Environmental Design & Construction articles from March 2004

Environmental Design & Construction archives from March 2004

Michigan looks green, even in the winter.(Editor's Note)
March 1, 2004... Though my hometown Michigan landscape is covered in snow, I'm still seeing green everywhere I look. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While channel surfing on a snowy night last month and I came across "Lies, Myths and Downright Stupidity," John...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... DEAR MICHELLE, My coworkers and I found it ironic that the latest issue (January/February 2004) of Environmental Design & Construction arrived in a single-use, disposal plastic wrapper. A couple of minutes of discussion at our office...

Model Green Home Building Guidelines initiative launched at International Builders' Show.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Las Vegas -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NAHB Research Center intend to develop "Model Green Home Building Guidelines." Announced at January's International Builders Show, the green building guidelines will provide...

SBIC presents 2003 'Best Practice' Awards.(Newsline)(The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council)
March 1, 2004... Washington, D.C. -- The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) presented its 2003 "Best Practice" Awards at the 2003 U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. The "Best Practice" Sustainability Awards...

USGBC elects 2004 Board members.(Newsline)(U.S. Green Building Council)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Washington, D.C. -- The following individuals have been re-elected to the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Board of Directors: Rebecca Flora, Green Building Alliance; Mary Tucker, City of San Jose; and Gail Vittori, Center for Maximum...

Rain Bird Corp. honored as Conservation Organization of the Year.(Newsline)(by World Bird Sanctuary )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Glendora, Calif. -- Rain Bird Corp., manufacturer of irrigation products and services, was named the recipient of the 2003 R. Marlin Perkins Conservation Organization of the Year Award, in recognition of the company's strong commitment to...

Now available: the 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide.(Newsline)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
March 1, 2004... Troy, Mich. -- Want to understand the relationship between radiant heating systems and flooring materials? You'll find answers to your questions in the 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide, an updated publication co-produced by the Radiant Panel...

ASHRAE publishes reference guide on sustainable design.(Newsline)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Atlanta -- The ASHRAE GreenGuide, published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, serves as a reference manual for HVAC & R designers, providing them with guidance on green design from project design...

TOTO outfits new homeowners' bathrooms, rows for Habitat for Humanity.(Newsline)
March 1, 2004... Morrow, Ga. -- TOTO USA, INC., announced that it will donate $75,000 in its high-performance, top-quality plumbing products--225 matching suites of toilets and lavatories--to nine Florida chapters of Habitat for Humanity, outfitting all...

New indoor air quality certification program announced.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Emeryville, Calif. -- Scientific Certification Systems announced a new indoor air quality (IAQ) certification program based in significant part on the indoor air quality testing requirements described in california's special environmental...

Skokie, Ill.(Oneliners)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... SKOKIE, ILL. -- PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION AND TEAM CONCRETE HAVE BEEN HONORED WITH AN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES.

Beachwood, Ohio.(Oneliners)(Public Notice)
March 1, 2004... BEACHWOOD, OHIO -- WEATHERPROOFING TECHNOLOGIES INC., THE SERVICES DIVISION OF TREMCO ROOFING, HAS BECOME THE FIRST ROOFING SERVICES OPERATION IN NORTH AMERICA TO BE ISO 9001:2000 CERTIFIED.

Phoenix.(Oneliners)
March 1, 2004... PHOENIX -- THE REFLECTIVE INSULATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A SURVEY ON THE SIZE OF THE REFLECTIVE INSULATION AND RADIANT BARRIER MARKETS THAT SHOWS THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 BILLION SQUARE FEET OF THESE PRODUCTS...

Simplicity: an office design ethic and aesthetic.(M. Arthur Gensler Jr. and Associates Inc.)
March 1, 2004... When Gensler moved its corporate headquarters to another part of San Francisco last year, the leading global architecture and design firm drew from its expertise in workplace design to create its own new office space. It also saw an excellent...

Formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation recommended for use in California public schools.(New and Notable)
March 1, 2004... 1 Denver, Colo. -- Understanding the critical need for effective school construction and renovation, California's Collaborative of High Performance Schools (CHPS) was created with a goal of constructing schools, which foster more productive,...

Company launches blankets made of fibers from corn.(New and Notable)
March 1, 2004... 2 Faribault, Minn. -- Faribault Mills (www.faribaultmills.com) is the first company in the world to offer woven blankets made from Ingeo fibers (www.ingeoblankets.com), made from corn grown in the fields of America's heartland. ...

Germicidal air filtration system available for HVAC.(New and Notable)
March 1, 2004... 3 Louisville, Colo. -- StrionAir, Inc. (www.strionair.com) manufactures a patented air-filtration technology based on pioneering research performed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and commercialized by StrionAir. This germicidal, high...

Composite curbs and posts utilize recycled auto parts.(New and Notable)
March 1, 2004... 4 Winnipeg, Canada -- XPotential Products Inc. (www.xpotential-products.com) manufactures a 100 percent recycled plastic composite for use in design and construction, such as residential landscape projects, agricultural livestock fencing,...

Water-resistant blocks contain recycled content.(New and Notable)
March 1, 2004... 5 Canton, Ohio -- US Technology Corp. introduced green and water-resistant Sealtech Block at the 2004 World of Masonry and World of Concrete Show. A break-through in concrete masonry unit composition, Sealtech is a Scientific Certification...

Panel uses locally harvested wheat straw for energy-efficient protection.(New and Notable)
March 1, 2004... 6 Electra, Texas -- Agriboard Industries' new HomeLand Security Panel is made of two layers of Agriboard (www.agriboard.com) straw panel with OSB skins on both sides, picture-framed with timber strand profiles and formed into a composite SIP....

Exhaust, ventilation and moisture prevention: kitchens and bathrooms can be trouble spots for indoor air quality.(Studio)
March 1, 2004... Kitchens and bathrooms are two major sources of pollutants in both commercial and residential buildings. Cooking releases heat, smoke (containing both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants) and moisture, all of which can negatively impact...

What are you waiting for?
March 1, 2004... Whether you design, specify or install kitchen and bath products, you will enjoy this Green Kitchens & Baths supplement. Anyone connected to the building industry knows of the dramatic shift to environmentally friendly construction practices....

Buyer aware: third-party testing and certification takes the guesswork out of choosing water treatment equipment.
March 1, 2004... One More Mark The Environmental Protection Agency does not approve water treatment devices. However, products that contain activated carbon impregnated with silver are required to register with the EPA. The label, however, doesn't mean that...

In a small package: conserve energy and water, as well as space, when using a point-of-use tankless water heater.(Big Savings)
March 1, 2004... The energy it takes to heat water accounts for 20 percent of an average household's annual energy use. The cost to operate a conventional gas or electric tank-type water heater is about $200 or $450 a year, respectively. And about 10 percent to...

Water conservation trends.(Survey Reveals)(Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
March 1, 2004... A majority of readers of Plumbing & Mechanical and Environmental Design+Construction believe water conservation will be more important to their customers in the next two years, according to a survey each magazine conducted last year. In...

High-performance plumbing: specifiers and contractors find endless options for efficient water conserving toilets and fixtures.
March 1, 2004... "Studies indicate that converting to water efficient toilets, showers and clothes washers, results in a household water savings of about 30 percent compared to conventional fixtures. A change to high-efficiency toilets alone, reduces toilet...

Sustainable.
March 1, 2004... Green design is not limited to corporate buildings or large homebuilders; sustainable design can be incorporated into kitchen and bathroom surfaces in any home, office or construction project. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION...

Eemax electric tankless water heaters.(Product & Literature Showcase)
March 1, 2004... Eemax manufactures the most comprehensive range of electric tankless water heaters available in the plumbing industry (2.4kw .5 gpm to 126kw 23 gpm). Eemax now offers mini tank electric water heaters in 2.5-, 4- and 6-gallon capacity, and a...

