CertainTeed Corp. announced it has secured third-party GreenCircle certification for 20 of its ceilings products. In addition, the company also unveiled new, more environmentally friendly packaging for its ceilings products.
A construction industry organization has decided that “cement plaster” can be made with other materials besides ordinary Portland cement. Its action clears the path for architects who want to specify plaster made with new types of cements.
Developed by the International Masonry Institute, the Sustainable Masonry Certification Program educates union masonry contractors on the nuts-and-bolts of sustainability practices and their role in the LEED certification process, making contractors a valuable part of LEED project teams.
Brady Construction Innovations’ ProX Header received an evaluation report ESR-1765 from ICC Evaluation Service, providing evidence that the Engineered Header System meets IBC 2006 and CBC 2007 code requirements, the company announced in a press release.
Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc. is demonstrating energy modeling programs to illustrate how far Envelope First Strategies could advance beyond LEED, Energy Code and the Department of Energy Net-Zero Energy goal of 2025. Kingspan will showcase the models in its exhibit during the Greenbuild 2009 International Conference and Expo, November 11-13 in Phoenix.
Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau, in cooperation with several other wall and ceiling industry associations in the West, has published a study focusing on the impacts on labor productivity on steel framing and the installation and finishing of gypsum wallboard.
Recently, The American Society of Safety Engineers and American National Standards Institute A10 committee have drafted proposed new standards that cover the purchase, rental, lease, maintenance, use and training in use of aerial platforms used for lifting personnel in construction.
The American Iron and Steel Institute and the Steel Framing Alliance commend the decision by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying to include questions on light-frame cold-formed steel construction on the exam that determines professional engineer accreditation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced in October that injury and illness rates among private industry employers are down from a total case rate of 4.2 in 2007 to 3.9 in 2008. The bureau also reported a decline in non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses from 4 million cases in 2007 to 3.7 million cases in 2008.