Fill Out Your Nomination Forms TODAY!
On Feb. 14, 2013, SPFA will sponsor the Industry Excellence Awards Luncheon. This lunch will be part of the 2013 Spray Foam Conference. There will be awards in several categories for projects that demonstrate excellence in our industry. A panel of industry experts will adjudicate the selection process. This will be a blind judging process. Judges will not know to whom each of the entries belong, therefore the judging will be solely based on the merit of the project according to awards guidelines.
To be eligible for an award, projects must follow the following criteria:
1. Nominations can be made by any SPFA member. Contractor nominees must be SPFA members to be entered into the contest.
2. The project must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 1, 2012.
3. Nominations must be received by December 8, 2012.
4. Pictures (preferably digital) are required.
5. The awards will be presented for the following categories:
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Residential wall SPF: 1st and 2nd place
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Commercial wall SPF: 1st and 2nd place
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Roof SPF< 40,000 ft sq: 1st and 2nd place
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Roof SPF> 40,000 ft sq: 1st and 2nd place
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Specialty Applications*: 1st and 2nd place
* (formerly Tanks & Vessels and Other)
SPFA reserves the right to change the category to which a project has been submitted if the SPFA determines that there is a category that more closely represents the nature of the project.
Online nomination forms are available at www.awards.diligence.biz/nominate.php.
For questions regarding submission of the online nomination, contact David Bradshaw at dbradshaw@diligence.biz.
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Post-Election: Where Is Construction Headed?
The economy has been the focus of campaigns, elections and debates for many months. You’ve heard the opinions of various candidates and commentators; now hear what chief economists from Reed Construction Data, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the American Institute of Architects expect for the construction economy in 2013.
Join us for an all-new economic webcast:
Post-Election: Where Is Construction Headed?
The webcast features leading construction industry chief economists, Bernard Markstein, Ken Simonson and Kermit Baker in a look ahead at likely future activity within the various construction sectors.
Once the elections are over, will the construction industry continue its slow, steady recovery? The fiscal cliff looms, and plenty of questions remain about U.S. and global outlooks. Find out what the construction industry experts predict for 2013:
Will the election really affect the economy?
Will the recovery gain strength or stop in its tracks?
Where are materials costs heading?
Which areas and segments will grow, and which are vulnerable?
What are the threats and risks to the recovery?
The webcast begins at 3 p.m., EST, on Nov. 8, 2012. The speakers will accept questions from the online audience in the last half hour. The webcast is open to everyone, and registration is required.
Speakers:
Ken Simonson
Chief Economist , AGC of America
Kermit Baker
Chief Economist , AIA
Click here to register.
AIA members are eligible to receive 1.5 learning units for attending the live webcast. Members must include their AIA member number during registration. Non-member architects can request a certification of completion.
Provider #: K054
Program #: 12CFW11812
Program Name: Post-Election: Where Is Construction Headed?
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Many East Coast chemical facilities, refineries and drilling sites curtailed or shut down operations ahead of superstorm Sandy's arrival on Oct. 29. "The good thing is that from a production standpoint, the storm shouldn't have any impact," said Cabot Oil & Gas spokesman George Stark, about Marcellus drilling. "But from a drilling standpoint, it will."
For full story, click here.
Also affected was the Salem 1 nuclear reactor, which is back in service after being forced to shut down when Superstorm Sandy struck.
Salem 1 was taken off line by control room operators at 1:09 a.m. Tuesday after four of six of its circulating water pumps were no longer available for use. Debris churned up in the Delaware River and Bay was clogging the water intakes to the plant, restricting the proper flow of water.
When operating at full power, Salem 1 draws in and circulates 1.5 billion gallons of cooling water a day.
Delmar said the plant had reached full power by early evening tonight.
Salem 1 is one of three reactors operated by PSEG Nuclear at is Artificial Island generating complex in Lower Alloways Creek. Neighboring Salem 2 was already off-line for a rescheduled fueling outage when Superstorm Sandy hit last week. The third plant, Hope Creek, remained operating throughout the storm.
The facility had been prepared for the storm and weathered it well, said Joe Delmar, spokesman for the plant’s operator, PSEG Nuclear
The three plants comprise the second largest commercial nuclear power complex in the United States.
PSEG Nuclear's parent company is Newark-based Pubic Service Enterprise Group.
For full story, click here.
