On Monday, Georgia’s House of Representatives voted, by 111 to 51, in favor of a law, House Bill 1196, which prohibits government agencies from requiring sprinklers in one- or two-family dwellings. The Home Builders Association of Georgia was instrumental in getting that bill introduced and in crafting its language, according to Kelly Lass, the trade group’s executive vice president. The bill moves to the Senate for consideration on Thursday.

Georgia is among several states that have been pushing lawmakers to prevent the enforcement of a national building code, which goes into effect next January, that includes provisions for fire sprinklers to be installed in all new residential dwellings. That code, which members of the International Code Council (ICC) approved in a controversial vote in the fall of 2008, has ignited new skirmishes across the country between builders who resist construction mandates in general and insist sprinklers would make the cost of their homes prohibitive; and fire marshals who insist that sprinklers can prevent fatalities that in their absence might otherwise occur in houses that have become more vulnerable to the rapid spread of fire.

Despite aggressive lobbying by fire service groups, and endorsements by the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the Institute for Business & Home Safety, which represents insurers and reinsurers, only a few states—Pennsylvania, Iowa, California, New Hampshire, and South Carolina—so far have incorporated a residential fire sprinkler provision into their new codes. Maryland is moving in that direction, and communities within such states as Maine and Colorado will also require sprinklers in new homes.

More commonly, bills pending in several other states—which have often been introduced at the urging of their builder associations—would either postpone or nullify any code with a residential sprinkler component. Anti-sprinkler legislation in Iowa appears to be dead for the moment, but adoption of the new code would still be delayed for one- and two-family houses until 2013. New Jersey’s new governor, Chris Christie, has placed a 90-day moratorium on all new regulations and reportedly wants to excise the sprinkler requirement from the state’s updated building codes. In Texas, Gov. Rick Perry has signed legislation that prohibits municipalities in the state from adopting sprinkler ordinances.

“Right now, we’re just fighting battles one by one,” says John Viniello, president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), whose Web site includes a state-by-state legislative update.

On March 3, Viniello and other NFSA representatives met with Jerry Howard, the NAHB’s chief executive, and his staff to discuss ways the two groups might work together in states where a sprinkler code has been adopted, such as advocating adjustments in zoning and densities for sprinklered communities that might benefit builders and developers. Viniello says Howard promised to present this proposal to NAHB’s Executive Board by April 15. (A spokesperson for NAHB, Callie Schmidt, confirmed the meeting took place, but could not confirm that a date had been set for presenting items discussed to the executive board.)

Agreement between builders and the fire-fighting community is rare when fire sprinklers are at issue. Since the sprinkler mandate got written into the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), builders have stepped up their lobbying efforts to thwart its acceptance and enforcement in their states and municipalities. Their efforts have been mostly successful, with a few setbacks.

Last week, an appellate court in Pennsylvania upheld that state’s new building code, which includes regulations requiring sprinklers in all new townhouses and one- and two-family homes. The Pennsylvania HBA had requested a preliminary injunction prohibiting the enforcement of any new building codes. The trade group in January filed a lawsuit calling for the state to roll back its building codes to 2006 regulations.

Scott Elliott, a spokesperson for this HBA, says the trade group contends that Pennsylvania does not have the constitutional right to turn over its building codes to an entity outside the state, which it would be doing, the HBA contends, by allowing the 2009 IRC to become the abiding code. Elliott notes that the Pennsylvania HBA is opposed not only to the new code’s sprinkler mandate, but also to a host of other changes—from limitations on duct lengths to increases on wall bracings and foundation anchors—that, the HBA estimates, would add $13,000 to the price of a house.

“This is about a building code that is out of control,” says Elliott. “Plus in Pennsylvania we have a fatal flaw in that the ICC code is adopted automatically in its entirety every three years. That is too often, and the changes and costs are too great.” The HBA is hoping that its lawsuit will be heard in May or June.

Much of those costs–just less than $8,000 of those added expenses, or $3.49 per square foot, on average—would derive from the installation of a sprinkler system. The cost of putting fire sprinklers in new homes remains the most contentious issue in this debate across the country, especially for builders that are still have trouble drumming up customers in a weak economy.

