Silver Spring, MD—A two-alarm fire swept through a student housing construction site at the University of Arizona early on Tuesday morning, causing an estimated $1 million in damage and halting construction for the unforeseeable future. The construction site, located at East Broadway and North Tyndall Avenue, featured multiple stories and wood framing. It was intended as housing for future University of Arizona students. Though the project was originally slated for completion by autumn of 2019, no timetable for a return to construction has been offered.

The Tucson fire represents a growing trend of wood-framed, multi-story fires across the country.

“This fire is one of so many burning communities throughout the nation” said Kevin Lawlor, spokesperson for Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association consisting of community organizations, fire safety professionals, engineers, architects and industry experts committed to strengthening the nation's building codes and ensuring greater access to secure housing. “Today it was student housing in Arizona, but whatever type of housing you call home, if it's combustible construction you are never safe from this type of destruction. We've seen assisted living centers, residential apartment complexes in areas of high density population, places of work, play and prayer all burn down because of an inferior construction material.”

Witnesses reported seeing smoke in the area shortly after 2AM on Tuesday morning, and Tucson firefighters responded quickly thereafter. A second alarm was called by first responders, as the blaze quickly grew unmanageable. Flames were reportedly visible from as far as Valencia road and Alvernon Way. 60 firefighters and 17 units were ultimately required to extinguish the fire.

“Even when people escape without injury or death, the cost to the community is still high,” said Lawlor. “Locals are displaced, businesses are shut down, roads are closed and first responders are put to the test.”

Captain Hector Carpio of the Tucson Fire Department reported that the intense heat from the fire melted windows, metal paneling, and palm trees at the neighboring apartment complex, and also destroyed coolers on its roof. At least 15 vehicles were damaged, and an on-site construction crane was partly melted.

Build With Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), has launched a campaign to educate citizens, local and state officials, and industry experts about the inherent dangers of wood-framed construction, particularly in multi-story, residential and commercial buildings. As a grassroots organization, they work with local elected officials and industry workers, from architects to project managers to advocate for the safety benefits of working with concrete-based construction.

LEWISVILLE, Texas – GreenSpace Holdings LLC is focused on constructing “cost-reducing self-storage solutions with an emphasis on environmental conservatism.” The company's most recent project is a 181,000 square-foot facility in Houston and it will be a part of the CubeSmart franchise.

TMS Contractors LLC of Houston handled the design and construction of the project, incorporating reclaimed shipping containers encased in an attractive exterior – insulated metal panels from Metl-Span.

David Cannaliato, vice president at TMS, says the palette of colors offered by Metl-Span's insulated metal panel products helped his design team achieve the look it sought.

“The bright reds and whites are in line with the CubeSmart brand,” Cannaliato says. “It's kind of a scattered checkerboard look, very attractive and distinct.”

All of the insulated metal panels featured a 3-inch urethane core to help with climate control, especially during the hot Texas summers. All panels were 32 inches long, installed horizontally. The 26-gauge interior panels are the Light Mesa finish, all in Igloo White, while the 22-gauge exterior panel is architectural flat in a variety of colors: Polar White (37 panels), Bright Red LG (43 panels) and Regal Gray (72 panels). These CubeSmart “brand” colors were used in highly visible areas. In less-visible spots, Zinc Gray (72 panels) with a 26-gauge exterior panel was the color of panels installed in the interest of cost-effectiveness.

GreenSpace estimates using shipping containers in the construction of self-storage units results in a cost savings of $20 to $30 per gross square foot in multi-story self-storage facilities, while shortening construction schedules.

“Conventional self-storage construction normally takes 12 or 13 months,” Cannaliato says. “Using reclaimed shipping containers can potentially reduce construction time by several months.”

TMS erected framing to the exterior of the shipping containers to attach the insulated metal panels. Cannaliato says TMS designers worked closely with Metl-Span engineers to make sure the framing would allow for the installation of the insulated metal panels according to Metl-Span's recommended details. “They were very helpful in this collaborative effort,” he says. “It all went up just the way it was supposed to.”

The end result is an attractive and efficient facility. The only way the shipping containers are visible is when a rolling door is opened. Even walking through the offices or hallways, the shipping containers cannot be detected.

The facility, with approximately 1,400 self-storage units, opened in November 2018.

The Counties of Camden and Middlesex Join Essex and Mercer Counties and Wall Township in Calling for Timely Passage of Statewide Legislation

Silver Spring, MD – On Thursday evening, councilmembers of the Camden County and Middlesex County Boards of Freeholders voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in support of New Jersey Assembly Bill 135, statewide legislation that would amend New Jersey's construction code for fire safety reasons, and provide an added level of protection for firefighters and residents alike.

