Window Watch News from Australian Window Association

Words from the Executive Director

November is just starting and we would normally be thinking about whether the weather will warm up for the racing season and who to back in the "Big One". Instead Queensland has been battening down for severe storms and most in NSW are trying on the swimmers to take advantage of the unseasonably high temperatures. Bushfires have raged across the state and the clean-up has begun. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to all of the communities and people affected.

Marketing & Communications

AWA Wall Planner Book Your Advertising Now - $1100.00 per space
Don't miss the opportunity to advertise in the 2014 wall planner. Limited spaces available, if you are interested in booking a space or require more information click here for more information.

IPad Mini Winner
Congratulations to Peter Campbell from Fenestra Hardware who completed the AWA conference survey and is our winner of the iPad Mini.

Member Information Forums 2014
Watch out for dates for 2014 member Information forums, a two hour information packed session relevant to all members.

• Technical update
  - AS 2047
  - National Construction Code
  - Acoustics
• Workplace Health and Safety and Human Resources - Presentation from Klient Management Solutions
• AWA strategic plan update
  - Compliance
  - Communication
  - Knowledge
  - Technical
• Networking hour while enjoying finger food and drinks with industry colleagues

AAMA Fenestration Australia Experience
Fenestration Australia 2013 has made international news through the attendance of AAMA's President and CEO Richard Walker at the conference. Read Richard's article here. The article features a great snap of AWA members having a chat with Prime Minister Tony Abbott who dropped in to visit members at the conference.

AWA Website - Technical Information
Are you missing out on access to all of the technical information on the AWA Website? Haven't set up your details yet? Unsure how to logon? Follow this link and be guided through the process or contact the AWA office for help on 02 94982768 or 03 9808 0069

Technical

The public comment phase of the AS 2047 revision is over. The AWA received a lot of feedback from members and submitted it to Standards Australia on their behalf. There was a lot of consistency in the comments which centred on a few key issues. By far the greatest concern is the proposed inclusion of corner pressures for housing.

Standards committee BD-021 will meet on 18 and 19 November to discuss the comments and finalise the draft.

The new AS 1288 tool was launched at Fenestration Australia. The tool calculates glass thickness based on wind loads for single glazing and IGUs with two and four edge support. IGUs with different glass types and thickness can be easily calculated with one click!

Check efficientglazing.net for more details.

Training

The last courses for 2013 are running this month:

• The Level 1 Course in Brisbane still has some places left but hurry if you don't want to miss out on our last Level 1 for 2013. 12-13 November in Brisbane
• An AFRC Simulator Operator Course is running on 26-28 November in Sydney. Our online courses are always available:
• The Online Window Induction Course is targeted at new and recent staff. It covers all the industry basics. Many companies are now making it an integral part of their staff induction which is just how it was designed to be used.
• The AS 4055 tool is available to those who have completed the online training on how to use it.

Sustainability

ABSA call for feedback on House Energy Rating Software issues.
ABSA wants to know what you find problematic with the rating software you are using. We are compiling a Software Improvement Wishlist for each rating tool that we will present to the NatHERS Administrator (the Administrator accredits each software tool). With the combined input of assessors and industry it is hoped that the software providers can be encouraged to make improvements. This is a very timely exercise as the software licenses for each tool and the software accreditation protocol are being renewed later this year. Read More...

Notice Board

Book your space on the 2014 AWA Wallplanner now! Click here for more information.

Compliance Certificate now available to download here