RVMAA Newsletter
| July 2012
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Greetings!
Since the last issue of our newsletter, much has been happening at RVMAA national office and across the Association. A brief summary follows: As the industry body responsible for promoting safety standards and ensuring that those standards are adhered to by all manufacturer members, we currently administer a self-regulation regime that involves a system of product audits. This system has been in place for a decade or so and the timing is right to review its effectiveness and, as necessary, redesign its compliance regime and practical operation. The review is advancing extremely well. With the assistance of consultant's NEM Australasia, a detailed project management plan has been developed and is being progressively implemented. Development and validation review teams, comprising a broad representation of RVMAA members, have been formed with the principal objective of establishing a model framework for a revised compliance program for presentation to the RVMAA board in September.
The development review team conducted a highly interactive and productive full day workshop late last month. Members will recall participating in a recent compliance survey, the outcomes of which formed the basis of the workshop deliberations. To members who made the effort to submit their responses it was greatly appreciated and I thank you all very much.
Importantly it is essential that the compliance program is robust, contemporary and implemented successfully. Once that occurs, extension to imported and non-RVMAA member manufactured vehicles will be addressed. In the meantime, I am confident the review will deliver positive and tangible benefits to RVMAA and all members. When completed and operational, I believe the value of the 'RVMAA badge' will be further acknowledged, by manufacturers and consumers alike, as a symbol of confidence in the safety standards of RVs manufactured in Australia.
As CEO of RVMAA, it is vital that I establish strong links with key members of parliament and government departments. During the past month or so I have met with Hon Catherine King, Parliamentary Secretary, Infrastructure and Transport; Hon Brendan O'Connor, Minister for Small Business; Hon Bob Baldwin, and Shadow Minister of Tourism; Hon Martin Ferguson AM, Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism. There are a few other Ministers, Shadow Ministers, parliamentarians and government departments that I am keen to meet with and will be doing so in the coming months.
I have met with key industry heads including Robert Hogan, General Manager, Vehicle Safety Standards, Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and Enzo Alfonsetti who chairs the committee responsible for the Gas Installations standards AS/NZS5601.1 and AS/NZS5601.2. I have also met with representatives from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, Autoskills Australia and the Victorian Department of Business and Innovation.
In my discussions with those listed, they all indicated genuine interest and support with RVMAA's activities, and I look forward to maintaining co-operative and collaborative relations with them all well into the future.
Finally, since my arrival at RVMAA earlier this year, I have maintained my schedule of meeting members at their premises and this is proving to be a particularly valuable experience. I have been especially impressed with the warm reception I have received and the genuine support for the RVMAA. I look forward to meeting many more members in the months ahead.
David Duncan Chief Executive Officer |
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RVMAA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
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When: 3.30 pm on Thursday, 23 August
Where: Quality Hotel, 265 Mickelham Road, Tullamarine, Vic
The AGM for RVMAA will be held on Thursday 23 August 2012, at 3.30 pm at the Quality Hotel, Tullamarine. This meeting is an important milestone for RVMAA as a number of key strategic and organisational matters will require members' consideration and endorsement. Notably a new constitution proposing a change in RVMAA's structure from an incorporated body to a company limited by guarantee (which is a more appropriate structure for a national organisation) and election materials for the RVMAA board. By now, members should have received notice of the meeting and accompanying explanatory documentation.
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ADRs FOR ROAD VEHICLES No 1: 2012
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 The latest edition of the Australian Design Rules for Road Vehicles (ADR) No 1: 2012 is now available for purchase from the Department of Infrastructure & Transport. Click here to purchase or subscribe.
All vehicles must comply with the latest edition of the relevant Australian Design Rules for Road Vehicles,Vehicle Standards Bulletin No 1, Australian Standards and any other statutory requirements.
Manufacturers are required to have the latest version of all applicable standards on their premises.
See also:
Click here for Vehicle Standards Bulletin No 1
Click hereto purchase Australian Standards
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CARAVAN ANNEXES & GAS SAFETY
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Caravan manufacturers that supply annexes with their caravans need to consider the location of gas appliance flue terminals and gas supply connection points in their caravans to ensure that the installation of an annex will not allow the accumulation of combustion products in the annexed area. Gas water heaters, space heaters and refrigerators are typically installed within caravans. These appliances emit combustion products from flue terminals mounted to the outside wall of a caravan into the atmosphere. Depending on the design, the installation of an annex on the side of a caravan where gas appliance flue terminals are located could lead to the accumulation of combustion products (including carbon monoxide) within the area enclosed by the annex. Without adequate ventilation in the annex this could create a potentially dangerous environment for occupants.
 As gas refrigerators, water heaters and space heaters are unattended appliances and as annexes can be used as sleeping quarters, the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning is possible.
Similarly the location of a connection point mounted on the outside of a caravan for a slide out BBQ should also be considered. The operation of a barbecue within an annex without adequate ventilation could also lead to the accumulation of potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
The gas installation standard AS/NZS5601.1:2010 "Gas Installations-Part 1-General installations" includes diagrammatical representations of "outdoor" areas where barbecues can be operated. These areas include: - enclosures with walls on all sides, but at least one permanent opening for entry at ground level and no overhead cover
- enclosures with overhead cover but with two sides completely open
Caravan manufacturers that supply annexes as an aftermarket item need to ask their customers to consider the above also.