“All across New Jersey, local governments are calling on the state to institute commonsense safety measures that will save lives and property,” said Kevin Lawlor, spokesperson for Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association consisting of community organizations, fire safety professionals, architects, engineers and industry experts committed to strengthening the nation's building codes. “Stronger building codes mean stronger communities, and as such, the state should heed the judgement of the local governing bodies.”

The votes in Camden and Middlesex Counties come just one week after members of the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in support of the legislation – to which the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Wall Township have endorsed, as well.

The legislation calls for the installation of an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, measuring the number of stories from the grade plane, using noncombustible materials for construction, and installing a fire barrier with a fire resistance rating of at least two hours that extends from the foundation to the roof.

“The decision by Camden and Middlesex Counties to join Essex and Mercer Counties as well as Wall Township is a step toward building a more secure New Jersey,” said Rich Silvia, president of the New Jersey State Fire Prevention and Protection Association (NJSFPPA). “We're hopeful that state lawmakers will concur with their local counterparts, and demand stricter building standards that better contain and help stop the spread of devastating fires. Protecting the wellbeing of residents and their property, as well the fire fighters that serve them should be of the utmost priority.”

In late December, firefighters responded to a fire at a wood-framed apartment complex in Princeton, New Jersey, that resulted in the death of a 73-year-old resident and the displacement of 35 others. The incident came after a pair of massive fires in the state in buildings constructed with combustible materials over the past couple years – namely in Maplewood and Edgewater. There have been dozens of fires of a similar nature throughout the country over the last several few years.

A September 2016 poll of 400 registered voters in New Jersey found respondents very supportive of the state making changes to building codes following the devastating Edgewater apartment complex fire in January 2015.

Local New Jersey coalition members of Build with Strength include: The New Jersey State Firefighters' Mutual Benevolent Association, The Professional Association of Fire Fighters in New Jersey, the New Jersey State Association of County Fire Marshals, the Brigantine Beach Fire Company; the Bricklayers and Allied Crafts – New Jersey, and the Fire Departments of Burlington County and West Orange.

L.A. civil rights leader voices support for efforts to bolster safety standards across Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA —The Los Angeles Civil Rights Association endorsed Council members Bob Blumenfield and Monica Rodriguez's new ordinance addressing fire safety. The Ordinance titled; “Building a Safer Los Angeles” aims at curbing urban and suburban housing fires in the City. The organization dedicates itself to advocating for the rights and civil liberties of Los Angeles citizens, particularly those in marginalized communities.

“We need more leaders like Council members Blumenfield and Rodriguez—those are leaders that are tackling the issues impacting LA residents head on,” says Reverend Eddie Jones, President of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Association. “The ordinance they introduced is a critical step in curbing our growing wildfire problem and ensuring people are safe in their homes, their offices, and their places of worship.”

The Los Angeles Civil Rights Association is also a member of Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, which consists of community organizations, fire safety professionals, engineers, architects, and industry experts committed to strengthening the nation's building codes and ensuring greater access to secure housing.

The ordinance would expand Fire District 1 and eliminate the use of combustible materials in new construction. The motion notes “it is time to revisit this tool and expand its reach to ensure that it captures the changing and growing regional centers and neighborhoods within the City of Los Angeles.”

The ordinance is in direct response to the surge in housing fires in Los Angeles. The trend was highlighted in a recent study by Urvashi Kaul, Consultant and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. According to the study, L.A. could lose upwards of $22.6 billion to residential fires in the next fifteen years if building codes aren't addressed.

Reverend Jones, a staple in the Los Angeles community, underscores the importance of immediate action. “We cannot afford to wait any longer. The people of L.A. can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their safety is being made a priority.”

New Unique Patterns Represent Colorful Design Personalities

TEMPLE, TX – Inspired by the broad spectrum of colors created when white light diverges through a prism, Wilsonart's latest Virtual Design Library (VDL) release, Color Me Intrigued, celebrates life's subtle and wide-ranging differences. The Collection's colorful personalities contribute to a beautiful tapestry that is both diverse yet unified.

“Just as colorful expressions such as 'tickled pink' or 'green with envy' describe our dispositions, Color Me Intrigued piques our curiosity and provokes an emotional response with bold-minded patterns and colors that run the range of warm, cool, bright and subdued,” noted Natalia Smith, Design Manager at Wilsonart.

