flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Metal Construction Association introduces two Environmental Product Declarations

Metal Construction Association introduces two Environmental Product Declarations

Environmental Product Declarations provide LCA-based information and details about the environmental impacts of products and assist purchasers and users in making informed comparisons.


By Metal Construction Association | February 27, 2014

Two Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), one for Metal Composite Material Panels and one for  Roll Formed Steel Panels for Roofs and Walls, are now available free of charge from the Metal Construction Association (MCA) on its website.

These documents are the second and third EPDs to be released by MCA, an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal wall and roofing components are used in buildings throughout the world. In October 2013, MCA developed an EPD for Insulated Metal Panels.

Environmental Product Declarations provide LCA-based information and details about the environmental impacts of products and assist purchasers and users in making informed comparisons. As more members of the design community use EPDs, which are now included in the new LEED V4 green building rating system, MCA is responding by issuing industry-wide EPDs that report the environmental impact of members' products and related assemblies.  

"The way in which an EPD is used depends on what environmental impact categories relate to the architect, project or building owner. It's the same process as when you read a nutrition label on a food item. You look at what's most important to you while someone else will look at what's important to them. With an EPD it depends on what the project team feels is most important," notes Scott Kriner, MCA technical director. He also indicates that even if a project is not aiming for LEED certification, architects may require EPDs as a transparent method to describe the environmental impacts of materials used in a project specification.

MCA's EPDs contain valuable information about product definition, building physics, the basic material and its origin, product manufacture and processing, in-use conditions, life cycle assessment results, and testing results and verifications. Environmental impacts were assessed throughout the lifecycle of metal composite material panels and roll formed panels, including raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing packaging, use, and disposal at the end of a building's useful life. The product configurations in the EPDs use ranges representative of all types of panels based on specific products from the primary producers that were used in the assessment and testing.

Information in the Metal Composite Material (MCM) EPD was prepared by MCA technical staff and members of MCA's MCM Fabricators Council and MCA's Wall Panel Council who are volunteers representing the leading manufacturers of MCM and companies that provide premium fabricating services for MCM. Originally known as Aluminum Composite Material (ACM), the name has evolved to Metal Composite Material to reflect the addition of other facer metals such as zinc, copper, stainless steel, and titanium. 

MCM panels are formed by bonding two metal facer skins to a highly engineered plastic core. The panels can be finished in virtually any color a building owner or architect desires. Zinc, copper and titanium panels are usually installed unfinished, utilizing the benefit of these natural materials to achieve a unique weathered look over time. 

Information in the EPD on Roll Formed Steel Panels for Roofs and Walls was prepared by MCA technical staff and members of MCA's Roofing Council and its Wall Panel Council who are volunteers representing the leading manufacturers of metal products used in roof and wall applications. 

Roll Formed Panels are custom formed from coils of steel or natural metals to fit a variety of roof and wall applications. The panels can be factory-formed, formed on the jobsite using a mobile roll former, or a combination of both. For decades roll-formed metal wall and roof panels have served building owners and architects as one of the best combinations of economy, service and design. The metal panels offer long-term durability and come in a multitude of colors and finishes to allow for unlimited design options.  

The Life Cycle Assessment for both the MCM and Roll Formed products on which the EPDs are based was performed for the MCA by PE International, Boston, MA.  All content in the EPD documents has been reviewed by a UL Environment Review Panel and independently verified in accordance with ISO 14025 and ISO 14044.

To obtain a copy of any of the MCA EPDs visit www.metalconstruction.org or contact MCA at 847-375-4718 or mca@metalconstruction.org. 

About the Metal Construction Association
The Metal Construction Association brings together a diverse industry for the purpose of expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, research and technology and education. Companies involved in MCA gain tremendous benefit from association activities that focus on research, codes and standards, market development, and technical programs. MCA's market development efforts increase the use of metal materials in construction through the education of the building and design communities about the benefits of metal.

MCA's next national meeting is the 2014 Summer Meeting, scheduled for June 23-25, 2014 at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont (Chicago), IL. Please refer to the MCA website www.metalconstruction.org for additional information.

Related Stories

Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2019

2019 K-12 School Giants Report: 360-degree learning among top school design trends for 2019

K-12 school districts are emphasizing practical, hands-on experience and personalized learning.

Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2019

Top 35 Data Center Architecture Firms for 2019

Corgan, HDR, Gensler, AECOM, and Page top the rankings of the nation's largest data center sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.

AEC Innovators | Aug 27, 2019

7 AEC industry disruptors and their groundbreaking achievements

From building prefab factories in the sky to incubating the next generation of AEC tech startups, our 2019 class of AEC Innovators demonstrates that the industry is poised for a shakeup. Meet BD+C’s 2019 AEC Innovators.

Giants 400 | Aug 16, 2019

2019 Healthcare Giants Report: The ‘smart hospital’ is on the horizon

These buildings perform functions like a medical practitioner. This and more healthcare sector trends from Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report. 

AEC Innovators | Aug 15, 2019

Oracle’s replica of a construction jobsite creates an immersive environment for AEC professionals

The Oracle Construction and Engineering Innovation Lab allows visitors to walk through five different stages of construction work, to test new AEC technologies and training techniques.

Giants 400 | Aug 15, 2019

Top 140 Multifamily Sector Architecture Firms for 2019

Humphreys & Partners, KTGY, SCB, CallisonRTKL, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest multifamily sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.

Giants 400 | Aug 13, 2019

2019 Science + Technology Giants Report: Operational flexibility is a must for S+T buildings

The science and technology (S+T) sector is arguably the industry’s most complex because it caters to a diverse clientele with specific priorities and imperatives, according to Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.

Architects | Aug 12, 2019

AIA, NCARB help launch coalition to represent complex professions and licensing boards

Architects, registration boards, and others join effort to ensure a unified voice for professions in growing debate around licensure, regulation, and public safety.

AEC Innovators | Aug 9, 2019

Improving architectural designs through iteration

Computational design lets ZGF Architects see patterns that renderings and even models can’t show.

Giants 400 | Aug 8, 2019

Top 200 Office Sector Architecture Firms for 2019

Gensler, AECOM, Perkins+Will, Stantec, and HOK top the rankings of the nation's largest office sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Warehouses

California bill would limit where distribution centers can be built

A bill that passed the California legislature would limit where distribution centers can be located and impose other rules aimed at reducing air pollution and traffic. Assembly Bill 98 would tighten building standards for new warehouses and ban heavy diesel truck traffic next to sensitive sites including homes, schools, parks and nursing homes.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021