AGC releases decarbonization playbook to help assess, track, reduce GHG emissions

The Associated General Contractors of America released a new, first-of-its-kind, decarbonization playbook designed to help firms assess, track, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on projects. The AGC Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction Industry is part of the association’s efforts to make sure construction firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures for the industry.

Resiliency

Controversy erupts in Florida over how homes are being rebuilt after Hurricane Ian

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently sent a letter to officials in Lee County, Florida alleging that hundreds of homes were rebuilt in violation of the agency’s rules following Hurricane Ian. The letter provoked a sharp backlash as homeowners struggle to rebuild following the devastating 2022 storm that destroyed a large swath of the county.

Standards

Design guide offers details on rain loads and ponding on roofs

The American Institute of Steel Construction and the Steel Joist Institute recently released a comprehensive roof design guide addressing rain loads and ponding. Design Guide 40, Rain Loads and Ponding provides guidance for designing roof systems to avoid or resist water accumulation and any resulting instability.

Building Materials

Tacoma, Wash., investigating policy to reuse and recycle building materials

Tacoma, Wash., recently initiated a study to find ways to increase building material reuse through deconstruction and salvage. The city council unanimously voted to direct the city manager to investigate deconstruction options and estimate costs.

Mar 27, 2013

New BACnet standard offers significant improvements to alarm handling

Changes to the newly published BACnet standard from ASHRAE will encourage smart building automation controls systems including alarms.

Mar 27, 2013

CEIR releases tool that measures energy, environmental benefits of roof systems

The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR) released its new RoofPoint Energy and Carbon Calculator that is designed to help roofing professionals measure the energy and environmental benefits of modern roof system technologies.

Mar 22, 2013

Earn $500 as a DOE proposal reviewer

The DOE'S Building Technologies Office this morning put out a call to the AEC industry for expert reviewers for its new energy-efficiency initiative for small commercial buildings, which make up more than 90% of the commercial building stock.

Mar 19, 2013

Colorado Zero Energy District project shows how businesses can reach zero-energy standard

An ambitious experiment in Fort Collins, Colo., is supporting development of the nation’s first major urban zero-energy district.

Mar 19, 2013

New LEED for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation guide released

A new guidance manual, LEED for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation, outlines strategies geared towards helping building teams incorporate historic resources into their developments.

Mar 18, 2013

USGBC to GAO: 'Schools need over $271 billion in maintenance fixes'

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its first “State of our Schools” report, highlighting the

critical need to modernize school facilities to meet current health, safety and educational standards.

Mar 14, 2013

Survey: Market demand now key driver for green construction

Construction firms across the world expect 60% of their projects to be environmentally friendly by 2015, according to the SmartMarket Report of McGraw-Hill Construction.

Mar 14, 2013

Concrete Polishing Association of America releases new standards

The Concrete Polishing Association of America(CPAA) Standards Committee, which reflects a cross-section of the concrete polishing industry, has created terminology to define the products and processes used to produce insitu polished concrete.

Mar 14, 2013

World Green Building Council: Green buildings help mitigate real estate risk

Green buildings can offer benefits to a wide array of stakeholders throughout their life cycle, according to a report released by the World Green Building Council.

Mar 14, 2013

Sustainability index aims to evaluate REITs on the greenness of their properties

FTSE Group, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, and the U.S. Green Building Council are working on a sustainability index that measures the portfolios of real estate investment trusts to provide transparency about LEED certification and Energy Star ratings.