Latest Articles in Codes & Standards
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May 7, 2013AAMA's Julie Ruth reports on recently concluded ICC hearingsThe 2013 ICC Group B Code Development Hearings were held in Dallas, Texas, in April. Numerous proposals for changes in the 2015 International Residential Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and 2015 International Existing Building Code, among others, were reviewed at the meeting. The intent of this column is to provide a report on the more significant results of these hearings... more »
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May 1, 2013The International Code Council has posted the code-change proposals that will result in the 2015 ICC Group B codes, including the 2015 International Residential Code, 2015 International Energy Conservation Code and 2015 International Existing Building Code. These proposals are available for review at the ICC website. While it's too early to know the results of these proposals, there are some... more »
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May 1, 2013Product development underway despite concerns about program requirements and implementation dateWhile window and door manufacturers move forward in their efforts to meet the Energy Star for Windows, Doors, and Skylights Version 6.0 criteria, significant concerns still surround the program’s proposed product requirements and an early 2014 implementation date. Topping the list is the concern that the proposed U-factor for the Northern zone would drive the cost of Energy Star... more » -
April 16, 2013We report this week on a new campaign launched to block, revise and/or delay Version 6 criteria for Energy Star windows, set to go in effect early next year. The Coalition for Home Energy Efficiency has been formed by a group of industry manufacturers and others who are concerned that Energy Star windows will no longer be cost effective products, particularly in the Northern tier of the country.... more »
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March 26, 2013In response to Julie Ruth's column, "Preparing for 'the Big One'" in the January/February issue of Window & Door, Mory Katz, VP of the Commercial Property Division at Verisk Insurance Solutions, addresses the threat posed by severe storms. He writes: "I read with interest Julie Ruth’s column. ... After a storm, the power grid, building construction and... more »
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March 4, 2013On average, 18 toddlers die annually by falling from windows, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. More than 98,000 children—an average of 14 per day—were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for windowfall-related injuries during the 1990-2008 time period, according to the most recent study on the subject. About 65 percent of those injuries involved children four years old and younger,... more »
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February 26, 2013Code development tends to focus on where the codes are going, rather than where they are now. This year, the 2015 International Residential Code and 2015 International Energy Conservation Code requirements will be determined. Last year, requirements for the 2015 International Building Code were established. Enforcement of these code requirements, however, is not likely to begin until 2016 or... more »
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January 15, 2013“This is going to be a big one,” the retired fire official from New Jersey said. “This thing is huge, and the states it’s going to hit aren’t used to being hit by this kind of storm.” He pointed to an image of the Hurricane Sandy weather system on his laptop screen, dubbed “Frankenstorm” due to the combination of storms that had spawned it and its... more »
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October 23, 2012The R-5 window may be back as the Environmental Protection Agency has released its draft criteria for Most Efficient designation for windows under the Energy Star windows, doors and skylights program. In addition to other requirements, including NAFS certification, the newest high-performance criteria sets a minimum U-factor of 0.20 for all regions of the country. Many in the industry have... more »
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September 6, 2012Many years ago, the Building Officials & Code Administrators organization hosted a group of Eastern European code officials who were interested in learning about code administration in the U.S. After a month of observing code enforcement American style, they were asked their opinion of it. “Too democratic” was their response. There are many freedoms we who have lived in the U.S.... more »