You may have heard references to the Australian Wind Code Standards being updated, and might be concerned about how this affects your past or future Fabric Shelter purchases.
Let’s cut to the chase: Should you be concerned?
Short answer is that the wind itself hasn’t changed. As long as you are working with an ISO accredited supplier that genuinely engineers according to AS1170.2, you have nothing to be worried about.
What is the updated Australian Wind Code?
Recently, the Australian Wind Code – informed by Australian Standards Structural Design Actions AS/NZS 1170.2 – Wind actions – underwent an update, going from 1170.2:2011 to 1170.2:2021.
The AS1170.2:2021 code addresses multiple elements including:
- Realignment of some boundaries including Region A0 – A5 and introduction of Region B1 and Region B2
- Redefining of wind actions on curved structures
You can read more on the Australian Standards website.
Updates to Building Codes and Design Standards are a normal occurance that happens in accordance with renewed engineering understandings, updated research, etc. All standards are periodically reviewed and updated with the times.
Does this mean my existing Shelters aren’t compliant?
All of our legacy DomeShelter™ Structures have been designed to standards current at the time of purchase. Every DomeShelter™ Product is durable and properly engineered. While older Structures would potentially not meet the criteria of the latest version of AS1170.2, this does not mean these Structures are now non-compliant.
Building codes and standards evolve with time all with the aim of improving designs; this is a normal occurrence that affects not only Fabric Structures but buildings and structures of all kinds. DomeShelter Australia have been manufacturing for over 25 years, and have engineered Shelters not only to the 2011 code, but even the 2002 edition that preceded that. All of these structures met the requirements of the standards of the time and will continue to serve the purpose for which they were intended. As long as Shelters are properly maintained they will fulfill the life expectancy indicated.
What is DomeShelter Australia doing about the changes?
At DomeShelter Australia, our Core Purpose is ‘to protect People and Assets from the harmful effects of the elements’ with durable Fabric Shelter Solutions. We have been fulfilling on this purpose for more than 25 years!
As an ISO9001 certified company, we have always been committed to live up to our promise –Engineered to Protect™. Stringent well-proven processes and qualified staff guarantee every Structure is designed and manufactured in line with the relevant Australian and International standards, including AS1170.2.
DomeShelter Australia’s experienced technical and engineering team have been working for many months with our consultants to gain full understanding of the updated standards. Our valued customers can continue to have full confidence that every DomeShelter™ Structure will be fully compliant and able to withstand even the harshest conditions.
DomeShelter Australia will only design and manufacture fully compliant Fabric Shelters, which includes complying to all current standards. Our team have begun engineering to AS1170.2:2021 and have already successfully completed many recent projects adopting the new standards.
You can be confident when working with Australia’s oldest and most iconic Fabric Shelter brand, DomeShelter™, we will continue supplying the most durable, and most trusted Engineered Fabric Shelters in the market.
As a client once said, DomeShelter Australia will remain As Tough as the Elements!
If you have any questions about the new standards and whether they will affect your structure, feel free to reach out to a DomeShelter™ Consultant.