The Collection's saturated hues set a definitive mood, while delicately faceted geometric shapes and fresh woodgrains poetically unify into an eclectic genre. Color Me Intrigued offers diverse and versatile patterns that may read serious and sophisticated, funky and playful, or simply chic depending on the prevailing style of furnishings and accessories.

New introductions Fruit Punch, Waterspout, Blue Yonder, Grape Jelly, Green Tourmaline and Iolite, join existing patterns Quince, Kale Leaf, Blue Curacao and Radiant Brass as bold, exotic hues that derive depth from the graphic Crossweave pattern. Emerald Jewel, Amethyst Jewel and Sapphire Jewel offer mysteriously faceted smoky tones with geometric complexity. Washington Slab, Seasoned Maple and Sunken Oak join existing pattern Cocoa Marquetry, to add sophistication and variety to Wilsonart's expansive collection of woodgrains.

The International Pool and Spa Expo is a great venue for launching new products, meeting with existing customers and prospective customers. At this year's show we introduced a wide range of new products, including some industry firsts.

New for 2020 are several new controls, new sauna rooms, a new larger size combination InfraSauna room new accessories.

The most exciting new product/new technology released at IPSE is the SaunaLogic2, North America's first sauna control with global mobile capability. For the first time ever, a sauna user can turn his/her sauna on from anywhere in the world where cell service or Wi-Fi is available. Sleek design, about the size of an iPhone, the control is feature rich giving sauna users flexibility to control their sauna easily, from anywhere. There will be posted shortly a separate blog on the SaunaLogic2.

Building on the strong interest from customers on InfraSauna combination rooms, an exclusive Finnleo product. Due to overwhelmingly positive response to the IS44 2-person InfraSauna, combination room, we introduced a new, larger size 5-person model, the IS565. The IS rooms are exclusive to Finnleo and are matched with the newly released SaunaLogic2 and provides the “best of both worlds” of Infrared and Traditional Sauna. There has been immediate demand for the new IS565, with the unit being sold out through year-end, with new orders to be filled in January.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of our parent company, TyloHelo World Group, a luxurious new Designer Series Sauna, the Centurion, was released at IPSE. The Centurion combines rich and historic Finnish sauna design elements with new heater and control technology. Finnleo's exclusive black Taika sauna paneling on the walls, combined with nicely contrasting light colored clear vertical grain Canadian Hemlock benches and backrests and integral backrest lighting, the sauna provides a highly relaxing environment. A wall-to-wall middle platform bench wraps around a Himalaya rock-tower heater and is matched with Finnleo's new Elite touchscreen control.

PINE GROVE, PA – Solar Innovations® Architectural Glazing Systems has taken the guess work out of natural lighting by integrating polycarbonate panels with Lumira Aerogel technology. Though the aerogel matter inside the panel appears as solid crystals, the material is actually an extremely light dry silicone compound that provides extreme insulating, acoustical, and light diffusing capabilities. These filled polycarbonate panels can be integrated into nearly every product Solar Innovations has to offer, including windows, doors, curtain walls, skylights, sunrooms, pool enclosures, and more.

The natural lighting benefits of Lumira-integrated products have benefits far beyond their appearance. Workplaces with natural lighting experience up to a 16% increase in productivity, while classrooms that provide substantial natural light help with concentration and can be attributed to as much as a 20% increase in test scores. Additionally, businesses whose daytime lighting comes mostly from skylights often experience a 25-40% increase in sales, while simultaneously lowering energy costs with diffused light and thermal regulation.

Decision to construct tall timber structure comes after Essex County (NJ), which governs City of Newark, endorsed statewide legislation that prohibits such construction

Silver Spring, MD – On Monday, Lotus Equity Group, a New York developer, announced plans to build a 500,000 square foot building in Newark, New Jersey, to be constructed primarily out of combustible building materials.

The 11-story mixed-use building will feature 2,000 residential units, and would require a special permit to construct due to New Jersey's existing building codes. Newark's existing building code restricts heavy timber construction to 6-stories.

The announcement comes just three months after the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the governing body for the City of Newark, unanimously adopted a resolution supporting statewide legislation that would amend New Jersey's construction code for fire safety reasons, and provide an added level of protection for firefighters and residents alike.

“Building and fire codes exist for a reason,” said Kevin Lawlor, spokesperson for Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association comprised of fire service professionals, engineers, architects, industry experts and community experts. “Combustible building materials are a safety hazard for residents, firefighters, and properties, and developers need to be conscious of the impact they have on the communities they serve.”

