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SAVE THE DATE
Technical Meeting Schedule
March 18, 2010
April 13, 2010 (Victoria)
May 2010 - date TBD
June, 2010 - date TBD
Sept. 16, 2010 (Kelowna)
Oct. 14, 2010
More information to come soon
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Our Golf Sponsors
Top Tier
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Installation Issues Task Group
The Installation Issues Task Group has presented the comments on the details provided to us by HPO. HPO has reviewed the comments and was to release the details, but their entire package of details was held up by comments from other industries, so the entire project is on hold right now. Once the other details have been commented on and modified, HPO will contact WDMA again for an updated look at the detail package. The timeline on this is unknown by HPO at this time.
For more information on this Task Group you can contact the Chair - Devin Pickles
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Side Hinge Door Task Group
Since we have only had one meeting there is not much to report at this time. The scope of our group will be "to determine the minimum testing required demonstrating side hinged door units meet the 2011 building code". We are working together and sharing information with the CWDMA door committee,(they also are just getting started). We are moving forward with the assumption that the NBC 2010 will include the requirements for side hinged door units to meet the new harmonized A440 Standard and the provinces would adopt same in the provincial building codes in 2011.We are examining the AAMA 111-09 document with regard to component substitution. Members of the task group are contacting lock and glass suppliers to determine what plans they may have for testing their products and will report to the group at the next meeting.For more information on this Task Group you can contact the Chair - Brian Hepburn
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A Word from the President
The thrill of watching all the athletes strive for their goals is now behind us. As Vancouver recovers from the Games, and we all settle back into our normal lives. Free from hours of watching the highlights over and over, the closed streets, the crowded sidewalks, the sea of red and white, the thrill of victory and, well, you know. Vancouver and the surrounding communities will never be the same, whether you are a supporter or not, it was a great Games that leaves a fantastic legacy, congratulations to all the athletes. Now if Canadians can take that new found enthusiasm and patriotism and channel it into the economy we could all be winners.
As we played, the world around us rolled on. The U.S. continued to claw its' way out of the worst economic time in it's history. The good news from south of the 49th appears to be outpacing the bad with less foreclosures and company collapses than six months earlier. Many companies are even claiming that 2010 may be better than 2008. Europe and the East continue to see troubled times, and appear not quite so optimistic. Generally, there seems to be a feeling that the worst is behind us. Canadian housing start forecasts for 2010 are projected to be 190,000 units, with equally strong expectations for 2011. "There will be a true solid recovery in 2011", from economist Peter Andersen.
In our little corner of the world on the west coast of Canada the effects, although difficult, were not near as crippling. This past year we experienced heavy reductions in housing starts, with only 18,800, but it seems that the overall duration has not been as long or a severe as in other parts of the country or around the world. We are already seeing the custom home market gaining momentum, along with an increase in activity in the multi family sector. There is even some slight improvement in spec single family homes, with a forecast for B.C. of 30,000 total units. Although this is very positive for the local market, there has been an increase in pressure from manufacturers from south of the border into southwest B.C. With their market in the doldrums and the loonie almost at par, many U.S. companies have setup local dealers to import their products into B.C. This has added to the challenge for local manufacturers to win back customers that were quiet during 2009.
The last 18 months have been difficult for everyone, particularly those that support the housing construction market. Prior to 2009 we had been riding a wave of construction boom time that began in early 2001, for some it felt like it would never end. But to the seasoned veteran supplying the housing industry, we know it is a cyclical market. There have been many good times and some bad times. As we pull up our socks and better times return, remember, it is fleeting. The companies that have made it through this most recent struggle will be stronger for it. They have learned a valuable lesson in company survival. To those that did not make it, they too have learned a lesson, we hope that next time they remember it.
Terry Adamson, WDMA President
General Manager, Westeck Window and Doors
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Canadian National Energy Code Changes Coming
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) continues the development of an updated version of the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB). In 1997 the Model National Energy Code for Buildings was published, but it was never adopted by any of the provinces. This code is for commercial buildings and multi unit residential buildings. The task group working on building envelope components for the NECB has been meeting regularly for about 18 months; I am a member of this task group. The task group is looking at setting U-factor requirements for buildings covered by the NECB for fenestration products. They will not be setting any requirements for Solar Heat Gain for NECB buildings; they will leave this choice in the hands of the building designer. There will be a public review copy of the proposed changes to the NECB available for comment later this year. Once this document becomes available for comment I will see that it is submitted to the Technical committee for review. The CCBFC has just begun work on the revision to the National Model Energy Code for Houses (MNECH). The MNECH was originally written in 1997 and was never adopted by any province. The CCBFC has refocused the work and will be developing new language to be included in Part 9 of building (Housing and Small Buildings) to provide energy efficiency requirements for all buildings covered by Part 9 of the building code. CCBFC has formed a task group to develop this new language. My application to participate in this task group was accepted and I am a member of this task group. The task group met for the first time recently to begin its work. The task group has an ambitious agenda to complete the new language in 18 months and publish an interim change to the National Building Code by the end of 2012. As soon as the task group has language to go out for public review it will be submitted to the technical committee. Jeff Baker WESTLab 4 Beck Blvd. Unit 4 Penetang, Ontario L9M 2H3 P: 705-812-0710 F: 519-488-1060 E: jeff@westlab.net
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WDMA Replacement Window
Installation Task Group
The Replacement Window and Door Installation Task Group had its first meeting on February 2, 2010 with 10 people attending. The purpose of this task group is to develop guidelines appropriate to the different climates and construction practices around our province.
The task group believes that installation methods must be adapted to specific risks such as driving rain, air leakage, condensation, and extreme cold. An installation method that is appropriate for a sheltered window may not be appropriate for a window exposed to driving rain, even if both windows are on the same house. A sheltered window in the North may need to be installed differently than in the Lower Mainland. The objective of the guidelines is to identify the main risk factors and provide guidance on appropriate installation methods to deal with them.
With this in mind we are now gathering data on current installation practices in the marketplace which we will compare to the site exposure conditions. Once we have compiled a cross section of exposure situations, we will begin working on the details of installation methods for those conditions.
The group has good representation from the Island and Lower Mainland but is still seeking input from the North Coast, Kootenays and Okanagan regions.
If you would be interested in providing input or if you have any questions about the Task Group, please contact Pat Phillips pphillips@vanislewindows.com or Devin Pickles dpickles@starlinewindows.com.
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