Touch-free, waterfree urinal.(Product & Literature Showcase)
March 1, 2004... Waterfree touch-free urinal system from Falcon Waterfree Technologies typically saves 40,000 gallons of water per year for each unit installed. The system uses a patented, sealed cartridge that eliminates the need for flush water while assuring...

GYP-SPAN Radiant from Hacker Industries.(Product & Literature Showcase)
March 1, 2004... Hacker Industries' GYP-SPAN[R] Radiant is the premier gypsum concrete floor underlayment for radiant heat. Poured 3/4 inch above hydronic tubes or electric cables, it provides an excellent thermal mass and a smooth, flat surface for finished...

Mix & match solid-surface sinks with electronic faucets.(Product & Literature Showcase)
March 1, 2004... Find the lavatory system most practical and aesthetically pleasing for your restroom environment. Pair up any of Sloan Valve Co.'s solid-surface SloanStone[TM] sinks with your choice of Optima[R] Electronic Faucets. SloanStone is durable, easy...

Waterless No-Flush[TM] urinals.(Product & Literature Showcase)
March 1, 2004... Now into its second decade selling and installing Waterless No-Flush[TM] urinals throughout the country and the world, Waterless Co. LLC is expanding its designer line of urinals that still work completely without water or flush valves. For all...

Interiors succeed at LEED: this is the first in a series presenting useful LEED tips and tricks. This month we focus on capturing LEED points for use of environmentally preferable paint, carpeting and adhesives, and daylighting.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
March 1, 2004... The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System recognizes Indoor Environmental Quality as one of its five major categories (along with Sites, Water, Energy and...

High-performance daylighting: daylight aperture optimization for the Southface Eco Office.
March 1, 2004... Throughout the majority of human history, natural forces have directly shaped our structures. A keen awareness of natural light, and the purposeful introduction of natural light into our buildings, had a significant impact on building form....

Making sustainable stick: specifying environmental carpets and flooring adhesives.
March 1, 2004... The renowned $331 million, 1.5 million-square-foot David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified convention center. Of course, carpet and adhesives were a critical...

Automated plant care: an engineering approach to advanced building management and environmental integrity for commercial building interiors.(Studio)
March 1, 2004... The aftermath of the Sept. 11th tragedy had a profound effect on the design and management of the shelters we build. It will be forever changed. I live within spitting distance of the American Media building in Boca Raton, Fla., where anthrax...

LEED and lighting controls: a green opportunity to control and reduce unnecessary light.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
March 1, 2004... With the surging popularity of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and sustainable building practices, the importance of lighting controls is more significant than ever. Since lighting accounts for nearly half...

Wallcovering substrates: new materials resist mold and mildew growth.(Studio)
March 1, 2004... The growth of mold and mildew has become a major health concern in homes and commercial buildings. According to a recent publication by the Wallcoverings Association, molds can produce allergens, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs),...

Gypsum board: provides environmental edge.(Studio)(gypsum board manufacturing industry)
March 1, 2004... Effective fire resistance and sound attenuation have long been important considerations in the design of walls that separate multifamily dwellings, such as townhouses, condominiums and apartments. But can material manufacturers meet these...

Certified fiberglass.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Shelbyville, Ind. -- Knauf's fiberglass insulation products are recognized for indoor air quality performance with certification by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. Knauf provides third-party confirmation of its low emitting status for...

Engineered paper-fiber cellulose.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Charlotte, NC -- Cocoon brand cellulose from U.S. GreenFiber LLC insulation is engineered paper-fiber insulation designed to minimize energy loss. Blown into wall cavities and attics of new home construction projects, it creates a continuous...

Natural cotton fiber and denim.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Chandler, Ariz. -- Made of post-industrial cotton and denim fibers, UltraTouch brings fire, fungi and corrosive resistance to batt insulation that is formaldehyde and resin free, does not itch, requires no carcinogenic warning labels and can be...

