Standard for conducting, reporting energy audits open for review

A proposed joint standard from ASHRAE and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) that establishes consistent practices for conducting and reporting energy audits is open for a 45-day American National Standards Institute (ANSI) public review.

Standard 211P defines the procedures required to perform ASHRAE Level 1, 2, and 3 Energy Audits, and provide a common scope of work for these audit levels for use by building owners and others as well as establishes standardized industry practices and minimum reporting requirements for the results.

An initial Advisory Public Review (non-ANSI) of the standard that closed in December 2015 resulted in more than 600 comments from some 100 people. ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 211P, Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits, is open for comments from Aug. 5 until Sept. 19, 2016. To comment, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

Design firm HKS has launched a new partner diversity program that will work to build a more diverse AEC ecosystem. The HKS xBE program will give xBE firms (a term encompassing all disadvantaged businesses) and their members “access to opportunities to build relationships, pursue new work, and bolster innovation within the architecture and design professions,” according to HKS.

Sustainability | Mar 16, 2023

Lack of standards for carbon accounting hamper emissions reduction

A lack of universally accepted standards for collecting, managing, and storing greenhouse gas emissions data (i.e., carbon accounting) is holding back carbon reduction efforts, according to an essay published by the Rocky Mountain Institute.

Building Tech | Mar 14, 2023

Reaping the benefits of offsite construction, with ICC's Ryan Colker

Ryan Colker, VP of Innovation at the International Code Council, discusses how municipal regulations and inspections are keeping up with the expansion of off-site manufacturing for commercial construction. Colker speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield.

Student Housing | Mar 13, 2023

University of Oklahoma, Missouri S&T add storm-safe spaces in student housing buildings for tornado protection

More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.

Adaptive Reuse | Mar 5, 2023

Pittsburgh offers funds for office-to-residential conversions

The City of Pittsburgh’s redevelopment agency is accepting applications for funding from developers on projects to convert office buildings into affordable housing. The city’s goals are to improve downtown vitality, make better use of underutilized and vacant commercial office space, and alleviate a housing shortage.

Windows and Doors | Mar 5, 2023

2022 North American Fenestration Standard released

The 2022 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, “North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights” (NAFS) has been published. The updated 2022 standard replaces the 2017 edition, part of a continued evolution of the standard to improve harmonization across North America, according to a news release.

Codes | Mar 2, 2023

Biden Administration’s proposed building materials rules increase domestic requirements

The Biden Administration’s proposal on building materials rules used on federal construction and federally funded state and local buildings would significantly boost the made-in-America mandate. In the past, products could qualify as domestically made if at least 55% of the value of their components were from the U.S.

Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2023

Standards vs Guidelines: The benefits of establishing process

The unsung hero of standards may be the impact they can have on speed to market and price of product and project, according to IA Interior Architects.

Senior Living Design | Feb 15, 2023

Passive House affordable senior housing project opens in Boston

Work on Phase Three C of The Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony, a 55-apartment midrise building in Boston that stands out for its use of Passive House design principles, was recently completed. Designed by The Architectural Team (TAT), the four-story structure was informed throughout by Passive House principles and standards.