WORDS
WORDS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN WINDOW ASSOCIATION
W
NIGEL CHALK
Chairman of the Board,
Australian Window
Association
elcome to the spring edition of
Windows. I would like to open by
acknowledging that the Australian
Window Association (AWA) is privileged to
have a board, various voluntary committees and
exceptional staff who are passionate, hardworking
and committed. In my view, this has been the
single most important factor in keeping on top of
the multitude of issues, initiatives and changes
affecting the industry over the past few years.
None are bigger and more important than the
emerging changes to energy efficiency and the
actions underway to address non-conforming and
non-compliant building products and practises.
Australia is committed to taking strong domestic
and international action to reduce emissions
and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Policies are on the way and they will impact you
and how you work. It’s important to develop an
understanding of this so that they benefit your
business. Enforcement of the Paris Agreement
triggers a variety of important consequences and
it will definitely impact the way we build and the
materials we choose to build with. With windows
and glazing often quoted as the ‘thermal wounds’
of the building envelope and the imminent energy
efficiency stringency increases as early as 2019,
there will need to be a reinvigorated effort in
design innovation of windows and door systems to
address these emerging needs.
There is also no doubt that a non-conforming
product, or a conforming product that is
incorporated into a building in a non-compliant
manner, can pose a safety risk or a risk of building
failure and such risks cannot be underestimated
in terms of their potential impact. The recent
tragic events relating to the Grenfell fire in London
are a stark reminder of the importance attached
to the correct choice of compliant materials in
building projects. The AWA supports the key
objectives in the recent Queensland Amendment
Bill 2017 designed to improve the detection of and
prevent the use of non-conforming products in
the building industry. The AWA also supports the
chain of responsibility and exchange of information
provisions in the Bill as important components of
an effective regulatory regime to assist building
industry regulators and licensees to appropriately
satisfy themselves that products conform. We
hope that this is a start and that other states and
territories take up the mantle. We will ensure that
we continue to work towards that end with our
industry partners.
The AWA has, for many years, taken a lead
role in uniting aligned industry associations,
providing secretariat resources and setting up
memorandums of understanding with in excess
of 30 key industry bodies across seven countries,
ensuring we are at the forefront of knowledge,
education and change, not just locally, but globally.
As critical issues, threats and opportunities
present themselves to the industry it is crucial to
use the power of collective advocacy and action to
address them. The AWA will continue to identify
and build on opportunities and relationships with
their most valued industry partners.
I trust many of you will be heading to Fiji for our
first international conference. The organising
committee has tailored a conference program to
deliver you true value and lots of excitement. I
sincerely hope you enjoy your time with us in this
tropical paradise.
WORDS FROM THE NATIONAL SECURITY SCREEN ASSOCIATION
National Security Screen
Association Secretariat
T
here has been a great deal happening within
the National Security Screen Association
(NSSA) over the last few months: A new
constitution has been voted on and approved by
members, an official change of name from NSSAQ
to the National Security Screen Association, and
the election of an inaugural Board of Directors for
this new entity.
Your board is made up of the following members:
Michael Henry, Prowler Proof; Barry Lunn, Alspec;
Jack Ryan, Capral; Ben Morris, Starline Security &
Home Improvements; Larry Geltch, Homemakers
Lifestyle Security; and Shane Hawkins, Alchin
Long Group. At the time of writing, the board has
yet to hold their first meeting, which will elect the
office bearers and discuss strategy for the NSSA.
In future, this introduction will be written by the
4
Spring 2017
elected Chairman of the Board.
The NSSA Accreditation Scheme is now up and
running. If you are a manufacturer of security
products you can expect a call to arrange an audit.
Accreditation labels and compliance certificates
have been developed and are available to
members through the website.
The newly formed Technical Committee have held
their first meeting to discuss their priorities for the
year, so keep your eye out for the monthly NSSA
Security eNews for further information on the
outcomes of this meeting.
If you have any case studies, company news or
new products, please send the information to us to
include in future editions. Our members make the
magazine.