SPFA Completes New Worksite Safety Signs  
SPFA recently completed two new safety signs for restricted access to worksites (No Entry and No Hot Work). These safety signs, produced by the SPFA Safety Committee, will be offered to the membership in the Members Only section of the website, and samples will be provided in the convention bags at the 2014 SPFA SprayFoam Convention & Expo. Digital files will be available for companies to download and print for their use. These signs should be used on all worksites to aid in compliance with the OSHA NEP and Hazard Communication.
Underwriters Laboratory Environment (ULe) Publishes Environmental Product Declaration for SPF
ULe and SPFA initiated development of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for SPF in 2013 as a continuing step toward effective product and environmental stewardship. The EPD further validates the findings of the 2012 release of the SPF Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This Declaration, along with the LCA, are recognized by sustainability experts as additional verification of a product’s environmental performance. The EPD will be maintained on the ULe website, and can be found here. Click here for a PDF of the LCA.
SPFA PCP Certification Exams Break 1,000
The SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP), rolled out in February 2013 at the SPFA Annual Convention and Expo, hit a notable milestone in November 2013 with the completion of the 1,000th test hosted by Sprayfoam Nation in West Haven, CT. November 2013 was actually the second highest test-taking month on record for the new program, only eclipsed by the opening month of February 2013 at SPFA’s National Annual Convention. Program administrators and volunteer leadership comprised of contractors and manufacturers in the SPF industry, expect numbers to keep building through the winter and spring as contractors begin to have more downtime to focus upon completing their certification requirements. Notably SPFA will be offering opportunities at the 2014 Convention in Palm Springs, CA (Jan 25-29) for contractors to complete their Field Exams, PCP written tests, and even offer second tier requirements like First Aid/CPR.
SPFA Publishes Cold-Climate Hybrid Insulation Guidelines for Zones 4-7
In a continuing effort among the SPFA Building Envelope Committee (BEC) to issue guidance materials on hybrid insulation, additions to the previously published Hybrid Guidelines are soon available for download by members. The new content covers "cold-climate" Zones 4-7 and recently received approval from the SPFA Technical Oversight Committee (TOC). Members recognized that, while SPF is typically the insulation of choice, the marketplace practice of producing hybrid insulation systems is prevalent and would benefit from consideration of related issues. A Hybrid Insulation System is a combination of insulation types typically arranged so the SPF insulation acts as an air barrier and/or a vapor retarder, and the other insulation type contributes by adding R-value. The document will be available in the Member Only section of the website and a link will be sent to members as soon as the document is posted.
SPFA Committee Updates
>>Building Envelope Committee (BEC) – Mark Fortney, Gaco-Western, chair
On October 2, the BEC met in-person in Tucson, Ariz. Ten members attended. The committee members present approved a new hybrid insulation guide for cold climates and a code-compliant installation certificate to include insulation and fire-protective coatings. These documents will be published by SPFA within the next several weeks. In addition, an industry-level Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for SPF is complete and will be available on the UL Environment website later this year. New BEC projects include developing a foam thickness measurement procedure, extending AY-140 to include interior basement wall application, and working with the metal building industry to update our metal buildings guidance document. A new research project to measure the compatibility of SPF with low voltage wiring will be started this year. The next BEC meeting will be by teleconference on January 13, 2014.
>>Roofing Committee (RC) – Roger Morrison, Deer Ridge Consulting, chair
The RC met by teleconference on October 22. Included in the agenda was an update from the RICOWI and RoofPoint programs, an update on the new SPF Environmental Product Declaration. The Roofing Committee members present also selected three AY documents to update during the next year including AY-102, AY-127 and AY-110. Potential new projects discussed included developing a guidance document for SPF Roofing used with Photo-Voltaic installations and a guideline for SPF Roofing and Transition Membranes. The next meeting of the Roofing Committee will be an in-person meeting on February 25, 2014, one day before the International Roofing Exposition in Las Vegas.