Fire service officials, to support their argument, point to a 2008 study, conducted for the NFSA’s Fire Prevention Research Foundation, which analyzed 30 house plans in 10 communities and found that the cost of sprinkler installation into a new home averaged $1.61 per square foot.

Building codes in Pennsylvania’s Upper Merion Township have required sprinkler systems in all new residential construction since 1988. The township’s chief fire marshal, John Waters, provided BUILDER with permit data from 2007 through 2009 for homes in which sprinklers had been installed into homes whose sizes range from 2,100 to 7,942 square feet. Those installations added, on average, between $1.49 and $1.82 per square foot to construction costs of the homes, and between 0.3% to 2.6% to their selling prices.

Waters concedes that sprinkler systems cost more to install in homes that draw water from wells (as many towns in Pennsylvania do) that might require larger pumps or supplemental water tanks to provide the 26 gallons per minute these systems are required to produce in the event of a fire. But he remains unconvinced that builders are open to finding solutions through compromise. And Waters bristles when builders challenge the expertise of fire service people in matters of safety.

“Builders don’t want to hear facts and regurgitate the same arguments they made 20 years ago,” says Waters. “When I ask ‘where are your experts,’ they ignore me. All of their arguments are based on emotion.”

NFSA, though, remains optimistic that sprinkler installation will eventually become more widespread. It has been working with the Center for Public Safety Excellence to develop an accredited sprinkler installer program, which would include classroom and field training, and insurance verification. Vineillo says the goal is to get this program launched in states where new sprinkler codes have been adopted by July 1.

By John Caulfield, senior editor for BUILDER magazine.

http://www.builderonline.com/safety/debate-over-sprinklers-in-new-homes-becomes-a-hot-issue-across-the-nation.aspx?cid=BLDR100325002

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Although the original bill did pass with the Merkley language included and was signed into law two days later, the House and Senate began immediate consideration of a reconciliation package (H.R. 4872) that included language secured by NAHB that effectively eliminates the Merkley provision in the new health care law. The reconciliation package was approved late in the evening on March 25 and is expected be signed by the President soon. Although NAHB remains concerned about other provisions contained in the new health care law, the removal of the Merkley provision’s direct attack on the construction industry is a good development in an otherwise highly politicized and controversial piece of legislation. Going forward, a thorough analysis of the new law’s impacts on NAHB members will be forthcoming soon; also stay tuned for a more complete update in Nation’s Building News and at the upcoming Spring Board of Directors Meeting. Send questions to MondayMorningQuestions@nahb.org

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A house needn’t be 10,000 square feet with an unlimited budget to make an impact. If your resources are finite, many experts suggest giving the most attention to things at eye level that people can see and touch. The front door is one such spot that can make a huge statement about the personality of the house and the people who live inside.

DV Wise, Inc is Lake Norman / Mooresville, NC premier custom home builder, Certified Green Professional Builder

A massive, swiveling front door offers the first clue that this is no ordinary house, despite its otherwise traditional dormered façade. Whimsically pivoting as though revealing a secret passage, the opaque glass door directs visitors into a narrow, intimate gallery hall. This hall then expands into a larger volume space, with ceilings that soar 12 feet high. Contemporary artwork lines the entry hall, but the custom door is the masterpiece. Framed in Douglas fir and outlined by the home’s exterior redwood siding, it’s the first of several monumental-scale doors that flood the home’s interiors with natural light.

By Jenny Sullivan

http://www.builderonline.com/design/design-details-entryways.aspx?cid=BLDR100318002

www.dvwise.com

DV Wise Inc, Denver North Carolina, custom home builders

As the economy begins to stabilize, homeowners are still spending on outdoor living and landscape architecture, but they’re forgoing many of the bells and whistles that became fashionable during the housing boom and instead are refocusing on the basics, according to a recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). ASLA surveyed residential landscape architects about their perception of the popularity of various outdoor living and landscape features and elements for 2010.

