Posted by Lee Drever on Fri, Sep 30, 2011
Association demands that sustainable construction stress durability as well as energy efficiency and other green building requirements.
Each year in the United States alone, more than $35 billion in direct property loss is caused by natural disasters. Yet, while states and municipalities are seeking to adopt ordinances that require “green” or “sustainable” construction, they are overlooking disaster-resistance construction.
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| Octaform customers, Hayashi Trout shared this shot of the recent devastation in Ongawa, Japan |
There is now a call for making enhanced resilience of a building’s structure to natural and man-made disasters the first consideration of a green building. Increased longevity and durability, combined with improved disaster resistance, results in the need for less energy and resources. This is not only the case for repair, removal, disposal and replacement of building materials and contents due to disasters, but for routine maintenance and operations as well.
"We believe the most sustainable building is the one still standing.”
“Integration of durability and functional resilience into sustainability codes, standards and programs is long overdue,” David Shepherd, director of sustainability for the Portland Cement Association (PCA) said. “Some say the most sustainable structure is the one that isn’t built. We believe the most sustainable building is the one still standing.”
Functionally resilient buildings place less demand on resources and allow communities to provide vital services, even after a natural disaster. For example, resilient construction allows businesses to continue operations, providing municipalities with a consistent tax base. Further community economic, societal and environmental benefits occur when cities are not required to reallocated resources for emergency recovery.
A resilient building is not limited to one that is operational after a natural disaster, but also one that can withstand the hardship of the passing years. The Brookings Institution projects that by 2030, the U.S. will have demolished and replaced 82 billion square feet of its current building stock, or nearly one-third of existing buildings, largely because the vast majority of them weren't designed and built to last any longer. Robust, functionally resilient buildings arefrequently reused and even re-purposed when downtowns are renovated.
To allow local governments to adopt green building codes that address high performance as well as conventional sustainable features, the PCA and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IIBHS). have developed High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0. The criteria are written in mandatory language that amends and appends the International Code CouncilInternational Building Code. The provisions are generic and do not specify one specific material over another.
PCA and IIBHS have aligned the provisions with the concepts of both the Whole Building Design Guide and High Performance Building Council. Enacting and enforcing these provisions provides the basis for designers and owners to obtain certification as a US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction.
Learn more about the High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability at Booth #1245N at the 2011 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.
Posted by Christina Florencio on Mon, Jul 25, 2011
Wisconsin's demand for electricity has been high last week due to an intense heat wave that was experienced state wide. Power use in many parts of the state even set records.
The heat has taken a toll on Wisconsin’s dairy farmers when milk production slowed down dramatically. According to a study conducted by the University of Nebraska’s Animal Science Department, on the “Effects of Summer Climactic Conditions on the Body Temperature in Beef Cows”, indicators of heat stress in cattle include elevated rectal body temperature and an increase in respiration rate. The mean body temperature of cows is 101.4 degrees F to 101.5 degrees F.
Heat stress can delay puberty in heifers, can cause anestrous in cows, depress estrus activity, induce abortions, and increase prenatal mortality. Effects of heat stress on fertility are prominent when occurring at or near the time of estrus (the period of maximum sexual receptivity of a heifer).
(Photo: wwarby)
Wisconsin dairy farmer Bill Averbeck milks about 240 cows in Fond du Lac. He says a few days of sweltering heat led to a 7 percent dip in milk output. Rick Roden is an Ozaukee County dairy farmer with about 400 cows. Roden states that the intense heat can leave cows susceptible to bacterial infections on their udders.
Most beef cows and heifers are bred in late spring through midsummer when environmental conditions may cause heat stress and affect reproductive performance. In cow-calf production systems, reproductive performance is essential to the success and profitability of the enterprise.
Pleasant Valley Colony controls temperature by building with Octaform Finished Forming System.
Wisconsin dairy farmers are glad to see temperatures returning to manageable levels this week. The heat has started t move eastward, however the damage it has caused local farmers and their herd has been a detriment to the state’s dairy industry.
Did you know that building with concrete is one of the best ways to create a stable climate temperature for livestock?
Posted by Lee Drever on Tue, Feb 22, 2011
Our full-page ad in Modern Contractor this month features The Town of Taber, Alberta's Bioreactor built with Octaform's finished forming system.
Pick up a copy at Con Expo next month.
