The Association for Preservation Technology International (APT) is a multi-disciplinary, membership organization dedicated to promoting the best technology for protecting historic structures and their settings. Membership in APT provides exceptional opportunities for networking and the exchange of ideas.

APT members, who hail from nearly 30 countries, include preservationists, architects, engineers, conservators, consultants, contractors, craftspersons, curators, developers, educators, historians, landscape architects, students, technicians, and other persons directly involved in the application of methods and materials to maintain, conserve, and protect historic structures and sites for future use and appreciation.

The international, interdisciplinary character of APT - with its outstanding publications, conferences, training courses, awards, student scholarships, regional chapters, and technical committees - makes it the premier worldwide network for anyone involved in the field of historic preservation.

APT’s mission is to advance appropriate traditional and new technologies to care for, protect, and promote the longevity of the built environment and to cultivate the exchange of knowledge throughout the international community.

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is the UK’s leading trade association for the passive fire protection sector. It was formed in 1975 in recognition of a need to bring together passive fire protection manufacturers, contractors and testing/certification bodies to encourage, develop and give guidance on essential standards in passive fire protection and to support the activities of the fire industry in relation to all forms of ‘built in’ fire protection.
Mission

The ASFP serves and represents the needs of its members and the wider passive fire protection industry, by raising standards and competence through training, testing, certification and quality of installation and maintenance.
ASFP Vision

To offer the industry it serves:

- Advancing knowledge and guidance on all aspects of ‘built-in’ fire protection
- Providing technical support and impartial advice
- Leading regulatory and behavioural change as an independent authority
- Improving competence and quality through training

Values

- Independence & authority
- Professionalism
- Technical competence
- Leading by excellence

ASUC is an independent trade association originally formed by a number of leading contractors to promote professional and technical competence within the subsidence industry.

Membership has now been extended to include a comprehensive range of specialist domestic services in: subsidence repair and underpinning, retrofit basement construction and engineered foundation solutions.

Contractor wishing to join ASUC must first undergo a technical, health & safety, insurance and financial audit and make a commitment to prescribed safety procedures. Non contracting companies and consultants may also apply using the appropriate forms.

Publications, including ASUC’s three Guideline documents on: Basements, Structural Repairs, and Underpinning & Mini Piling Operations, are available to download free from the publications page.

Speak to the experts before you start any project involving basement construction, engineered foundations, underpinning, or structural repairs.

ATLAS has been representing the leading companies in the lightning protection and specialist access at height sectors since 1946. Celebrating the highest standards for over 75 years, ATLAS is at the forefront of industry developments and committed to improving working practices, technical excellence and the skills of the workforce to provide the highest quality service to the industry’s clients.

To celebrate ATLAS’ 75th Anniversary, ATLAS has launched a video which takes you through 75 years of ATLAS history. ATLAS compares landmarks in its history to worldwide events, including when England won the World Cup!

ATLAS works with a range of key stakeholders including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), British Standards Institution (BSI), Build UK, and Access Industry Forum (AIF) to influence decisions, raise standards and shape the business environment for the benefit of its members.

With Unite the Union, ATLAS operates a National Joint Council which agrees terms and conditions for the industry’s workforce. With CITB, it created and supports a dedicated industry Training Group (the Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group (SLPTG)) to provide training and qualifications tailored to the needs of the industry, including apprenticeship programmes offering a formal training route for new entrants.

Originally formed as the National Federation of Master Steeplejacks & Lightning Conductor Engineers (NFMS&LCE) in 2003, the organisation became ATLAS. With an established track record, ATLAS is unrivalled when it comes to providing experience in lightning protection and specialist access solutions, with members leading the way in health and safety, technical innovation and training and skills.

Artist blacksmiths are craftspeople who give the same individual care to every work that leaves their forge, small or large. BABA exists to promote the highest standards of craftsmanship and design among artist blacksmiths in Great Britain, and to raise awareness of the craft amongst professional specifiers as well as the general public.

The Cast Metals Federation works to foster development, collaboration and innovation in the UK casting industry, in partnership with businesses and stakeholders, to promote good practice and represent the Best of British casting across the globe.