Nearly 95 percent of the survey respondents rated outdoor living spaces such as kitchens and entertaining areas as somewhat or very popular this year. Overall, the market for residential landscape design has dropped significantly, according to Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, the organization’s executive vice president, but there is still plenty of demand from clients who need to sell their homes and are looking for any way to differentiate their properties from the many others on the market. Upscale residential landscape design hasn’t paused, however, Somerville notes. High-end homeowners are still requesting outdoor living and landscape design as much as ever.

Creating outdoor living and entertaining spaces is still popular, but a lack of ready financing means that homeowners are changing their approach to projects. “The real difference is that people are looking at ways to economize on what they’re doing,” Somerville says. “We’re seeing people scaling back or doing bigger projects in increments.”

While classic outdoor living elements such as dining and seating areas (according to 95.6 percent of survey respondents), grills (94.4 percent), lighting (93.4 percent), and fire pits or fireplaces (94 percent) remain very popular, interest in elements such as outdoor sinks (50 percent), refrigerators (52.8 percent), and showers (36.5 percent), as well as high-tech systems such as outdoor televisions (35.6 percent) and stereo systems (57 percent) has declined overall. Other outdoor living elements rated somewhat or very popular for 2010 include:
•
Installed seating such as benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps, and boulders (90.6 percent);

•
Weatherized outdoor furniture (77 percent);

•
Counter space (73.5 percent).

Many types of water features will still be popular this year, including decorative elements such as ornamental pools, waterfalls, grottoes, water runnels and bubblers (86.8 percent); hot tubs and indoor/outdoor saunas (79 percent); and swimming pools (72.4 percent), the survey found. However, other recreational amenities such as sport courts are reportedly much less popular.
Somerville notes that the back-to-basics attitude among residential landscape design clients is driven in part by economic concerns—from financing to return on investment—but it’s also partly due to a desire for lower-maintenance features and the growing interest in sustainability.

The residential landscape architects surveyed indicated high interest among homeowners in landscaping and garden elements that require less maintenance and consume less water overall (94 percent), contribute to a household’s sustainability, and even supplement a household’s food needs. Many of the strategies for creating a low-cost, low-maintenance landscape deliver dual benefits, because they also contribute to a more sustainable landscape. Sixty-seven percent of surveyed practitioners also said that organically managed gardens will be somewhat or very popular this year. Other highly popular landscape and garden elements include plantings of native flora (83.9 percent) and vegetable gardens/orchards and vineyards (78.5 percent).

Other sustainable landscape design elements that will be somewhat or very popular in 2010 are:
•
Drip or other water-efficient irrigation systems (85 percent);

•
Native, adapted, or drought-tolerant plants (85 percent);

•
Reduced grassy lawn areas (73.9 percent);

•
Permeable paving (72.5 percent);

•
Recycled landscaping materials (68 percent);

•
Rainwater or graywater harvesting systems (64 percent).

Although they have been affected by the economic downturn, landscape architects luckily haven’t been hit as hard as many of the other design and construction industry segments, according to Somerville. The diversity within their practices tends to mean they can focus on planning services when demand for landscape design and construction is low. Also, landscape architecture tends to trail declines in the larger design and construction segments, to experience less dramatic declines, and to recover before building design and construction, notes Somerville. Landscape architecture’s recovery will be slow and gradual, mirroring the recovery of the broader economy, she adds.

ASLA offers several tips for designing resource-efficient, low-maintenance residential gardens and landscapes on its website.

