme with a UKAS accredited certification body other than BM TRADA. In the latter case an additional surveillance visit by BM TRADA will be required to cover these modules.

The commercial negotiations with the certification body or bodies are strictly between the Member and the Agent. However there are potential savings available from the ISO 9000 certification being with the same Agent as the other modules.