SPFA Joins New Coalition Examining Fire Retardants 
SPFA is an active member of this new coalition examining the responsible and proper treatment of products containing fire retardants. Click here for more details.
California Proposal to Eliminate Flame Retardants in Foam Plastics
A group of SPFA stakeholder members in California have been very active in opposing a new proposal in the California Assembly to reduce or eliminate flame retardants in foam plastic insulation. This proposal, AB127, can have a significant impact on the use of foam plastic insulation across the State, and is being promoted nationally by a group called Safer Insulation Solution. Working with Tim Shestek of the American Chemistry Council, more than a dozen SPFA contractor members co-signed a letter to the proponent, Assemblywoman Skinner of the California Legislature's Natural Resources Committee (NRC). Many of our SPFA members also contacted the members of the NRC within their respective legislative districts. Although AB127 did pass through the NRC on April 29, it now moves to the Appropriations Committee, where the financial implications of the bill will be reviewed. SPFA will continue supporting the ACC and the Energy Efficient Foam Coalition's grass-roots efforts in California, read here. Interested SPFA members should contact Rick Duncan for more information rickduncan@sprayfoam.org.
Industry-Level Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for SPF in Progress
In November 2012, SPFA released final reports that documented the SPF industry's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study. This announcement and detailed report can be found by clicking here. This study documents the detailed results of the overwhelmingly net-positive environmental impacts of generic LD, MD and roofing SPF products from cradle to end-of-life. The six impacts studied include primary energy demand, global warming (carbon footprint), ozone depletion, eutrophication (nitrogen release), smog and acidification (acid rain). While the study met all requirements of ISO-14040 and 14044, the results need to be summarized in a third-party environmental product declaration (EPD). EPD's, following the Product Category Rules (PRC) for insulation, provide an important verification of the results that assist in product selection under sustainable building programs such as USGBC's LEED, IgCC, GreenGlobes and other similar programs. UL Environments will be the most likely developer of the SFPA's industry-level EPD. For more information on the EPD development, please contact Rick Duncan, Technical Director of SPFA at rickduncan@sprayfoam.org.
Other Technical Activities
- During the ASTM Spring meetings in Indianapolis, SPFA was very active. Mason Knowles, workgroup leader for ASTM C1029, is actively working to update this material specification for closed-cell SPF. In addition, Peter Birkbeck of Icynene is leading the workgroup to finalize a new material specification for low-density, open-cell SPF.
- Material and installation specifications are needed for the new SPFA Professional Certification Program. In addition, Mr. Knowles has initiated the development of a new SPF Installation standard within ASTM. For more information on these standardization activities, please contact Mason Knowles masonknowles@aol.com or Peter Birkbeck birkbeck@icynene.com.
- Three of SPFA's Technical Committees held the first of their three meetings for 2013. On April 22, the Building Envelope Committee (BEC) met to update and outline projects and activities. One important project for the BEC is to complete the cold-climate guide for hybrid insulation systems. On April 24, the Roofing Committee held its first meeting. This year the RC will be working to update several roofing-related AY documents. On May 20 the new SPFA Safety Committee (SC) held its first meeting and developed a list of 2013 goals. For more information on the work being done by these committees, as well as upcoming meetings, please contact the respective committee chairs:
>>Building Envelope Committee (BEC) -- Mark Fortney, Gaco-Western mfortney@gaco.com
>>Roofing Committee (RC) -- Roger Morrison, Deer Ridge Consulting roger@deer-ridge-consulting.com
>>Safety Committee (SC) -- Joe Bolduc, Masco Contractor Services joe.bolduc@mascocs.com
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Builder Confidence Hits Milestone
The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), a measure of home builder confidence, reached a milestone in June. Coming in at a level of 52, the HMI recorded its highest level since April 2006 and its largest monthly jump since 2002. Read full article here.
