Energy Efficiency & Fire Safety Specialist Advisory Groups
Background:
At the recent Australian Building Codes Committee meeting it was apparent that there is significant work that has been undertaken and is still planned related to energy efficiency and fire safety. There are current projects dealing with both of these topics and AIBS will be advocating on behalf of the profession in relation to proposals that arise from those projects.
Both areas are highly technical and complex. The research being done to support change is generally of a higher order and commonly undertaken by post graduate researchers. The workload to analyse and comprehend the research papers is significant.
In addition, there are several industry driven initiatives which deal with energy efficiency and recently we have seen issues raised related to energy efficiency assessment tools. It is clear that energy efficiency software tools are becoming more and more complex and at the same time more prevalent due to the benefits in resolving increasingly complex technical requirements.
In addition, post disaster responses and interest in advancing fire safety initiatives of ABCB is generating a groundswell of change that will place similar demands on AIBS for advocacy. Currently, the ABCB are working to quantify performance requirements and on a holistic review of fire safety. These projects are expected to be aimed at a series of changes involving the 2019 and 2022 editions of the BCA so that we face around four years of work in this field just with the ABCB’s current projects.
There are also several government based initiatives which relate to building fire safety; cladding auditing and responses to those audits being one such example.
The AIBS response:
The Specialist Advisory Group structure provides an opportunity for the Board to quickly obtain quality information from a nationally focussed group expert in the subject area, augmenting advice the Board may receive from the existing Technical Specialist Advisory Group.
By calling for nominations and appointing members of an Energy Efficiency Specialist Advisory Group (EESAG), the Board could expect to have access to high quality advice related to energy efficiency matters in a timely way.
Similarly, by calling for nominations and appointing members of a Fire Safety Specialist Advisory Group (FSSAG), the Board could expect to have access to timely and competent advice on matters related to fire safety.
The Energy Efficiency Specialist Advisory Group:
The Board has approved the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Specialist Advisory Group EESAG to provide advice to the Board, CEO and National Technical Manager. The authority of the EESAG is limited to dealing with technical issues pertaining to energy efficiency including advice on the development of AIBS Policy positions, external representation and other matters as may be delegated by the Board to the EESAG.
Purpose of the EESAG
The purpose of the Energy Efficiency Specialist Advisory Group is to:
- Monitor the activities of industry, interest groups and government agencies active in the areas of energy efficiency policy development, regulatory development and technological research, reporting relevant developments as appropriate;
- Recommend a national position on specific energy efficiency matters including in relation to policy setting and practice notes;
- Ensure that the Board delivers its objectives in all energy efficiency areas through a consensual approach to items referred to it by the Board;
- To promote energy efficiency knowledge delivery and exchange and promote best practices.
For more information about the operation and responsibilities of the EESAG, please refer to the Terms of Reference document attached.
The Fire Safety Specialist Advisory Group:
The Board has approved the establishment of a Fire Safety Specialist Advisory Group (FSSAG) to provide advice to the Board, CEO and National Technical Manager. The authority of the FSSAG is limited to dealing with technical issues pertaining to fire safety including advice on the development of AIBS Policy positions, external representation and other matters as may be delegated by the Board to the FSSAG.
Purpose of the FSSAG
The purpose of the Fire Safety Specialist Advisory Group is to:
- Monitor the activities of industry, interest groups and government agencies active in the areas of fire safety policy development, regulatory development and technological research, reporting relevant developments as appropriate;
- Recommend a national position on specific fire safety matters including in relation to policy setting and practice notes;
- Ensure that the Board delivers its objectives in all fire safety areas through a consensual approach to items referred to it by the Board;
- To promote fire safety knowledge delivery and exchange and promote best practices.
For more information about the operation and responsibilities of the FSSAG, please refer to the Terms of Reference document attached.
How to apply:
If you are interested in becoming involved in either of the two newly established groups, expressions of interest can be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] and should include an introduction letter of no more than one page and a synopsis of your experience of no more than two pages. Please ensure your registration is received no later than COB 22 December 2017.
Appointment process:
The Board will appoint members to each group at its discretion and all members will be required to abide by the principles set out in the external representative induction manual throughout their service. It is expected that the Board will make appointments early in the New year so that the two groups can begin to meet no later than March 2018.
Term of appointment:
Members of these groups will be appointed for an initial period until 31 December 2018, and then for two year periods thereafter coinciding with the election of each Board. Newly elected Boards may choose to re-appoint members to serve successive terms so that the service provided to a group may extend beyond the initial appointment at the discretion of AIBS and the appointed member.
Benefits of representing AIBS:
AIBS endeavour to ensure that that you find the representative experience to be professionally and personally rewarding. By expressing interest in this opportunity, you confirm your commitment to professionalism and your willingness to contribute to support of your profession.
AIBS supports its members who make these commitments through a range of measures designed to develop your capacity in your representative role. The technical department can assist you to resolve any barriers you may have to getting the most from the experience.
As such, participation is recognised within the Continuing Professional Development Scheme of AIBS.
Further information:
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to call the AIBS office on 1300 312 427.