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Fenestration Canada: February 2016

As we reflect upon another year, we must pause to give thanks we live in such a wonderfully diverse, dynamic and tolerant country. Canada provides its citizens the opportunity to prosper, the tools to succeed and the security and freedom we all need to lead a safe and happy life. Although the recent changes in national government bring some uncertainty, there is a sense of renewed optimism looking towards the future.

Pending changes and initiatives such as the CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement) and the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) agreements will provide Canadian companies and products greater access to international markets presenting enormous opportunities for the fenestration industry. The emerging housing market in the United States will also provide an avenue for several Canadian window and door producers to market their products and services. Understanding code and energy compliance requirements will become an essential component of doing business in the future regardless of whether your market is regional, national or international in scope.

Fenestration Canada has also embraced an initiative from the National Research Council to help association members and the industry sector in general to have all stakeholders participate in pending changes to the National Building Code. The fenestration industry has approached NRC to investigate whether there is a need to regulate combustible windows in non-combustible construction considering current materials and techniques. The research project will deliver data needed to support a future code change request and improve market access for combustible window designs with good fire performance. The project’s scope will reduce or eliminate the need for future full-scale tests as window materials and designs evolve.

To modernize the code, specific research is needed to identify potential hazards related to combustible fenestration and provide a technical framework to manage those risks. NRC has defined specific objectives for a research program that would address all the issues relevant to a code change. A code change proposal based on the research would have to originate from industry. A test program has been developed by the NRC, fenestration industry representatives and the project’s technical committee aimed at acquiring the data needed to support a potential code change. Interested industry manufacturers and suppliers are now being asked to participate.

The New Year will also bring many changes on the association and industry fronts, not the least of which is Windoor North America. Canada’s signature window and door trade show and education event will be moving to Montreal, Que., for 2016. The event will be held at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal from November 15 to 17. This change in venue was brought to realization by the hard work of the show committee and the desire to deliver a more meaningful show experience. Windoor committee chair Stephane Labelle is looking forward to working with the show committee to provide a stellar show experience and a memorable event.

This year’s Annual General Meeting will also be held in La Belle Province at the Fairmont Hotel in spectacular Mont Tremblant, June 8 to 10.

Now is the time to become involved in Fenestration Canada.  Membership provides you with a voice and clear unmistakable benefits that will help prepare you and your company to embrace the challenges ahead and reap the rewards that are there for those who reach for them. Invest in membership, invest in yourself! For more information, visit fenestrationcanada.ca or windoorshow.com. If you are not a member, contact us and let us show you the value of membership. Networking, technical resources, education, government relations, Windoor North America – together we can accomplish, so much.

Skip Maclean is president of Fenestration Canada. He is business development manager for Tru-Tech Doors and has over 40 years’ experience in the window and door industry.