 New Resources from CPI & Spray Foam Coalition>>Guidance for Best Practices for Installation of Spray Polyurethane Foam
>>Guidance on Ventilation for Interior Applications of High-Pressure Spray Polyurethane Foam
>>The Spray Foam Coalition of CPI has recently released a new document, Guidance for Best Practices for Installation of Spray Polyurethane Foam. The SPF Installation Guidance, which SPFA provided significant review and comment on, is intended to provide an overview of best practices to help professional installers use SPF effectively and efficiently to insulate homes and commercial buildings. It discusses considerations for the use and handling of materials as well as steps that help make the jobsite safe and secure. It also addresses health and safety hazards and offers steps to avoid potential issues. Steps and tips for installing, measuring, and inspecting SPF are included to supplement those offered by manufacturers. The document is posted here.
>>The Spray Foam Coalition is finalizing a new Guidance on Ventilation for Interior Applications of High-Pressure Spray Polyurethane Foam. This new resource is intended to provide general guidance on ventilation of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) applications in new residences and during renovation and weatherization projects. Information is presented on workplace containment, ventilation design, considerations for fan size and exhaust and supply ventilation, as well as a discussion of considerations for how long to ventilate. The document is posted here.
Insulated Vinyl Siding’s Green Performance Documented in New Study
Recent studies that have been sponsored on the behalf of NYSERDA, insulated vinyl siding has demonstrated that it contributes to energy consumption savings as well as savings in CO2 emissions and energy costs, which means that insulated vinyl siding is capable of outperforming fiber cement when these environmental measures and energy measures are compared between the two materials. These studies were recently conducted by a group called Newport Ventures as a part of the High Performance Residential Development Challenge on the behalf of NYSERDA. The studies included the analysis of homes that were in Saratoga Springs and Burnt Hills in New York. Click here for full article.
The Summer 2013 issue was just released! Some of the articles in this issue of SPRAYFOAM Professional magazine include:
2013 SPFA CONTRACTOR AWARDS
>>SPECIALTY APPLICATION -- Complex Project on Residence Shaped Like Stack of Books
>>COMMERCIAL WALL FOAM -- Heavenly Results: LDS Temple Calls Upon SPF to Rise to Occasion
CHECKLIST -- How to Reduce Exposures During SPF Application
NEW COLUMN! SPEAKING SENSIBLY -- Are You Ready to Grow with the Improving Economy?
SAFETY FIRST -- Effect of Ventilation Rates on Applicator Exposure During SPF Application
Be sure you are on the list to receive this issue and future ones. Click here to sign up.
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 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 is the full list of 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 Annual Report and Look Ahead
Thank you for your consistent and unwavering support of SPFA, allowing us to do so many critical things for you and the industry. It’s your membership that makes it happen. It is our highest priority to serve you as our member, bring value to you and the industry, and represent the product and our members’ services accurately, positively, and completely.
Read about some of the ways SPFA is working for you, including highlights of 2012 and plans for 2013, at the SPFA YouTube page.
If you have any questions about SPFA activities, about your membership or anything related to SPFA, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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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SPF Professional Certification Program (PCP) Updates
Since SPFA completed development of the SPF Professional Certification Program (PCP) and publicly rolled it out at its annual convention and expo in February, already almost 800 tests have been administered. SPFA members and partners, including Gaco Western, Premium Spray Systems, Demilec, Bayer Material Science, and the ABAA Conference have all hosted testing sessions. More sessions are scheduled over the next several weeks at locations including CertainTeed, Sprayfoam Nation, Conklin, Premium Spray Systems, Quadrant Urethanes, and NCFI, with more getting scheduled all the time. 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. They will either process you or get you with the right people.
In a June 19 press release, 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.
Gaco Western, a leader in innovative spray foam insulation products, is pleased to announce that the company has made a commitment to ensure GacoWallFoam contractors are certified under the SPFA Professional Certification Program by January 1, 2015.
Demilec USA, LLC is now offering a preparatory seminar to assist contractors and installers to certify under the SPFA Professional Certification Program. The goal is to prepare the attendees to take the SPFA examinations for the various levels of installer (applicator) certification, plus there is a day of business training and a full day of hands-on training including spray technique, troubleshooting and equipment maintenance. On the final day of training, all students have the opportunity to take the tests for any of the SPFA certifications. The next class is June 25-28 in Arlington, Texas.
