Spring is here, which means the Window Safety Task Force, in partnership with the National Safety Council, encourages parents and caregivers to recognize the importance of practicing window safety during Window Safety Week, being observed April 3-9. However, open windows any time of year can be dangerous for young children who are not properly supervised.“The warmer weather that comes in spring provides the opportunity to enjoy fresh air through open windows,” said Angela Dickson, Co-Chair of the Window Safety Task Force. “However, to avoid accidental...

Two in-person panels and a roundtable discussion took place during the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Annual Conference in Amelia Island, FL, highlighting trends like thin triple glazing, sustainability best practices and case studies on innovations made in the window industry. These topics gave concrete examples of work being done with fenestration and glazing in terms of environmental efforts and technological advancements.Understanding the Difference: Thin Triple Versus Traditional Triple Pane UnitsA panel discussion comparing thin triple glazing to traditional triple pane units...

A representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Protection Partnership Division in the ENERGY STAR® Residential Branch explained changes for the proposed ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Residential Window, Door and Skylight Draft 2 Specification at the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Annual Conference. Doug Anderson, a project manager and program analyst, manages the ENERGY STAR Residential Window, Door, and Skylight Program, the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Program for residential windows and the “Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR” Program. He...

Those participating in the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Annual Conference learned the benefits of training employees on how to respond to trauma at facilities like manufacturing plants and construction sites. Independence Training leaders, Glen and Drew Stilson, shared tips for stopping bleeding, assessing patients and creating an emergency response plan that works under stress at the conference during multiple hands-on sessions at the event.“We teach field medicine used in battlefields or in remote rural areas,” said Glen Stilson. “Our goal is...

Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl spoke at the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Annual Conference, offering his perspective on the current strife in Ukraine, the future of economic recovery, the labor shortage and a construction forecast for the U.S. and Canada. The Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence admitted things are harder to predict at the moment due to the uncertainty caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine only one week ago, causing large shifts internationally with the global economy.Russia’s Invasion of UkraineKuehl began...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) heard fraud prevention advice from scam artist-turned-Federal Bureau of Investigations educator, Frank Abagnale during his keynote address at the 2022 FGIA Hybrid Annual Conference. Abagnale, whose life inspired the movie Catch Me If You Can, worked several fraud scams in his youth and was eventually asked by the FBI to teach prevention and verification tactics to agents. He has done so for 46 years.“My philosophy is: prevention, verification and education,” said Abagnale. “Education is a powerful tool to...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) recognized the contributions and achievements of its members and congratulated award winners at the Annual Awards Ceremony at the end of the first day of the FGIA Hybrid Annual Conference. Awards were presented by the previous year’s winners, who recognized recipients for their many efforts toward progressing the work of the Association and the industry overall.Outstanding Service Award – Donnie Hunter (Kawneer Company)The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Donnie Hunter, Director, Global Product Development at Kawneer Company,...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has released an updated specification establishing the minimum requirements for fiber reinforced thermoset exterior profiles used in fenestration products. AAMA 305-22, Voluntary Specification for Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Profiles, an FGIA document, is now available for purchase. This 12-section document was last updated in 2018.“The minimum performance requirements established in this specification are based on the experience and many years of research and testing by the fiberglass fenestration industry,” said Robert Plagemann, Chair of the FGIA FMC Lamination Task...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of FGIA Certification Services Manager, Fenestration, Jason Seals, to serve as a voting member of the Florida Structural Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). This 12-person committee plays a vital role in the development of the Florida Building Code (FBC), reviewing International Code Council (ICC) I-codes language which may be considered for adoption in Florida, and proposals from the public, before making recommendations to the Florida Building Commission (FBC) about what should be considered...

In advance of the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Annual Conference, the Association will host an exclusive session for those whose membership is affiliated with the FGIA Southeast Region. Taking place both in-person in Amelia Island, FL, and online the 2022 FGIA Southeast Region Exclusive Session will begin at 3 p.m. on Monday, February 28. Register now for access to sessions pertaining to this region’s codes, regulatory matters and other Southeast Region-specific matters.“We know FGIA members who are local to the...