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New Members This Quarter
Bovio Advanced Comfort & Energy Solutions; Coatings Application & Waterproofing of Illinois; Coatings Application & Waterproofing of Indiana; Distinctive Roofing, LLC; Guardian Building Products; Installed Building Products; Installtec, Inc. dba; Foam-Rite Insulation; Minnick’s; North East Spray Foam; PermaDri, Inc.; Raders Insulation Express, LLC; SES Foam, Inc.; Thermaseal/Lakeside Insulation; Next Generation Power; The Spray Market
Lost Members This Quarter
Anderson Insulation, Inc.; Conservation Services Group; DAS Products, Inc.; Evergreen Insulation Inc.; Flame Control Coatings, LLC; GDA Consulting, LLC; Homeway Homes; Seward Sales Corp.; Urethane Foam Operations; Wilserv
For additional membership updates, click here.
For details on member benefits or joining, click here.
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Jim Kirby Named Co-chair of ASTM Subcommittee on Sustainability
The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (Center) announced that Jim Kirby has been named co-chair of ASTM Subcommittee D08.24 on Sustainability. Kirby currently serves as the Vice President of Sustainability at the Center.
ASTM Subcommittee D08.24 on Sustainability is a subcommittee of ASTM Committee on Roofing and Waterproofing. The Committee’s work includes “the promotion of knowledge, stimulation of research, and development of standards pertaining to materials and systems for roofing and waterproofing,” according to the ASTM website.
The Subcommittee on Sustainability has been active on several fronts, including the development of guides for recycling practices, roof system durability and preparing Environmental Product Declarations.
“Jim’s new position reinforces the Center’s leadership role on energy and environmental issues. I’m confident that the roofing industry’s interests will be well represented under his stewardship,” said Craig Silvertooth, President of the Center.
If you have specific question regarding the ASTM Subcommittee D08.24 on Sustainability, contact Jim Kirby directly at JKirby@RoofingCenter.org.
To download a pdf copy of this press release, click here.
The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to promote the development and use of environmentally responsible, high performance roof systems and technologies. For more information on the Center, visit www.RoofingCenter.org.
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Gaco Western celebrated the company's new 85,000 square-foot expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony on October 31, at its facility located at 1245 Chapman Drive in Waukesha, Wisconsin. City of Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima commented, "The Waukesha family is delighted that Gaco Western is adding to the momentum of innovation and growth in our community."
Just four years, Gaco completed construction of the current 55,000 sq. ft. facility which is comprised of offices, manufacturing facilities, and a high-tech research and development facility. This 85,000 sq. ft. expansion will more than double the size of the Waukesha facility and provides for a significant increase in the laboratory areas to support the company's focus on technology and formulation developments. There is also a significant increase to the amount of space that will be dedicated to manufacturing, warehousing and distribution to accommodate the company's continued growth and to allow all these operations to be consolidated into one facility. As part of this project, the company will re-configure the manufacturing area for increased volume and efficiency. The building expansion will connect to the current facility and will extend onto adjacent property which was recently purchased.
"This expansion secures a strong base in the Waukesha community and allows for the continued growth that is being fueled by our innovative technologies," stated Peter Davis, President and CEO, Gaco Western.
Since 2008, Gaco's employee base in the Waukesha area has grown from 17 to 49, and between this facility, a corporate office in Seattle, Washington and a sales force located throughout the United States, Gaco Western currently employs over 100 people. This expansion is expected to create 18 additional jobs in the Waukesha area ranging from warehouse positions to senior research chemist roles and the company plans to add additional personnel in the sales and technical services areas as well.
Founded in 1955, Gaco Western remains today a family-owned business with its roots in technology and product innovation. The Gaco family of brands offer best-of-class solutions for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential applications including specialty coatings for roof, pedestrian and traffic decking, and spray polyurethane foam insulation. Products are available nationwide. For more information visit www.gaco.com or call 800-331-0196.
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Lame Duck Congressional Coverage and Election Impact to Come…
With members of Congress away from the nation’s capital, meeting with constituents and seeking reelection (all members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and one-third of the U.S. Senate are up for reelection), late October and early November serve as the calm before the storm of legislative activity that occurs from mid-November through December, when members of Congress will hastily seek to pass legislation during the so-called “lame duck” period after the elections. This period is special because it represents the last chance to vote on legislation for Members of Congress who lost their reelection bids or are retiring. This is also the last opportunity for legislation to be acted upon this year – any bills that didn’t make it into law would have to be reintroduced next year, when the new Congress begins and new members take office and those not up for reelection return to legislative work. The painstaking and time-consuming process of drafting legislation, moving it through one or more committees in the House and Senate, lining up support, and scheduling votes will have to be repeated for these bills.
