In the Current Issue

Changing certification programs, new treatments drive usage

Builders using sustainable wood for siding projects need to keep an eye on some possible changes looming on the certification horizon.

As you know, credits can be earned toward LEED certification through the use of wood siding originating from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). However, while only wood siding certified by the FSC qualifies for LEED points, there is momentum to expand the options for LEED eligibility, opening the door for possible inclusion of other certification programs in the LEED rating system, such as the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Prices going down for higher-end security systems

Whether it’s controlling access, preventing vandalism, or giving urban residents peace of mind, security is one of the most critical elements of modern multifamily buildings. Advancements in smart technologies including remote video surveillance and integrated access systems are making previously costprohibitive technologies available to every building price-point, from luxury condos to affordable apartments.

“Every type of multifamily building demands some sort of access control system,” says Scott Johnson, vice president of construction and development for Venice, FL-based Palladium. “A high-rise luxury tower may call for a sophisticated system with cameras and automated traffic gates, but in a four-story apartment community, the system may only need to provide access-control to the parking garage and clubhouse. The good news is that the technology is getting less expensive and more powerful every year.”

New standards, products on the horizon

As we reported in last month’s issue (“The IAQ Quandary”), the demand for energy-efficient buildings has created a market for airtight homes, which in turn makes proper ventilation not only essential for comfort but a requirement for human health. HVAC systems (emphasis on V) play a major role in the quality of indoor air.

In the multifamily sector, addressing ventilation issues comes with its own special challenges, but the newly published residential ventilation standard from ASHRAE includes new, easier methods to address them. An Indoor Air Quality standard, ASHRAE 62.2-2010 defines requirements for ventilation systems and the building envelope to foster acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. A major addition to the previous ASHRAE standard is the requirement of exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.

So you’ve got a job to do and it’s up in the attic of somewhere. It’s easy enough for you to get your body there. What about the tools for a good job? Do you get out the hose, compressor and your new Duo-Fast DF350S Framing Nailer or Paslode’s CF325 Round Headed Cordless Framing Nailer? Paslode’s CF325 Round Headed Cordless Framing Nailer will solve your remote nailing needs. It has a small cylinder of gas and a battery to make it go bang just when you need it to. Sounds simple—and it is. Loading is easy: Charge the battery, insert the gas cartridge and nails, and go to work. Press the nosepiece and pull the trigger. How hard can that be? Why, even a caveman could do it, if he had electricity.