Sandy Springs, GA – Earlier today, the Georgia State Senate joined their House colleagues in passing legislation – HB 876 – that prevents cities and towns throughout the state from enacting local measures to strengthen their building codes in part, because of fire and safety concerns, and it rescinds local measures that restrict the use of combustible materials already in place. Dunwoody updated their code in December 2014, and Sandy Springs followed suit in August 2016.

In response, 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 providing access to secure housing, issued the following statement:

“Georgia state legislators made it clear today with the passage of HB 876 that they are willing to endanger the safety and security of their neighbors and communities for the sake of special interests. Their recklessness in pursuing this misguided legislation will undoubtedly leave Georgia residents painfully vulnerable.

“While today's results are certainly disappointing, Governor Nathan Deal now has the opportunity to veto this unconstitutional measure and keep his constituents safe. The fact is, this vote completely disregards the advice and recommendations of the local firefighters, whose jobs and welfare depend on safely and effectively combatting these fires.

“Local lawmakers throughout the state must have the authority to strengthen their communities as they see fit to demand stronger and safer buildings. Governor Deal now has the opportunity to show whether he too stands with the special interests or with the people.”

At a press conference in early March, Sandy Springs Fire Chief Keith Sanders provided a burn demonstration to highlight the differences in fire safety between building materials – specifically wood and concrete.

According to polling conducted in September 2016, Georgia voters are highly supportive of Sandy Springs' ordinance (96% support), and were in favor of their own city passing similar regulations by overwhelming margins (94% support). The poll of 400 registered voters living in Georgia was commissioned by Build with Strength.

By Paul Collyer, Vice President of Business Development, Metl-Span

LEWISVILLE, Texas – When looking at evaluating different construction materials, particularly those that will have to withstand extreme temperature changes, it's important to understand how they will react to the environment.

An important aspect of using metal in construction is understanding the concepts of expansion and contraction. As metal heats up, it expands; as it cools, it contracts. Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are unique in how they respond to temperature changes because they are composites (steel facings with an insulating foam core). As IMPs typically serve as the entire wall or roof cladding system, whenever there is a difference in temperature between the interior and exterior faces of the panels they are subjected to thermal stress. The flexible nature of the foam core allows this to occur without damaging the panel, and results in a slight bending of the panel towards the warmer side, known as thermal bowing.

It is important to remember that this slight bow is not visually apparent when the product is installed due to the restraining action of the concealed clips and fasteners in the panel sidejoints.

The color selected for the exterior side of the panels, particularly in warm, sunny climates, has a measurable effect on thermal bow. Generally speaking, darker colors absorb more heat energy which exacerbates thermal bowing versus lighter colors. Knowing the exterior panel color, temperature of the interior of the building (based on end use), panel type, structural support framing and design loads allows IMP engineers to perform calculations to determine if the amount of thermal bow is within acceptable limits. These same factors are used to determine allowable panel spans (distance between structural framing required for panel support and attachment).

Although thermal bow is usually not a limiting factor for most commercial and industrial IMP applications, it is a very important consideration for cold storage facilities (coolers and freezers) due to the large difference in temperatures between the interior and exterior panel faces. To reduce unnecessary heat gain on the exterior side along with the amount of thermal bow, cold storage facilities generally use white or light-colored panels.

Proper steel alignment is also critical to panel performance under thermal bow conditions. Panel supports must be inline or outboard of the theoretical wall plane (straight line between the eave strut and the base support at the bottom of the wall). Supports must not be inboard of this plane, as it can create excessive stress in the exterior panel face causing permanent deformation. Proper steel alignment (tolerances) can be found in the IMP manufacturers' installation guides and product specifications.

Thermal bow can also be a factor to consider during panel installation. The top panel in the panel bundles are exposed to sunlight which can cause a slight lengthwise curvature. To remedy this, the panel should be flipped along its edge exposing the cool side to sunlight. This equalizes the temperature on both faces allowing it to flatten, making panel engagement during installation much easier.

By discussing the project's location, performance and aesthetic requirements, building structure and end use with your IMP representative, they can provide recommendations on proper panel selection and design that eliminates concerns with thermal bow.