>>Safety Committee (SC) – Joe Bolduc, Masco Contractor Services, chair
The SC met by teleconference on November 7. The primary goal of this meeting was to develop a comprehensive contractor safety program package free for SPFA members. This package will include templates for a Written Safety Program, a Respiratory Protection program, safety training and accident recording, among other items. The SC also discussed ways to help member contractors prepare for OSHA’s new National Emphasis Program (NEP) for isocyanates, and made plans to finalize the new SPFA jobsite safety signs.
If you are interested in participating on any of the SPFA technical committees, please contact Rick Duncan, SPFA Technical Director ( rickduncan@sprayfoam.org) or any of the committee chairs listed above.
SPFA Presents at the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry Annual Conference
SPFA staff including Kurt Riesenberg, Executive Director, Kelly Marcavage, Certification Director, and Dr. Richard Duncan, Technical Director, along with Bonnie Strickler, President of PUFF Inc, all presented at the CPI Annual Conference on various topics. The new SPFA PCP certification program was highlighted along with movement of the program to accommodate company accreditations and international delivery, and SPFA exhibited in the tabletop display area. Attendance was up again for several straight years. Congratulations to CPI for another great event.
SPFA Commits Resources on Sprayfoam to Homebuilders
The SPFA Board announced a commitment to complete a builder’s checklist on SPF to improve SPF contractor – builder communication. The checklist, expected to be surpassed over time with more materials oriented toward the builders and customers, will offer useful information on installation quality, health and safety, typical planning considerations for a worksite, and highlight information about SPFA’s Professional Certification Program (PCP) to inform and empower builders on the topics that are most relevant to them.
"One of the most important things we can do as an industry to maintain a high level of quality, safety and OSHA compliance on the worksite is to coordinate with those other stakeholder industries that typically share the worksite with us," said Kurt Riesenberg, Executive Director of SPFA. "The relationship and communication between builder and sprayfoam contractor in the field is essential for success, and that is reflected in SPFA working with the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) to facilitate similar conversations across our industries," he continued. Read more here.
Start Planning for SprayFoam Convention & Expo, Jan. 26-29, 2014
-Network and develop valuable connections.Join your industry for the SPF event of the year! Imagine the possibilities:
-Find solutions to your pressing business needs.
-Learn about advances in the SPF industry.
-Get the training you need to be the best.
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Graco Takes the Guesswork Out of Foam Insulating
Source: en.puworld.com
A new wireless monitoring system for contractors and builders, InSite, shows how data-tracking systems can be used outside the factory. Released by Graco, the technology used in the InSite data system gives homebuilders and contractors a novel tool to check on work crews from afar. It also will prove to homeowners, and even insurance companies, that homes were properly insulated. It’s a frequent bone of contention in regions where temperatures reach extremes. "Our system improves accountability," said Nick Pagano, the Graco business development manager who created InSite. Graco field-tested the data tracking system for six months, debuted it at an industry trade show in October and now is rolling it out nationwide. Minneapolis-based Graco joins Toro, Honeywell, 3M and other Minnesota-based manufacturers that are introducing "smart," remote and real-time data-tracking devices to help managers in non-factory settings. Graco’s InSite kit looks like a black box not much bigger than a wallet. It bolts onto the foam-insulation machine in a contractor’s truck
and wirelessly tracks the hoses, heat and drums of chemicals that become sprayable insulation.
ASHRAE Announces Technology Award Recipients
Source: ashrae.org
A net zero facility, a historic building, a cheese factory, a residence, a college building and an agriscience farm are being recognized by ASHRAE as innovative buildings. The ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by members who have successfully applied innovative building design. Their designs incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and indoor air quality. The awards communicate innovative systems design to other ASHRAE members and highlight technological achievements of ASHRAE to others around the world. Winning projects are selected from entries earning regional awards. First place awards will be presented at the ASHRAE 2014 Winter Conference in New York, N.Y., Jan. 18-22, New York Hilton.