A summary of congressional activity in the beginning of the lame duck and the likely impacts of the elections on ASHRAE interests will be included in the next edition of the ASHRAE Government Affairs Update, which will be featured in the next SPRAYFOAM PRO Newswire.
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Performance of Commercial and Multifamily Buildings
Legislation has been introduced in the Senate to extend and revamp the tax deductions for building owners to improve the energy efficiency of their commercial and multifamily buildings. The bill “Commercial Building Modernization Act" (S. 3591) was introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA).
The legislation has the following provisions:
Extends the credit that is set to expire on December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2016.
Offers sliding scale deductions beginning at $1 per square foot for reducing the energy consumption of a building by a minimum of 20% and increasing up to $4 per square foot for a reduction of 50% or more.
Simplifies the process for taxpayers to apply for the tax deduction.
The bill provides guidance that the legislation’s implementing regulations shall rely upon established protocols and documents used in the ENERGY STAR program, and industry best practices and existing guidelines, such as the Building Energy Modeling Guidelines of the Commercial Energy Services Network (COMNET).
Download the legislation at Commercial Building Modernization Act here.
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Request for Information to State Energy Offices
BCAP is eager to hear from state energy offices or energy code supporters concerning what jurisdictions have adopted or are in the process of adopting the 2012 IECC or the IgCC. If you have any information about cities or counties that have adopted either energy code, please send information to Anthony Price at aprice@ase.org.
Additionally, BCAP has kicked off a new consumer awareness campaign. If you are aware of a city in your state that is considering adopting the 2012 IECC and would appreciate assistance educating homeowners, please contact Cosimina Panetti at cpanetti@ase.org.
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The Building Codes Assistance Project releases regular updates on building energy codes through its quarterly BCAP Newsletter and weekly Code Alert Bulletin.
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.
BCAP Code Alert Bulletins are 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 bujlletin, contact Matt Kerns at (202) 530-2252 or mkerns@ase.org.
Some of the content featured in recent newletters and bulletins includes:
Adoption and Compliance Portals Launched on OCEAN
To further improve the quality of OCEAN users’ online experience, BCAP improved how users access and engage with OCEAN Resources via new access points on the homepage called portals. BCAP has published an Adoption Support portal with a policy action toolkit and a Compliance Support portal.
The Adoption Portal is designed to help state officials, energy code supporters, and consumers understand the process taken to adopt an energy code. The Compliance Portal links to programs, tools, and resources states and municipalities can use to help set and meet compliance goals, cosponsored by IMT.
Read more about the Adoption and Compliance Portals.
SWEEP Releases Report on Utility Energy Efficiency Best Practices
The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) released the report, The $20 Billion Bonanza: Best Practice Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Programs and their Benefits for the Southwest, acknowledging the efforts of the region's utilities over the past decade and heralding the potential for growing success over the next decade. ACEEE was a contributing author on the report and worked with SWEEP to analyze a comprehensive set of eighteen best practice electric utility energy efficiency programs for each of the Southwest states' residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The programs include low-income weatherization, incentives for efficient consumer products, custom retrofits for large businesses, and combined heat and power, to name a few. The report also outlines critical design elements that will allow these programs to reach more customers and savings, such as innovative and effective marketing techniques, financial incentives, and behavioral approaches.
For more Information: OCEAN Story Link | Full Report | Blog Summary
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NASEO and NBI Hold Zero-Net Energy Meeting
On October 16, 2012, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), New Buildings Institute (NBI), and Resource Media convened state and local government officials and energy efficiency advocates in Arlington, Va., to discuss zero-net energy (ZNE) policies and practices for commercial buildings.
The buildings sector consumes more than 40% of energy in the United States and nearly half of that is attributable to commercial buildings. Setting a long-term vision to achieve widespread deployment of zero energy and zero energy-capable buildings would create important economic development, technology advancement, and energy savings opportunities.
The meeting participants acknowledged that the time is right for states and cities to take the lead in setting a vision for ZNE building policies and programs. NASEO, NBI, and other partners will be developing a ZNE Action Plan to outline the policy and programmatic strategies that will address common barriers to ZNE and accelerate high-performance and ZNE buildings. The ultimate goal of this initiative is large-scale policy and market transformation that results in significant development of zero-net energy commercial and public building projects for both new and existing buildings.
To learn more about this initiative, contact Chris Wagner, NASEO Project Manager (cwagner@naseo.org).
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Robust Improvement for Housing is Lifting Economic Growth
How times have changed.
With data in from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), it is becoming clear that home building is a leading source of economic growth for 2012.
