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

Each 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 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 in buildings, including other relevant requirements.

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 Clause A2.3(2)(a) which in turn references the evidence of suitability provisions contained in Part A5 of the NCC BCA (2019).

A certificate or report from an AGWA Accredited Company is likely to be accepted as being from an appropriately qualified person, provided the certificate or report certifies that the window or glass supply fulfils the requirements of the BCA and sets out the basis on which it is given and the extent to which the relevant Standards have been relied upon to demonstrate the product fulfils specific requirements of the BCA, as per Clause A5.2(e) of the NCC BCA (2019).

In the event that a performance approach to design is used, AGWA Accredited Company status also supports acceptance via Clause A2.2(2)(a), which in turn references Part A5.

Whilst building surveyors cannot ask their clients to follow particular evidence pathways, if asked for advice, building surveyors will likely point to the AGWA Accredited Company scheme as an appropriate pathway to evidencing compliance.

An AIBS submission to the Senate Inquiry into non-conforming building products and asbestos highlighted the need for stringent third-party accreditation mechanisms for building products, and we note that this would include windows and glass. The Senate Inquiry agreed, and whilst building surveyors undertake regulatory functions in each jurisdiction including the conduct of critical stage inspections in most, they do not and cannot certify the compliance and quality of individual products and components that make up a completed building. The critical aspects for compliance verification ensuring that a building product is fit for purpose is essentially only known to the manufacturer.

This reinforces the need to ensure that products are subjected to stringent third-party inspection, testing, auditing, and compliance regimes such as a NATA accredited Inspection Scheme. AIBS believe that a transparent, valid, reliable product certification and testing system is a vital component in maintaining confidence in the product compliance chain. Building surveyors therefore should be able to rely on the integrity of the product certification system (AIBS 2015).

AIBS congratulates the AGWA on its NATA Accredited Inspection Agency status.

The AGWA Accredited Company Program provides a comprehensive framework to develop and demonstrate the skills, experience, and integrity of your company's production systems by formally recognising and promoting competence and expertise in window production, glazing and related activities.

There are three pillars that make up the Accredited Company Program: Compliance; Skills and Training; and Safety.

The AGWA Accredited Company Program not only demonstrates minimum requirements but recognises and promotes ‘best practice’ with Accredited Companies awarded one of four tiers based on level of performance over a period of years: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

If you would like to learn more about the AGWA Accredited Company Program, call 02 9498 2768 or email accred@agwa.com.au