May 2024

Welcome to the May 2024 issue of Window Film News.

As we hurtle toward the middle of 2024, Trans-Tasman window film installers continue to feel the impact of the many external factors influencing our industry.

For WFAANZ, this has meant:

• delivering industry training,
• building a new Automotive Window Film Certification module,
• fighting for the inclusion of window film installers on the Core Skills Occupation List,
• presenting education seminars to energy assessors and building designers,
• negotiating partnerships that support our member’s businesses,
• liaising with government,
• ensuring compliance with the new provisions in AS 2208:2023…and that’s just scratching the surface.

Being a WFAANZ member ensures you stay updated about these developments and are poised to take advantage where possible. If you’re a building or automotive window film installer interested in joining, read more here.

PARTNERSHIPS

Identification is key

Cost for Australian members: AU$950 includes GST and free freight. This represents a saving of $106 + freight for Australian members.

Cost for New Zealand members: AU$864. Freight will be charged at cost rate; no export admin fee; EFT and card payment accepted; purchaser responsible for own customs/import charges, if any.

Accurate glass identification makes the discussion with your client about film options an informed one. If the goal is for installers to be trained and outfitted to provide optimal thermal performance solutions while mitigating the risk of thermal stress breakage, then this kit should be a staple.

Setting an impression of professionalism is another obvious benefit, which puts your business in good stead to win the job if the customer is deciding between different installers.

Jan Matthews, PRGS Tinting Services, comments: “Well done WFAANZ. We have been using this kit for over 20 years and couldn’t recommend it more highly”.

Energy audits made easy, written by Amelia Pinkard, Partnership Relationships Coordinator, Choice Energy

It’s an energy partner to more than 50 associations, buying groups and organisations like Metcash Group, Capricorn Automotive, and now WFAANZ. Since July 1 2023, it has helped 620 businesses identify and save over $4,000,000 on their energy spend.

Here’s how the WFAANZ/Choice Energy partnership works…

WFAANZ members contact Choice Energy for a free ‘energy audit’, and its experts review and advise on whether it adopts the best approach to procuring/paying for energy – to pinpoint if and where savings can be made. It’s essentially an obligation-free energy bill health check for electricity and gas, the result of which is either:

1. Peace-of-mind, knowing that not even a team of energy geeks could find a way to reduce your energy spend, or
2. You receive a report listing your options to improve your energy procurement model.

Amelia Pinkard, Partnership Relationships Coordinator, Choice Energy, said: “We are proud to partner with the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand. I look forward to working with its members to help them take control of rising energy costs and lower their environmental footprint through our expert energy procurement services and quality solar solutions.”

Amelia continues: “Last week’s budget announced a $325 rebate for one million Australian businesses. That amount is next to nothing for a business already struggling. It’s a clear indication that although Australia is in the worst energy crisis it’s ever been in, businesses need to take control themselves. We hope we can help window film businesses do just that.”

As an example, when auto repair shop Norsun Enterprises, Sunshine, Victoria, felt the sting of rising electricity prices, the owners engaged Choice Energy for a review. Choice Energy facilitated an energy procurement tender, identified a more cost-effective retailer, and facilitated the switch. Choice also worked with the business’ owners to reduce their energy costs at home and assessed the energy rates for some of their friends too. It is projected the business will save close to $3,500 per year in comparison to the previous contract.

WFAANZ members can contact Amelia Pinkard with a recent copy of your energy bill on amelia.pinkard@choiceenergy.com.au or 0413 874 116, or learn more about Choice Energy here.

NEWS

1. Safety label. Tinters are responsible for applying safety labels to each pane of glass when installing safety and security film in accordance with AS 1288:2021 Section 5, Criteria for Human Impact. This has always been the case. The mandatory text that must be printed on the sticker has changed. There is also a new stipulation stating the label must be adhered underneath the window film, facing internally.
2. Duration of compliance. As certain components of window film do break down over a long period of time, it is now a provision of AS 2208: 2023 that a window with applied safety film maintains Grade A safety glass compliance for 20 years only. That’s why the year of installation will now be printed on the safety label, and means safety film distributors have to provide new labels to installers every year.

WFAANZ is in the process of printing new labels. When done, WFAANZ provides them to distributors, and they provide them to you, the installers. If you deal with a WFAANZ distributor, they will let you know when the new stickers are available.

This standard supersedes AS/NZS 2208:1996. The NZS has been removed from the title because AS 2208:2023 is not enacted in New Zealand.

Purchasing the standards
AS 2208:2023 relates to the “…test requirements for safety glazing for use in buildings”. While it is necessary for installers to be aware of the standard, it’s not a requirement for you to own a copy. If you would still like one, visit the Standards Australia store here.

AS 1288:2021 relates to the installation of glazing, and includes the section on human impact. AS 1288:2021: “Sets out procedures for the selection and installation of glass in buildings, subject to wind loading, human impact, and special applications. Glass strength is specified, based on the tensile stresses on the surface of the glass.” Purchase a copy of AS 1288:2021 here.

Training
For more in-depth education about the standards impacting Australia tinters, it is recommended you attend the WFAANZ Architectural Window Film workshop (online training).

The CSOL informs government migration policy. It’s somewhat similar to the Skills Migration Occupations List used for temporary skills visa purposes. To secure a place for auto and building window film installers on the CSOL – WFAANZ needs your help.

JSA invited community consultation on the CSOL in the form of a submission (there was also a survey – but the deadline for that has passed). So, WFAANZ is now asking you make a submission to get window film installers included on the CSOL. Even if you already submitted a survey, please go that extra mile to complete a submission too, because the more industry feedback JSA receives from installers, the stronger our case will be.