Building Science Experts' Session Is Dec. 11-12
Source: buildingscienceseminars.com
Building Science Corporation is offering a two-day Building Science Experts’ Session seminar that focuses on advanced building science topics. On the first day, Dr. Joe Lstiburek and Peter Baker will discuss Multi-Family Podium Building Envelope Design, Construction and Commissioning. On day two, Dr. Joe Lstiburek will cover Ventilation in Single-Family and Multi-Family Buildings.
BPI's Building Analyst Testing Knowledge List Now Available
Source: bpi.org
On October 31, BPI announced that the Building Analyst (BA) certification will be upgraded on February 1, 2014. The final BA Testing Knowledge List that will become active on February 1 is now available. Building science best-practices are always evolving. There's a regular flow of new tools and techniques to learn and master. The Building Analyst (BA) certification exams are being updated to ensure that Building Analysts have command of the latest best practices in whole house energy audits. In addition to verifying increased proficiency, you get a higher level of confidence from your customers, your employer, the programs you participate in and the market at large.
Click here to view, or go to BPI.org>Documents>Testing Knowledge Lists.
Click here for more information on the BA certification upgrade.
Energy Department Announces Winners of Housing Innovation Awards
Source: energy.gov
The Energy Department announced winners of the Housing Innovation Awards, recognizing 46 diverse industry leaders bringing the best in energy efficient building technologies and design to new and older homes and helping households save money. The competition, coordinated by the Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, offered rigorous application criteria within four building categories: DOE Challenge Home Builders, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Participating Contractors, Excellence in Building Science Educator of the Year, and Building America Top Innovations. The Housing Innovation Awards recognize leading builders, contractors, researchers, national laboratories, and building science organizations who are helping communities across the country save money and energy and are leading the way to affordable, comfortable, zero net-energy ready homes. The Housing Innovation Awards support the Energy Department's commitment to help harness American ingenuity to commercialize and deploy cutting-edge technologies, as well as to promote improving the energy efficiency of the U.S. housing stock. Click here to see which entries were presented with Housing Innovation Awards.
Icynene Sprayfoam Insulation Featured in NextGenHomeTV Series
Source: icynene.com
Icynene spray foam insulation and its energy efficient performance benefits were featured on a new NextGenHomeTV series ( www.NGHTV.com) hosted by Canadian interior designer and TV personality Jillian Harris. Icynene’s open-cell light density spray foam insulation, LD-C-50®, features long-term performance properties ideal for residential applications. Icynene LD-C-50® allows homeowners to reduce their monthly heating and cooling bills considerably as well as protect against moisture and the infiltration of external pollutants and allergens.
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Source: polyurethane.americanchemistry.com
CPI released an updated Guidance for Developing a Written Respiratory Protection Program. This document provides regulatory background and a model respiratory program that addresses OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Program Standard (29 CFR ยง1910.134) which applies to all respirator use in general industry and construction workplaces. The program provides guidance on appropriate respirators, respirator use, storage, fit and evaluation.
>> OSHA Schedules Public Meeting on Proposed Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
Source: osha.gov
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has scheduled a public meeting
to allow interested parties to comment on the proposed rule to improve tracking
of workplace injuries and illnesses. OSHA's proposed rule amends its current
recordkeeping regulations to add requirements for the electronic submission of
injury and illness information employers are already required to keep under
existing standards, Part 1904.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday,
Jan. 9, 2014, at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Requests to
attend or speak at the meeting may be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the
Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail or facsimile. The deadline to request to
attend the meeting as a speaker or observer is Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. See the
Federal Register notice
for more details
>>OSHA Releases New Resources to Better Protect Workers from Hazardous Chemicals
Source: osha.gov
Each year in the United States, tens of thousands of workers are made sick or die from occupational exposures to the thousands of hazardous chemicals that are used in workplaces every day. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched two new web resources to assist companies with keeping their workers safe. While many chemicals are suspected of being harmful, OSHA's exposure standards are out-of-date and inadequately protective for the small number of chemicals that are regulated in the workplace. The first resource OSHA has created is a toolkit to identify safer chemicals that can be used in place of more hazardous ones. This toolkit walks employers and workers step-by-step through information, methods, tools and guidance to either eliminate hazardous chemicals or make informed substitution decisions in the workplace by finding a safer chemical, material, product or process. The toolkit is available at http://www.osha.gov/dsg/safer_chemicals/index.html.
