Construction Backlog Grows 4% in First Quarter

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) for the first quarter of 2011 averaged 7.3 months, a 4 percent increase from 7.1 months during the fourth quarter of 2010, and up from 6.1 months, or an increase of 21 percent, from one year ago. CBI is a forward-looking indicator that measures the amount of construction work under contract to be completed in the future. “While the commercial and industrial construction industry is no longer in deep decline, meaningful recovery remains elusive, with CBI still below levels associated with vigorous nonresidential construction activity,” … Read more

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McCarthy Completes Construction of Net Zero Parking Structure at Long Beach City College

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LONG BEACH, Calif. — McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. recently completed construction of a net-zero design-build parking structure at Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus.  The $19-million construction project was built with Measure E facilities bond money approved by the voters in 2008. McCarthy served as general contractor for the 900-car parking structure along with design partner Choate Parking Consultants. The project included construction of a 295,485-square-foot cast-in-place, long span, post tensioned concrete parking structure as well as a revitalization of the former campus golf mall now renamed The Campus Green. A digital car counter was installed at each entrance … Read more

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ASHRAE Seeks to Reduce Heat Island Effect

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ATLANTA— Requirements to reduce heat and subsequent energy use on building sites are proposed for the green building standard developed by ASHRAE, IES and USGBC. Five proposed addenda to Standard 189.1-2009, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, are open for public comment. To learn more or to comment, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews. Developed by ASHRAE in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the U.S. Green Building Council, the standard provides a long-needed green building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate green buildings. > Addendum k updates portions of … Read more

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AIA, CSI and NIBS Release Updated United States National CAD Standard

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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

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President Proclaims May as National Building Safety Month

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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

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