Recycled content, certified fiberglass.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Toledo, Ohio -- Owens Corning invented fiberglass insulation in the 1930's and have been developing products that make buildings warmer, quieter, dryer and more durable ever since. Owens Corning has been recognized by Scientific Certification...

Permeable vapor retarder.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Valley Forge, Pa. -- CertainTeed Corp.'s Insulation Group has introduced a vapor retarder for use with unfaced fiberglass insulation that breathes and allows excess moisture to escape from wall cavities. Called MemBrain, this patented new smart...

Feathers, wool and textile fibers.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Chicago -- The French company NAP'TURAL is launching a patented new insulating material called BATIPLUM for the building industry. Made of feathers, wool and textile fibers, this blanket-like material is available in two categories, BATIPLUM...

Sucrose-Based open-cell foam.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... New Orleans -- Apex Foam and Coatings announces the introduction of their newest innovation for commercial and residential insulation applications, EARTHSEAL FOAM .5 (light density, half-pound class 1 foam) HCFC-free, Sucrose-Based SPF...

Insulated EPS panels.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Brattleboro, Vt. -- Winter Panel Corp., manufacturer of structural insulated panels (SIPs), offers Structurewall, Curtainwall and Woodclad panels with cores made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Winter Panel says EPS is environmentally friendly,...

Soybean oil polyurethane spray.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Spring Valley, Ill. -- BioBase spray-in-place insulation is an ultra-light weight two-part soybean oil-based polyurethane. It is an open-cell, semi-rigid foam that in one step provides a sealed thermal envelope that simplifies constructions...

Residential air barrier.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Mount Olive, N.J. -- BASF's ENERTITE Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) system brings insulation and air barrier properties to residential construction with its closed cell rigid formulation and fully-adhered, seamless installation. The result is...

Airtight polyicynene foam.(Insulation)
March 1, 2004... Mississauga, Ont. -- Icynene Inc.'s foam insulation is sprayed as a liquid and expands 100 times its volume within seconds, permanently adhering to the surfaces of the surrounding building materials and filling and sealing all joints, crevices...

Energy-saving florescent lamps.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Somerset, N.J. -- The slim Silhouette[TM]T5 fluorescent lamps from Philips Lighting Co. combine this technology with T5 design flexibility, high efficacy and high lumen output to promote environmental responsibility and broaden the range of...

High-performance product line.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Danvers, Mass. -- OSRAM SYLVANIA's ECOLOGIC product family has grown to encompass every major product line, including fluorescent and compact fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID), halogen and incandescent lamps. All lamps in the ECOLOGIC...

Energy-saving, low-maintenance cove lighting.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Valley View, Ohio -- GELcore LLC introduces a new application for its GE Tetra LED lighting system: lighting coves in retail stores, restaurants, casinos, ballrooms, hotels and lobbies. Wade Brasuell, project manager of The Venetian...

Energy-efficient decorative and functional Lighting.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Riverside, N.J. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have named Sea Gull Lighting Products, Inc. as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas...

Small CFL.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Philadelphia, Pa. -- Westinghouse Lighting Corp.'s NanoLux is an energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), available in 34 style and color combinations. The new patented NanoLux lamp utilizes micro-electronic components in its ballast....

Programmed-Start electronic ballasts.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Rosemont, Ill. -- Advance Transformer Co. has expanded its family of Optanium highefficiency electronic ballasts for T8 fluorescent lighting systems to include new Optanium Programmed-Start (PS) models featuring IntelliVolt multiple-voltage...

Dimming Ballasts.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Coopersburg, Pa. -- From Lutron Electronics comes the new ECO-10 Fluorescent Dimming Ballast for T5-HE lamps, capable of dimming standard output T5 lamps down to 10 percent. This energy-saving product comes in a slim-profile stick enclosure and...

3-way compact florescent.(Lighting)
March 1, 2004... Aurora, Ohio -- Technical Consumer Products, Inc. (TCP) designs, develops and markets energy efficient lighting products, including compact fluorescent lamps, emergency and exit lighting, commercial ballast products, energy efficient fixtures...