By Stephani L. Miller

Source: residential architect online
Publication date: March 16, 2010

http://www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=275&articleID=1226434&artnum=1

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For decades, ICC and ASHRAE have worked to develop codes and standards that become the industry standard of care for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of residential and commercial buildings in the United States and internationally. In coordination with the efforts of ICC and ASHRAE, USGBC has been leading a nationwide green building movement centered on the LEED Green Building Rating System since LEED was launched in 2000. The convergence of these efforts in the IGCC is perhaps the most significant development in the buildings industry in the past 10 years.
Leveraging ICC’s unrivaled delivery infrastructure to reach all 50 states and more than 22,000 local jurisdictions and ASHRAE, USGBC and IES’s technical strengths, this partnership will accelerate the proliferation of green building codes and standards developed jointly by ICC, ASHRAE and USGBC and IES, across the country and around the globe. The newly launched IGCC establishes a previously unimaginable regulatory framework for the construction of high-performance, commercial buildings that are safe, sustainable and by the book.
A landmark addition to the technical content of the IGCC is the inclusion of ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, as an alternate path of compliance. Standard 189.1 is a set of technically rigorous requirements, which like the IGCC, covers criteria including water use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and the building’s impact on its site and its community. Standard 189.1 was written by experts representing all areas of the building industry, who contributed tens of thousands of man hours. Developed in a little over three years, the standard underwent four public reviews in which some 2,500 comments were received.
“The emergence of green building codes and standards is an important next step for the green building movement, establishing a much-needed set of baseline regulations for green buildings that is adoptable, usable and enforceable by jurisdictions,” said ICC Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland. “The IGCC provides a vehicle for jurisdictions to regulate green for the design and performance of new and renovated buildings in a manner that is integrated with existing codes as an overlay, allowing all new buildings to reap the rewards of improved design and construction practices.”
“Bringing together the code expertise of ICC with technical expertise of ASHRAE to create a comprehensive green building code will accelerate our transformation to more sustainable building practices,” Gordon Holness, ASHRAE president, said. “ASHRAE is committed to providing the design guidance building designers and engineers need to reduce the energy consumption of buildings.”
“The U.S. Green Building Council’s mission is market transformation and we’ve long recognized the need to reach beyond the market leaders served by LEED to accomplish this goal,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Broadening the scope of the codes and establishing a higher floor allows us to continue to raise the ceiling, a critical factor in how the building industry is working to mitigate climate change. We are thrilled to see this set of complementary green building codes and standards; our organizations working collaboratively will advance green building nationwide in a way that was never before possible. ”
“IES is pleased to support the collaborative efforts of the organizations which demonstrate expertise in code and technical standards development in this comprehensive green building code,” said Rita Harrold, IES Director of Technology. “IES looks forward to ongoing guidance for sustainable building practices.”
On Monday, March 15, ASHRAE, IES and USGBC will join ICC at its Washington, D.C., headquarters as they and their co-authors (the American Institute of Architects and the American Society for Testing Materials) launch the IGCC. On Monday, Standard 189 .1 and the IGCC will be available for wide distribution, providing much-needed content, code language, and vision for more safe and sustainable future. The organizations are also working together to advance related education and advocacy efforts to promote adoption, enforcement and compliance with the IGCC codes that will pave the way for green buildings and neighborhoods, while creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
For more information on IGCC: http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx and on Standard 189.1: www.ashrae.org/greenstandard.
——————————————————————————–

About ICC
The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States
About USGBC
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,500 member companies and organizations, and more than 140,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs. www.usgbc.org
About ASHRAE
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of 51,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education. www.ashrae.org
About IES
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) is the recognized technical authority on illumination. For over 100 years; its objective has been to communicate information on all aspects of good lighting practice to its members, to the lighting community, and to consumers, through a variety of programs, publications, and services.
IES is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information, and a vehicle for its members’ professional development and recognition. Through technical committees, with hundreds of qualified individuals from the lighting and user communities, IES correlates research, investigations, and discussions to guide lighting professionals and lay persons via consensus-based lighting recommendations. www.ies.org

http://www.housingzone.com/probuilder/article/ca6722739.html?nid=2469&rid=6397697

News Release
March 11, 2010
HousingZone
www.dvwise.com

Residential architects continue to report declining business conditions, indicating that the housing market is not yet entering a full recovery phase. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2009, which focused specifically on kitchen and bathrooms.

