NCS Version 5 Goes Virtual, Improving User Experience WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) announced the release of the newest edition of the United States National CAD Standard (NCS). NCS Version 5 is now available online. The NCS helps architects, constructors and operators coordinate efforts by classifying electronic design data consistently and making information retrieval easier. It improves communication among owners and project teams, cuts or eliminates costs of developing and maintaining company-specific standards, and reduces the expense of transferring building data from design applications to … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Barack Obama has proclaimed May as National Building Safety Month. The first-ever Presidential Proclamation recognizing Building Safety Month declares, “Building safety is a critical component of our homeland security, our personal and public safety, the protection of property, and our economic well‑being.” It also states: “Building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, design professionals, builders, and others in the construction industry work every day to ensure the sound construction of buildings and the safety of our citizens.” “The President’s proclamation recognizes International Code Council Members and stakeholders for the work they do every day … Read more

ST. LOUIS — McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. was honored recently with a 2011 Corporate University Xchange (CorpU) Award for Excellence and Innovation. This award recognizes outstanding work in corporate learning and talent development and comes on the heels of McCarthy's placement on the 2011 Training 125 list earlier this year. The awards were presented during the Global Leadership Congress 2011, a three-day symposium co-sponsored by CorpU and the University of Pennsylvania. A first-time applicant, McCarthy was honored with a Best Practice award in the Launching Category. The CorpU Awards salute corporate and government learning organizations that create exciting, impactful programs … Read more

The public proposal period to recommend updates to the nationally accepted Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities opened April 20, 2011. Interested parties are invited to submit proposals that suggest changes to the 2010 edition of the Guidelines until Oct. 31, 2011. The Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) is the oversight body responsible for updating each edition of the Guidelines. The group has begun the process of updating the 2010 Guidelines and is soliciting proposals for changes to its content. All proposals for change must be submitted through an electronic proposal system hosted by the Facility Guidelines … Read more