>>ACC Offers Recommendations to Improve New Worker Safety Tools Released by OSHA
Source: americanchemistry.com
In response to the release of several new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) resources intended to help protect workers from hazardous chemicals, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) issued a statement, available here.
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The 2014 Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) Annual Convention and Expo is coming up! Every year the convention delivers to you, the SPF professional, the best of the best information available on the industry. SPFA’s promise is to capture the most current and relevant information and deliver an experience you will appreciate, remember, and that will have an impact upon your business.
>>2013 SPFA CONTRACTOR AWARDS
• ROOF FOAM GREATER THAN 40,000 FT SQ – West Roofing Systems, Inc.
• ROOF FOAM LESS THAN 40,000 FT SQ – Biofoam Inc.
>>SPEAKING SENSIBLY by Dr. Richard Duncan: SPF for Unvented Attics in Existing Buildings -- Application Guidelines Before, During and After Installation
Performing retrofit installations of SPF in existing buildings is a complex process. In addition to performing a quality SPF installation in a safe manner, addressing the comfort and safety of the occupants are critical.
>>LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: LEED Amendments by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group LLC
>>BEHIND THE FOAM: John Guffey and Team Are Raisingthe SPF Bar with Energy One America
>>ABAA NEWS: Standards – Help or Hindrance? by Laverne Dalgleish
If you didn't receive this issue in the mail or via email and would like to be on future distribution lists, click here to sign up.
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Critical milestones and information you need to make your plans now:
January 25-29, 2014, Palm Springs, Calif., will become the Home of Foam as the national annual SprayFoam Convention & Expo rolls through town. If you are thinking about sneaking away to the best weather in the U.S. in January, there are several important milestones or information you need to be aware of:
1. ALL Contractor Excellence Awards Projects are due submitted to SPFA by Dec 13, 2013. There is still time for you as submissions online take about 15 minutes. The Contractor Excellence Awards program receives, judges, and celebrates the best SPF projects of the year with a major awards luncheon ceremony held at the convention. Winners in each category receive a crystal award, popup banner for display in the office or at trade shows, a PR Kit for generating news coverage in their local markets, and a guaranteed spot in a Feature article in SPFA’s magazine -- SprayFoam Professional. Get your projects in NOW by clicking here.
 2. Convention and hotel registration is open. If you wish to get the early bird rates before everything fills up, act now. Register for both before the end of the year by clicking here. SPFA negotiated a great rate of $139/night at the Renaissance hotel connected to the Palm Springs Convention Center -- this is one of the best rates in the recent history of SPFA conventions at is undeniably the most beautiful location.
3. SPFA will be offering the PCP certification Field Exams for Master Installer levels of insulation and roofing at the convention this year. Field Exams will take place January 25-27, and will be hosted at a local SPFA member contractor’s facility in Palm Springs. Transportation will be provided. If you have been thinking about getting your Master Installer Certification Field Exam completed, this is the best time, place and chance to do it. Maybe stick around for the convention too! Register for PCP Field Exams, other PCP tests or the convention here.
4. If you are interested in exhibiting, there is limited space remaining in the largest convention hall the show has ever had -- the Palm Springs Convention Center. There is always a run on the last remaining booths at the end of the year. If you think you may want to reserve one, act fast by clicking here.