The resolution adopted in Essex County was mirrored by local lawmakers in Camden County, Mercer County and the Middlesex County Boards of Freeholders, all of which voted unanimously to adopt similar resolutions to strengthen New Jersey's building codes.

The legislation calls for the installation of an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, measuring the number of stories from the grade plane, using noncombustible materials for construction, and installing a fire barrier with a fire resistance rating of at least two hours that extends from the foundation to the roof.

The push for stronger codes comes after devastating fires in the state in buildings constructed with combustible materials over the past couple years – namely in Princeton, Maplewood and Edgewater. There have been dozens of fires of a similar nature throughout the country over the last several few years.

A September 2016 poll of 400 registered voters in New Jersey found respondents very supportive of the state making changes to building codes following the devastating Edgewater apartment complex fire in January 2015.

Bossier City, La. — By specifying a variety of exposed fastener profiles from McElroy Metal on the Lewiston (Pa.) Community Health Center medical office building project, the design team was able to achieve the desired aesthetic and still construct a facility for the non-profit real estate development company with durability and budget constraints in mind.

The Lewison facility, established by Keystone Healthcare Development Corporation, is home to two primary tenants: Primary Health Network and Geisinger Lewiston Hospital. Keystone Healthcare Development is a non-profit developer created to provide expertise and capital to support the growth of health centers.

“After exploring several options for the exterior cladding for this building that did not meet the construction budget, the design team selected the exposed fastener metal panels as a cost-effective solution that still provided a striking appearance,” says David Nitchkey, principal at CORE Architects in Pittsburgh. “The exposed fastener metal panels were selected for their aesthetic appeal, durability, low maintenance and economical value. The challenge was to create a building design that would be a signature statement for the client and provide striking visibility from the highway, through the use of color and materials, while also providing an economical and functional solution. While the building is a simple rectangular box in its overall form, the architecture aesthetic relies on the metal skin to provide scale, texture and visual interest. The three different metal panel profiles were selected to provide relief to the otherwise flat building façades. The four-color scheme creates visual interest and further defines the composition of the elements that create the architectural order of the building façades.”

Hudson Construction of Hermitage, Pa., installed the metal panels from McElroy Metal, including vertical U-Panels (4,700 square feet) in Patina Green, horizontal Mega-Rib (9,750 square feet) in Copper Penny and Surrey Beige, vertical Multi-Cor (9,000 square feet) in Medium Bronze, flush soffit panels (400 square feet) and flat sheet for fabrication (13,000 square feet). All colors are Fluropon® PVDF coatings from Sherwin-Williams.

“We've installed these exposed metal fastener panels on several jobs recently and we've had no issues or challenges,” says Keith Brown, project manager/estimator for Hudson Construction. “We're happy with the final product and I think everyone else is as well.”

Metal makes for the unique look of the Lewiston Community Health Center medical office building.

“The various metal panel profiles and depths allowed for the exterior skin to be a textured graphic expression, that responds to the direction of the sunlight, creating movement through shade and shadow resulting in dynamic and everchanging building façades,” Nitchkey says.

Nitchkey has experience working with McElroy Metal products, including three smaller projects and his own residence! “I'm very familiar of the high quality of the materials and with the design of the details,” he says. I once again worked very closely with Jon Farrer, sales manager at Brock Associates, and detailer Jeff Raymond, throughout the process to achieve an overall striking architectural design. We have worked together as a team to complete the designs for five additional projects, all utilizing McElroy Metal exposed fastener panels.”

Additional, dynamic profiles expand exterior design possibilities

Moon Township, PA…CENTRIA®, leading innovator and manufacturer of the world's most advanced building envelope wall and roof panels, integrated components and coating systems, is proud to introduce TotalClad™ MW fire-resistant insulated metal wall panels. Building upon its current offering, Micro Planked, the panels are now available in Striated and Heavy Embossed options.

TotalClad MW fire-resistant insulated metal wall panels reimagine fire protection by offering a single component metal panel solution for both interior and exterior applications.

TotalClad MW fire-resistant insulated metal panels feature a non-combustible mineral wool core that provides superior fire performance as well as good thermal characteristics. The mineral wool core is bonded to exterior and interior metal skins and achieves 1-hour, 2-hour, and 3-hour fire ratings with 4”, 6”, 7”, and 8” thick panels, respectively.

“CENTRIA is dedicated to innovation and enabling design teams to achieve their vision while ensuring a safer, healthier built environment,” says Tom Zombek, Project Manager. “By expanding upon our current exterior profile selection, we are better meeting the needs of our customers and satisfying their aesthetic goals – plus helping protect buildings for all occupants and users.”

