Industry News & Announcements

>>2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) to Consolidate ICC, ASHRAE Standards
Source:energycodesocean.org
In a deal nearly two years in the making, the International Code Council (ICC) and ASHRAE have signed the final agreement that outlines each organization’s role in the development and maintenance of the new version of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC).

>>Center for Polyurethanes Industry Announces Finalists for Innovation Award
Source: americanchemistry.com
The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry announced the finalists for the 2015 Polyurethane Innovation Award, selecting innovations created by Dow Chemical, Honeywell and Novomer. "Each year, the selection process gets tougher as companies from all corners of the polyurethanes industry continue to raise the bar creating incredible innovations and developments," said Lee Salamone, senior director of CPI. "All of this year’s submissions represented the best of the best in our industry, and CPI congratulates Dow Chemical, Honeywell and Novomer on their selection as finalists."

>>SPF Used in Bungalow for Minnesota GreenStar Building Program Pilot Project

Source: startribune.com / Lynn Underwood

Designer Michael Anschel found the perfect candidate to test the emerging Minnesota GreenStar building program — his own house. Anschel, principal at Otogawa-Anschel Design Build, bought the "typical 1920s Arts and Crafts bungalow" with his wife in 2003 with the intention of remodeling and updating the 720-square-foot dwelling.

The four-bedroom home is now 1,500 square feet. It’s also more energy-efficient and sustainable for the next generations of owners, thanks to green materials and products such as sprayfoam insulation, high-efficiency furnace, dual-flush toilets and eucalyptus flooring.

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) has recognized several new products in its Product Listing Program that meet or exceed industry standards, providing contractors and consumers with quality assurance on products and materials in the residential energy upgrade marketplace. BPI identifies the appropriate industry standard or efficacy requirement which the

product must meet, then ensures the product meets the standard or protocol for its product group, such as ventilation, air sealing, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) or insulation. Once reviewed and approved, the product is added to BPI's approved Product List on its website. The manufacturer is then eligible to place the BPI Product Mark on its packaging and marketing materials.

There are currently seven products tested, approved and listed on the BPI Product Listing website. To view the full BPI Product Listing, visit bpi.org/productlisting. To learn more about the steps to have products listed, visit bpi.org/productlistingsteps.

>>ASHRAE Provides Assistance to Future Engineers Through Scholarships

Source: ashrae.org

Twenty-nine students are receiving $152,000 worth of financial assistance for the 2015-16 school year via ASHRAE’s scholarship program. In addition, ASHRAE announced creation of several new scholarships, which will be available for 2016-2017

On Sept. 23–24, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will host an inaugural Industry Day event, sponsored by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), to foster relationships and encourage dialog among researchers, industry representatives, and DOE representatives. This event is designed to introduce new energy-efficient innovations in buildings, transportation, and advanced manufacturing and to facilitate public–private partnerships and collaborations that will enable these technologies to enter the market.

Email IndustryDay@ornl.gov and express your interest in attending, along with a brief summary of what you hope to gain from joining this event. Participants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation cost. Registration is free.

Most Americans who hold jobs are employees of the companies they work for. Yet businesses, including many construction firms, are increasingly misclassifying those employees as "independent contractors," according to new guidance on the issue from the U.S. Department of Labor.

>>ASHRAE Announces Fall Online Courses

Source: ashrae.org

Ten online professional development seminars focused on commissioning, environmental quality, energy efficiency, HVAC applications, and standards and guidelines are being offered this fall by the ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI). Participants can access these instructor-led courses from anywhere with an Internet connection, and earn continuing education units/professional development hours for each course completed.For pricing or to register, visit www.ashrae.org/onlinecourses.

Source: osha.org
On May 4, 2015, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new standard for construction work in confined spaces, which became effective starting August 3, 2015. However, OSHA announced recently that they will postpone full enforcement of the new standard for 60 days from the effective date of August 3, 2015 to October 2, 2015. During this 60-day period, OSHA will not issue citations to an employer making good faith efforts to comply with the new standard, as long as the employer is in compliance with either the training requirements of the new standard.
Confined spaces can present physical and atmospheric hazards that can be avoided if they are recognized and addressed prior to entering these spaces to perform work. The new standard, Subpart AA of 29 CFR 1926 will help prevent construction workers from being hurt or killed by eliminating and isolating hazards in confined spaces at construction sites similar to the way workers in other industries are already protected.

For compliance assistance regarding application of the final rule contact: Directorate of Construction, Room N3468, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; (202)-693-2020.