ATLANTA, Ga. — From green roofs to glazing products, measures to increase energy stringencies are being proposed for major sections of Standard 90.1. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, provides minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings except low-rise residential buildings.   Currently, nine proposed addenda to the standard are open for public review.   Proposed addendum by would establish revised lighting power densities for both the whole building and space-by-space compliance methods. The addendum would reduce lighting power allowances in many building and space types while maintaining industry recommended lighting levels as their … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) February 4 recognized the nation's safest construction firms in 2009 at the 20th annual Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards celebration at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel and Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.   The 2009 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms achieving Platinum status in ABC's Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program. Selection criteria for the national safety winners included each member's self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable rates, and interviews conducted by members of ABC National's Environment, Health … Read more

ATLANTA, Ga. — A new standard for the design of high-performance green buildings is set to revolutionize the building industry. Published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the first code-intended commercial green building standard in the United States. The standard, published Friday, provides a long-needed green building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate green buildings. From site location … Read more