IGMA Technical Conference Gets Underway
June 4, 2012

The Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) has made great strides on the first day of its summer technical conference, which kicked off this morning in Ottawa, Ontario, according to Margaret Webb, executive director.

The technical services committee discussed an ongoing study on thermal stress issues for insulating glass which would remove barriers for the creation of an ASTM standard on insulating glass. The committee reported that the study has been on hold for the past year or so while IGMA worked on establishing funding for the second phase of the research. The cost of the second phase has been estimated at $75,000 to complete. The association has worked to get financial commitments from industry sources and organizations. So far that effort has raised $12,000.

Committee discussion on how to raise funds resulted in a possible solution proposed by Bob Spindler of Cardinal IG. The 70 IGMA members present at the meeting were asked if they would support being billed $200 annually to establish a research and development research fund. No members voted "no" to the proposal, so it will now move to the IGMA board of directors for consideration. The members also voted to propose that the money received the first year of this new research fund be designated for the thermal study that will act as the catalyst for the new ASTM standard.

"I didn't expect the proposal from the committee, but I certainly agree that it could quickly help us in our effort to create this standard," says Webb. "The board of directors will take action on the proposal later this week, and then the IG industry can see the immediate positive impact this standard will have."

The committee also completed work on three new documents, including one on thermal stress and another on multi-cavity insulating glass units, which should be available for purchase on the IGMA website in the fall.

In addition to the technical services committee meeting, attendees heard a lunch presentation by Deanna Brasseur, a former combat pilot in the Canadian armed forces. She challenged attendees to always be their best, as well as to never allow obstacles to stand in the way of progress.

"Brasseur was an excellent presenter," says Webb. "Our members, after facing a tumultuous financial climate the past five years, certainly appreciated the straight talk and challenge she presented. I think this challenge will manifest in many ways over the rest of the conference and in the next six months of IGMA."

The technical conference ends Thursday. Stay tuned to www.usgnn.com™ for more from the event as it becomes available.