Building Connection Summer 2016

6 / 92

6 BUILDING CONNECTION SUMMER 2016
WATERED DOWN
T raversing your way through
the construction regulation
minefield is a battle in itself.
Add having to absorb all of the
information, remember it and then
ensure it is adhered to once you or
your contractors are on the tools, is
another ball game altogether.
When the waters become muddied,
due to differences in opinion, or a
strong belief that the regulations have
‘always stipulated something else’, an
endless debate typically ensues.
Such has been the case surrounding
the use of welded sheet vinyl for wet
areas and whether the material is
waterproof or water resistant. The
confusion simply waters down what
regulations are meant to be about.
One of our long serving contributors
and tiling expert Andrew Golle goes
into great detail regarding the issue in
our cover story and was spurned to do
so given the fact it is such a hot topic
in Tasmania at the moment.
While the issue has largely been
addressed in other states, some
builders are still neglecting to assess
the material properties based on
previous practices. The enforcement
is also being let down by local
authorities and certifiers, through
ignorance and misinterpretation of
the standards.
With that in mind, this issue, as well
as many others across the industry,
need to not only be addressed but the
masses needed to be educated and
then regulated... but who, how and
why are the three burning questions
that are often hardest to answer.
Do yourself a favour and give
Andrew’s article a read to get up to
speed with the ‘spin on welded vinyl’.
Another big story covered in this
issue is that of green or ‘comfortable’
homes and how you can provide
the highest level of comfort for
occupants.
As the broader population becomes
more aware and educated in the
area of sustainability, you too must
become proficient in the area, so
knowing about, and how to provide
adequate insulation, optimal indoor
air quality, air tightness and so forth,
is vital to the growth of your business
now and in the years ahead.
Finally, check out our new Building
Connection website at:
EDITORIAL
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this magazine
do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
Although all materials are checked for accuracy, no
liability is assumed by the publisher for any losses
due to the use of material in this magazine. Copyright
2016 by Connection Magazines. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by
any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of
Connection Magazines.
THE INDUSTRY GUIDE FOR BUILDING
AND RENOVATION PROFESSIONALS
PUBLISHED BY:
Connection Magazines Pty Ltd
2/18-22 Lexia Place,
Mulgrave, VIC 3170
AUSTRALIA
ISSN 1839-2253
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jeff Patchell
GENERAL MANAGER
Jeremy Sweet
EDITOR - BUILDING CONNECTION
Justin Felix
03 9542 9024
EDITOR – ACROSS THE TRADES
Jacob Harris
STAFF WRITERS
Jacob Harris, Joe Young
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Sam Elliott
PRODUCTION
Gail Dwyer, Liz Todorova
CONTRIBUTORS
Andrew Golle, Cecelia Haddad, Peter Coll, Hayden
LePage, Kevin Ezard, Ted Riddle, Jerry Tyrrell
ADVERTISING 1800 063 371
VIC/SA/WA
Angelo Sticca 0451 374 317
NSW/ACT/QLD
Ralph Harpur 0417 449 699
TO SUBSCRIBE
Australia Freecall 1800 623 214
New Zealand 613 9542 9000
Fax (with credit card details) 03 9542 9090
By mail, please write to the address below
Justin Felix
Enjoy the read