Author: Lindsey

Challenges for electric vehicles in strata communities

Posted on by Lindsey

Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia is growing, with the EV market share increasing by 65% in 2022 to 3.39% of new light vehicle (car) sales1. While this lags other developed nations, such as the UK, where one in five new cars sold is electric, we know demand in Australia will continue to increase. Moderate estimates predict EVs will represent 49% of total vehicle sales by 2030, and 100% of total vehicle sales by 20402.

Read or download the article below to find out more about:

  • The role of the Government in EV strategy
  • New South Wales EV policy
  • Potential integration issues
  • EV charging infrastructure
  • Risks of EV charging stations
  • Strata insurance considerations

Exploding Glass!

Posted on by Lindsey

Spontaneous glass explosions in apartment blocks has highlighted the dangers of cheap and faulty building glass flooding into the Australian market.

Video courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Linked to the poor manufacturing of balcony balustrades when containing nickel sulphide the building glass can fail on exposure to extreme temperature changes such as; wind, heat or other stresses.

Poor quality glass, shoddy workmanship and installation especially when dealing with building glass is life threatening.

So, more than ever it’s important that your glazier or building glass supplier engages in best practices and adheres to Australian Standards for building glass to ensure the protection and safety of people living and working in residential and commercial buildings.

It’s critical that you always ask if your glazier or building glass supplier is an AGWA accredited member.

Every Express Glass Glazier is an AGWA member who has been trained and tested so the best practice is not a negotiation, it’s the only option.

By using an AGWA member to source and install your building glass products, you can be assured that they have been certified by a qualified certifier and are from a reputable supplier, such as  Express Glass

Accredited glazing professionals are specialists in their field, advising on thermal performance, wind load for cyclone and high-risk areas, safety glazing systems for exterior and interior applications.

Your glass supplier should ensure the glass is fit for purpose and from a reliable source and that the glass installed is fully compliant.

Any building glass breakage problem has severe consequences where the building glass is installed overhead or in public areas, such as in high-rise residential or commercial buildings as it can be critical and endanger lives.

Qualified, experienced and accredited glaziers, such as Express Glass will give you absolute confidence in their professional advice and ability.

 

About Express Glass 

Leaders in emergency building glass repairs and replacement 24/7/365, Australia-wide book now or call 1300 666 234.

Reactive vs Proactive Security Maintenance – Understanding the Pro’s and Con’s

Posted on by Lindsey

What is an electronic Security system?

A strata electronic security system is comprised of three elements: Access Control, CCTV and a Visitor entry system (intercom).

Residents and visitors rely on these systems for access to the building and to help manage the common areas when no one is around. A failure in the systems can cause significant inconvenience to residents (being locked out) or a stolen item may not get traced (be recovered).

Reactive Maintenance and Repair

As the name suggests, reactive maintenance/repair is when a building reacts to a reported problem for a particular service. A service company is engaged to investigate the problem, they fix the issue or provide a quote to fix the problem, once the quote is approved.

Pros and Cons of Reactive Maintenance

Pros: This can save money in the short term, keeping strata levies and annual costs to a minimum. Many services will work for many years without maintenance, Cons: All services deteriorate over time, from painting or plumbing to security systems. The longer you leave the services without maintenance, the more you may need to spend when you do service them.

Recommendations: If you adopt the reactive maintenance/ repair model with a security system, you need to consider the following:

  • Allocate funds in your sinking fund for the future repair or replacement of the system. This may be 10 years, but be prepared, you will need it.
  • Document a process for what happens if you have a failure of your security system. How do people get into your building if the system fails? How long do you expect the system to be offline? Will the doors need to be left open? What problems will that cause?
  • Ask your security company to highlight the key areas of failure and implications if you don’t maintain the system. You may decide that you accept the risks associated with no maintenance, but you should make that conscious decision, not fall into it.

Proactive or Preventative Maintenance

Proactive maintenance is when you actively work to increase the reliability and lifespan of the services at your building.

A maintenance plan is put in place to document the system and to periodically check and service the key elements to reduce the risk of failure.