According to the BEA, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased at a 2% annualized rate during the third quarter. This was an improvement, albeit a small one, from the 1.3% rate of growth during the second quarter and matches the 2% rate for the start of 2012. GDP growth has only exceeded 2.6% for one quarter (the final quarter of 2011) since the start of 2010.
As the overall economy has slowed, housing has generated an outsized share of the expansion. Home building and remodeling (residential fixed investment, or RFI) added 0.33 percentage points to the final tally of GDP growth, or 17% of the total. In the second quarter, RFI yielded 15% of net growth and 22% in the first quarter of 2011.
These numbers are impressive considering that RFI remains only 2.5% of GDP as of the third quarter and housing starts remain half the size of a normal, healthy market.
Of the three primary elements of the housing sector (new home construction, remodeling and existing home sales), new home sales continue to experience the largest gains, increasing in September 5.7% to an annual rate of 389,000, the highest level since the home buyer tax credit expired in early 2010. The three-month moving average of new home sales has increased steadily for more than a year as more housing markets begin to see rising home prices and improving consumer sentiment.
The supply of new homes for sale fell to a seven-year low of 4.5 months as the pace of sales picked up, but the inventory advanced by only 2,000. The number of completed homes for sale and ready for immediate move-in remains at a record low of 38,000 as builders remain cautious about building ahead of the market and as credit access remains tight.
In the remodeling sector, recent indicators suggest expansion after two years of moving sideways. For example, the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) climbed to 50 in the third quarter of 2012, up from 45 in the previous quarter. At 50, the RMI is at its highest point since the third quarter of 2005.
In the third quarter of 2012, the major RMI component on current market conditions rose from 46 to 52, while the future indicators component increased from 44 to 49. Each of the major RMI components is now higher than it has been at any time over the past six years.
The RMI reading for current remodeling activity was particularly strong in owner-occupied housing during the third quarter. The subcomponents of the current conditions index for owner-occupied housing were all well over 50, ranging between 55 and 60.
Existing homes sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), decreased 1.7% in September month over month, but are up 11% from the same period a year ago. NAR reported that September total existing home sales were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.75 million units combined for single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops. That compares to an upwardly revised 4.83 million units in August and 4.28 million units during the same period a year ago.
The total existing housing inventory at the end of September decreased 3.3% from the previous month to 2.32 million homes for sale. At the current sales rate, the September inventory represents a 5.9-month supply, down from a revised 6-month supply in August and much improved from the 8.1-month supply of homes a year ago.
NAR reported 24% of September sales were distressed, defined as foreclosures and short sales sold at deep discounts. This level was up from 22% in August, and down from 30% a year ago. In September 2012, all cash sales increased to 28%. Investors accounted for 18% of home sales, and first-time buyers accounted for 32% of sales, according to NAR.
Despite the September decline, there was good news for future existing home sales. The NAR Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, increased 0.3% in September to 99.5, up from 99.2 in August. The September PHSI was 14.5% higher than the same period a year ago. Year over year, the PHSI has increased for 17 straight months.
Further, there was more good news for housing prices. August data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency indicate house prices increased nationally 0.7% from July levels on a seasonally adjusted basis. This brings the cumulative gain for 2012 to 4.6% after being essentially flat through 2011.
All nine Census divisions followed the national pattern with a relatively flat performance in 2011, but the year-to-date gains in 2012 have been somewhat uneven, ranging from a low of 0.9% in the Middle Atlantic division to a high of 10.4% in the Mountain division.
It is important to note however, the general pattern that emerges: The areas with the largest recent percentage gains are those that rose the highest during the boom and fell the most during the bust. Those areas where the rise and fall was less extreme are recovering less lost ground and posting smaller percentage gains.
With prices rising and new home construction increasing, housing is finally provided the boost to economic growth that the sector typically provided at the end of a recession. This did not occur at the end of the Great Recession due to historic price declines, excess inventories and pent-up housing demand associated with a weak labor market.
Now that the virtuous circle of home building and economic growth is beginning to take hold, it is useful to keep in mind factors that could hold back the growth for housing. These negative factors include policy uncertainty (particularly relating to finance and taxes), lack of builder and land developer credit, and mortgage access for prospective home buyers.
Mortgage data from the Mortgage Bankers Association still do not indicate an expansion for home purchase debt, suggesting that home sales are still relying on investors and cash buyers to a greater degree than history would suggest is normal.
And lack of builder lots and home inventory is holding back new and existing home sales in some markets as pent-up housing demand increasingly unlocks with an improving labor market.
This article is courtesy of the National Association of Home Builders' Eye on Housing Blog.
