The National Association of Home Builders Research Center has recently designated several Typar Weather Protection System products with its Green Approved Products seal of approval.

The Gypsum Association has announced its 19th edition of GA-600, Fire Resistance Design Manual. Since 1959, the association has regularly published its collection of the latest in fire-resistance rated gypsum building system designs.

For a second time in the past three years, Insulate America Inc. has honored CertainTeed with its Supplier of the Year Award for 2008. The award was given in recognition of manufacturer’s ongoing support of the organization.

World cement consumption is expected to decline 1.7 percent in 2009, a modest drop that is cushioned by a roughly 4 percent growth in utilization by China and India.

Vermont has updated its statewide adoption of NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code, and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code to the 2006 edition of the codes. The adoption became effective on June 15.

Royal Concrete Concepts has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, joining a community of more than 15,000 member organizations dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible, healthy buildings that are also profitable.

Wind-lock has announced the addition of Ashley Feit to its sales and marketing team. Simonton Windows has hired Dave Underdahl for the position of plant manager at the company’s facility

Greensburg, Kan., commemorated its two-year anniversary of the day a tornado hit and nearly leveled the town. But this solemn occasion also marked the celebration and opening of the Silo Eco-Home, a 2,100 square-foot demonstration home that is currently being built in a totally green and sustainable way.

The American Concrete Institute announced the availability a new publication and CD-ROM to educate and inform industry professionals on the newest concrete-related information and technology. As always, ACI members receive a special discount (up to 40 percent) on all ACI publications.