Pros: Whilst proactive maintenance doesn’t guarantee that the system won’t fail, it will reduce the chances of this happening. Access into your building is a key function for residents and setting up a system to alert you of problems before they arise makes sense.

Cons: There is an annual cost for maintenance and most of this work isn’t seen by residents or members of the committee.

Recommendations:

  • If you adopt a proactive maintenance approach, then you need a security maintenance plan and to keep good records of what work has taken place.
  • If you change service provider, hand over these records to the new company and continue with the work.
  • Build an asset register and forecast when you need to spend larger sums of money for an upgrade or enhancement to the systems
Find out more here

Easy Window Maintenance Tips from the Experts!

Posted on by Lindsey

Why do windows need maintenance?

Consider the environment in which windows function.

They’re subject to extreme weather temperatures from extreme dry to wet and humid conditions, not to mention wind, hail, ultraviolet light and more. Then there’s the regular openings and closings which overtime cause excessive wear and tear.

What happens when there’s no maintenance?

  • Finishes fail
  • Sealants lose flexibility
  • Components rot or corrode
  • Insects bore into wood and movable parts can deflect
  • Window glass becomes loose, dangerous and cracks/shatters

Unfortunately, without window maintenance the damage becomes cumulative and eventually replacement may become the only economical option, so it’s best to attend to any damaged windows immediately.

How do I arrange window maintenance?

Simply contact ‘Express Glass Window Maintenance’ on 1300 666 234 or book here now and they will coordinate a time to fix your damaged windows.

All inspections are tailored to the type of window and the symptoms specific to those windows, so whether your window type be:

  • Aluminum
  • Metal
  • Wood
  • Vinyl
  • Fiberglass

Look at wear and tear such as:

  • Sash repairs
  • Window film
  • Corrosion and rust
  • Glass damage
  • Rot and decay
  • Seals
  • Install window locks
  • And much more!

What can you do in the meantime?

  • Clean the tracks of your windows (and doors) and remove any dirt
  • Check the sealant around the edge of your windows, it should be nice and tight
  • Trim any low over hanging and overgrown branches away from your windows
  • Secure or put away any loose items on your balcony, in the event of a storm you don’t want them flying around
  • Book in with the Express Glass Window Maintenance team to fix your windows

Contact Express Glass’s Customer Service team on 1300 666 234 or book online here now and the ‘Express Glass Window Maintenance’ team is with you soon. Done!

Looking for a new opportunity?

Posted on by Lindsey

Check out our careers page

A rewarding career for ambitious professionals

Strata management (owners or body corporate management) is an industry looking for enthusiastic and reliable professionals. One in four Australians now own or occupy a unit in a strata community and this is projected to grow dramatically over the next decade.

This upsurge in demand for housing in strata titled developments has also increased the need for the ongoing management of strata properties and their communities.

Choosing a career in the strata industry places you at the front line of this exciting time of growth and innovation in the property industry.

As the peak body for the strata sector in New South Wales., SCA (NSW) provides the Jobs Hub with the aim to create a platform to connect talented strata professionals at any stage of their careers with the best employers around NSW.

 

Check out our careers page

2GB SCA (NSW) Stephen Brell Strata Chat 29/01/23

Posted on by Lindsey
Did you catch our President, Stephen Brell, on 2GB? He was back again on the two Murrays, as the resident authority on strata, with the phone lines ringing hot with listener questions around building defects, water meters, lawn mowers, EV charging, noisy neighbours and more.

Click below to listen.

Have you safety checked your roof and gutters this summer?

Posted on by Lindsey

The summer months often showcase the most excellent parts of the Australian lifestyle, but these conditions can be brutal on your roof. With searing UV, materials can break down quickly, and vast temperature fluctuations can result in thermal shock and extreme bushfire risks. If you are considering a new roof or seeking better performance and safety from your existing roof, here is what you need to know.

