The Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) has called meetings of its members around the country over concerns about how new federal building code legislation relating to ACM cladding will impact the signage industry.
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| ACM building cladding (photo - Fair Trading NSW - NSW Government) |
Senator Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has now called for a total ban on the importation, sale and use of all flammable polyethylene (PE) core aluminium composite panels.
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| Andy McCourt, Wide Format Online |
Wide Format Online publisher Andy McCourt says: “Kim Carr is a friend of print manufacturing but a total ban on PE could be overkill. I guess his thinking is: ‘Allow importation of only fire-resistant grades of cladding and the problem is solved.’ But used properly for signage, PE is fine and 30% cheaper. It would be like a total ban on wood for framework because wood burns. The solution is in the application, certification and fire prevention, not a total ban. Otherwise we might as well ban cars because they can kill people.
“The states have a far more balanced view: prohibiting any ACP with 30% or more PE content from going on buildings, all backed by proper fire testing," McCourt says.
"I am disappointed that Kim Carr - a politician who has previously shown great understanding of the printing industry - has resorted to cheap political point-scoring to call for this ill-advised carte blanche ban. It's a sledgehammer approach that entails little research nor deep knowledge of materials science. The states are doing a much better job."
The new Building Construction Code was introduced last year to limit the spread of fires caused by Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding sheets on the outside of buildings. ACM, a signage staple, has a polyethylene core sandwiched between two thin aluminium panels.
“The target was the cladding industry but the signage industry has been caught in the net,” Mick Harrold, chairman of ASGA Victoria and MD of Melbourne sign company Visual Exposure, told a meeting of ASGA members in Melbourne last month. “The effects on our industry are wide ranging and poorly understood.”
The new code added at least $3,000 to the price of one recent sign job.
Dozens of concerned ASGA members last month attended a Melbourne meeting, and a similar event took place in Adelaide on Wednesday.
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| Michael Punch, ASGA |
ASGA general manager Michael Punch told Wide Format Online that it’s "a complex problem” that the industry as a whole needs to address.
“The meeting in Melbourne was attended by 51 people from all parts of the industry – our Victorian chair Mick Harrold gave a brief overview on the changes to the National Construction Code (NCC), formerly BCA, as they relate to the suitability of building materials.
“This involved looking at their location on a multi-storied building. The need for signage to meet fire rules for combustibility and flammability was the subject of much discussion. There are nine classes of buildings, depending on their usage, and they are classified into four types based on their height. A visual was given explaining the construction types. Which transparent materials if any are fire-rated was an important discussion, as was the loose application of the tags ‘fire rated’ and ‘fire resistant.’
“It was generally agreed that there will certainly be no retraction of the current rules.” Punch says. “The industry needs to come up with a solution to the many challenges now being faced. The issue is a complex one which the industry as a whole will address. Similar information sessions will be hosted by ASGA in other states – the next one is planned for Wednesday 3 April in Adelaide.”
Senator Carr says the government cannot continue to delay a ban on flammable cladding.
“The Morrison Government had an opportunity to take this action in February last year when the Government responded to the Senate’s recommendation to ban the importation, sale and use of polyethylene core composite panels. But instead the Government chose to reject the recommendations saying it was impractical and burdensome.
“The Morrison Government must stop the delays, stop the blame shifting and stop this dangerous product at the border.”
Carr says building regulation will be “a priority” for a Shorten Labor Government.
“Labor has already committed to strengthening building regulation by: A total ban on the importation, sale and use of flammable polyethylene core aluminium composite panels; The establishment of a national licensing scheme for all building practitioners, with requirements for continued professional development; A penalties regime for all building practitioners and companies who knowingly use non-compliant materials.
“We need to restore confidence in the safety of our high rise buildings and their construction,” Carr says.
For more, contact Michael Punch: michael_punch@signs.org.au or call 0448 274 211