“The general consensus is that homes will continue to be smaller on average than they were in the past decade,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “But since kitchens remain the nerve center of the home, doing more with less space is a key consideration. Integrating kitchens with family space remains a design priority, as does including areas devoted to recycling, pantries, computer workstations, and spaces devoted to recharging laptops, cell phones and PDAs.”

* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity

Baker added, “Homeowners are moving away from glitzy features such as steam showers and towel warming drawers/racks, and instead looking for water-saving toilets, radiant heated flooring and LED lighting options to manage utility costs.”

* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity

Housing Market Business Conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q4 2009 (any score above 50 is positive)

•Billings: 32 (down from 38 in Q3 2009)
•Inquiries for new projects: 45 (down from 46 in Q3 2009)
“It’s still too early to think the residential market has fully recovered, but there are two encouraging signs – overall business conditions are far better than they were a year ago at this time, and we are seeing improvement in those housing sectors that need to lead a broader improvement in the housing market: remodeling and alterations of existing homes, and at the entry-level of the new construction market.” said Baker.

Specific construction segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus those reporting weakening conditions)

•Kitchen and bath remodeling: 28
•Additions / alterations: 21
•First-time buyer / affordable home market: -4
•Move-up home market: -31
•Custom / luxury home market: -44
•Townhouse / condo market: -46
•Second / vacation home market: -71
——————————————————————————–
About the AIA Home Design Trends Survey
The AIA Home Design Trend Survey is conducted quarterly with a panel of 500 architecture firms that concentrate their practice in the residential sector. Residential architects are design leaders in shaping how homes function, look, and integrate into communities and this survey helps to identify emerging trends in the housing marketplace. Business conditions are also monitored on a quarterly basis. Future surveys will focus on overall home layout and use (June 2010) specialty rooms and systems (September 2010) and community design trends (December 2010).
About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org

AIA News Release
March 9, 2010
HousingZone

http://www.housingzone.com/probuilder/article/ca6722154.html?nid=2469&rid=6397697

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However, rules effective April 22 governing contractors in homes where lead paint may be present will prevent meaningful retrofit work from being done because there won’t be enough certified renovation contractors trained in the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Lead Safe Work Practices.

•Roughly 79 million homes constructed before 1978 are subject to the Lead Renovation, Repair and Repainting Rule.
•EPA has estimated that more than 236,000 remodelers, window installers, painters, heating and air-conditioning specialists and other trade contractors must be trained to ensure compliance with the rule.
•Only about 14,000 people have been certified to date.
•Just 135 firms throughout the country are approved to offer the training courses.
•In some states there are still no approved trainers.
According to NAHB, many of its members will have to avoid working in older homes to avoid breaking the law, which is in direct conflict to an today’s business environment where improving energy efficiency and creating jobs are national priorities.

Matt Phair, HousingZone Contributing Editor
March 12, 2010
HousingZone

http://www.housingzone.com/article/CA6722756.html?nid=&rid

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1. Follow all manufacturers’ installation instructions. Installation protocols and code requirements can vary significantly from one type, style or brand of shingle to another. For example, starter-course instructions, nailing-pattern requirements and roof-coverage area often vary from product to product. Unfortunately, instructions often get overlooked or discarded altogether during the construction process. Failing to follow instructions can lead to durability problems and can possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving the builder bearing the full cost of any needed repair or replacement. Here are three simple ways builders can reinforce the importance of following installation instructions:

•Take the time to read the instructions and quiz your crew on proper installation protocols. Regardless of how many times they’ve installed those materials, they may have been doing something wrong all along and just didn’t know it.
•Make sure all current installation instructions are on file with the jobsite superintendent and affixed to the scope of work given to the roofing-trade crew leader.
•Regularly take stock of installation instructions on file on the jobsite to be sure they are the most current for the type and style of material you’re using.

