Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Sessions

Enhance your knowledge with our tailored CPD sessions, covering key industry topics such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), the BS:8579 code for design of balconies and terraces, and strategies for addressing wind uplift. Our CPDs are designed to keep professionals at the forefront of compliance, sustainability, and innovation.

You can choose the format that suits you best—join us online, at our London showroom, or we’ll bring the CPD to you at your office or any location of your preference. Let us help you stay ahead in delivering high-quality, compliant solutions for your projects.

What Even is an EPD?

Duration : 1 Hour

Life Cycle Analyses and Environmental Product Declarations

Gain a better understanding of the processes and categories involved in Life Cycle Analyses (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Providing you with the practical skills needed to read, understand and compare EPDs in order to make informed decisions on future projects.

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  • What is an LCA?

    An introduction to what is involved in the Life Cycle Analysis: Manufacturing, Use, Disposal and Recovery.

  • How to Read an EPD

    Units / Reference Service Life / Assumptions / System Boundaries

  • How to Compare EPDs

    Comparing EN15804:2012 and EN15804:2012 + A2:2019 / Cut-Off Points / Database

  • EPD Categories

    Global Warming Potentials / Ozone Depletion / Acidification / Eutrophication / Photochemical Oxidation / Abiotic Depletion / Water Use

  • How a Manufacturer Uses an EPD

    This section explores how manufacturers use EPDs to assess environmental impacts, enhance transparency, meet regulatory requirements and make informed sustainability decisions.

  • Case Study

    Sisu Flooring compared to other LVT Brands

BS:8579 - Balcony & Terrace Coverings

Duration : 1 Hour

Understanding Balcony and Terrace Design and Legislation

Examine the key considerations when adding balconies to project designs. The session will provide an understanding of BS:8579 and the way it has impacted balcony design, including; fire safety, slip ratings, inclusive design, drainage and wind uplift.

Optional Extra: Common Design Issues and Installation Errors (+15 mins)

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  • Definitions

    What is a balcony, what is a terrace, and what is an access deck

  • Fire Safety

    EN13501 - What is "A-Class" / What happens to BS8414 / RICS Guidance on refurbishments / MHCLG Guidance / Broof(t4) - how it applies to coverings / Laminated Glass

  • Slip Ratings & Inclusive Design

    Pendulum test (BS7976) / Micro-roughness Rz values

  • Balcony Drainage

    Types of drainage that can be used: Edge drainage / Pipe drainage / Water volume (EN1253 and EN12056)

  • Wind Uplift

    UK Standards (BRE Digest - 1985) / Referenced Florida and Australian standards / What's the risk

  • Our Service

    Porcelain wind uplift solutions / Porcelain onto open steel frame / Complete aluminium range with full drainage options / Green aluminium

Wind Uplift

Duration : 30 Minutes

Atmospheric Pressure and the Effects of Wind on Structures

How often do you consider the wind uplift of the flooring on balconies or terraces? Building Control, and the insurers, are now paying closer attention to this issue following several near misses with paving slabs on roofs across the UK. Gain insights into the latest research conducted in the UK and Florida.

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  • What is Wind Uplift?

    Negative pressure

  • How is it Calculated?

    Vortexes / BRE Digest 1985 / Florida University 2014

  • Application of Legislation

    How it is currently being viewed by Building Control

  • Is What We're Doing Ok?

    Industry attitude and risk

  • Decking and Paving Solutions

    We will briefly discuss how our decking and paving solutions can help you balance style and compliance with wind uplift legislation

  • Our Service

    A short overview on how our technical support team can assist in meeting wind uplift legislation, ensuring your projects are fully compliant