The CSOL is divided into three lists, one being the Draft CSOL Targeted for Consultation List, covering jobs the JSA Migration Model suggests should be targeted for stakeholder feedback. This is the list WFAANZ relevant to window film installers. JSA is particularly interested in market surveys and independent research, business recruitment experiences and the views of Australian and migrant workers and jobseekers. 399611_Signwriter and 333111_Glazier are already on this list.

The tinting roles for inclusion on the CSOL:

• 899412 Autoglazier (Vehicle Window Tinter), and
• 821411 Building Insulation Installer (Window Tinter (Building)).

Submissions can be submitted up to 5pm AEST on 31 May 2024. How to lodge a submission:

• Go to this link: Draft Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) for Consultation | Jobs and Skills Australia
• Scroll down to and click the purple “Lodge your submission” button.
• Upload any materials you have that support our case – job ads, recruitment experiences, etc. in the first section; and in the second write as little or as much as you like about your business experience in terms of employment, recruitment difficulties, having to turn away jobs due to labour deficits, etc.
• Hit NEXT, and that’s it.

If you have any questions, feel free to email ally.cronan@optusnet.com.au.

As an example, companies are still trying to convince installers that tinting a windscreen is legal if it’s optically clear film. There are many compelling reasons why no window film should be applied to the lower part of a passenger vehicle’s windscreen, in every state and territory in Australia. Here are some of them:

• Safety. We are discussing the driver’s critical viewing area. There are far too many variables outside of an installer’s control that could impede the driver’s vision after the installation of window film, even optically clear film.
• Longevity. There is no assurance that optically clear film will not darken/discolour over time, especially in the extreme climates in Australia and New Zealand.
• Liability. If a windscreen with film was found to be the contributing factor in an accident, the installer could be held liable.
• Legislation. Most states and territories adopt model legislation by the National Transport Commission, that’s why you have many different jurisdictions using the exact same language. In most cases you will find the sentence: “no other coating or tinting is permitted on the windscreen that reduces its LT”. That includes by any percentage, even the 2% that some optically clear films for windscreens claim to affect the VLT by.
• Confusion. Police and inspectors follow regulations to the letter. If the regulation states “no film at all permitted on the lower part of the windscreen” – then that’s the rule they will enforce.

The picture above shows Stephen Buckley and Paul Luck from Creative Blinds Toowoomba with their WERS For Film accreditation certificates.

Stephen said: “Five staff and I recently received Architectural Window Film certification through WFAANZ, with two of us going on to gain WERS For Film accreditation. Having both accreditations, my business now has a solid foundation on which to build local recognition and credibility. As WERS For Film is nationally recognised, I can promote our accreditation on my website and social media pages so that our potential customers know they are dealing with an outfit that takes quality, standards, and training seriously. Thank-you must also go to Ally and her team at the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand in providing both the professional leadership and training for our trade. Architectural window film is a natural, complementary fit to my widow furnishing business.”

Anyone who doesn’t know about WERS For Film accreditation – it means you’re able to complete WERS For Film accredited jobs, and in doing so issue energy certificates to your clients that certify the SHGC, U value and heating and cooling percentage improvement of the windows with film. You can promote yourself as being an energy expert, having Australia’s only independent accreditation credential for building film installers. Learn more about the accreditation process here. WERS For Film – WFAANZ

FEATURE

Some things to consider and discuss with a lawyer could include:

Terms and conditions
Review the section that covers thermal stress breakage in your terms and conditions.

• Is it clear, thorough, written in plain language, fair?
• Does it provide enough detail about the risks?
• Does it outline who is liable in the event of breakage, and how problems or disputes will be dealt with?
• Are your T&Cs legible when printed, or when viewed on a screen? Is the font large enough?
• Have you created a paper trail so you can prove the client was sent and read the T&Cs?
• Do you insist the client return a signed copy of your quote with T&Cs prior to accepting the job, to prove they have been read?
• Are your protocols sound for filing/archiving this signed documentation (electronically or hard copy)?
• Should your T&Cs be available on your website?

Building window film installers who don’t already mention thermal stress in their T&Cs should look at including it as a priority.

T&Cs must adhere to Australian Consumer Law (ACL). You need to know what the ACL covers as there are penalties if you make claims in your T&Cs that are false, misleading or deceptive. That’s why a lawyer review is recommended.

Waiver
Do you need a waiver for client signature prior to starting any job where the risk of thermal stress is more pronounced? This should be one of the questions you raise with a lawyer. It differs from business to business and job to job, so you need advice specific to your business, offering, location, etc. as to whether a waiver is necessary in extenuating circumstances (in addition to your T&Cs).

Paper trail
When emailing a quote and/or product info to your client, should you also attach the WFAANZ thermal stress technical bulletin, and refer to it in the body of the email, as a way of demonstrating the lengths you went to inform your client of the thermal stress risks?

Insurance
Do you have a clear understanding of your insurance policy in relation to whether your business is covered in the event of a client claiming thermal stress from applied film led to the cracking of their windows/doors?

It’s important to note, this article does not constitute legal advice. It has been written to provide thought starters and questions to raise with a lawyer, to ensure all suitable and binding practices and materials are in place.

Training
If you or your staff would like training on thermal stress, how to match film to glass to prevent it, high risk scenarios, what to look out for, etc., we advise you attend the next WFAANZ Architectural Window Film Certification workshop (Training – WFAANZ). Message info@wfaanz.org.au for more information.

ASK AWAY

MEMBERS

Welcome new members
To all the window film businesses below that recently joined WFAANZ – welcome to the team. Remember, the more you engage with us – the more you’ll get out of your membership. Contact me if you need assistance with marketing your membership to maximise your return on investment.