2. Create a comprehensive job plan. A builder’s goal with any element of a job should always be to do it right the first time to avoid costly delays. The key to getting it right is creating a comprehensive job plan for every type of work on the site. Roofing is no exception. Here are three tips for creating an effective roofing job plan:

•Carefully lay out the job before it begins. Place evenly spaced chalk lines along the roofing underlayment to give the installer a visible guide for every course.
•Before the roofing work begins, decide on valley style and ridge and gable end treatment, and be explicit about those details on the plans and scope of work.
•Periodically confirm the takeoff and make sure there is a sufficient quantity of shingles from the same dye lot on the jobsite. Running a few square feet short at the end of the job and filling in with shingles that don’t quite match is a rookie mistake that reflects poorly on your reputation for quality.

3. Get the fastening details right. Builders often specify the type and style of shingle for the roof, but they rarely choose the type and gauge of fasteners for those shingles. Using the wrong fasteners can lead to wind damage and result in a red tag by the code inspector.
The type of fastener required for the job is called out in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, as well as in the local building code. If you have a personal preference for either nails or staples, make sure that detail is included on the approved plans and specifications for a given project, as well as in the roofer’s scope of work. If staples are to be substituted for roofing nails, make sure the acceptable wire gauge and staple length are clearly stated, as well.

 
Surprisingly, one of the most common mistakes builders make on roofing projects is failing to follow installation instructions. Quizzing the crew on proper installation protocols and keeping current installation instructions on file with the jobsite superintendent are two ways builders can help avoid mistakes in the field.
Through work with builders of all sizes in the National Housing Quality (NHQ) Certification Program, the NAHB Research Center has discovered several common mistakes and process omissions made on the jobsite that can jeopardize the quality and durability of typical, asphalt-shingle roof installations. Here are five areas builders should focus on to avoid those mistakes:

1. Follow all manufacturers’ installation instructions. Installation protocols and code requirements can vary significantly from one type, style or brand of shingle to another. For example, starter-course instructions, nailing-pattern requirements and roof-coverage area often vary from product to product. Unfortunately, instructions often get overlooked or discarded altogether during the construction process. Failing to follow instructions can lead to durability problems and can possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving the builder bearing the full cost of any needed repair or replacement. Here are three simple ways builders can reinforce the importance of following installation instructions:

•Take the time to read the instructions and quiz your crew on proper installation protocols. Regardless of how many times they’ve installed those materials, they may have been doing something wrong all along and just didn’t know it.
•Make sure all current installation instructions are on file with the jobsite superintendent and affixed to the scope of work given to the roofing-trade crew leader.
•Regularly take stock of installation instructions on file on the jobsite to be sure they are the most current for the type and style of material you’re using.
2. Create a comprehensive job plan. A builder’s goal with any element of a job should always be to do it right the first time to avoid costly delays. The key to getting it right is creating a comprehensive job plan for every type of work on the site. Roofing is no exception. Here are three tips for creating an effective roofing job plan:

——————————————————————————–
Builders often specify the type and style of shingle for the roof, but they rarely choose
the type and gauge of fasteners for those shingles. Using the wrong fasteners can lead
to wind damage and result in a red tag by the code inspector.
——————————————————————————–
 •Carefully lay out the job before it begins. Place evenly spaced chalk lines along the roofing underlayment to give the installer a visible guide for every course.
•Before the roofing work begins, decide on valley style and ridge and gable end treatment, and be explicit about those details on the plans and scope of work.
•Periodically confirm the takeoff and make sure there is a sufficient quantity of shingles from the same dye lot on the jobsite. Running a few square feet short at the end of the job and filling in with shingles that don’t quite match is a rookie mistake that reflects poorly on your reputation for quality.

3. Get the fastening details right. Builders often specify the type and style of shingle for the roof, but they rarely choose the type and gauge of fasteners for those shingles. Using the wrong fasteners can lead to wind damage and result in a red tag by the code inspector.
The type of fastener required for the job is called out in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, as well as in the local building code. If you have a personal preference for either nails or staples, make sure that detail is included on the approved plans and specifications for a given project, as well as in the roofer’s scope of work. If staples are to be substituted for roofing nails, make sure the acceptable wire gauge and staple length are clearly stated, as well.