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North Carolina Continues Down Regressive Path on Energy Code
In the May 17 edition of Update, North Carolina’s General Assembly is heading down a dangerous road by considering legislation (notably, House Bill 201) to repeal mandatory adoption of the state’s 2012 energy code and revert back to the 2009 edition. Such a reversion would result in a state code 30 percent less energy efficient than the 2012 code. That code includes a requirement for commercial buildings to either comply with ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010 or to be 20 percent more efficient than the 2007 version of Standard 90.1.
The primary argument for this proposal and others like it across the country is that current versions of energy efficiency codes and standards, including Standard 90.1, are too costly for builders to implement in new buildings or to ask owners to pay for in retrofitting existing buildings.
After we spoke with staff from the North Carolina Energy Office, despite the bill not seeming to have much momentum in the Senate after passing the House, there have been few voices speaking out to and with state legislators against these roll-back proposals. This means it is even more important that ASHRAE chapters work and speak together â€" and, perhaps, most importantly â€" speak individually as business owners and citizens in/of the Tar Heel State to convince elected officials of the ramifications of moving HB 201 â€" or similar proposals (e.g., a provision in the budget bill, amendments to other bills, etc.) â€" forward.
A renewed call to action for North Carolina ASHRAE members: Contact Bryan Lampley, the Region IV Regional Vice Chair (RVC) on the Grassroots Government Activities Committee (GGAC), at r04_ggac@ashrae.net to get engaged and help fight this bill before it gets to Gov. McCrory. Along with ASHRAE staff, he will be able to provide tools and tips on how to work with legislators to make sure this bill does not pass as it is currently written.
As has been noted several times previously, this is a dangerous trend that may spread to your communities, so please be on the lookout for such proposals. If one does arise, please contact Mark Wills, ASHRAE’s Manager of State and Local Government Affairs, at mwills@ashrae.org, so connections with ASHRAE leadership â€" especially the Regional Vice Chairs on the Grassroots Government Activities Committee (GGAC) â€" can be made quickly and ASHRAE chapter and section action can follow in short order.
Congress Debates National Defense Bill â€" Threats Loom for LEED Gold & Platinum
The policymaking carousel is turning, and Congress is once again debating the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R.1960/S.1034). Over the years, Congress has passed the NDAA 51 times â€" making it one of the truly rare bills that is both highly controversial and enacted almost every year by considerable bipartisan margins. The NDAA provides spending authority for most Department of Defense (DOD) programs â€" including military construction.
Buried in the House version of the 733-page House version of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2014 is a provision that would prohibit the use of DOD funds for LEED Gold or Platinum certifications unless the pursuit of those certifications imposes no additional costs to DOD, or the Secretary of Defense submits a waiver to the congressional defense committees that demonstrates payback on those certifications. This provision is predicated upon section 2830 of the NDAA FY 2012, which also called for a report on the return on investment and long-term payback to DOD for LEED, and ASHRAE standards 90.1-2010 and 189.1-2011. That report was provided to Congress by the National Research Council in early 2013 and is currently being considered by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
At the time of publishing this edition of the Update, the House Armed Services Committee approved its version of the NDAA FY 2014, and is now slowly making its way through over 150 amendments that cover a wide range of issues. None of these amendments appear to address LEED or ASHRAE standards.
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved its version of the NDAA FY 2014, clearing the bill for consideration on the Senate floor. While text of the Committee-approved bill was not yet available, the bill as introduced contained no references to LEED or ASHRAE standards, making now a critical time for LEED proponents. If the House and Senate pass NDAA versions that contain different provisions on LEED, there will be an additional opportunity to remove the prohibition on LEED Gold and Platinum when the two chambers come together to work out a compromise bill during the conference committee. ASHRAE is working with the U.S. Green Building Council to help educate Senate offices on the facts of LEED and dispel any myths or inaccuracies that Members of Congress and their staff may possess.
Senators and Representatives Ready Amendments to Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Bill
It may not be a stretch to call the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.761/H.R.1616) the energy efficiency bill in both the House and Senate. This bipartisan bill is supported by a wide range of stakeholder organizations â€" including ASHRAE â€" and would improve the energy efficiency of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings through support for building energy codes, workforce training, and financing for efficiency upgrades.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this bill (also known as Shaheen-Portman/McKinley-Welch) in mid-May, paving the way for consideration on the Senate floor after Congress addresses immigration and other unrelated issues that are further up on its agenda. In the meantime, Senators and Representatives are busy drafting and introducing bills that may be offered as amendments. Below is a list of possible amendments that have received extra attention in recent days and weeks:
All-of-the-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act (S.1020) â€" Would change fossil fuel energy consumption reduction requirements, and add new energy efficiency provisions for federal buildings.
Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act (S.717) â€" Would establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations for energy efficiency retrofits.
Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act (S.1084) â€" Would establish the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, and local assistance provided to promote the energy retrofitting of schools.
Better Buildings Act (H.R.2126) (also known as Tenant Star) â€" Would build on the success of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR for Buildings program and establish a voluntary new "Tenant Star" program to certify leased spaces in buildings as energy efficient.
U.S. Reps. McKinley & Welch Introduce HOMES, Better Buildings Acts
Representatives David McKinley (R-WV) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced two bipartisan bills designed to catalyze energy efficiency investments in residential and commercial buildings -- the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Act (H.R.2128), and the Better Buildings Act (H.R.2126)
In its simplest sense, the HOMES Act would establish a rebate program for residential energy efficiency retrofits. The amount of the rebate would range from $2,000 for a 20-24% reduction in home energy use, to $8,000 for a 50% or greater reduction in home energy use. The rebate would be provided to the owner of an owner-occupied home or a tenant-occupied home. Owners would have the option of transferring their rebate to the contractor performing the retrofit.
In contrast, the Better Buildings Act seeks to improve commercial building energy efficiency by facilitating greater cooperation between building owners and occupants through the development of model commercial leasing provisions that encourage the use of cost-effective energy efficiency measures, enhanced data collection, sharing of best practices, and the creation of a voluntary new Tenant Star certification system that is based on the widely successful Energy Star program for buildings that would help commercial building occupants demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency.
The Better Buildings Act may be offered as an amendment in the House or Senate to the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (H.R.1616/S.761).
Representatives McKinley and Welch are the Republican and Democratic Co-Chairs of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus. The Caucus is supported by High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition - a private sector coalition of over 160 building community stakeholders that works with the Caucus to educate federal policymakers on the importance of high-performance buildings and how to achieve and promote them. ASHRAE helped found, and currently chairs the Caucus Coalition.
For details on any of the above, contact Mark Ames, ASHRAE's Senior Manager of Federal Government Affairs, at mames@ashrae.org. For details on the Caucus Coalition, contact Doug Read, ASHRAE's Director of Government Affairs, at dread@ashrae.org.
U.S. Sen. Alexander Lays Out Energy 'Grand Principles' -- Includes Green Buildings
Demonstrating that many building issues truly are bipartisan, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) gave a speech in which he outlined several principles and grand challenges to improve U.S. energy policy -- including making new buildings green buildings. To view his prepared remarks, visit here.
Sen. Alexander sits on several powerful committees, including Energy and Natural Resources, and is the senior-most-Republican of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, which is responsible for providing funding to federal agencies such as the Department of Energy and Energy Information Administration.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Announces Resignation
Jon Wellinghoff announced that he will step down as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), but will stay in office until a replacement is named and confirmed. FERC is an independent federal agency charged with regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil.
ASHRAE's Senior Officers Hold Meetings in Washington, D.C.
ASHRAE's President, President-Elect, Treasurer, and Executive Vice President were all in Washington, D.C. recently for their twice-a-year round of meetings with technical society and federal agency leaders. Below is a list of organizations they met with:
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
American Institute of Architects
APPA
Army's Office of Installations, Energy & Environment
Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
General Services Administration's Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of State Energy Officials
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association
U.S. Green Building Council
For details on any of the news items listed above, contact Mark Ames, ASHRAE's Senior Manager of Federal Government Affairs, at mames@ashrae.org.
ASHRAE's Government Affairs Updates detail information on government affairs-related activities of interest to ASHRAE members and others interested in the built environment. Archives of previous updates are available from the Government Affairs website.
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Law360, New York (June 06, 2013, 6:21 PM ET) -- The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on Thursday rejected an attempt to consolidate eight lawsuits alleging injuries and damages caused by various spray polyurethane foam insulation products installed on consumers' properties, saying the cases are too unique to decide as a group.
