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ACCREDITATION
GLASS & WINDOWS
THE VALUE OF ACCREDITATION A perspective from the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.
STEPHEN SCIMONELLO MAIBS, Professional Development Manager & JEREMY TURNER MAIBS, National Technical & Policy Manager, Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
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ach state and territory in Australia regulates building work by calling up the National Construction Code (NCC). This is in part designed to overcome a confusing situation for the building industry where technical requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The administration of building regulations also varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and in most entails the accreditation of building practitioners and building products. The lack of a uniform approach to regulation has provided an inconsistent approach to administrative policies creating confusion for industry participants. The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors Policy: Building Regulatory Reform in Australia recognises that it would be optimal to provide one clear national building law across Australia (Australian Institute of Building Surveyors 2017). However, this was not considered a viable alternative for each state and territory (Building Ministers Forum 2019). The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) represents the building surveying profession, whose role includes the administration and enforcement of technical codes and standards under various Australian state and territory regulatory frameworks. Building surveyors perform a regulated function which varies within each state and territory jurisdiction, but generally involves ensuring that designs comply with the NCC and that the construction of buildings, including the materials used, meet the requirements necessary to allow occupation of completed buildings. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is now a fully integrated performance-based document. A privatised and de-regulated industry for building code assessment has allowed greater flexibility and liaison with building professionals that has produced cost effective and innovative building and
BUILTVIEW
ISSUE 06 SUMMER 2020
“We see participation in the AGWA’s Accredited Company Program as a reliable way of demonstrating that the information provided by accredited companies satisfies the requirements [...] of the NCC BCA (2019).” construction solutions. This also provides greater flexibility in the use of performance-based building policy in the initial design process. However, the issue of non-conforming building products has created community concern across Australia (AIBS 2015). The use of performance-based building products has generated increased awareness for consumers and a highlighted reliance on independent testing regimes. This situation is also true for the design and approval of glass and window frames to ensure that they are compliant, meet community expectations and that the installation is carried out in accordance with Australian Standards and building code requirements. It is noted that the, ‘Australian Glass and Window Association is a NATA Accredited Inspection Agency and undertakes annual audits of compliance to provide members with the means to independently demonstrate product performance and compliance with relevant Australian Standards.’ This accreditation system for glazing and windows affords building surveyors the necessary confidence that these building products are compliant with the NCC, Australian Standards AS 2047 Windows and external glazed doors in buildings and AS 1288 Glass
