Virtual window of opportunity

Eurocell has conducted and broadcast a PAS24 security test virtually in response to the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to the Covid restrictions, the business limited the number of people allowed to view the test at its technical centre located at Cheesborough Ponds. Therefore, a test was broadcast live online via Microsoft Teams to employees at Nationwide Windows (NWW) in Rugby, for whom the test was being conducted.

Head of products, design and development at Eurocell Ian Kernaghan said: “We have all become accustomed over the last year to our new working life of meetings via Zoom or Teams during the pandemic. In ordinary times, a group from Nationwide Windows would have travelled up to Derbyshire to view the test in person, which takes the best part of a day. But by broadcasting live to their place of work, it was done and dusted in an hour. We set up the test prior to the call, then broadcast the whole test – conducted by Barry Austin, our research and development manager – live.

“Conducting indicative PAS24 and BS6375 tests at our technical centre for our customers is a free service that we have offered for many years, but with our customers being spread far and wide around the UK, I can see live broadcasts becoming the new normal. Not only does it allow the ability to witness the test live, it also provides a key opportunity to diagnose and make real time improvements.

“Other benefits include the ability to have additional people witness testing that would not normally get the opportunity, which increases their knowledge, experience and competence.

“Most importantly, the lack of travel reduces carbon footprint and allows us all to keep a Covid secure workplace.”

Chris Costall, compliance director at Nationwide Windows, said: “During the pandemic, Nationwide Windows worked with stakeholders to identify methods of continuing to operate effectively but ensure compliance to our Covid secure protocol.

“As such, when a testing requirement was identified to evidence compliance to Approved Document Q with one of our clients, this seemed like an ideal opportunity.

“Eurocell having its own indicative test centre and providing this facility for us and other fabricators to use is invaluable. However, due to the pandemic, access to this facility to set up samples and witness testing has been correctly restricted.

“Nationwide Windows is embracing technology and the use of conference calling for multiple facets of our organisation, one of which being our inhouse GQA-certificated training/assessing centre.”