WINCOVER UPDATE AHEAD OF SUPER EXPO LAUNCH

At the BMAA AGM in Melbourne on 1 November, WincovER Chair Robert Mayer and members of the WincovER Sub-Committees presented an update on the scheme.

Presentations covered the work undertaken by the Technical Sub-Committee, the Marketing Sub-Committee and the Business Case Sub-Committee, as well as explaining the Australian Fenestration Rating Council. Related activities in both the USA (through the AERC) and Europe (through ES-SO) were also assessed.

Speaking on behalf of the Technical Committee, Grant Norton advised that basic technical work supporting the scheme had been completed. The Australian Window Association (AWA) project documentation had been received and the peer review had been completed. Issues arising from the peer review were as follows: issue identified with inefficient window frame used for modelling; review of base case window frame study now completed; board to decide if modifications were needed for more efficient base case window frame.

Meanwhile outstanding issues included: colour grouping and product grouping. Norton advised that the AWA had developed a working website to store background technical data for window covering products.

In terms of promoting WincovER, the Marketing SubCommittee confirmed it was working on the development of a video-clip on energy efficiency for the BMAA website. The video-clip would be modelled on the British Blind and Shutter Association’s video but modified for Australian conditions. Relevant website pages had also been had been written for the new BMAA website.

In the lead up to the launch of WincovER, the marketing subcommittee confirmed it would propose a number of actions:

• WincovER rated products website (with the AWA/ WERS)
• WincovER POS brochures
• WincovER POS display material
• WincovER “How to rate” information leaflets for suppliers
• WincovER Online Training program
• Editorials on WincovER
• WincovER on Social Media

The Business Case SubCommittee also confirmed it was working towards the launch of WincovER at Super Expo 2019 in June, and the project management of WincovER was being considered by the BMAA Directors. The Business Case Sub-Committee was drawing up a WincovER launch budget and a WincovER operational budget, for ongoing operation.

Turning to the wider context for the WincovER initiative, it was reported that the Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC) was the only energy rating entity for the fenestration industry recognised by Government.

With the BMAA already an associate member of AFRC, the WincovER scheme would enable the BMAA to apply for full membership, which would help towards the BMAA and its WincovER program gaining Government recognition.

It was also reported that the AccuRate software needed updating to include not only generic window coverings.

WincovER’s progress was also reviewed in the context of the AFRC database, which is peer reviewed by the School of Physics, University of Sydney, and will be used by building

assessors. From the overseas perspective, it was reported that the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) was the American organisation whose mission is to rate, label and certify the energy performance of window attachments. The AERC launched their residential rating and certification program in March 2018. Meanwhile in Europe the European Solar Shading Organisation (ES-SO) has created a product database that calculates energy performance figures for solar shading products.

In summary, the AGM heard that with WincovER set to be launched at Super Expo 2019 in June, considerable work was being undertaken in terms of project managing the product launch; resolving and finalising the remaining technical issues; producing full documentation of all related technical process; developing marketing and communication tools targeting stakeholders; preparing a lobbying plan through appropriate channels including the AFRC; and keeping costs down for BMAA suppliers and members.