The spray foam litigation, which has cases in Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, has been compared to recent Chinese drywall cases, which were consolidated into an MDL in New Orleans before a settlement estimated at more than $1 billion was reached in February.
The spray foam litigation, which has cases in Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, has been compared to recent Chinese drywall cases, which were consolidated into an MDL in New Orleans before a settlement estimated at more than $1 billion was reached in February.
The spray foam plaintiffs filed a motion to consolidate the cases in February, but the defendants, including manufacturer Demilec LLC and building products giant Masco Corp., argued the cases were too varied to make a consolidation more efficient. They also claimed the plaintiffs' counsel strategically filed the cases "solely to manufacture the appearance that a MDL is necessary" and, in one case, to get around discovery deadlines.
The defendants argued that different manufacturers, products and installers are involved in the litigation, the actions are local in nature, highly individualized facts concerning the circumstances of installation will predominate and voluntary coordination by the parties will be sufficient to address any overlapping pretrial proceedings in light of the low number of actions and the involvement of common counsel.
In response, the plaintiffs contended that centralization was warranted because common factual questions predominate on the core issue of whether spray foam insulation products emit volatile organic compounds after installation as a result of a defect in the products' design, manufacture and installation instructions.
"Although these actions share factual questions arising out of allegations that SPF insulation products emit VOCs as a result of one or more defects associated with the product, the panel is not persuaded that ... centralization is necessary either to assure the convenience of the parties and witnesses or for the just and efficient conduct of this litigation," the JPML said.
The panel said it agreed that individualized facts concerning the chemical composition of the different products, the training and practices of each installer, and the circumstances of installation at each residence will predominate over the common factual issues alleged by plaintiffs.
"Additionally, placing direct competitor manufacturer defendants into the same litigation would require protecting trade secret and confidential information from disclosure to all parties and complicate case management," the panel said.
The panel recommended voluntary coordination among the parties, many of whom are represented by the same counsel, and the involved judges is a preferable alternative to centralization.
The eight cases sought nationwide class certification for suits against manufacturers, installers and distributors of spray foam insulation, alleging the foam remains toxic after being installed in homes and that it poses such risks to homeowners and their residences that the only remedy is complete removal.
Manufacturers have marketed spray foam as a nontoxic, environmentally safe product, the plaintiffs say. But the plaintiffs claim it is defectively designed and continues to emit chemicals under a process after installation known as off-gassing, in which dangerous volatile organic compounds are released into the air.
Demilec's attorney Alan Feldman of Lydecker Diaz said the company is very pleased with the JPML's decision.
"Demilec's strategy will be to continue to vigorously defend the allegations of the putative class actions filed against it," he said.
Counsel for the other parties did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.
Lead plaintiff Lucille Renzi is represented by David S. Ratner, Jeremy W. Alters and Matthew T. Moore of Morelli Alters Ratner PA, Vincent J. Pravato of the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato and David C. Rash.
The defendants are represented by Mark S. Mester of Latham & Watkins LLP, Alan Feldman of Lydecker Diaz, Robert W. Gifford of McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP, Jerald J. Howarth of Howarth & Associates LLC and Miles N. Esty of Esty & Buckmir LLC, among others.
The case is In re: Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Products Liability Litigation, case number 2444, in the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
--Additional reporting by Nathan Hale. Editing by Andrew Park.
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 SPFA Looks for Input on Draft of Builders Handbook At the 2013 NAHB IBS show in Las Vegas, SPFA offered a compendium of spray foam technical, safety, contractor certification, and installation information of specific interest to home builders during one of the sessions, "What You Need to Know When Working with Spray Polyurethane Insulation for Residential Buildings." To accompany the session, a draft of the SPFA Builders Reference Handbook was released. The document is a draft and will evolve with input received from builders. You are invited to download this document for free and let us know where we can make it better.
ASHRAE Seeks Papers for "Efficient, High Performance Buildings for Developing Economies" Conference
Papers are being sought for a conference focused on the design, construction and operation of buildings in developing economies.