As the single voice for the UK foundry industry, CMF promotes the UK castings industry as a whole, influencing discussions with government bodies, negotiating and consulting on UK and European legislation that affects us all.

As the UK member of the European Foundry Association (CAEF) and a full member of the Metals Forum, we are well placed to inform and influence.

CMF Members come from every part of the industry and produce around 85% of all castings produced in the UK. From global foundry groups to small jobbing foundries, our Members supply precision finished parts and assemblies in a range of sizes, metals and processes to global markets, valued at over £2.2B.

For manufacturers across the world seeking the ‘Best of British Casting’ the CMF provides a single point of contact, whether for sourcing castings for every application and market sector or general information on the activities of the UK Foundry Industry.

Our small but dedicated team strive to ensure that the needs of UK foundries, foundry suppliers and castings buyers are met.

A non-trading organisation which is sponsored by the copper producers and fabricators to encourage and promote the correct and efficient use of copper and its alloys such as brass and bronze. It provides technical advice and information in the form of publications, software, a free online enquiry service and website.

Online resources of use in conservation include data sheets on the principal alloys, technical information on patination and guidance on roofing details from the publication Copper Roofing in Detail - see https://copperalliance.org.uk/knowledge-base/resource-library/pub-156-copper-roofing-detail/.

The Federation of Master Builders is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing the interests of small and medium-sized building companies and lobbying for members at both national and local levels.

The Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC) was formed in 2006 and today consists of specialist contractors who are engaged at the Vanguard of the supported metal roofing business, installing traditional metal roofing in aluminium, copper, galvanised steel, stainless steel and zinc. The Federation is also supported by Associate members providing materials and ancillary services.

The Federation is directed by a Chairman and Council elected from the membership who regularly meet to endorse and maintain the high technical standards of the fully supported metal roofing Industry, with day to day operations conducted by its secretariat and General Manager based in East Grinstead, West Sussex.

There are other hard metal contractors that engage in unsupported “longstrip” industrial metal roofing and cladding, however FTMRC members are focused on traditional metal roof detailing and installation, demanding higher craft skills and knowledge. As well as the heritage sector, there is increasing demand for the knowledge and skills of FTMRC members, with modern architectural design fashion attracted by the wide variety of colours and finishes available, especially in the zinc product range.

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) is the only trade body that represents the interests of the whole architectural ironmongery industry - architectural ironmongers, wholesalers and manufacturers.

Our mission is to Advance Architectural Ironmongery - We promote the highest standards of education, technical excellence and professionalism in the UK and internationally, and promote these standards to the industry and its clients.

We collaborate with trade bodies across all areas of construction including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Construction Products Association (CPA), Charted Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), and the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), as well as overseas trade bodies like the Door Hardware Institute (DHI).

Industrial rope access has been developed by IRATA International for over 25 years to a point where it is the chosen means of access for much of the work in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as a range of projects in construction, civil engineering, the built and natural environment and much more. Its success is based on thorough training and strict work guidelines that deliver an unrivalled safe working record year after year. The environmental, efficiency and economic benefits have resulted in growing international support for industrial rope access ahead of alternative means of access.

The Metal Gutter Manufacturers Association was formed in 1994 to represent the leading manufacturers of metal rainwater systems. Membership of MGMA is open to all companies who manufacture and market metal rainwater systems, downpipes and their associated fittings. In addition, membership is open to those companies who provide a range of professional support services to the metal rainwater systems industry.

The Association seeks to foster and take part in research and all forms of technical development in relation to metal rainwater systems and to encourage the best methods of their production and use with the construction and allied industries.

MGMA offers an online CPD programme which is open to anyone seeking to develop their knowledge and skills within the metal rainwater systems sector. The CPDs are flexible and provide ‘learning on the go’ as the course material can be studied both online and offline, on mobiles, tablets and print. There is an online assessment component to verify knowledge and following the successful online completion of a CPD, a certificate can be downloaded for the user’s personal records.

