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CGA Newsletter – August 2016

As summer is in full swing, the CGA is gearing up for its Sept. 13-14 Glass Connections Conference in Ottawa and continuing its code advocacy through its membership in the Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC).

The Glass Connections agenda is set offering six AIA Learning Units. In addition to the programming, the CGA is partnering with the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The new museum will be offering tours on Sept. 13 and representatives will be participating in the Glass Connections table top exhibits and educational sessions. Visit canadianglassassociation.com for the latest on the event.

On the code advocacy front, GICC Code Consultants provided testimony at the preliminary code hearings in April. The hearings will set the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Next steps in the code cycle include public comments on the results over the summer, a second code hearing in October in Kansas City, and a final online vote of code officials in November and December of 2016.  GICC Code Consultants will be attending these meetings and supporting GICC’s proposals. During the April code hearings, GICC was successful in its proposals for the glazing industry, especially on the commercial side including CE249, which would have harmed highly glazed buildings. GICC was also successful on the residential side. Overall, only small changes were made to the main prescriptive requirements (including the updated window U-factors). Most of the debate was about flexibility in the main performance path and the Energy Rating Industry (ERI) performance path, including the balance between trade-offs between high efficiency HVAC, envelope, and use of solar PV. The committee went towards adding flexibility for all these, but placing a “backstop” on how much the envelope could be traded-off.

CGA’s initiative to provide online technical resources is underway. The new CGA online bookstore is live and electronic manuals provided by the Glass Association of North America (GANA) are available for instant download. Proceeds raised from online sales provide valuable funding for CGA, so order your copies today from our website. Available publications include: <i>Engineering Standards Manual; Fabrication, Erection, and Glazing Hours Manual; Guide to Architectural Glass; Project Managers Reference Manual; Laminated Glazing Reference Manual; Protective Glazing Manual.

ONTARIO GLASS AND METAL ASSOCIATION
It is with great sadness that we bring the news of the passing of our long time friend and industry colleague, Jim Epworth, founder of Upper Canada Glass in Oak Ridges, Ont.  Jim left us in his 84th year on June 11 and is survived by Joyce, his wife of 62 years, sons Howard and John and daughters Marjorie and Joanne. Jim was one of the really good guys in our business. He will be remembered fondly by everybody who knew him.

The legal review of the Construction Lien Act has now been completed by the review group and their report has been submitted to the Ontario government. As of June it had been translated into French and all that remains is for it to be released to the public. Prompt Payment Ontario has been lobbying government representatives for its release. Details of its content will be distributed to the industry as soon as available.

Race Nite had been scheduled for June 22, but due to unforeseen conflicts the date has been changed to August 17, so mark it in your calendar and get ready for an evening of exciting thoroughbred racing, outstanding food, and great camaraderie in the decadent Woodbine Club dining room at the Woodbine Racetrack. It’s the perfect venue for getting to meet and have a drink with industry colleagues.  Keep your eye open for your flyer or look on the OGMA website to register.

If you like getting up early and welcoming the sunrise with a beer, the OGMA Fishing Derby event is for you! Boat departs at 6 a.m. on Aug. 10 from Port Credit Harbour in Toronto.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 22 and plan to be at the renowned Country Club in Woodbridge (formerly the Board of Trade Golf Club).

Companies have until the end of the year to put accessibility policies and procedures in place for the communication of all of your information and your employment practices.  To find out your legal obligations, go to ontario.ca/page/accessibility-laws, then contact WSPS to help you put it in place.

If you are conducting business in the glass industry in Ontario, the OGMA is the voice that represents your interests at the provincial and federal level. Protect your business and support our fight for prompt payment legislation by becoming a member or as an associate member if you are a consultant to the industry. Please visit the OGMA website for more information.

After a year of preparation, the OGMA/WSPS safety manual is now ready for use by the metal and glass industry. The manual was created by qualified health and safety professionals and is a timesaving tool enabling glass shops to establish their own company program. Not only will this support a company’s efforts to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses, it will also lower costs and time related to WSIB claims. Additionally, WSPS and the health and safety manual will get your company compliant with the new OHSA Regulation 297/13 as well as AODA requirements.