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Building Sciences

In This Issue

Dates to Know

October 26-November 1, 2014
buildingSMART International Fall Summit
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA

October 28-29, 2014
9th Energy Forum for Advanced Building Skins
Bressanone, ITALY

October 28-30, 2014
ABX2014 ArchitectureBoston Expo
Boston, MA

October 28, 2014
MMC Webinar: Substantiating Mitigation—Florida's Loss-Avoidance Assessment Strategy

October 29-30, 2014
NeoConEast 2014
Baltimore, MD

October 30-31, 2014
Facades+
Dallas, TX

November 4-5, 2014
NAPA Asphalt Sustainability Conference
New Orleans, LA

November 4-7, 2014
Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show
Naples, FL

November 5-6, 2014
Green California Schools & Community Colleges Summit
Pasadena, CA
(Receive 20% off when you enter "NIBS" in the discount field)

November 16-18, 2014
AHRI Annual Meeting
Carlsbad, CA

November 19-21, 2014
2014 FLASH Annual Conference
Orlando, FL

November 20-21, 2014
HOME CONNECT 2014
Toronto, CANADA

December 3, 2014
Introduction to Cybersecuring Building Control Systems Workshop
Washington, DC

December 4, 2014
Advanced Cybersecuring Building Control Systems Workshop
Washington, DC

January 6-9, 2015*
Building Innovation 2015
Washington, DC
*NEW DATES

January 20-22, 2015
2015 International Builders Show
Las Vegas, NV

January 24-28, 2015
ASHRAE 2015 Winter Conference
Chicago, IL

February 20-25, 2015
Adhesion Society 38th Annual Meeting
Savannah, GA

April 1-3, 2015
Living Future 2015
Seattle, WA

May 14-16, 2015
AIA Convention 2015
Atlanta, GA

June 15-17, 2015
NeoCon
Chicago, IL

June 28-30, 2015
2015 Every Building Conference & Expo

What's On WBDG

The WBDG Whole Building Design Guide® has extensively updated the Accessible Design Objective, including Provide Equal Access and Flexibility, History of Accessible Facility Design, and Beyond Accessibility to Universal Design. Also extensively updated is Building Commissioning, including Determine Project Performance Requirements, Document Compliance & Acceptance, and Plan the Commissioning Process.

Industry News

Institute’s Sustaining Member, Excel Dryer, Challenges School Systems to Get Caught Green Handed
Excel Dryer, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers has teamed with Green Apple — a global cause-marketing initiative from the Center for Green Schools at the United States Green Building Council — and challenged school systems across the country to ‘get caught green handed’ by installing their hand dryers during the Green Apple Day of Service last month. The Boston Public School System, Los Angeles Unified School District and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst accepted the challenge. A portion of the proceeds go back to support the Green Apple program. Visit the USGBC Green Apple website for more information.

 

 

October 2014

The Institute in Action

Time’s Running Out on Savings: Register before Friday, October 31

Building Innovation 2015 Conference & Expo

above Your chance to save on registration to attend Building Innovation 2015 — the National Institute of Building Sciences Third Annual Conference and Expo, to be held January 6 – 9, 2015, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C., ends this Friday, October 31.

Why pay full price? Save up to $200 off onsite registration and be there where Science meets Design™ to enjoy four full days of activities as the Institute brings together a broad spectrum of industry professionals to explore innovative solutions for Creating High-Performing Resilient Communities. Building Innovation 2015 will feature four symposia focusing on different aspects of the Conference theme and a Plenary Symposium that will bring together the entire audience for industry-wide collaboration. Register now and hear from leading experts, pick up educational credits and see the latest in technologies and sciences for less.

Sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers: There’s still time to establish your presence and get full-industry attention for your products and services. Showcase your organization’s contributions to a better built environment during Building Innovation 2015 where the diverse audience provides for effective and affordable access to representatives from the entire building community all at once. Select your sponsorship, exhibit space and advertisement today.

Bailey Receives ICC’s Prestigious Fowler Award

Wally Bailey accepting the Bobby J. Folwer Award

ICC’s outgoing Board president, Stephen D. Jones, CBO (right), presents the prestigious Bobby J. Fowler Award to Wally Bailey.

