HORIZONTV FEATURING BD+C: WATCH EPISODES ON DEMAND AT HORIZONTV
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) updated a document serving a recommended practice for determining test methodology for laboratory and field testing of exterior wall systems. The document pertains to products covered by an AAMA standard such as curtain walls, storefronts, window walls, and sloped glazing. AAMA 501-24, Methods of Test for Exterior Walls was last updated in 2015.Ā
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 associationās efforts to make sure construction firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures for the industry.
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 agencyās 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.
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.
This WHO book provides guidance for managing water supplies in buildings where people may drink water, use water for food preparation, wash, shower, swim or use water for other recreational activities or be exposed to aerosols produced by water-using devices, such as cooling towers. This publication is one of a series of supporting documents that provide guidance on implementing the World Health Organizationās Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. An electronic version of this publication is available on the WHO web site here. More information is available at the www.worldplumbing.org.
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has updated the LEED Demand Response Pilot Credit. Originally launched in 2010, the revised and enhanced Demand Response Pilot Credit establishes guidelines that are anticipated to increase participation in automated energy demand response programs. LEED projects that satisfy the credit by demonstrating their ability to shift energy consumption by 10% of peak load demand will earn a point towards LEED certification when they participate in existing utility-sponsored demand response programs that meet guidelines established in the pilot credit. Additional points are available for projects that implement semi or fully automated demand response programs.
(http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=9542)
To aid local governments to adopt high-performance green building codes, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have developed High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0. It includes the concepts in most other sustainability or green standards, while also enhancing disaster resistance.
http://www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/facilityblog/2011/07/building-code-for-sustainable-construction-emphasizes-functional-resilience.html
"A sustainable building with a higher degree of durability can decrease the amount of materials going to landfills and use of community resources when disasters occur,ā says Steve Szoke, PCA director of codes and standards. āThe PCA/IHBS ordinance provides mandatory requirements for increased resistance to natural disasters with the goals of reducing the number of destroyed buildings, protecting property, and saving human life."
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published ISO 50001 to provide a recognized framework for integrating energy performance into management practices. ISO says it is "a single, harmonized standard for implementation across the organization with a logical and consistent methodology for identifying and implementing improvements."
http://www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/facilityblog/2011/07/iso-50001-seeks-to-standardize-energy-management-strategies.html
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. Weāre looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