Blaze occurs while state of Georgia considers bill to restrict local autonomy on stronger building codes

Silver Spring, MD – Earlier today, several residents at a 3-story, wood-framed apartment complex in Tucker, Georgia, were forced to jump from their windows, after a fire broke out just after midnight. A 13-year-old girl, who jumped, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to FOX 5 Atlanta, officials said 12 units were destroyed, as several floors pancaked on top of one another, collapsing under the weight of water and fire damage.

The fire comes at a time as several cities throughout Georgia, including Tucker, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and others, have adopted measures to strengthen their local building codes, but are now facing a challenge from state lawmakers.

Earlier this year, the Georgia House of Representatives and State Senate sent House Bill 876 to Governor Nathan Deal's desk, which would not only rescind the previously passed ordinances, but would prevent other communities from adopting stronger codes that call for limiting the use of combustible materials in certain building elements with the aim of providing increased quality, sustainability, durability and longevity.

“Combustible building materials have no place in larger, multi-residential apartment complexes,” 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. “If a fire breaks out in a single unit, the entire structure – and the homes and well-being of countless other residents – is immediately put at risk. The fact that Georgia is actively working to prevent local cities and towns throughout the state from taking strides to prevent such tragedy from befalling their communities is shameful.”

In early March, Build with Strength, stood alongside local leaders – including State Senator John Albers (R-56), Sandy Springs' Mayor Rusty Paul and Fire Chief Keith Sanders, and P.E. Steve Skalko of Macon – in a press conference, during which the group spoke out in opposition to HB 876.

The desire to strengthen local building codes is popular throughout the state. According to polling conducted in September 2016, Georgia voters are highly supportive of Sandy Springs' ordinance (96% support), and were in favor of their own city passing similar regulations by overwhelming margins (94% support). The poll of 400 registered voters living in Georgia was commissioned by Build with Strength.

“The decision by Georgia's state lawmakers to move forward with HB 876 was incredibly shortsighted,” continued Lawlor. “It's one thing to establish a minimum requirement for building codes; it's something completely different to dictate terms on what should be a local decision, in which communities looking to go above and beyond to construct more resilient buildings are allowed to do so. We're hopeful Governor Deal takes steps to protect his constituents and vetoes this ill-fated bill.”

Phase I of inviting mixed-use community achieves contemporary effect

Moon Township, PA - Along the Polaris Highway in Columbus, OH, sits the Pointe at Polaris — a vibrant, modern, mixed-use community. It features inviting green spaces, entertainment, shopping, and places to live, all in a 20-acre tract of land. CENTRIA panels were used across the structure as part of Phase I of the project. This was comprised of a three-story, 106,000 square-foot office/retail/restaurant building' a four-story, 569 space parking garage, and a four-story, 216 unit apartment building, all of which opened in 2018. Phase II, not yet complete, will include another office building, a parking garage, an equivalent apartment building, and a hotel.

“We specified the metal panels for use on the exterior of our buildings to give them a modern feel, and we chose CENTRIA because the panels were quick to install and presented the clean look we desired,” says Tom Linzell, Senior Project Manager, M+A architects, the firm responsible for the design.

This highly collaborative project – a must due to its size and scope – featured CENTRIA products. Two different hues of the Intercept™ Entyre series were selected and specified – 15,000 square feet in total – in addition to CENTRIA MR3-36 Screen in one color for the building’s exterior.

“The overall structure was intended to have a contemporary look, which harkens back to mid-century modern design,” says Linzell. “The panels we chose match this aesthetic, and the wide range of colors was also highly appealing to our design team.”

Intercept is a modular metal wall panel system that allows for design versatility by incorporating different substrates, depths, slopes, curves and perforations into an easy-to-install rainscreen. The lightweight, back-ventilated system combines aesthetics with function, directing water away from your structure, without using sealants of any kind.

The system's modular design lends itself to installation in either vertical or horizontal applications. Intercept panels are available in the standard coil-coated aluminum substrate, as well as post-anodized aluminum, zinc, and other natural metals. Phase I of Pointe at Polaris was completed in early 2019. M+A architects were responsible for design services, and the CENTRIA dealer was Hemm's Glass Shops, Inc.