The Association has produced a Membership Charter to reflect the current concerns of the industry with particular reference to technical ethos, health and safety and environmental issues. In accordance with the Charter, the MGMA will ensure that its members undertake all work in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation and have a health and safety policy which they uphold both in principle and practice.

In addition, members are required to have due regard for environmental issues during procurement, delivery (including installation implementation) and waste disposal and members are committed to minimising adverse environmental impact in the provision of their products and/or services.

The MGMA is the only organisation which represents the major manufacturers and is, therefore, a valuable source of
information and advice on all matters relating to metal rainwater systems.

MPA is the industry trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica sand industries. With the merger of British Precast, and affiliation of the British Association of Reinforcement (BAR), Eurobitume, MPA Northern Ireland, MPA Scotland and the British Calcium Carbonate Federation, it has a growing membership of 520 companies and is the sectoral voice for mineral products.

The National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE) mission is to: “Ensure the safety of all fuel users in the UK and Ireland, who depend on a chimney or flue for the operation of a heating appliance, by providing a register of competent chimney engineers for all types of chimney work.”

NACE is the foremost authority with regard to compliant chimney lining, flue and chimney construction, and the NACE cast in-situ concrete lining system, as well as providing guidance and direction for the use of chimney components throughout the industry.

For technical guidance and help, call 08437136223. (Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.)

NACE has developed a Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP) for Chimney Engineering, in partnership with CITB. This SAP is the most comprehensive training programme the chimney engineering industry has ever seen and in some cases can be fully funded by grants available through CITB.

NACE works closely with a number of governmental bodies and is recognised by HETAS as an “influential organisation” within the solid fuel industry.

NACE offers the general public direct access to their technical data base for chimney engineers located within the UK and Ireland.

NACE is the only professional chimney engineering association within the UK committed to raising installation and administration standards and to maintain, as well as to develop, the growing science of pure chimney engineering.

NACE maintains a register of competent chimney engineers who are able to provide installation services as well as mechanical inspections and surveys within known domestic and commercial environments.

NACE installer members are able to carry out the testing of flue systems, comprehensive flue system surveys, solid fuel appliance rectifications as well as re-lining, remedial structural repairs, commissioning and appropriate safety guidance.

NACE is dedicated to the needs of the professional chimney engineer who may be involved in various methods of chimney lining as well as remedial repairs and reconstruction. Design and system installation methods, as well as understanding compliance and liability, are just a few of the support systems available to our members.

NACE can assist and guide experienced chimney engineers to reach an obtainable level of expertise within the chimney industry, working towards the only formal qualifications currently available within our industry, the L2 NVQ Diploma in Chimney Occupations – Chimney Engineering or the L2 NVQ Certificate in Chimney Sweeping.

NACE welcomes new members who can demonstrate the necessary mechanical and administrative skills necessary to meet today’s increasing demand for competent installation personnel as well as high quality, high-end workmanship

NACS Chimney Sweeps help to maintain chimneys by cleaning, inspection, and servicing, to ensure that "Clean Chimneys are Safer Chimneys".

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) formed in 1982 as a professional Trade Association, promoting high standards for the sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys.

With 700 Members, the NACS is recommended by all major fuel organisations, including the Solid Fuel Association, HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing & Approval Scheme), and OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association).

NACS Members work strictly to the NACS Code of Practice © 1982 and Code of Conduct for the cleaning of chimneys. On completion of work, NACS Sweeps issue a Certificate of Chimney Sweeping and recommend when future cleaning is necessary.

NACS Sweeps stock a comprehensive range of different brushes and tools to tackle the vast variety of chimneys, flues and appliances they meet.

Many Members also carry sophisticated equipment such as Power Sweeping Equipment, and CCTV cameras for the testing and surveying of chimneys, and for diagnosing chimney faults on new and existing flue installations.

Trusted service and craft ability assured - Memorial Masonry is an age-old craft whose intrinsic trade skills and ability to produce memorials from scratch defines the true memorial mason, it is this confirmed craft ability combined with a commitment to providing ethical standards of service that set NAMM members apart.

Technology has changed the way businesses now operate with the development of equipment such as computers and machinery to assist the memorial mason produce their wares, and although memorials are now generally smaller and less ornate than those produced by our predecessors the essential craft skills and standards of service still remain and are paramount to NAMM membership.