Organized by ASHRAE along with the Philippines Chapter, the "Efficient, High Performance Buildings for Developing Economies" Conference will take place April 24-25, 2014, in Manila, Philippines. It is co-sponsored by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and endorsed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
Abstracts (400 or less words in length) are due July 12, 2013. If accepted, papers are due Oct. 18, 2013. Submittal information can be found at www.ashrae.org/Developing2014.
Call for Papers for ASHRAE 2014 Annual Conference
ASHRAE is seeking papers for its 2014 Annual Conference in Seattle, Wash., June 28-July 2, 2014.
The Conference addresses broad topics in the application of technology to practice, specific applications in ground source heat pumps, O&M and indoor environmental quality, as well as new reports on research taking place worldwide.
The second annual Research Summit seeks papers that report on HVAC&R research with particular emphasis on high performance building design and its role in a clean energy economy, and brings together researchers to present and discuss the latest research. Papers describing ASHRAE-related research are encouraged as well as papers from societies and associations worldwide.
As with past ASHRAE Conferences, the Seattle Conference also seeks papers addressing advances and practices across HVAC&R systems, equipment, fundamentals and applications.
Conference paper abstracts are due Sept. 23, 2013. Upon acceptance, papers will be due Jan. 9, 2014. These papers undergo a single-blind review.
Full technical papers are due Sept. 23, 2013. Papers submitted for review must be both technically accurate and clearly written. These papers undergo a rigorous double-blind review and will be published in ASHRAE Transactions.
Proposed Systems Manual Guideline Open for Public Review
A proposed guideline that will establish a uniform procedure for transmitting design, construction, testing and operational information to building owners and operators is open for public comment.
Guideline 1.4P, The Systems Manual for Facilities, provides procedures for producing a systems manual as a resource for training, operations, maintenance and upgrading of facilities. The guideline applies to information from planning, commissioning process, design, construction, testing and training activities and operations planning for new, renovated and existing facilities, equipment and assemblies.
The proposed guideline is open for an advisory public review until June 2, 2013. To read the draft guideline or to submit comments, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.
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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. Here are some of the recent alerts:
>>New State Alerts
Connecticut - Senate Passes Bill to Extend Code Cycle, Sends Back to House
Illinois - State Disallows Local Government Rejection of 2012 IECC
>>New Locality Alerts
Flagstaff, AZ - City Council Approves the 2012 IECC Without Amendments
Austin, TX - City Becomes Largest in Texas to Adopt the 2012 IECC
>>Ongoing State Alerts
Connecticut - Bill Amended to Remove Language Changing Code Cycle
Louisiana - State Legislature Approves Bill to Adopt IRC with 2009 Version of Part VI - Energy Conservation
Virginia â€" Less Efficient 2012 IECC Approved for Residential Buildings, 2012 Commercial Code Intact
>>Ongoing Locality Alerts
Flagstaff, AZ - City Council Approves the 2012 IECC Without Amendments
Boston, MA - City Council Approves Benchmarking Oridinance Requiring Annual Energy and Water Reporting
Las Vegas, NV - Proposed Ordinance Would Exempt Buildings Built Before 2009 From Energy Code
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 bulletin, contact Matt Kerns at (202) 530-2252 or mkerns@ase.org.
BCAP Annual Report
BCAP Annual Reports include the status of the organization and codes at the time of publication, summaries of projects from the past and upcoming years, updated services, financial information, and more. See news release here.
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Updated Heat Gain, Weather Data Latest Additions to ASHRAE Handbook
Outdated internal equipment heat gain data can result in oversized systems and higher operating costs, yet it is one of the most difficult areas for engineers to define.
To assist the building environment industry in defining these loads and designing more cost-efficient systems, internal equipment heat gain and load density data have been updated in the newest edition of the ASHRAE Handbook.
The flagship of ASHRAEâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s Handbook series, the 2013 ASHRAE Handbookâ€"Fundamentalsâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢ 39 chapters cover basic principles and data used in the HVAC&R industry, including updated information on building materials, load calculations, energy resources and analysis, refrigerants, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), sustainability, controls, duct and piping system design and more.
Chapters in the ASHRAE Handbook are updated through the experience of members of ASHRAE technical committees and through results of ASHRAE Research reported at ASHRAE conferences and published in ASHRAE special publications and in ASHRAE Transactions.
