IMPORTANT NOTICE RE: BCA 2010 

Australian Duct Manufacturers Alliance (ADMA), Federal Government and  Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) action on flexible ductwork.

As you may be aware, the standards for flexible duct have been in a state of flux in recent years. Over an extended period, there have been concerns raised over the consistency and quality of flexible duct in relation to construction, fire standards, labelling and thermal performance, and this has been brought to the attention of the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Following discussions with the AGO, the Heating and Cooling Association of Australia (HCAA), as part of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia ( MPMSAA), recently set up a not-for-profit company, the Australian Duct Manufacturers Alliance (ADMA), to represent duct manufacturers / assemblers. ADMA has elected an interim committee consisting of representatives from duct manufacturers and the MPMSAA.

The main aims of ADMA are to:

• Develop an industry wide standard test to determine the "effective composite duct thermal resistance" (Rt or R_EFF) for assembled flexible duct, and implement a system for random testing of duct to ensure compliance with the BCA and Australian Standards.
• Develop an ADMA self regulated system of addressing non compliance to the required standards for ADMA members.
• Represent the flexible duct manufacturing industry via a single voice in lobbying submissions to the Government, Australian Greenhouse Office, Australian Building Codes Board, Australian Standards and other regulatory authorities.