Autoglass
Today's windscreens are made of laminated safety glass that consists of two layers of glass with a layer of PBV (polyvinyl butyrate in between. When a windscreen is damaged by stone chips, hail, or other materials, in most cases, the damage can be repaired. As the damage is on the outer layer of glass, there is normally no danger to the driver in continuing to use the vehicle until the damage can be repaired. Delays, however, can result in the damage worsening, which may mean that repairs to the required standard are not possible and a full windscreen replacement is required.
Repairing a windscreen is much more cost effective to both the customer, and the environment. Repairs are done by injected specially formulated resins into the damaged areas, the resin is then cured and polished to restore structural strength and clarity to the glass. It is vital that technicians have been trained correctly in repair techniques and the repairer uses good quality tools and resins to ensure a quality result.
In today's vehicles, there is more glass that ever before, the complexity of the glass has increased with the introduction of various sensors such as humidity, rain, light etc, and the glass itself features highly in the structural integrity of the vehicle. A poorly fitted windscreen can be dangerous and the use of poor quality materials has been instrumental in some tragic accidents across the globe.
Trade Training
In New Zealand, the trade qualification for autoglazing is delivered through JITO, (Joinery Industry Training Organisation), and is often learnt as part of the general Glazing apprenticeship training. A specialist autoglazing qualification is also available, please see . Some of the larger industry participants in New Zealand also provide on-going training utilising their intra-company expertise.
GANZ is the membership body in New Zealand that most industry participants belong to and those who belong to GANZ agree to perform and provide services and products to the relevant standards. Below are the relevant standards and rules applicable for autoglazing in New Zealand.
Compliance to Standards for Automotive Windscreen Repairs and Replacements
- A. AS/NZS 2080 Australian/New Zealand Standard
Safety Glass for Land Vehicle
Laminated & Tempered Glass
- B. AS 4739:2002 Australian Standard – Direct Glazed Automotive Glass
Replacement Light Vehicles
- C. ECE-R43 Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No. 43
Tempered Glass MGS
- D. ECE-R4 Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No. 43
Laminated Glass MGS
- E. ANSI/SAE Z26.1-1996 American National Standard for Safety Glazing
Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicles Equipment
Operating on Land Highways –Safety Standard - F. LTSA Rule 32012 Vehicle Standards (Glazing)
Repair of Windscreens
- AS/NZS2366.1:1999 Windscreen Repairs – Repair Procedures
- AS/NZS2366.2:1999 Windscreen Repairs – Repair Systems
This compliance information was last updated June 2009