To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800-527-4723 or click here.
Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan announced that the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), the Allianceâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s wholly-owned subsidiary created to advance energy efficiency in the Southeast, will become a standalone entity on January 1, 2014.
"When the Alliance started SEEA in 2006, the Southeast lagged behind the rest of the country in advancing energy efficiency policy and actions," said Callahan. "Today, SEEA is a best-in-class organization that is making a difference home by home in more than a dozen communities across the region, driving policy in many state legislatures, and helping to cut energy use in businesses and industrial plants across the Southeast."
A building energy labeling program that allows the industry to zero in on opportunities to lower building operating cost and make informed decisions to increase value has been expanded to include an As Designed label.
The program is now two labels in one: an As Designed label that rates the buildingâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s potential energy use under standardized conditionsâ€"independent of the buildingâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s occupancy and usage â€" and an In Operation label that rates the buildingâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s actual measured energy use as influenced by the buildingâ€Ã¢â€žÂ¢s occupancy and usage. To receive an As Designed rating, a standardized energy model must be performed by an ASHRAE-Certified Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP).
BCAP is a team of the Alliance to Save Energy and -- by working in collaboration and partnership with stakeholders across the country and around the world -- is making enormous strides by driving energy efficiency through creation, adoption and effective implementation of building energy codes. One of the most important accomplishments of 2012 was the creation of the National Energy Codes Collaborative, which will ensure future success by maintaining strong lines of communication and coordination among the many important groups and organizations working to advance dynamic building energy codes.
Alliance to Save Energy's Efficiency News
Updates from ASE include:
For complete list of ASE's Efficiency News articles, click here.
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Building Science Fundamentals is a two-day seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy efficient, affordable and healthy buildings. The registration fee for this seminar is $795.
Join ASHRAE in sharing lofty ideas and high-level concepts on what’s new in the building industry in Denver, Colo., at the 2013 Annual Conference. Earn PDHs or an ASHRAE certification, while hearing the latest updates from the Society and other leaders in the industry.
Featuring the latest themes and topics under discussion across the U.S. renewable energy market, the agenda for REFF-Wall Street will provide interactive discussions and comprehensive answers to ensure you can guarantee your projects produce their proposed financial returns.
Demilec USA, LLC is now offering a preparatory seminar to assist contractors and installers to certify under the SPFA Professional Certification Program. The goal is to prepare the attendees to take the SPFA examinations for the various levels of installer (applicator) certification, plus there is a day of business training and a day of hands-on training. On the final day, all students have the opportunity to take the tests for any of the SPFA certifications.
You have a row house, you have a walk up, you have a frame house - whatever you have, you have a mess and you want to fix it. How do you not screw it up? Get all our questions answered at this seminar with Dr. Joseph Lstiburek. The registration fee for this seminar is $395.
Designed for current users who want to take it to the next level, this class will enhance the quality and speed of your WUFI results. Tips and tricks, hands-on practice with advanced examples, and discussion of field validation exercises are all part of this advanced seminar. The registration fee for this seminar is $395.
Building Science Fundamentals is a two-day seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy efficient, affordable and healthy buildings. The registration fee for this seminar is $795.
Building Science Fundamentals is a two-day seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy efficient, affordable and healthy buildings. The registration fee for this seminar is $795.
The 2013 Polyurethanes Technical Conference will be held September 23-25, 2013. CPI is now accepting poster abstracts for the conference. Poster abstracts are due August 22, 2013.
Building industry professionals are heading to Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort with a real purpose - to learn the science and above code strategies behind energy efficient and high performance building practices, to understand new regulations and legislative measures, and to capitalize on increasing opportunities.
Designed for current users who want to take it to the next level, this class will enhance the quality and speed of your WUFI results. Tips and tricks, hands-on practice with advanced examples, and discussion of field validation exercises are all part of this advanced seminar. The registration fee for this seminar is $395.
Building Science Experts’ Session is an annual two-day seminar that focuses on advanced building science topics. This session is intended to provide thought provoking professional development for experienced building industry professionals who are interested in healthy, durable and energy efficient new and old buildings. The registration fee for this seminar is $795.
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