ATLANTA, Ga. — The building industry now has greater flexibility in the design of high-performance buildings through a change impacting application of the green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Illuminating Engineering Society included in the International Green Construction Code. ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2011, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, provides a green building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate high performance buildings. It covers key topic areas of site sustainability, water-use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and the building's impact on the atmosphere, materials … Read more

MT. VERNON, Iowa — The Tilt-Up Concrete Association has launched an initiative to review and update its “Guideline for Temporary Wind Bracing of Tilt-Up Concrete Panels during Construction.” First released in 1994 and then updated in 1998 and 2005, the Association recognized the need for an update to this vital piece of literature. Since 2005, the prevalence of ground anchoring systems (sometimes referred to as helical anchors) has become more common in the Tilt-Up industry as a cost-effective solution for bracing panels. The updated guideline will include discussion of proper uses and specification of such ground anchoring systems. Additionally, the … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a Request for Information that seeks comments on how to prevent injuries and deaths from reinforcing concrete activities in construction, and from vehicles and mobile equipment backing into workers in construction, general industry, agriculture and the maritime industry. OSHA will use the comments received to learn more about how workers get injured and what solutions exist to prevent injury and death, including possible regulatory action. Workers in the concrete industry use reinforcing methods to strengthen concrete. These workers face potentially life-threatening hazards including impalement, collapsed walls, and slips, trips and … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the 12,000th commercial project has earned LEED certification. Since its launch in 2000, the LEED green building program has been transforming the way built environments are designed, constructed, operated and maintained. “Twelve years after the first 12 projects earned LEED certification, the green building community has reached a significant milestone,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “The momentum for green buildings is rippling around the globe, enhancing the built environment for generations to come.” The 12,000th project is the LEED Gold Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Paid … Read more