What exactly is FGIA?

FGIA is the leading trade association representing glass, window, door, skylight, curtain wall and storefront manufacturers, suppliers and test labs. Members address issues of critical importance, share experience and knowledge and participate in efforts to shape the future for the industry. FGIA is a key industry voice that consistently addresses technical issues for the skylight market through the guidance of the dedicated Skylight/Sloped Glazing Council.

While product certification is a great first step to involvement, engaging as a member brings enhanced value including input on the certification process. Through paid memberships, companies establish technical performance requirements for their products in standards, codes and regulations.

Valuable services provided by FGIA include:

• Standards development
• National, regional and state building code and regulatory advocacy
• Industry representation at ASHRAE, ASTM, NFRC and more
• Professional education opportunities

Why me? Why now?

FGIA membership is strong and growing, but skylight manufacturer involvement is minimal. Greater participation strengthens the consensus process.

Skylight manufacturers of all sizes need to be present and engaged to drive requirements for their products, ensuring they are set by those directly impacted. Otherwise, the standards and regulations will change without skylight industry input.

What has FGIA done for the skylight industry?

FGIA regularly participates in code hearings. One example of a significant code change that FGIA influenced for the skylight industry is the increase in allowable skylight area in commercial buildings from 3 to 5 percent of the roof area. Other notable efforts include mitigating unrealistic energy code proposals and overly ambitious ENERGY STAR^® criteria. Each code cycle, FGIA submits proposals to strengthen the skylight industry and clarify previous code issues. Working together, FGIA skylight members have provided strong data supporting these code initiatives.

If I’m not a technical expert, what could I contribute?

The entire skylight industry is strengthened by more manufacturer participation, especially for standards development. Though expertise on building codes and testing protocols is important, equally critical is participation by those who know skylight products and how they are used in the marketplace. Involvement by those regularly engaged in the industry ensures appropriate requirements are established. We need you at the table.

"Currently, there are so many organizations trying to set guidelines for our products, it can make your head spin. FGIA keeps a watchful eye on all these organizations and then reports back to the membership on items that attempt to regulate our products. This information is invaluable to my company in keeping one step ahead of changes, as well as providing a powerful ally in turning back some of these proposed code and regulations."
- Randy Heather VELUX

Is there more to FGIA than technical performance requirements?

Yes. Members participating in FGIA become more knowledgeable and create greater connections. Member education is a key component to FGIA’s core values.

Educational opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Other Industry Organization Initiatives
• ASHRAE, ASTM and NFRC are just a few of the organizations that greatly impact our industry. Monitoring these groups as an individual manufacturer can be overwhelming. FGIA informs members of critical action, providing the opportunity for companies to act accordingly. FGIA’s delivery of this information saves both time and money.
• Green and Sustainability Updates
• Environmental product declarations (EPDs), life cycle assessments (LCAs) and product category rules (PCRs) are critical requirements for certifications under LEED^® and other green building programs. Awareness is important for any product manufacturer because there is the potential for this to become increasingly relevant to the marketplace in the future.
• At conferences and through webinars, FGIA provides seminars from experts who explain compliance paths, changing requirements and relevant code changes such as:
• Significant LEED v4 changes impacting the commercial market
• Revised California Prop 65 labeling requirements
• The California AB 262 legislation requiring EPDs for specific products in government projects
• These updates eliminate the need for companies to research green and sustainability efforts on their own.
• Guest Speakers
• Guest speakers are an added bonus at FGIA conferences, addressing topics directly related to the fenestration industry, manufacturing, professional development and the economy.
• Valuable Resources
• Resources and materials provided during conferences are available to reference and share with co-workers after FGIA events.

Networking opportunities at FGIA are also very important. FGIA provides a unique forum for engaging with industry peers. Your issues are not uncommon, and FGIA members are helpful and glad to share knowledge to raise the industry as a whole.

How much is this going to cost?

FGIA membership offers multiple levels of participation and a dues fee that fits your needs. FGIA hosts three national conferences per year. Members generally invest an average of $2,000 to $3,000 per event, including registration, travel and hotel fees. Some may see this as a significant amount; however, not engaging is more costly and the potential return on investment is extensive.

Think you don’t have the time?

The conferences are packed with valuable information, but with the scope of products that FGIA addresses, there are natural times in the schedule to step away to focus on emails and phone calls. Plus, the conference venues afford opportunities to experience new cities and social settings while expanding your professional network in a comfortable environment. Many members consider this a proactive time investment versus the time that would be spent on independent research or a reactionary response.

What are the next steps?

You have valuable experience to contribute to FGIA members, and your business is impacted by codes and standards. Skylight manufacturers need to come together to drive the future of the industry.

For more information about joining FGIA, complete our online form, or to experience an FGIA conference, visit the FGIA Events page.

"My company has been an FGIA member for 25 years and I've been participating for 15 of those. We are a small regional skylight manufacturer, so the time and monetary commitment is significant. We feel strongly about staying as active participating members, for all the rea- sons mentioned here, and other factors as well.

One of those other factors is networking. A recent example of this is when California's Prop 65 changes were rolling out. I was sure we had our ducks in a row until we started to consider how our crating material might come into play. This is a gray area in the Prop 65 language but getting it wrong could be very costly.

However, by participating in FGIA, I knew I could ask some broad questions to the group; our issues are not unique. But more importantly, I knew who I could tap on the shoulder and ask more specific questions, knowing they would answer frankly and provide guidance. These are conversations that I wouldn't have been able to simply pick up a phone or email other companies and talk about, but FGIA provides the appropriate forum for such conversations and opportunities for these connections to form. That type of networking is hugely beneficial and invaluable."
-John Westerfield CrystaLite