For general information on the convention contained in the Attendee Brochure, including golf, speaking events, breakout session topics, networking receptions, PCP certification written and Field Exams, prices, etc. click here.
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 SPFA Publishes New Membership BrochureAvailable on the SPFA website, the brochure highlights some of the various benefits of membership and activities of the organization as it pursues its mission to represent SPF professionals in areas of technical and environmental leadership, government advocacy, professional certification, industry promotion and outreach, and delivery of a world-class convention and expo. Please check out the brochure if you have been considering joining SPFA and support our mission to serve you.
For more information or to access the application to join, please click here.
SPFA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide
Members in good standing are listed in this publication, which was mailed to members in September. This directory is also available in a digital format here. The convenient digital format allows users to navigate and access the directory's content quickly and easily, on the road or in the office. Use the information provided to contact fellow SPFA members and industry partners throughout the year to share ideas, ask questions, or just stay in touch.
SPFA 2013 National Contractor Excellence Award Winning ProjectsCongratulations to all the winners in the 2013 Annual SPFA National Contractor Excellence Awards. These projects are examples of SPF’s unique performance, applicability and appeal. In upcoming issues of SPRAYFOAM Professional, various winning projects will be spotlighted.
Here are the 2013 winners:
>>Arizona Foam & Spray: Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
>>Spray-Tec Inc.: Bluegrass Community and Technical College Newtown Pike Campus
>>Southwest Spray Foam LLC: Television Personality Steve Thomas
>>Smart Choice Insulation & Roofing, Inc.: The Flour Tower
>>West Roofing Systems, Inc.: Boulevard Terrace & Neal Terrace Apartments
>>Honeywell Building Envelope Solutions: 206,000 sq.ft. re-roofing over BUR with extensive removal
>>Biofoam: Fermilab
>>West Roofing Systems, Inc.: Playhouse Square 14th Street Theatre Roof Reconstruction
>>Insulate SB, Inc: The Book House
>>J. Calman Industries: Coastal Progress – Marine Vessel
SPFA Member Benefits
SPFA knows there are lots of organizations out there that would like to have you in their membership. But if you are in, or getting into, the sprayfoam business, we are the place for you. We work hard to represent you well and give you value back for your support. Click here to find out more.
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BSI-073: Macbeth Does Vapor Barriers (Double, Double Toil and Trouble)
Source: buildingscience.com/Joseph Lstiburek
Life was simple when I grew up in Canada. Winters were long and cold, we had no air conditioning, walls dried to both the outside and the inside and the Toronto Maple Leafs would win Stanley Cups. That all changed when we started putting plastic on the inside of walls and began to put impermeable insulating sheathing on the outside. We started to have double vapor barriers. Shakespeare was right in "that Scottish play2." Double vapor barriers meant "double toil and trouble." With double vapor barriers if a wall got wet it would not be able to dry to either the outside or the inside.
In the old days assemblies worked just fine with no vapor barriers on either side. That approach still works today, but for reasons that are difficult for me to understand it is not used as often as it should be or could be. We looked at this in "BSI-071: Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls" and we will look at it again here.
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SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP) Updates
Since SPFA completed development of the SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP) and publicly rolled it out at its annual convention and expo in February 2013, the response has been overwhelming. SPFA members and partners -- including Gaco Western, Premium Spray Systems, Demilec, Bayer Material Science, Spray Foam Nation and the ABAA Conference -- have all hosted testing sessions. More sessions are scheduled or are upcoming at CertainTeed, Icynene, Diamond Liners, MC&C Equipment, Foampak, Conklin, Premium Spray Systems, Quadrant Urethanes, and NCFI, with more being added continually. SPFA is working presently on the development of a Contractor, Distributor and Manufacturer Firm Accreditation program to complement the new certification program. To find out more about the program, enroll, register for a test, or get set up for one of the upcoming testing locations, email admin@spfapcp.org or call (866) 222-5000 and simply state what you want to do.