We would like to thank Enzo Alfonsetti for supplying this article. Enzo represents the national committee responsible for the Gas Installations standards AS/NZS5601.1 and AS/NZS5601.2 as Chairman, and Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) as Manager, Type A Gas Appliance Safety.
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| CONSUMER PLATES: TYRE PRESSURES | |
 It is important to calculate the correct tyre pressures required for both the empty (Tare Mass) and fully-loaded conditions, in order to obtain the optimum ride and handling, and tyre life. Read more.
Click here to order the 2012 comprehensive Tyre & Rim Association Standards Manual.
 Click here for an information sheet on RVMAA's VIN & Consumer Information plates.
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| BADGE YOUR PROMOTIONS | |
 In perusing various caravan magazines and member websites, it is evident that some RVMAA member advertisements do not include the RVMAA badge.
Accordingly, to demonstrate your pride of membership and to increase consumer awareness of the RVMAA, members are requested to prominently display the RVMAA badge when advertising their products.
Please contact Gabrielle O'Brien by email or tel 03-9815 2015 who will be pleased to provide the necessary artwork upon your request.
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TRAINING PLACES FOR RV MANUFACTURERS
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RV manufacturers and suppliers can make applications for upskilling existing staff through training options available from new Commonwealth Government funding initiatives.
Under the 'Skills Connect' banner, industry can apply for funding to support specific business and workforce development needs. Two main areas are:
 National Workforce Development Fund
The Fund allows organisations to train existing and new employees based on identified training requirements to update and increase workforce capacity. This Government funding is available for nationally endorsed qualifications and is to be supplemented through a co-contribution from industry. Click here to download the NWDF Guidelines.
Investing In Experience (Skills Recognition & Training)
This program invites employers to apply for grants of up to $4,400 to assist their mature age workers (aged 50 years and over) to get qualifications that match their skills.
 Through a skills assessment and, if needed, gap training, a mature age worker can attain a nationally recognised qualification at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level.Program Guidelines and an application form are available on the IIE(SRT) website.
Some of the qualifications that may be applicable include:
· Certificate III in Automotive Sales
· Certificate III in RV Service and Repair
· Certificate III in RV Manufacture
· Certificate III in RV and Accessories Retailing
· Certificate IV in Automotive Technology
· Certificate IV in RVe and Accessories Retailing.
For further information, please contact: John Scott - Workforce Development at Auto Skills Australia (ASA) on (03) 8610 2509, or email.
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| TRAINING IN MANUFACTURING | |
 Enterprise Connect is a Federal Government initiative focussing on manufacturing to assist small to medium-sized companies acquire the knowledge, tools and expertise to improve productivity, increase competitiveness and capitalise on their growth potential.
Click here for Enterprise Connect's brochure. Additional information can be found on their website which contains detailed eligibility criteria as well as case study information on the improvements that other small to medium-sized companies have realised from the program. Click here to visit their website.
Contact Mr. Rhys Piper (contact details set out below) who will be very happy to either answer any questions over the phone, or to arrange a face to face meeting to have the program more fully explained:
Deputy Director, Victoria
Enterprise Direct
Tel: 9215 2602
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MEMBER PROFILE OF THE MONTH
- DIAMOND CARAVANS | |
This month we profile another new member, Diamond Caravans.
How long have you been in the industry, and what got you involved in the industry?
Diamond Caravans has been in the caravan industry for three years.
We started by building our first van in a little shed after hours. It took us about three months to build and we decided that we either take the plunge and do it full time or stop because part time was taking its toll with time away from our families. We currently have four full time workers totalling about 40 years' experience in the caravan industry.
 Tell us about your product range.
Diamond Caravans has six models in its range. The "Little Gem" (16'9"), "Trillion" ( 18'10"), "Marquise" (21'0") and "Brilliant" (23'6"), all of these models have a queen size bed and full ensuite. The "Radiant" (23'6") has a queen size bed, three bunks and full ensuite. We also have a model called the "Weekender" (23'3") which has a queen size bed and no ensuite.
What were the major reasons for you joining RVMAA?
We joined the RVMAA about 12 months ago because we recognised that having that badge on our vans represented that our product was built to a high standard. We were very happy when we became members of the RVMAA. It is beneficial to us as members for the support we are given and also to our customers.
What future do you see for the RV industry in Australia?
The RV industry in Australia is in a great position. People living in Australia love to travel around the best country in the world, and the best way of doing that is in a caravan. Hopefully a Diamond Caravan!
If you'd like information about joining RVMAA, email Gabrielle O'Brien.
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CONTACT US
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RVMAA Inc
Suite 3, Level 1
21 Burwood Road
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Tel: 03 9815 2015 / Fax: 03 9815 2012
Website: www.rvmaa.com.au
Chief Executive Officer - David Duncan
Sales & Admin - Gabrielle O'Brien
Email: gabrielle@rvmaa.com.auAll information provided in the RVMAA eNewsletter is provided for general informational purposes only. The information in the RVMAA eNewsletter is provided to you "as is" by RVMAA in good faith and has been derived from sources believed by RVMAA to be reliable and accurate at the time of providing it. However, information can change rapidly and it is not possible to guarantee that all items will be accurate at all times. RVMAA does not warrant that the information contained in the eNewsletter is accurate, complete, current or suitable for your intended use.
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