Current Call to Action

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.