December SPFA PCP Exam Preparatory Course, Written Examinations and Field Examinations
SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP) has one more SPFA PCP Exam Preparatory Course, Written Examinations and Field Examinations scheduled for December. New locations are frequently added, so be sure to check www.sprayfoam.org Certification Calendar of Events for the most complete list.
December 10-12
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Hosted by: Diamond Liners
Click here for more info.
The Spray Foam Coalition (SFC) of the American Chemistry Council announced its support of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance's (SPFA) new Professional Certification Program for sprayfoam applicators. The Coalition strongly supports this new program that will continue to expand the ongoing efforts of the spray polyurethane foam (SPF) industry to create the highest standards of quality and professionalism for its customers.
"The SPF industry has for many years and will continue to support the safe and appropriate use of SPF," said SFC Senior Director Lee Salamone. "SPFA has created a first-rate certification program to continually raise the bar on safety, performance, quality and professionalism among SPF industry professionals and help give building owners confidence when choosing an SPF applicator."
SPFA launched its new Professional Certification Program at the Spray Foam 2013 Convention & Expo. The program was developed in compliance with the ANSI/ISO 17024 standard. Individual certifications will be available at four different levels in the two categories of insulation and roofing. To become certified under SPFA's new program, individuals must pass an exam and meet various criteria for any level of certification they would like to achieve. It is a progressive program with each level based on the candidate passing the exam for the previous level.
SPF is an excellent insulation choice for building owners. It insulates and acts as an air barrier, both of which are critical to making buildings comfortable and reducing heating and cooling costs.
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ASHRAE Seeking Comments on Purposed Data Center Energy Standard
Source: ashrae.org
High plug loads and rapidly advancing IT technology make data center applications significantly different from their commercial building counterparts. A purposed standard from ASHRAE that specifically addresses the unique energy requirements of data centers is open for advisory public review. Standard 90.4P, Energy Standard for Data Centers and Telecommunications Buildings, is being developed in response to requests to recognize the energy performance profiles unique to data centers; previously, data centers were included in in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Standard 90.4P will feature a performance based approach that is more flexible and accommodating of innovative changes which rapidly occur in the data center design, construction and operations, according to chair Ron Jarnagin. Standard 90.4P is open for advisory public review from Nov. 15-Dec. 30, 2013. For more information, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.
ASHRAE/IBPSA-USA Building Simulation Conference Announces Call for Presenters
The 2014 ASHRAE/IBPSA-USA Building Simulation Conference, Sept. 10-12, 2014, Atlanta, Ga., has announced a call for presenters. This new joint, co-sponsored conference encompasses the ASHRAE Energy Modeling and IBPSA-USA SimBuild Conferences. The call for presenters is focused on the theme "BIM, BEM and SIM – Integrated Building Design and Modeling," an area currently of great concern to practicing professionals that will be addressed through five broad tracks.
Call for presenter proposals are due Feb. 10, 2014. A 400-word abstract addressing a specific topic and speaker background information are required. Notifications will be issued in March 2014. For more information, visit www.ashrae.org/simulation2014.
NAHB/Builders Mutual Insurance Company SAFE Awards Now Accepting Entries
Source: nahb.org
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is now accepting applications for the 2013 NAHB/Builders Mutual Insurance Company Safety Award For Excellence (SAFE). The awards program recognizes home builders and contractors who have developed and implemented high quality workplace safety programs, and also honors government officials and NAHB-affiliated associations who work to advance safety in the home building industry.
Center for the Polyurethanes Industry Seeking Papers, Posters for the 2014 Polyurethanes Technical Conference
Source: americanchemistry.com
The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council has issued a call for papers and posters to be presented at the 2014 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, which will take place September 22-24, 2014 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, Texas. Paper abstracts are due February 3, 2014. Submission instructions and guidelines for development of papers and posters can be found on CPI’s website, www.polyurethane.org. Poster abstracts are due August 22, 2014.