Wally Bailey, treasurer of the National Institute Building Sciences Board of Directors, received the International Code Council (ICC)'s most prestigious award, the Bobby J. Fowler Award, at an awards ceremony held late last month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The award, which honors the memory of the first chairman of the ICC Board of Directors, is presented to an individual whose contributions to the building safety industry advance ICC’s goals to achieve a safer built environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the recipient’s focus beyond local or regional concerns to issues and activities that span the globe.

Bailey is the Director of Development Services for Fort Smith, Arkansas; a former ICC and Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) Board president; and a member and past president of the Code Officials of Arkansas. He is a leader in the industry, who has a legacy of service with integrity, professionalism and compassion to further the noble cause of ICC. Others who have won the award include Institute President Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA; Institute Chairman James “Tim” Ryan, CBO; former Institute Board Member Emory Rodgers and Past Institute Chairman Jim. W. Sealy, FAIA. Read more.

U.S. Community Celebrates World Standards Day
Sealy Receives Standards Leadership Award

World Standards Day 2014 LogoHundreds of members of the standards and conformity assessment community gathered together in Washington, D.C., October 23 for the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day (WSD). This year’s exhibition, reception and dinner had the theme Standards Level the Playing Field. The National Institute of Building Sciences, in honor of its 40th anniversary, served as the 2014 administrating organization and Jimmy Wayne Sealy, FAIA received the prestigious Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award at the event.

Named after the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce, The Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award recognizes demonstrated leadership in promoting the important role of standardization in eliminating global barriers to trade. Sealy, who is chairman of the Building Seismic Safety Council and past chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors, was recognized for his deep knowledge of building codes and regulations; his extensive relationships with model code organizations; his work addressing the most complex issues facing designers, building owners, and governmental code administration agencies across America; and his exemplary leadership and guidance in the field. Read the award announcement. Learn more about the celebration.

Jim. W. Sealy

Jim. W. Sealy, FAIA, recipient of the 2014 Ronald H. Brown Standards Leadership Award, addresses attendees at the U.S. Celebration of World Standards Day Dinner in Washington, D.C. The National Institute of Building Sciences nominated Sealy, sometimes referred to as the “big-time Dallas architect,” in recognition of his epic knowledge of building codes and regulations, and for his service and commitment to the voluntary standards community of the United States.

Industry Leadership and Advocacy

Outcome-Based Pathway Needs One More Vote to Become Code
Voting via cdpACCESS Ends October 31

Earlier this month, the members in attendance at the International Code Council Annual Conference Public Comment Hearings voted overwhelmingly to approve the “outcome-based pathway” proposed code change (GEW147) to the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). Submitted by the National Institute of Building Sciences, the proposed code change would implement an optional outcome-based path for buildings to achieve energy efficiency requirements instead of using the existing prescriptive or performance pathways. Now that the proposal has been approved by the ICC voting membership at the Public Comment Hearings, the full ICC voting membership has the opportunity to vote on the proposal through cdpACCESS™. Voting will close at 12:00 am (midnight) PT, October 31, 2014. Learn more about the vote.

Symposium Focuses on Helping Lead Communities to
Higher Building Performance

A Building Innovation 2015 SymposiumFind ways to guide your team to improve building performance—at both the individual facility and wider community levels—when you attend the Industry Leadership and Advocacy Symposium: Leading the Way to High-Performing Communities. The Symposium will be held Thursday, January 8, 2015, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, as part of Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Third Annual Conference and Expo.

View the speaker list and session descriptions. Register now to attend Building Innovation 2015 and save $200 off onsite registration. Early-bird rates end October 31, 2014.

Town Hall Meeting Focuses on Future of Code Officials

Greg Wheeler

Greg Wheeler, International Code Council (ICC) At-Large Director and Chief Building Official, City of Thornton, Colorado, shares his experience and recommendations at a Town Hall Meeting on the Future of Code Officials hosted by the Institute at the ICC Annual Conference. The Town Hall Meeting follows release of results from a demographic survey of code officials conducted this summer. View the release. A report from the Town Hall Meeting will be issued later this year.

cdpACCESS Changing Code Development

The code development process is evolving. Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) Program Associate Todd Sims writes about the evolution and the likely impact on future codes. The introduction of cdpACCESS, which allows all code officials to vote on the content of future codes from their office (or even their living room) is an opportunity to bring tens of thousands of code officials to the table and participate in a process where the end result affects every single person.