4. Adjust nail guns for the job. As the builder, you may not own and use nail guns on the jobsite, but it’s your responsibility to make sure they are adjusted to the proper settings to provide adequate, consistent fastener penetration. Too little pressure leaves the crown of the nail or staple too high, creating a bulge in the profile of the shingle. Too much pressure and the nail or staple can crush the shingle or even be driven through it.

If a nail gun or automatic stapler is to be used, make sure the air pressure is correct. Also, because air pressure can change over the course of a day, the compressor should be checked periodically to ensure air pressure remains within an acceptable range. Ask your trade contractor to document all air pressure checks and adjustments during the course of the day.

5. Conduct a personal inspection of the completed work. An inspection from both the roof level and ground will ensure that the quality of workmanship and aesthetic details are what you expect. As part of the inspection, you should:

•Scan for holes in shingles that were created during the installation of cleats or other temporary framing members. Shingles with holes need to be replaced, not simply filled with roofer’s mastic.
•Make sure the paper and the shingles in the roof valley are secured to the roof sheathing, not suspended above it.
•Look for reverse shingling, especially near a chimney or a plumbing stack. Water flows downhill and shingles need to let it flow, not catch it.
•Look through the trusses or ceiling framing from the underside of the roof to confirm if nails or staples were used in compliance with your specifications. This inspection can also confirm if sufficient quantities of fasteners were used and spacing guidelines were followed.
Document all required corrections and agree with the roofing contractor on when a follow-up inspection can be scheduled. Don’t assume the corrections will be made; always re-inspect. Document all inspections and make sure you and the roofer sign off on the final report.

Specific scopes of work and inspection checklists are two key elements of a documented quality management system adopted and implemented by quality-minded builders across the country. Check out the NAHB Research Center’s Web site for more information on implementing quality management systems for both builders and trade partners.

Created in 1964, the NAHB Research Center is a full-service product commercialization company that strives to make housing more durable, affordable and efficient. The Research Center provides public and private clients with an unrivaled depth of understanding of the housing industry and access to its business leaders.

by Don Carr

http://www.housingzone.com/custombuilder/article/ca6718957.html?nid=2822&rid=6397697

www.dvwise.com

Enterprise hopes this commitment of funds will accelerate change in the affordable housing industry and create significant positive impact in the lives of low-income individuals and families across the country. The group issued a national call to action to green all affordable housing within a decade.

The study, Incremental Cost, Measurable Savings: Enterprise Green Communities Criteria, shows the cost effectiveness of meeting a comprehensive green building framework for affordable housing. Enterprise estimates lifetime savings exceeding the initial investment made to incorporate the Criteria into affordable housing. Green affordable homes offer significant health, economic and environmental benefits to residents by addressing energy efficiency, water conservation, use of healthy materials, high-quality indoor air and location of affordable housing. Integrating the required green measures from the Criteria also can produce substantial increases in the quality of life of residents living in the housing.

Activities related to the next generation of Enterprise Green Communities are underway. Enterprise says its efforts will result directly in the creation, preservation or retrofit of 75,000 green homes and community and commercial buildings within the next five years. The group will lend in key markets to existing multifamily building owners for energy and water reduction capital purchases and healthy living environment improvements.

In May, Enterprise committed its $95 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to target green deals, which bolster funding for commercial and mixed-use developments with a demonstrable community impact. Enterprise also is purchasing carbon offsets from green affordable housing developers by raising charitable contributions through its Green Communities Offset Fund.

www.oikos.com

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The standard defines what green practices can be incorporated into residential development and construction on a national scale and how home owners can operate and maintain their green homes.

As part of the stringent process required by ANSI, NAHB and the International Code Council assembled a fully inclusive and representative consensus committee composed of a broad spectrum of builders, architects, product manufacturers, regulators and environmental experts. This group deliberated the content of the standard for more than a year, held four public hearings and evaluated more than 2,000 public comments submitted for consideration.

The NAHB Research Center, an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, administered the development of the standard. The Research Center also administers a national verification and certification program for green homes through NAHBGreen, the NAHB National Green Building Program, and can now offer certification for residential projects to this new standard.

www.nahb.org

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