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Post-Election: Where Is Construction Headed?
The economy has been the focus of campaigns, elections and debates for many months. You’ve heard the opinions of various candidates and commentators; now hear what chief economists from Reed Construction Data, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the American Institute of Architects expect for the construction economy in 2013.
Join us for an all-new economic webcast:
Post-Election: Where Is Construction Headed?
The webcast features leading construction industry chief economists, Bernard Markstein, Ken Simonson and Kermit Baker in a look ahead at likely future activity within the various construction sectors.
Once the elections are over, will the construction industry continue its slow, steady recovery? The fiscal cliff looms, and plenty of questions remain about U.S. and global outlooks. Find out what the construction industry experts predict for 2013:
Will the election really affect the economy?
Will the recovery gain strength or stop in its tracks?
Where are materials costs heading?
Which areas and segments will grow, and which are vulnerable?
What are the threats and risks to the recovery?
The webcast begins at 3 p.m., EST, on Nov. 8, 2012. The speakers will accept questions from the online audience in the last half hour. The webcast is open to everyone, and registration is required.
Speakers:
Ken Simonson
Chief Economist , AGC of America
Kermit Baker
Chief Economist , AIA
Click here to register.
AIA members are eligible to receive 1.5 learning units for attending the live webcast. Members must include their AIA member number during registration. Non-member architects can request a certification of completion.
Provider #: K054
Program #: 12CFW11812
Program Name: Post-Election: Where Is Construction Headed?
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Roofing School from December 3-7 in LaGrange, Ohio
Where:
The Polyurethane Roof Training Center
315 Commerce Drive East
LaGrange, OH 44050
When:
Monday, December 3, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. EST to Friday, December 7, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST
Cost:
$1,750 per person
Space is limited, so register today to secure your seat.
For questions or details, click here or contact Debi M. at Spray Foam Nation: debi@sprayfoamnation.com or (203) 934-7792 x101.
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The National High Performance Building Conference
High performance building & energy efficiency take center stage at Ecobuild America in Washington, D.C., on December 3-7, 2012, which includes The National High Performance Building Conference (NHPB).
The National High Performance Building Conference presents the latest in high performance building technology and products and blends industry experts, associations and organizations to offer sessions that educate, promote best practice and highlight new technologies. The conference includes executive level meetings, and seminars covering the following subjects: Sustainability, Accessibility, Aesthetics, Cost-effectiveness, Function and Operation, Historic Preservation, Productivity, and Safety and Security.
Below is a sample of sessions, seminars and symposiums offered at the NHPB Conference. For a full listing, click here.
What’s Next in Green: Profiting from Green Trends in a Recovering Economy
Rapid Energy Analysis with Revit models – Reality or Dream?
Energy Master Plans – The Path to Financial success and Energy Independence
Assuring High Performance, Zero Energy Buildings and Facilities
Sustainable Design for Mission Critical Facilities
Driving Deeper Savings in Existing Buildings: Tools, Techniques, and Talent
High Performance Reconstructed Buildings: The 99% Solution
BIM for Existing Facilities
Building Envelope Commissioning
BIM-based Building Performance Analysis
Essential Water Management in Wall & Roof Components/Leak-proof Commercial
High Performance in Building Envelopes
Insulation Systems for HPBs
Click here to register early and save. For questions, call (800) 996-3863.
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Taking proactive steps to mitigate risk helps keep you profitable. According to a report analyzing 5,000 projects issued by McGraw Hill Construction, effective risk management techniques have changed dramatically in recent times. Attend this webinar to learn common patterns on effective risk management.
This analysis will break down public and private risk and the most effective means to mitigate these risks, including payment risk, owner satisfaction, and technical requirements. Learn about common causes for disputes and how to deal with them cost effectively – and without litigation.
Attend this webinar to:
• Learn how to identify, analyze, and mitigate the biggest threats to project success
• Understand the best investments to protect profitability and what owners care about
• Distinguish top threats on private work vs. public projects
• Learn how new technologies like BIM and team integration can mitigate risk
SPEAKERS
Jim Zack
Executive Director of Navigant Construction Forum
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Mike Subak
Partner
Pepper Hamilton, LLP
Date & Time: December 4, 2012
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Cost: AGC Members: $99
Non-Members: $129
Click here to register.
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"Introduction to Air Barriers" provides an overview of the performance requirements of air barrier materials, assemblies, and systems, and includes a discussion on relevant building code requirements. This course AIA and state credits and qualifies for HSW. Please check course specifications for all available credit and details: www.aecdaily.com/sponsor/abaa
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