Submit an Abstract for the Autumn 2018 JNIBS Issue

The editors of the Journal of the National Institute of Building Sciences (JNIBS) are beginning the process of compiling articles for the Autumn 2018 edition, which will be published in September 2018. The Autumn issue will offer a special focus on building enclosure design, as well as additional feature articles on building information modeling (BIM), Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines, incentivization and off-site construction. Abstracts are due on or before March 15, 2018. Submittals for other 2018 issues also are welcome. Submit an abstract. Interested in advertising? Download the 2018 JNIBS Media Kit.

Save the Date: Building Innovation 2019 Set for January 7-11

Mark your calendars for Building Innovation 2019 - The National Institute of Building Sciences Seventh Annual Conference and Expo, January 7-11, 2019, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. Join us as we work to implement strategies aimed at Optimizing for Tomorrow. Be there where Science meets Design® as industry visionaries share the ideas, initiatives, practices and policies that will deliver the high-performance buildings and communities of the future. Sign up now for Conference news and updates.

NCBCS Looks at Changing Length of Code Adoption Cycle
White Paper Helps Explain Why a Consistent Cycle Is Important

The National Council on Building Codes and Standards (NCBCS) has issued a new white paper, Benefits and Challenges of a Timely Code Adoption Cycle. Traditionally, the release of updated codes under the model code development process would trigger code adoption procedures at the state or local level, resulting in states and local jurisdictions adopting an updated code about every three years. In recent years, a number of states have sought to increase the time between code updates. In this white paper, the NCBCS provides a brief overview of the adoption cycle process and highlights both the concerns and the benefits of adopting current codes and standards.  

Comment on the Draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy
Deadline Ends Sunday, March 11

The federal interagency Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG), chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has released the draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy for comment. The overarching goal of the Strategy is to “improve the coordination and effectiveness” of “mitigation investments,” defined as “risk management actions to avoid, reduce or transfer risks from natural hazards, including severe weather.”

The draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy seeks to broaden the conversation about mitigation investment in both the public and private sectors nationwide. The draft Strategy makes a series of recommendations, organized by six desired outcomes, which, if met, could result in a nation better equipped for, and less vulnerable to, natural hazards. The MitFLG invites input about mitigation investment from all levels of government and key stakeholders, including private businesses, citizens, vulnerable and at-risk populations, critical infrastructure sectors and non-profit, academic and philanthropic organizations. The MitFLG is accepting comments through March 11, 2018, either through email to fema-nmis@fema.dhs.gov or through the IdeaScale site.

FHWA Bridge Report Includes Work by Yuan

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently released a new report, Box Beam Bridges: Testing of Conventional Grout and Ultra-High Performance Concrete Connection Details (FHWA-HRT-17-093). Prior to his coming on board at the National Institute of Building Sciences, Project Manager Jiqiu (JQ) Yuan participated in the development of the report and served as first author. The report addresses precast, prestressed concrete adjacent box beams, which are used widely in the United States for short and medium-span bridges. In the study, Yuan and the other researchers evaluated the performance of four different connection designs. Read the Tech Brief.

Formerly a research engineer for Professional Service Industries, Inc. at the FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and an adjunct professor at George Washington University, Yuan joined the Institute in the summer of 2016. A civil engineer, he has a strong background in materials engineering, structural analysis, structural design, seismic engineering and sustainability engineering. He is currently an adjunct professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, teaching classes in reinforced concrete design and prestressed concrete design. A project manager at the Institute, he supports activities of the Building Seismic Safety Council, Multihazard Mitigation Council and the Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee. Learn more about Yuan.

The BEST Conference: BECx Certificate Modules Added to Schedule
Earn Up to 16 Continuing Education Credits

As planning continues for the fifth BEST Conference Building Enclosure Science & Technology (BEST5), we are happy to announce the addition of three Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) Certificate Modules to the Conference schedule. BEST5, taking place April 16-18, 2018, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will focus on Looking Back – Moving Forward: Where History Inspires Innovation.

In addition to presenting in-depth research and applications on the science and art of the building enclosure and covering topics on delivering high-performance buildings over the long haul, the BEST5 schedule offers participants the opportunity to attend up to three two-hour pilot modules as part of a 16-hour program leading to an ASTM/National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) BECx certificate. The BEST5 schedule includes modules on “BECx Core Competencies,” “BECx Control Layers” and “BECx Field Testing” at only $40 per module. The first three modules will be presented concurrently with the BEST5 Conference sessions. However, if BECx is your total focus, you may sign up to take one or all three of the modules only. Find out more.