Dorchester's second severe fire since 2017

Silver Spring, MD — A two-alarm fire roared through a multi-family home in Dorchester on Tuesday afternoon, as firefighters arrived to heavy flames throughout the structure. The fire caused an estimated $250,000 worth of damage, and there are no known injuries. The building, located on Saco Street near Neponset Avenue, was a three-story wood-framed building, and three residents have been displaced.

This is Dorchester’s second devastating fire in the past year, both fueled by combustible, woodframed construction. In the past few years, there have been numerous fires across the country in buildings using combustible materials, including in Denver, CO' Los Angeles, CA' Princeton, NJ' Tucker, GA' Lowell, MA' St. Petersburg, FL' Arlington, VA' and dozens of other locations coast to coast.

“In Boston and throughout the nation, families are losing their homes – or worse – to preventable fires in combustible buildings,” 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. “When prevention is so simple, there is no longer an excuse for inaction. Strong, resilient building materials are the safest and smartest way to keep our families safe from these preventable fires.”

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.

Silver Spring, MD – Yesterday afternoon, more than 100 firefighters were called to the scene of a massive inferno at a wood-framed apartment complex in Pico Rivera near Los Angeles. Three people, including a firefighter, were injured in the blaze that affected 141 units, displacing 300 residents. Hundreds of people are now homeless and will rely on the city for support.

Firefighters arrived two minutes after the 3-alarm fire was reported shortly after 3:30 p.m. But by 4 p.m., firefighters were forced to move off the structure and change strategy after the building suffered “structural collapse,” according to county fire Chief Daryl Osby. The Fire Department went on to add that by 5 p.m., firefighters exited the building and were in defensive mode, as the fire had jumped to several nearby buildings, creating more damage.

The blaze near Los Angeles comes at a time when a number of wood-frame, multi-family residential structures have been the site of intense fires, fueled by the combustible materials in the buildings in question – most notably in Princeton, NJ; East Boston, MA; Lakewood, NJ; Weymouth, MA; Haverhill, MA; Waltham, MA; Charlotte, NC; Warner Robins, GA; Midvale, UT; Oakland, CA; Dorchester, MA; Lawrence, MA; East Hollywood, CA; Lowell, MA; Waterbury, CT, Emeryville, CA; St. Petersburg, FL; Arlington, VA; College Park, MD; Overland Park, KS; Raleigh, NC; and Maplewood, NJ. There have been dozens over the last few years.

In order to address the vulnerabilities that exist in combustible structures, Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association consisting of community organizations, fire service professionals, architects, engineers and industry experts, has stepped up efforts to mitigate the dangers of fire for communities across the country. In reviewing current building and fire safety codes, the coalition is working to identify areas in need of improvement, particularly in updating building codes by including the use of non-combustible materials to minimize the risk of fires.

“Local lawmakers need to address the risks associated with building with combustible materials before more people get hurt,” said Kevin Lawlor, spokesperson for Build with Strength. “No family should lose their home or worse in a fire, especially when the means to prevent such tragedies are reasonable. Requiring strong, resilient materials in mid-rise housing should be a no-brainer.”

Bennettsville, S.C. – Marley Engineered Products, a leader in high-performance, reliable heating and ventilation equipment, introduces the out-of-sight, out-of-mind UL listed In-Floor Perimeter Convector – THX Series heater, which delivers comfort, aesthetics and safety for the ultimate supplemental heat system for both new and existing buildings.

Offered by QMark and Berko brands, the THX Series directly addresses the building's need for supplemental heat against the curtain walls and glazing, while fully integrating with the architects' designed interior spaces. The unit drops directly into the floor, leaving only the grille visible, for unobstructed sightlines and more design space with which to work.

While THX can be installed in a small area for minimal disruption, it also features the highest output/cu.ft. of any pure convection, in-floor electric heater on the market today (as of Jan. 20). With a comparable range of outputs as Marley's above-ground convectors, THX comes with the added benefits of being virtually hidden.

