Institute Brings Broad Industry Perspective to DOE Initiatives
From sustainable federal buildings to developing a road map for net-zero buildings, the Department of Energy (DOE) is tackling a number of cutting-edge challenges and the National Institute of Building Sciences is there to provide input from the industry’s perspective.
In its unique role as an authoritative source, the Institute recently submitted comments in response to DOE’s call on the proposed rulemaking “Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design Standards for New Federal Buildings.” The Institute also became a member of the Steering Committee of the Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Consortium (ZECBC). The ZECBC, through funding from DOE, is developing a roadmap for net-zero buildings and heading to a clear destination of improved energy efficiency in commercial buildings.
Read the release.
International Delegates Visit the Institute
Institute President Henry Green (right) and Presidential Advisor Ryan Colker
(clockwise, second from right) meet with an international delegation of engineers and architects visiting the United States from Russia and Kazakhstan. The group had a particular interest in the adoption and enforcement of building codes; activities related to resiliency, building envelopes, and new technologies; and the role the Institute plays within the U.S. building community.
Annual Meeting Invite
You’re invited to attend the National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Meeting, December 6-10, in Washington, D.C. The event, to be held in conjunction with Ecobuild America at the Washington Convention Center, offers you a wonderful opportunity to learn about Institute activities as well as to catch up on the latest innovations in sustainable practices, building information modeling (BIM) and high-performance building design.
This year, the Institute will host meetings for its Board of Directors, Advanced Materials Council, Building Seismic Safety Council, buildingSMART alliance Board of Direction, Consultative Council, Coordinating Council, Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee, High Performance Building Council, and Whole Building Design Board and Advisory Committee.
To find out more about Annual Meeting activities,
read Henry Green’s welcome letter.
Meet the Coordinating Council
 The National Institute of Building Sciences membership is at the heart of this organization’s success. Involved in the Institute’s numerous councils, committees and projects, our members participate in the detailed processes of task forces and working groups. The Coordinating Council works to harmonize efforts among the various Institute programs to enhance synergies across programs. In this issue, we focus on the ProjNet Government to Business (G2B) Process Committee representative on the Coordinating Council, of which Bill East serves as chair. Read more about
East.
Committee Meets to Discuss HAZUS Coastal Surge Model
The Institute is helping the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to evaluate development of a fully functional Coastal Storm Surge Module for use with the HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model loss estimation tool. In June, the Coastal Surge Model Oversight Committee met to review the Coastal Storm Surge Model being developed.
The committee accepted coupling the HAZUS hurricane wind field model with SWAN, an ocean and near shore wave model, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SLOSH model. It also accepted a new capability for combining HAZUS-MH wind-only and flood-only loss estimates into an overall estimate of combined coastal wind and flood losses for a single hurricane event while avoiding double counting of damages.
Work remains on the Coastal Surge Model for overland waves, flood-only damage functions in V zones, and damage/loss matrices for building classes other than residential. Data from either Hurricane Ivan or Hurricane Gustav will be used to create a spreadsheet of prototype Coastal Surge Model loss results that will be validated with actual losses to be obtained from FEMA. Final committee reviews will occur in teleconferences scheduled for the end of August and September. It is anticipated that the Coastal Surge Model will be incorporated into HAZUS-MH MR6, tentatively scheduled to be released in late winter 2011.
Early Bird Registration for Workshop Ends Sept. 1
Better hurry. Early bird registration for “Why Green Buildings Cannot Be Built Without Air Barrier Systems” ends Tuesday, Sept. 1. This one-day workshop, sponsored by the Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council and the High Performance Building Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences, and the Air Barrier Association of America, will be held October 26 in Washington, D.C.
Join leading experts on air barrier technology and building envelope design for this intensive session that will allow attendees to learn about the significance of air control and barrier technology, see case studies of successful implementation of air tightness requirements, examine the issues as seen by the industry association, explore air barrier testing and commissioning, discuss the need for future technical developments and join in an expert panel discussion. Plus, earn AIA Continuing Education System credits.
Register now.
DOE to Help Fund State Energy Code Adoptions
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) is announcing an opportunity for states and territories to submit proposals for funding to support activities related to the adoption and implementation of the most current building energy codes. Funding will be provided through a contract rather than a grant. The primary purpose is to advance state building energy codes that lag behind the efficiency levels required by today's model codes. A total of $5 million is available to be awarded, and up to 20 awards are anticipated. Only one proposal (maximum of $250,000) from each state will be accepted.
Learn more.
Sept. 22 Webinar Focuses on Community Use of Schools
Community use of public schools is extensive and important to our communities. Cost recovery extends the benefits of the public’s capital investment in public school buildings and grounds, but school districts and the public need to know the complete costs of school facility ownership. The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities will host a free webinar,
Community Use of Schools: Recovering Costs to Extend Benefits, September 22, at 2:00 pm EST, to address this topic.
The webinar will present findings from a SchoolDude.com national survey of community use of schools. It will also introduce a free tool developed by the 21st Century School Fund and the Center for Cities and Schools to: 1) identify the components of school district facility costs; 2) calculate the cost of owning and operating the facilities; and 3) formulate cost recovery options.
Register now.
buildingSMART alliance Seeks Industry Input on National BIM Standard
- United StatesTM
The buildingSMART alliance needs your help with its building information modeling (BIM) standard. The Alliance, which is beginning the development process for Version 2 of the
National BIM Standard - United StatesTM (NBIMS-USTM), is working to assemble a project committee of representatives from all of sectors of the industry. NBIMS-USTM Version 2 will be the first true consensus BIM standard for the United States and it likely will be the basis of several other nations’ BIM standards around the world, so industry input (both domestic and international) is crucial. Project Committee members are being sought.
Learn how to get involved.
NCS Ballot Results Released
Thanks to all the members who participated in the
U.S. National CAD Standard Version 4.0 ballot process. The NCS Steering Committee has certified the ballot results of the NCS Project Committee (NCSPC). A new version of the NCS is scheduled to be released in April 2011.
The NCSPC, per the NCS rules of governance, consists of members who own the latest version of the NCS. Members submitted 53 ballot items to amend NCS Version 4.0. Of those items, 50 passed and three failed. On July 22, the Steering Committee reviewed and approved the Project Committee voting results. NCSPC members may view ballot quorum results on the buildingSMART alliance NCS portal.
Of the 110 eligible NCSPC members, 62 (or 56%) voted on the NCS V4.0 amendments. Those 48 NCSPC members who did not vote on the amendments are now considered inactive and no longer members or the committee. To be reinstated to the committee, inactive members must submit a new Membership Application Form.
Apply now.
SBIC Calls for Beyond GreenTM Entries
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is calling for entries for its 2010 Beyond GreenTM High-Performance Buildings Awards. This unique program, of which the National Institute of Building Sciences is a sponsor, recognizes the initiatives that shape, inform, and catalyze the high-performance building market, as well as the real-world application of high-performance design and construction practices. Winning projects will be published on the Whole Building Design Guide website.
Get more details.
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