Both the BEST5 Conference Program and the BECx Modules have been approved for continuing education units (CEUs) from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Concurrent technical sessions under the BEST5 Conference Program provide up to 16 learning units (LUs) which are Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) hours. And, the three optional BECx Modules have each been approved for 2 LUs/HSW each. Attendees can earn up to 16 CEUs through technical sessions only or by combining technical sessions with the BECx modules.

Don’t miss out on savings. Early-bird registration rates will end on March 15. Register now to save up to $100 off onsite registration. Hotel discount rates end on Monday, March 26, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. ET. Reserve your room now to save. Go online or call 888-575-6397, and mention “BEST5” when making reservations. The discounted rate applies to 3 days pre- and post-meeting dates, based on availability, so arrive early or stay late to explore all that Philadelphia has to offer.

Sponsorship and exhibitor spaces are running out. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to reach design and construction decision makers. View remaining options now!

Find out more about BEST5 and sign up for updates at www.theBESTconference.org.

Institute Members: Get Three Days Free at NFMT

Three full days of facility management (FM) education, speakers, networking with peers and a giant expo hall are available at no cost to National Institute of Building Sciences members and friends who attend the National Facilities Management and Technology Conference & Expo (NFMT) 2018, to be held March 20-22 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

While at NFMT, don’t miss the chance to learn about Institute activities and strategies relating to the Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee (FMOC) and the WBDG Whole Building Design Guide®. Attend the FMOC meeting Tuesday afternoon, March 20 at 2:00 PM, in Room 333 to learn more about the FMOC. Don’t miss the session, Resiliency: A Whole Building Perspective, on Tuesday, March 20, 11:00 AM, Room 343, presented by the Institute’s Director of Information Technology, Bob Payn. Be sure to stop by the National Institute of Building Sciences display at Booth 409 to learn more about the FMOC, WBDG, the Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie) and other Institute resources available to the FM community.

Learn About Policies that Drive Energy Performance Outcomes
National Institute of Building Sciences to Present at CxEnergy 2018

The upcoming CxEnergy 2018 Conference & Expo, April 23-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the place to be for the latest on building commissioning, energy management and building diagnostics. The National Institute of Building Sciences is a supporting organization of the Conference, which focuses on connecting service providers with building owners, facility managers and representatives of top commercial real estate, building maintenance and facility services companies.

On Thursday, April 26, Institute Vice President Ryan Colker, J.D. will present Driving to Outcomes: How Evolving Energy Performance Policies Impact the Building Process. In this session, Colker will examine what current and proposed outcome-based code provisions look like (including recent guidance that the Institute issued for cities interested in implementing such an approach) and how commissioning providers and others focused on energy performance can assist building owners in achieving outcome-based goals. Attendee registration is now open. Members of the National Institute of Building Sciences receive 10% discount (use promo code “NIBS10”). The attendee registration includes access to 32 technical sessions, the Expo Hall, breakfast, lunch and two receptions. Register at www.CxEnergy.com.

DOE Issues Determination on ASHRAE Standard 90.1

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a determination that ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016 will improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings. DOE analysis indicates that buildings meeting 90.1-2016 (as compared to the previous 2013 edition) would result in national energy cost savings of approximately 8.2 percent, as regulated by the model code. At the current time, DOE has issued a pre-publication notice and published its final technical analysis; more information, including the official Federal Register publication, will follow in the coming days. 

The DOE Building Energy Codes Program provides technical support for Standard 90.1, helping to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste in commercial buildings. DOE is directed by federal statute to review each newly published edition of the model code, and issue a determination as to whether the updated code will increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings. States are also required to review their commercial building energy codes within two years following an affirmative DOE determination, and certify their codes meet or exceed the updated edition of Standard 90.1. Additionally, DOE provides technical assistance to states submitting energy code certifications and requests for deadline extensions. (42 USC 6833)

More information on DOE's determination, along with supporting analysis and public comments received, is available at energycodes.gov/determinations.  

buildingSMART alliance® Outlines NBIMS-US™ Plan

The buildingSMART alliance® (bSa) is preparing for the next series of national standards initiatives, with a focus on the master planning effort for the next version of the National Building Information Modeling Standard - United States® (NBIMS-US™). As defined by the bSa leadership at the bSa Annual Meeting, held January 11 during Building Innovation 2018, NBIMS-US™ will be the primary focus of the bSa efforts in 2018. A significant aspect of this focus will be to engage key stakeholders to clearly identify and define relevant goals for developing future NBIMS-US™ content that will enable advancement of the standard and promotes broad adoption across public and private sector owners, and provide a basis for expanding BIM standards outreach efforts. Parties interested in reviewing NBIMS-US™ revisions or who want to recommend new content, processes and best practices to be considered for inclusion in next series should contact bSa Director Philip Schneider.