“The Marley THX Series provides supplemental heat that's out-of-sight and out-of-mind due to its zero vertical profile,” said Andrew Martin, Product Manager for Marley Engineered Products. “In-ground heating takes up less space, and THX units are the most compact in-ground comfort solution in their class (Electric, In-Floor Natural Convection Heaters), while still providing maximum heating performance.”

Keeping interior aesthetics intact, THX also helps open rooms up to natural light and outdoor scenery as it keeps windowed surfaces free from fog and moisture. The units ward off condensation by warming the interior side of curtain walls and floor-to-ceiling glazing.

The benefits of the THX Series go beyond clarity. THX units create an effective draft barrier that protects a building's curtain walls, preventing the primary HVAC system from becoming overtaxed, and avoiding inefficiency and higher utility costs. The convection draft barrier improves overall HVAC performance with no fumes or exhaust for an environmentally-friendly heat solution.

THX units have been designed with durability in mind and include features focused on water and debris management - UL approved, sealed junction boxes and debris catch screens to name a few. “These product innovations, and more, are incorporated for THX to withstand busy foot traffic, cleaning, water and debris,” says Martin. “Whether units are installed in the floor, on the wall or on the ceiling, there should be an inherent piece of mind knowing you have chosen a quality, durable product, and the THX is no different.”

THX saves time, effort and money with modularized units that can be configured by one service professional for easy field connection, control and installation. Additionally, each and every unit is factory wired and preassembled for out-of-the-box readiness, drop-in installation, and easy access for cleaning and maintenance.

The frame, leveling legs and grille options are standard for all THX units, allowing for the choice of mount that best fits the install site. Options include flush or surface grilles, and three UL listed mounting styles, making it a highly versatile installation.

“The Marley THX Series is the ultimate in-floor convector for nearly any space where maximum comfort and aesthetic appeal is desired,” added Martin. “THX provides safe and comfortable heat to occupants, and is efficient and economical for building professionals and owners.”

The Marley In-Floor Convector – THX Series is available in multiple volt, wattage, and control configurations, with modular lengths beginning at 2ft.

Silver Spring, MD – Firefighters in Lawrence, Kansas, have been battling a wood-framed hotel fire since Monday afternoon. The fire at an America's Best Value Inn at the intersection of Sixth and Iowa has forced evacuations, caused injuries, required a multi-department response, threatened nearby buildings and required firefighters to work around the clock in frigid temperatures that have led to equipment failures.

“It doesn't take much to burn a wooden structure to the ground even when its surrounded by ice and snow,” said Kevin Lawlor, a 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 organizations. “Combustible materials put occupants of multi-unit structures, staff and first responders at risk in every community, every environment and in every season.”

Despite the over reliance on combustible materials such as the ones that failed in this particular disaster, a number of hotels in recent years have been constructed with an innovative concrete construction product – Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). ICFs “are a type of permanent concrete formwork that creates the external wall envelope of a building.” Typically, it is standard reinforced concrete sandwiched between two faces of low absorptive, foam plastic insulating material. According to ICF Magazine, “dozens and dozens of hotels have been built with ICFs in the past 10 years, using virtually every major brand of form. These include the flagship properties of the nation's leading hospitality companies, including Marriott, Hilton, Best Western, Holiday Inn, Drury Inn, Super 8, and Motel 6.” In fact, Drury Inn, a Missouri based hotel chain, constructs the majority of their properties with ICFs.

“Non-combustible building materials like concrete are easy to work with and won't break the bank,” continued Lawlor. “At the end of the day, guest safety should be the number one priority, and as it stands, combustible building materials simply are an excessive risk.

Additionally, Vectorworks Architect was a runner-up in the Architectural Design Product of the Year category

Columbia, MD (December 5, 2019)—The Construction Computing Awards results are in and global design and BIM software provider, Vectorworks, Inc. is the winner of the 2019 Editor’s Choice Award selected by Construction Computing Magazine Editor David Chadwick. Additionally, Vectorworks Architect 2020 was a runner-up in the Architectural Design Product of the Year category.