Our Evolution - The promotion of the memorial masonry craft and the raising of standards of workmanship and service has been the constant aim of the National Association of Memorial Masons since its formation in 1907. As the organisation representing the craft memorial mason the association has over the years taken on new roles in addition to its main function as a trade association. NAMM is nationally recognised as the trusted consultative body on memorial masonry matters, is an overseer of the voluntary regulation of memorial masons and one of the major training providers to both the trade and burial authority personnel.

Standards such as the NAMM Code of Working Practice and memorial fixings test data have been accepted as the National Industry Standard since 1996 and incorporated into BS8415 since its conception 2005.

Our Mission

- To ensure high standards and trusted service to the bereaved.
- To assist and support our member companies and promote their interests.
- To further the memorial masonry industry, maintain craft skills and provide training to that effect.
- To work in close partnership with Burial Ground operators for the welfare of the bereaved through the active promotion of high standards, freedom of choice, increased memorialisation awareness, and the provision of trusted guidance in all matters relating to the manufacture, supply, installation and safety inspection and assessment of natural stone memorials.

The National Federation of Builders provides members with collective influence and credibility backed by more than 150 years of experience and activity. The NFB provides business and policy support to builders, contractors and house builders across England and Wales.

Only in the 20th century did thatchers form collectively. In 1947 county-based Master Thatcher Associations (MTAs) were formed to improve and encourage high standards. The 12 regional MTA’s came together in 1967 to create the National Society of Master Thatchers’ Associations (NSMTAs) in order to present a national voice for the industry. By 1977 it was realised that individuals wished to be recognised as Master Thatchers in their own right. To accommodate the individual members a new constitution was drawn up and the name changed to the National Society of Master Thatchers.

The Council of Small Industries in Rural Areas (CoSIRA) didn’t want the identity of the County Associations to disappear so put together and funded a ‘Working Party’ with a representative from each County. After a couple of years this Working Party became the National Council of Master Thatchers Association (NCMTA). The NCMTA became moribund in 2002 although the county associations are still active.

The NSMT changed its name to its current form, The National Society of Master Thatchers Limited, in 1998 when the Society became incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

The National Society of Master Thatchers Ltd. represents about 350 thatchers or 30% of the industry and is the lead body in thatching today in the UK. The memberships of the National Society and the MTAs overlap, and their members also join them through peer assessment. ​

In 2010 NSMT held a meeting with thatching societies from across the world to share information about techniques, materials and thatching in general. This has resulted in the formation of the International Thatching Society (ITS) and we have seven country members.

The term ‘Master Thatcher’ is in real terms the same as ‘thatcher’ in that there is no formal test to pass. However, the term has become associated with a thatcher who is able and competent and has served an apprenticeship to the satisfaction of their teacher.

Stone Federation is the official trade association for the natural stone industry. The Federation co-ordinates all aspects of the industry and provides specifiers and users with a first point of contact for information, advice and guidance in sourcing an appropriate material and a reliable service.

Stone Federation represents employers, liaises with government on legal affairs, health and safety, technical standards, craftsmanship, training and education. Make Stone Federation Great Britain and its members first point of contact for choosing and using stone and for quality assured advice, material and specialist services to ensure success.

Stone Federation GB provides a one-stop shop for product information, technical guidance and advice on all aspects of specifying and working with stone.

An association of limestone and sandstone roofing slate producers with an excellent website which provides guidance on all aspects of stone roofing.

The British Isles have a great variety of roof types. They are especially rich in slating materials ranging from metamorphic schists and slates to sandstones and limestones. There is also a wide range of slating styles demonstrating how slaters coped with often intractable materials and severe weather to produce weather-tight and durable roofs.

These materials and techniques make a huge contribution to the historic landscape. They are as prominent in the cities, towns, villages and countryside as any other built element but are frequently misunderstood and poorly conserved so that vernacular details and techniques are discarded and replaced with alien materials and inappropriate modern details. This need not happen. With care and forethought they can be saved.