 

Cooling Down

A new roof is an important decision. Careful consideration of the residents’ comfort in temperature and value for money is imperative, not just for the installation, but over the roof’s lifespan. New roof decisions such as material choice and colour can dramatically influence the solar heat gain of your roof. Recent studies show light coloured roofing materials “can lower the air temperature in the roof space by up to 9 degrees”. If maximising cooling properties are important for your building, the choice of roof tile materials will affect the temperature fluctuations and assist in increasing ventilation. In conjunction with material selection, appropriate ventilation is essential to keep your roof and building cool during the hot summer. Without adequate ventilation, heat can build up in your roof space, leading to various problems, including damage to the structure of your roof and increased energy costs, as your air conditioning works harder to compensate for the heat. To ensure proper ventilation, you can install vents along the ridge of your roof, allowing hot air to escape and cooler air to enter. Another effective way to improve ventilation in your roof space is to install whirly birds. These are spinning vents installed on your roof which use the wind to draw hot air out of your roof space. They are a cost-effective and easy way to improve ventilation to help keep your roof and building cool during summer.

 

Gutter maintenance

Keeping your gutters clean is the best way to ensure that your gutters perform efficiently and safely during the bushfire-prone summer months. It’s simple, but too often overlooked. As leaves and other debris build up throughout the year, your gutters and downpipes become clogged and prevent proper drainage. Clogged gutters cause water damage to your roof and building in heavy rains, and significantly increase the risk of localised fires or bushfires. To ensure any accumulated debris is removed appropriately and safely, it is vital to have the gutters on your property maintained and cleaned routinely, preferably by a professional. In addition, keeping combustible materials, such as firewood or leaf litter, away from your building and roof will help prevent catastrophes,

Each home has unique requirements, so always seek professional advice to ensure you achieve your desired outcome. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your roof is restored and stays in good condition throughout the summer and beyond, so you can safely enjoy everything the Australian summer offers.

Industry focus on Australian Standards (AS) for glass safety

Posted on by Lindsey

Are your Glass Balustrades fit for purpose?

If you’re the owner or manager of an apartment building, then your glass balustrades could be deemed unsafe under a new Australian Standard (AS).

AS 1288: 2021 Glass in Buildings: Selection and Installation, was introduced in 2021 in response to the lack of clarity in the previous standard, and is about to be incorporated into the national construction code (NCC).

This means a new standard for the glass balustrades in apartment buildings, to ensure they’re fit for purpose and safe for residents – to prevent any risk of falling through or climbing over.

What is a balustrade?

A balustrade refers to a barrier along stairs, balconies, ramps, raised levels and terraces, with a railing usually supported by posts or panes of glass.

While they can be part of an architectural design, the main function of a balustrade is to provide safety – where there is a drop between levels of ground of one metre or more, a balustrade is required to prevent falls.

Glass balustrades are a great option for many building barriers – they provide a safe barrier, while giving a clear line of sight and optimising views, and offer a much more appealing aesthetic than bars or poles.

Safety first

According to the new standard, to reduce the risk of someone falling balustrades need to be at least 1 metre high, with no openings greater than 100mm at the base of the barrier, or 125mm at other openings. They also mustn’t be climbable – another reason glass is a great material for balustrades.

Glass balustrades at a height of 5 metres or more require a certain kind of laminated safety glass, and for new buildings, the AS 1288 : 2021 will need to be considered in the construction of balustrades, in accordance with the NCC.

What does this mean for existing balustrades?

As a rule, the NCC is not generally retrospective, meaning it doesn’t apply to existing balustrades. However, given the risks around unsafe balustrades, there are some areas of grey to be considered.

In a recent case, an apartment owner succeeded in taking her owners corporation to the NCAT Appeal Panel, as there was evidence of prior knowledge of their apartment’s top floor courtyard balustrade being deemed unsafe.

So in situations where there is a clear risk to safety, the AS 1288 : 2021 could be brought into effect so that balustrades are fit for purpose and effective in keeping residents and visitors safe. If an expert opinion is given deeming a balustrade is unsafe, then an owners corporation needs to act on this advice.

The new standard also looks at the installation of barriers – for example if balustrades are installed via spigot, core drill fittings or point-fixed, they must comply with the NCC and adhere to new load guidelines for these types of barriers.

 

Peace of mind

Unsure about the safety and compliance of your existing balustrades? Speak to our expert team about an audit of your building’s glass barriers for peace of mind.

Click here for more information.