As Sims points out, "This is the biggest change in U.S. building codes since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911.” Read the blog post and get involved in the development of future codes.

LVDC Design Guidelines for the Visual Environment
Available for Second Public Review
; Review Period Ends
November 10

Design Guidelines for hte Visual EnvironmentThe National Institute of Building Sciences Low Vision Design Committee (LVDC) has released a second draft of Design Guidelines for the Visual Environment for public review and comment. The 30-day review period closes November 10.

The Guidelines address planning and design of a building and facility site, including features used to access the building or facility, such as walkways and pathways, stairs and ramps; interior spaces, including finish materials and fixed and moveable furniture; and lighting design, including the use of daylighting and electrical lighting. It contains chapters on general design principles; site and landscape design; and architecture, interior and lighting design. The second draft incorporates public comments received during the initial review period, which ended in April. Learn more.

The Power of Change

An article in the September 2013 issue of Consumer’s Digest entitled “Clearly Exceptional: Top-Rated Replacement Windows” takes a look at windows, and the third section of the article, entitled “Safety Hitch,” specifically highlights Window Opening Control Devices (WOCDs). A WOCD limits the window opening to four inches, unless overridden by a special locking mechanism. This new window feature, which serves to reduce the number of children falling from windows, recently became an industry-wide requirement that is now part of the International Building Code. The code change that was responsible for changing an entire industry was submitted by Jim. W. Sealy, FAIA, past chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors. Every year, thousands of children are injured or die from falls out of windows in houses, apartments and hotel rooms. This industry change serves to eliminate such tragedies. Read the article.

Security and Disaster Preparedness

October 28 Webinar in MMC’s Series to Address
Pressing Aspects of Hazard Mitigation

The National Institute of Building Sciences Multihazard Mitigation Council (MMC) holds its fourth webinar in its series on mitigation tomorrow. “Substantiating Mitigation—Florida’s Loss-Avoidance Assessment Strategy,” presented by Carly Forster, Long-Term Recovery and Hazard Mitigation Team Lead for the Risk and Resiliency Group at ARCADIS, will be held tomorrow, October 28, 2014, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, EDT. Registration closed today.

Through the series, the MMC serves to address social considerations, governance (including building codes and zoning ordinances), the built environment, hazard and risk assessment and economics. In tomorrow’s webinar, Forster will talk about Florida’s assessment strategy for its mitigation efforts. Find out more about the webinar.

Methods for Creating Resilient Communities
to Be Addressed at Upcoming
Symposium

A Building Innovation 2015 SymposiumWhen a disaster strikes, whether natural or man-made, the results can be devastating for communities. Disruptions can impact residents, businesses and daily life. The Security and Disaster Preparedness Symposium: Means and Methods for Creating Resilient Communities will address these issues. Participate and engage with the experts on ways to increase community involvement to improve resilience and prepare for potential disasters. The Symposium will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 9:45 am - 5:30 pm, as part of Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Third Annual Conference and Expo.

View the speaker list and session descriptions. Register now to attend Building Innovation 2015 and save $200 off onsite registration. Early-bird rates end October 31, 2014.

Facility Performance and Sustainability

BEST4 Conference: The Chance to Learn from the BEST

BEST4

above We're less than six months away from the fourth Building Enclosure Science & Technology Conference™ (BEST4) in Kansas City, Missouri, April 12-15, 2015. This triennial event, presented by the National Institute of Building Sciences and the Building Enclosure Council-Kansas City, will feature the industry's leading professionals who will highlight the latest information on building systems designed for high energy efficiency, good indoor climate and long-term performance. Be there to hear expert researchers, practitioners and educators from across the country and around the globe discuss Performance-Driven Architectural Design and hone in on the building envelope topics that are of concern to all industry professionals. The Conference will tackle performance of the building enclosure in the context of full-building performance. View the program details and more information at www.thebestconference.org.

Sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers: Make your presence known at BEST4. There still are a few select booth spaces and sponsorship opportunities available. Reserve your space today. Firms and individuals can also show their support for BEST4 with a business card sponsorship for only $500. Download the event prospectus for more information. Online registration will open November 3, 2014.

SBIC Appoints Jury for 2014 Beyond Green™ Awards
Award Entries Due October 31

The National Institute of Building Sciences Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) announces the appointment of Ralph DiNola, Fulya Kocak and RK Stewart to serve as the jury for the 2014 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building and Community Awards.

The Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building and Community Awards highlight those initiatives that shape, inform and catalyze the high-performance planning, design, construction and operations processes. The jury is responsible for selecting those buildings, initiatives and innovations that best exemplify the eight design objectives of high-performance, from all of the entries submitted to SBIC by the October 31 deadline. The 2014 award categories include: High Performance Buildings; High-Performance Attributes and Systems; High-Performance Initiatives; and Innovations for High-Performance Buildings; as well as the Greg Franta Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to high-performance, sustainable building design and construction. Read the release.

Discover How to Evaluate Facility Performance, Resilience
at Institute Symposium

A Building Innovation 2015 SymposiumCome take part in the Facility Performance and Sustainability Symposium: Setting the Foundation for Resilient Communities and find out how to evaluate and improve facility performance in communities before a disaster strikes. The Symposium will be held Thursday, January 8, 2015, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, as part of Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Third Annual Conference and Expo.

View the speaker list and session descriptions. Register now to attend Building Innovation 2015 and save $200 off onsite registration. Early-bird rates end October 31, 2014.

Roadmap for Building Commissioning Research Workshop
Summary Report Now Available

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published the summary report from its Roadmap for Building Commissioning Research Workshop, held April 29, 2014. Ryan Colker, program director for the National Institute of Building Sciences Commissioning Leaders Council, helped create the workshop. Download the Report.

RFIs on Innovative Building Technologies Due to GSA by November 7

The General Services Administration (GSA) Green Proving Ground (GPG) program is currently seeking requests for information (RFI) on technologies that improve building performance, decrease operational costs and mitigate the impact of the built environment on our natural resources. GPG aims to drive environmental performance in federal buildings and lead market transformation through early adoption and deployment of innovative building technologies. GPG leverages GSA’s national building portfolio to establish test bed locations for objective third-party evaluation of promising pre- and early-commercial technologies. Project results are intended to help spur GSA’s deployment of high impact technologies, and to inform public- and private-sector investment decisions. View the announcement. GSA will hold a webinar this Thursday, October 30, for more information. Register to attend.

Information Resources and Technologies

 

Symposium Looks to Improve Facilities with the
Power of Information

A Building Innovation 2015 SymposiumInformation—whether good or bad—is the basis for all leadership and decision making, and a key component of productivity. The facilities industry (with its decades-old downward sloping productivity curve) is beginning to move into the information age, but there are still islands of uncoordinated information in every facet of the industry. Find out about the tools available to advance the industry during the Information Resources and Technologies Symposium: Improving Facilities with the Power of Information. Coordinated by the buildingSMART alliance; the Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee; and other technology-related programs of the Institute, the Symposium will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 9:45 am – 5:30 pm, as part of Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Third Annual Conference and Expo.

View the speaker list and session descriptions. Register now to attend Building Innovation 2015 and save $200 off onsite registration. Early-bird rates end October 31, 2014.

NBIMS-US™ Project Delivery Session to Be Held Tomorrow at ABX

It’s not too late to find out how using building information modeling (BIM) with consensus industry standards can improve project delivery. Jeffrey W. Ouellette, Assoc. AIA, IES, vice chair of the National BIM Standard-United States® (NBIMS-US™) Version 3 Project Committee, will present the workshop: Better Project Delivery through Implementation of the National BIM Standard-United States®, on Tuesday, October 28, from 8:00 to 9:30 am, at ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX) in Boston, Massachusetts.

An interactive marketplace for the Northeast’s building industry, ABX has products and services for commercial, residential and institutional needs. The floor also features structures, projects, and designs from the design community — from a retrofitted 1969 globetrotter trailer, to an entirely new lounge space coined Quad 2.0, and a Circus for Construction. Find your colleagues and more at this once-a-year event produced by the Boston Society of Architects. Learn more about the NBIMS-US™ session. Register today using the promo code “NIBS14” for free admission tothe exhibit hall. Register to attend ABX.

The National Institute of Building Sciences, authorized by public law 93-383 in 1974, is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests to identify and resolve building process and facility performance problems. The Institute serves as an authoritative source of advice for both the private and public sectors with respect to the use of building science and technology.

An Authoritative Source of Innovative Solutions for the Built Environment
© 2014 National Institute of Building Sciences. All Rights Reserved. 
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