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 Conditions of Membership
Members of the National Fireplace Association are required to meet the following Conditions so that NFA can direct customers to them with confidence. 1. Showrooms must have on permanent display a minimum of 8 appliances and/or fireplaces, with appropriate point-of-sale material and information, in clean will-lit premises, where they can be examined before purchase during normal business hours. At least one of the fireplaces and/or appliances on display is to be in a setting with suitable decoration, lighting and accessories. At least one appliance must be under fire. The fireplaces displayed should be in a range of suitable materials. All appliances offered for sale must meet the requirements of appropriate legislation and regulatory bodies. Showrooms displaying HETAS approved appliances should ensure wherever possible that such appliances carry the HETAS sticker or label. (HETAS - Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme formally known as the Domestic Solid Fuel Appliance Approvals Scheme (DSFAAS)). Showrooms should have available for viewing lists of appropriate, registered local installers, chimney sweeps and maintenance contractors, to which customers can refer if they require services that are not provided by the Showroom. Showroom Staff must be able to give sound and accurate advice on the products being sold and so far as may be appropriate, be capable of giving general advice on fires, fuels, fireplaces, flues and heat loss calculations. They should be familiar with the requirements of Building Regulations and Local Bylaws relating to installation of the appliances they sell. They should be able to direct the attention of their customers to adequate instructions for safe installation and use of the appliances provided by manufacturers and importers. 2. Fireplace manufacturers must:
3. Fuel Interests and Appliance Manufacturing/Distributing members are required to produce and distribute fuel and appliances which are fit for their purpose and of a sound, safe and proper standard. They must provide an accurate statement of performance and the conditions in which it can be achieved. They must support their customers with adequate technical advice, service and spares availability. Ideally, appliances should be tested and approved by an internationally recognised authority. 4. Installers whether specifically involved with installing fireplaces, appliances, heating systems, flue and chimney systems of any material, or the repair or relining of existing chimney systems, are expected to have appropriate qualifications and to do their work in accordance with Building Regulations, Local Bylaws, BSI, BBA, or relevant Codes of Practice. 5. Manufacturers and Importers should provide adequate instructions for the safe installation and use of their appliances, and Retailers should direct their customers' attention to them. 6. All Members are required to carry adequate product and public liability insurance, to have and to make known their obligations to customers and employees. 7. All Members must agree to display the NFA sign at their showroom premises, and to use the NFA logo on their letterheads and elsewhere as appropriate. 8. All Members - whether retailers, manufacturers, importers, or agents - must be prepared to provide regular statistical information on their product sales in strictest confidence. 9. All Members must be willing to uphold the aims and objects of the Association, to pay the annual subscription without delay when invoiced, and from time to time allow a nominated representative of the Association to inspect their premises. 10. All Members must inform the NFA Secretariat in writing, by post, facsimile or e-mail, (see below) of any changes in their title, address, ownership or change of policy. 11. All companies resigning from membership must give three months written notice of their intention. This must be addressed to the Director and sent recorded delivery to the address quoted at the bottom of this page. 12. All companies resigning from membership must, by the end of the three-month period of notice, refrain from (i) using the Association logo and (ii) using any documentation including signage that claims or refers to Membership of the Association. Furthermore, the company must return the following to the Secretariat:
The company shall also forfeit all benefits and services obtained on favourable or 13. All companies having membership withdrawn must, immediately, refrain from (i) using the Association logo and (ii) using any documentation including signage, that claims or refers to Membership of the Association. Furthermore, the company must immediately return the following to the Secretariat:
The company shall also forfeit all benefits and services obtained on favourable or The Executive reserves the right to refuse the membership to, or withdraw membership from, any Company which in their opinion fails to comply with the above Conditions and in this respect their decision shall be considered final. The Conditions of membership, subscription rates, etc., may be changed at the discretion of the Executive. |
