California’s recent revisions to Title 24 contain ambitious performance goals: all residential buildings must be Zero Net Energy by 2020 and commercial buildings must reach that standard by 2030. The code also applies to certain renovation projects. These changes are likely to reshape the construction industry in significant ways nationwide by:
1. Driving adoption of building energy codes.As the AEC industry works to meet California’s challenge, it will be able to translate its achievements to other regions.
2. Speeding the development of building monitoring and management technologies.Title 24 will stimulate the market for a wide variety of smart building technologies.
3. Accelerating use of on-site energy storage. Energy storage helps address the intermittency of solar and wind energy generation. It can also make the grid more resilient to outages.
4. Reducing the cost of high performance building.California’s code ensures that there will be steady demand for high performance designs and technologies. This should help to drive down costs for new, innovative products.
5. Creating competition for architects to boost performance.Net Zero Energy goals will put pressure on architects, engineers, and contractors to measure progress as they work toward achieving high efficiency results, and then to deliver on them.
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Water Safety in Buildings Guide Published by World Health Organization (WHO)
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NFPA Fire & Life Safety Conference in December
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| Sep 1, 2011
Project Aims to Automate Code Compliance Assessment
FIATECH, a consortium of owners from the industrial, power, and retail markets that build large structures, launched a project this year to validate the use of automation technology for code compliance assessment, and to accelerate the regulatory approval process using building models. Long-term objectives include the development of an extensive, open-source rule set library that is approved by industry and regulatory bodies for use by technology developers and code officials.
| Sep 1, 2011
EPA Says Additional Lead Paint Cleaning Rules Not Necessary
The EPA has concluded that current Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (LRRP) cleaning requirements and lead-safe work regulations are sufficient to protect the public from lead dust hazards. “Our members have been instrumental in contacting legislators to detail the detrimental impact of the current LRRP," says Richard Walker, American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s president and CEO. “This collective industry voice has prompted the EPA to make the responsible decision to refrain from adding further, unnecessary costs to homeowners under the current economic climate."http://www.aamanet.org/news/1/10/0/all/603/aama-commends-its-members-congress-for-vacating-lrrp-clearance-rule
| Aug 11, 2010
Best AEC Firms of 2011/12
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. We’re looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
