e-glass weekly - August 15
Vol 1 | Num 10
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Alternative nonresidential energy-rating program advances to code hearings
In the future, nonresidential fenestration system manufacturers could have a choice of two thermal performance rating procedures, if a proposal backed by several industry associations passes through the International Code Council’s code hearings in September...
In the future, nonresidential fenestration system manufacturers could have a choice of two thermal performance rating procedures, if a proposal backed by several industry associations passes through the International Code Council’s code hearings in September.
Leaders of the Glass Association of North America of Topeka, Kan., and the Aluminum Extruders Council of Wauconda, Ill., figure prominently among several proponents supporting the addition of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s AAMA 507-03 to the International Energy Conservation Code, says Ken Brenden, codes and industry affairs manager for AAMA in Schaumburg, Ill.
AAMA 507-03 defines AAMA’s standard practice for determining thermal performance of nonresidential fenestration systems, Brenden explains.
The current IECC code only recognizes use of NFRC 100, an energy-rating system from the National Fenestration Rating Council in Silver Spring, Md., and requires determination of thermal performance values by use of default tables included in the IECC or labeling in accordance with NFRC 100.
“There is an International Building Code-IECC code proposal going forward that permits the use of this method as an alternative—not substituting or replacing—NFRC 100,” Brenden says.
While the alternative-methods provision in the IECC already permits use of AAMA 507-03 if a code official determines it meets the intent of the code, NFRC officials say they don’t support writing it into the code as an official alternative.
Multiple procedures for determining thermal performance of fenestration systems could lead to confusion in the industry, says Jim Benney, NFRC executive director.
“NFRC sees no need for another rating system—whether it’s alternative or competitive,” says Benney. “It’s not in the best interest of the public or industry to have multiple methodologies. … NFRC already provides a single, reliable system that contains adequate checks and balances.”
Greg McKenna, technical consultant for Kawneer Co. in Norcross, Ga., says manufacturers could benefit from having a choice of ratings systems.
“It would make NFRC 100 a better procedure because it would give it some competition, and [NFRC leaders] would have to address the concerns that manufacturers have,” McKenna says. “It is not a user friendly procedure.”
The AAMA 507-03 relies on methods in NFRC 100 to define system values. However, it does not require third-party certification, allowing manufacturers a single simulation to calculate the ratings for various combinations of glass and frame options, McKenna says.
Thomas Culp, owner of Birch Point Consulting in La Crosse, Wis., says the complex nature of many nonresidential projects makes an alternative necessary.
“NFRC 100 works quite well for standard factory-assembled products. … However, the current NFRC procedures are not well suited to the commercial market, especially for field-assembled fenestration where several parties are involved,” Culp says. “The NFRC procedure becomes very cumbersome and expensive.”
Culp anticipates some objection from NFRC officials during the code hearings.
Coaches guide glass execs to make worst tolerable and best better
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Managers should enlist the help of business coaches during two critical times: When a company exudes health and when it struggles along, says John Heinaman, president of Heinaman Contract Glazing in Lake Forest, Calif.
“When things are going well, when you least think you need a consultant, that’s an excellent time to bring someone in so you can maximize the good things going for you and make them even better,” Heinaman says. “When you are in trouble, though, it’s absolutely necessary to get the insight of an outsider.”
Heinaman began bringing in consultants to act as coaches for his management team about five years ago.
Business coaches differ from traditional consultants because they work closely and frequently with managers to guide them through all aspects of a business, Heinaman says. Traditional “consultants may come in to deal with one specific problem. They analyze it, respond, make recommendations and they’re gone.”
Richard Voreis, chief executive officer of Consulting Collaborative in Dallas, serves as one such coach for executives in the glass industry.
A common business-coaching process for Voreis involves biweekly telephone conferences with the managers he works with. A coach provides “a second opinion regarding a challenging situation in a real-life time frame, [helps] implement strategic plans and projects, mentors and develops key employees, or just fine-tunes your business,” Voreis says.
While most executives experience some benefits from coaching, some managers, particularly those in small- and medium-size businesses, aren’t willing to take on the extra costs, Voreis says.
Larry Patterson, president and owner of Glass Doctor in Dallas, understands the reluctance from some managers to invest in outside help. However, “Coaching ends up being one of your smaller expenses every month and it can produce big results,” he says. “You’re going to spend the money one way or another—either on the coaches or through missed opportunities.”
Hotel and resort construction drives nonresidential construction in June
While residential private construction spending dipped 1 percent in June, nonresidential private spending rose 2.7 percent to an annual rate of $303.1 billion, according to an Aug. 1 report from the U.S. Census Bureau...
While residential private construction spending dipped 1 percent in June, nonresidential private spending rose 2.7 percent to an annual rate of $303.1 billion, according to an Aug. 1 report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Spending in the lodging category helped drive the growth. In the category that includes hotels and resorts, spending surged 8.7 percent for the month to $20.9 billion, up 71.2 percent from the $12.2 billion last year, according to the report.
Office spending hit $52.6 billion, a 2.4 percent increase for the month and 10.9 percent for the year.
Health-care construction, valued at $41.9 billion, upped 0.2 percent for the month, but 16.9 percent compared to last June’s $35.9 billion, according to the report.
In the multi-retail segment that includes shopping centers, malls and big-box retailers, spending rose 1.1 percent for the month, up 52 percent for the year, according to analysis of the Census data reported in the Aug. 8 edition of Data DIGest, a publication of the Associated General Contractors of America in Arlington, Va.
In the residential sector, private multifamily spending edged up only 0.1 percent but still beat single-family spending that dropped 2.1 percent during the month, according to Data DIGest.
Total construction spending in the first half of the year reached $569.3 billion, up 8.5 percent from the same period in 2005, according to the report.
The Census data represent the total value put in place for construction in the United States at a seasonally adjusted rate. The data for June 2006 are preliminary.
The week's business headlines
- Oldcastle Glass acquires Antamex International
- Fuel prices near record levels
- Construction to begin on Asahi’s float furnace in the Czech Republic
- Florida glass fabricator to build new 28,000-square-foot facility
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Oldcastle Glass acquires Antamex International
Officials from Santa Monica, Calif.-based Oldcastle Glass announced in an Aug. 9 release that the company acquired Antamex International Inc., a custom curtain-wall engineer, manufacturer and installer out of Toronto.
Antamex will lead Oldcastle Glass Envelope, the company’s range of glass, windows, storefronts, doors and curtain-wall products designed to close the building envelope, according to the release... read more
Fuel prices near record levels
Oil prices closed Aug. 7 at the second highest level ever on the New York Mercantile Exchange in response to oil company BP’s shut down of a major pipeline in Alaska for repairs, according to an Aug. 8 article from Bloomberg... read more
Construction to begin on Asahi’s float furnace in the Czech Republic
Officials at Japanese glassmaker Asahi Glass Co. say construction will begin later this year on a new float-glass furnace in the Czech Republic, according to an Aug. 10 article from AFX News Ltd... read more
Florida glass fabricator to build new 28,000-square-foot facility
High Springs, Fla.-based fabricator Sherer Studio Inc. will start construction as early as spring 2007 on a new location almost three times the size of its current facility, according to an Aug. 3 article in The High Springs Herald.
Sherer Studio bevels and polishes mirror as well as heavy glass for use as table tops and shelves... read more