Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in January

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index rose 2.4 percent in January to 126.4 (2000=100) from its December reading of 123.4. The index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The increase in January was the result of a 3.3 percent increase in institutional projects, and a 1.6 percent increase in commercial projects. On a year-over-year basis, the overall index is 1.7 percent higher even though the commercial portion is down 6.8 percent. Commercial planning intentions … Read more

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Winners of 2016 Decorative Concrete Council Award Announced

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Decorative Concrete Council, a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, Missouri, has announced the winners of its eighth annual Decorative Concrete Awards competition. The winners were recognized at a ceremony at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb 2. The USF Polytechnic 555 Building, Lakeland, Florida, won the WOW! Award, best overall project for Baker Concrete Construction. The innovative design in architectural concrete includes an elliptical-shaped structure highlighted with exposed concrete raker portals. The first architectural concrete constructed were retaining walls with integral concrete seating caps. These … Read more

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OSHA and Crane, Hoist and Monorail Partners Renew Alliance

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Crane, Hoist and Monorail Partners recently renewed their alliance to improve the safety and health of workers who manufacture and use cranes, hoists and monorails. During the five-year agreement, the alliance will address preventing worker exposures to electrical shock, electrocution, falls from elevation and being struck-by moving equipment. Through the alliance, participants plan to develop best practice fact sheets and training resources that address electrical hazards, falls and struck-by incidents, and new technology used in the crane, hoist and monorail industry. The alliance will promote cooperative program initiatives including … Read more

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Green Seal Seeks Stakeholders for New Standard for Insulation

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Green Seal, the nation’s first independent nonprofit certifier of sustainable products and services, is developing a new environmental leadership standard for Architectural Thermal Insulation Materials, GS-54. Green Seal invites all interested parties to participate by registering as stakeholders at https://collaborase.com/gs-54-development. Green Seal seeks suggestions and comments from a broad audience including manufacturers, construction companies, institutional purchasers, consumer groups, health and environmental organizations and other interested parties. The new standard is being developed to help purchasers identify and choose insulation products that are environmentally preferable, and to guide manufacturers in the design of these products. The standard will … Read more

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AWC Releases Construction Fire Best Practice Manuals, Website

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LEESBURG, Va. – The American Wood Council recently released three manuals and a website designed to inform developers, local building departments and fire departments on how to prevent and reduce fire losses in buildings under construction. “This is a timely and relevant topic, in large part due to the significant impacts large construction fires have,” said AWC Director of Fire Technology Kuma Sumathipala. “More importantly, the fires that have occurred were preventable by adhering to the best practices outlined in these materials.” A series of three manuals were developed in a cooperative effort between AWC and FireforceOne, a consulting firm … Read more

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