A ground-breaking initiative that certifies installers of gas membranes has been launched by the British Board of Agrément working closely with specialist manufacturer Juta and other industry partners.

The new Gas Membrane Approved Installer Scheme is the culmination of three years’ work and is the first of its kind in the UK, delivering supply chain reassurance of high quality products installed by competent, certified professionals to ensure safe outcomes.

Patrick Flood, Juta UK’s Technical Director, believes it is ‘absolutely right’ that competent and trained professionals should install these ‘critical barrier applications’, which play a key role in the built environment and are designed to last for the lifetime of structures into which they are installed.

“This is the first approved installer scheme of its kind in our sector, bringing together manufacturer/suppliers of BBA-certified products with specialist installers with a license and audit system, giving access to insurance-backed guarantees,” he said. “Government is calling on the construction industry to level up and clearly demonstrate competency. While many will spend time talking about such issues, we have decided to act by bringing to market, with the BBA, a scheme that is transparent and fully demonstrates product and installation competencies in the supply chain.”

Both Juta and the BBA are leaders in their fields; Juta is a highly respected global manufacturer of sustainable geosynthetic materials for gas protection, waterproofing and containment engineering and the BBA is a world-class expert in certificating construction products/systems and providing product testing services/approved installer schemes.

The scheme, which is open to all installers of BBA-certified gas membrane products, has been designed to benchmark quality levels of installation workmanship, providing peace-of-mind to industry of the high standard of product quality and certified installation methods. Professionals applying for the BBA Gas Membrane Approved Installer Scheme commit to rigorous independent auditing and inspection.

Juta has already adopted the protocol under its own branding of GP Licensed and welcomed its inaugural member, Doncaster Membrane Installations (DMI).

“It’s an honour and a privilege to have worked with the BBA on this,” added Patrick. “It is a clear demonstration of added value through competence in the supply chain. Juta UK is committed to levelling up and driving our industry forward.”

James Ridsdale, Head of Audit & Inspection, at the BBA, said: “The launch of the scheme is a great opportunity for installers to show their competence in the supply chain. We are thankful to industry partners, and Juta in particular, for providing their feedback and expertise to shape and develop the launch of the scheme.”

For more information on the Gas Membrane Installer scheme, and to apply, CLICK HERE