TotalClad MW is ideal for commercial and industrial applications, arenas, and manufacturing facilities — all equally well-suited to interior and exterior applications. It is able to adhere to the most stringent fire performance building codes and provides a vapor barrier thanks to its noncombustible mineral wool core. The panels are also dimensionally stable, water repellent, and will not expand, thereby maintaining structural integrity and aesthetics.

October 30, 2019

DUBLIN, Ireland ... Power management company Eaton (NYSE:ETN) today announced that Rick Fearon, vice chairman and chief financial and planning officer, will participate in the Baird Global Industrial Conference in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. Fearon will be making comments at 4 p.m. Central time, discussing the company's business prospects with securities analysts and institutional investors.

A real-time audio webcast of the presentation will be available at www.eaton.com. An audio replay will be available following the presentation at the same link.

Eaton is a power management company with 2018 sales of $21.6 billion. We provide energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. Eaton has approximately 100,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries.

Contacts:
Cara Klaer, Media Relations, +1 (248) 864-9875
Yan Jin, Investor Relations, +1 (440) 523-7558

Picture you and three friends escaping the cold this winter to enjoy a bit of paradise! Simply take Infratech's video training (Click on the red "Read More" button).

The Sales Course consists of 6 separate videos. The course has been designed to be easy to complete while reinforcing the principles taught.

How to take the video training course; Selling, Promoting and Specifying Infratech Heaters
1. Log in to the course by clicking on the red "Read More" button below
2. Go to “Sign UP” in the upper right-hand corner of
3. Enter all fields with asterisks. Click on download the course and begin
4. Be sure to write down the “Test Password” displayed on your screen half-way through the course.

*The location can be determined by the winner. The prize will be sourced through AMPRO Vacations offering luxury accommodations at almost 2,000 destinations worldwide.

Niagara Conservation- Meet with us to Win! November 20, 21, 2019Greenbuild 2019Booth #29

Schedule an appointment in our booth on November 20th or 21st to explore our sustainable products and you will be entered to win a Yeti Cooler. Click on the red "Read More" button for more details.

Several hospitalized following massive rescue efforts by firefighters and even the United States Marines

Silver Spring, MD – In Southeast DC, a devastating three-alarm fire ravaged a senior affordable housing complex on Wednesday, leaving residents of the 161 occupied units displaced and at least four injured. The massive plumes of smoke could be seen throughout the district and have lingered long enough to produce school closings due to air quality. This is reportedly the wooden building's third major fire in the past ten years.

“They had to call in the Marines, that is how bad this has gotten, yet in city councils and state houses throughout the United States those who make money off of the promotion of combustible wooden structures are telling lawmakers that their products are perfectly safe,” said Kevin Lawlor, a spokesperson for Build With Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association comprised of fire safety professionals, engineers, architects, community groups and industry experts committed to strengthening the nation's building codes. “In our nation's capital, where our laws are made, let's hope that images of Marines, first responders, and good Samaritans rushing to save senior citizens from the very structure that was built to protect them is a catalyst for strengthening our building codes to prohibit the use of combustible materials.”

The entire complex consisted of affordable housing, with many of the seniors disabled and unable to flee on their own. Marines were seen carrying paralyzed residents out of the building, and the fire department released a video showing a firefighter carrying a resident down a ladder leaning against the side of the apartment building. Video from the scene showed people rushing toward the building with wheelchairs to rescue residents inside. Local schools and businesses have closed following the fire.

Compounding the danger was a brick façade, masking the weak wooden structural make-up of the building. “A passerby, reporter, first responder, or even a tenant wouldn't know that the structure and frame of the building was actually something more akin to firewood than brick until, as it did in this situation, a spark becomes a devasting fire that endangers the lives of an at-risk population, puts people on the street, and diverts the fire, police and medical resources of an entire city toward an entirely preventable event,” continued Lawlor.

This blaze comes on the heels of a disturbing trend of fires in the Washington, DC area. Just earlier this week, Prince George's County, Maryland saw a devastating three-alarm fire that led to 132 displaced people and $2.2 million worth of damages. On a single day this May, two fires struck Prince George's County and Fairfax County, Virginia, with the latter also striking a senior housing development.

Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), has launched a campaign to educate citizens, local and state officials, and industry experts about the inherent dangers of wood-framed construction, particularly in multi-story, residential and commercial buildings. As a grassroots organization, they work with local elected officials and industry workers, from architects to project managers to advocate for the safety benefits of working with concrete-based construction.