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Source: resnet.us
Imagine being able to buy a home the same way you would when buying a car or a major household appliance â€" by knowing how much it’s going to cost you to run. Consumers can examine MPG stickers for cars and Energy Guide labels for appliances to get a good idea about how energy efficient they are. But what can homebuyers look at to assess the energy performance â€" and affordability of the homes they are viewing? They can ask for the HERS Index Score.
Spray Polyurethane Foam Design Guidance: Insulation and Air Barrier Requirements of the 2012 I-Codes
Source: americanchemistry.com
provides building designers with easy-to-use information about spray polyurethane foam (SPF) for use as wall and roof insulation and as an air barrier. Air barrier information and R-value requirements for commercial and residential buildings complying with the 2012 IECC and 2012 IgCC are provided. (booklet version)
Hear more about CEIR Updates from James R. Kirby AIA, at the SprayFoam Convention & Expo, Jan. 28, 11:15 a.m.-noon.
>>buildingSMART alliance Symposium Provides the Basics of BIM, Identifies Value of Standards
Source: nibs.org
Standards for Uniform Data Transfer and Collection in Home Performance Updated
Source: bpi.org
The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) announced that updates to its BPI-2100-S-2013: Standard for Home Performance-Related Data Transfer (HPXML) and BPI-2200-S-2013: Standard for Home Performance-Related Data Collection have been published and are now available on the BPI website.
>>The Building Codes Assistance Project Updates on Building Energy Codes
Source: energycodesocean.org
BCAP Newsletters are quarterly summaries of what's been happening at the Building Codes Assistance Project and building energy code progress around the nation. To access the full archive, click here. Here are some of the recent alerts from the BCAP Code Alerts released released weekly by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its website, the Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN). Code Alert Bulletins are designed to share information and support timely participation in state and local activities related to the adoption and implementation of building energy codes. The bulletins highlight immediate opportunities to influence state and local policy outcomes, indicate code status, and recommend contacts for action. If you know of activity that should be on this bulletin or would like to sign up for this bulletin, contact Matt Kerns at (202) 530-2252 or mkerns@ase.org.
>>My Introduction to the Alliance and Energy Codes
Source: energycodesocean.org/Tom Woodruff
When I started at the Alliance to Save Energy, I wasn't sure what I was getting in to. While I understood I would have the chance to work with some of the experts at the forefront of energy efficiency, the only things I knew for certain were that my office was in Washington, D.C. and that energy codes were some sort of energy saving rule applied to building construction. Honestly, I was just happy for the opportunity to be a part of the team. Nevertheless, in just three months, I have learned more than I could've ever hoped for. I've gained new skills, met amazing people, and really been able to dig in to the topic of building codes. Read more here.
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Alliance to Save Energy Efficiency News
Source: ase.org/efficiency-news
Results of the Latest State Energy Efficiency Scorecard
Source: aceee.org
Energy efficiency measures are thriving in state capitals around the United
States, with several states --including Mississippi, Connecticut, Illinois, and
West Virginia -- taking major steps that moved them up the ranks in the seventh
annual edition of the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by
ACEEE. For the first time in the history of the State Scorecard, the
2013 ranking of the states is being released with the participation of a U.S.
Department
of Energy secretary, Dr. Ernest Moniz, along with a top elected
official of a state, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Available online at http://aceee.org/state-policy/scorecard, the State Scorecard shows that the top 10 states for energy efficiency are:
Massachusetts, California, New York, Oregon, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Washington, Maryland, and Illinois.
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Source: associationadviser.com/Kelly Donovan
Early last month a colleague and I attended the Digital Atlanta conference in midtown Atlanta. It was a fantastic gathering of some sharp and creative minds who work in gaming, digital marketing, software, Web design, and social media. One session covered the steps needed to become a social media hero. Contrary to the stereotypical image of a solitary superhero single-handedly saving the day, however, the speaker, John Gonnella, emphasized that social media success is a group effort.
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