The fourteenth annual Construction Computing Awards, also known as “The Hammers,” took place on November 14 at The Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden. Over 220 guests gathered to see the outcome of the readers’ online voting and judging panel’s deliberations.

“Having attended the awards for a number of years, Vectorworks UK was delighted to receive the coveted Editor’s Choice Award,” said Adrian Slatter, Vectorworks UK director of sales. “David was very gracious in his introduction of the award, explaining how the growth of Vectorworks and its transformation in the UK was very impressive. That coupled with the innovations in Vectorworks 2020, particularly the incorporation of enhanced GIS integration, made the decision for him. We are so pleased to see the efforts of our company recognized.”

With over 25 categories, the awards are structured to showcase and reward the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes.

“Moving from one design solution to another is a major step for any company in difficult times with Brexit, environmental concerns and other issues to deal with; Vectorworks is to credit for having the capability to move from one design solution to another,” said Chadwick. “The recent steps they have taken, such as becoming more directly involved in the UK market to support their users, releasing enhanced versions of their software which major heavily in information management and now adding GIS integration to its comprehensive range of design solutions, has resulted in a significant increase in their market share. There were a dozen contestants in individual applications, hardware and other recent additions to the market, but Vectorworks was an obvious choice this year.”

Winners will appear in the November/December '19 issue of CAD User and Construction Computing magazine. The full list of winners and runners-up can be viewed below.

Los Angeles, CA – Build With Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association consisting of civic organizations, fire service professionals, architects, engineers and industry experts committed to enacting safer and more sustainable building standards, is pleased to welcome The Soldiers Project as the newest member of the coalition. The California nonprofit, which provides psychological services for military service members and educates the public about the subject, joins a growing alliance in Los Angeles working to improve building and fire safety standards and push for safe housing in the community.

“America's bravest men and women risked their lives to protect all of us, and many return home carrying the psychological burden of war,” said Michael McDowell, Executive Director of The Soldiers Project. “At the simplest level, our veterans deserve safe and strong housing upon their return. The Soldiers Project is proud to partner with Build with Strength to fight for resilient and affordable housing for veterans everywhere.”

Amid a national wave of devastating residential fires, including several in California, Build With Strength is working to ensure the safety of new buildings, especially those housing vulnerable communities. The coalition fights for stronger building codes that support the use of non-combustible materials to minimize the risk of fire.

“Our partnership with The Soldiers Project is a testament to the support every veteran in America deserves. Many of our brave heroes return home needing safe and affordable housing, and by advocating for stronger building codes, we are fighting for our veterans and their ability to recover in a safe, reliable home,” said Kevin Lawlor, a spokesperson for Build With Strength. “Nationwide, we have seen a weakening of building codes, and Build with Strength is committed to advocating for the safety of neighborhoods our veterans call home.”

Build With Strength works with communities, lawmakers, and industry employees to advocate for safer, sustainable building materials. Strengthening local and national building codes is among the organization’s top priorities.

Strong lines, mixed materials, and an agrarian concept define the hotel

Moon Township, PA - The Archer Hotel is a boutique establishment located in Napa, CA. Situated at a bustling and lively downtown intersection, the hotel covers 136,000 square feet with 183 guest rooms. It features a 15,000 square-foot deck with an outdoor bar and dining options, a spa, and private outdoor patios.

“The Archer Hotel embodies the essence of Napa – its vineyards,” says Roger Brown, Senior Vice President and Director of Design, LK Architecture, the firm responsible for the design. “The strong vertical and horizontal lines represent the posts supporting the vines and the breaks and furrows of the vineyards. This rhythm, repetition and geometry relates back to the place itself.”

The clean lines and contemporary look of CENTRIA Concept Series panels bring a sense of urban modernity to the building’s main tower, achieving the goal of blending the old world with the new.

Approximately 16,000 square feet of Concept Series in Silversmith with a smooth finish and Sundance Mica coating were used, enabling the building to stand out as a destination in the popular tourist area.

“CENTRIA panels cover the building's corner tower and were selected to give it a distinctly urban feel,” says Brown. “We used different tones of grey to add variation and a subtle shimmer.”

Concept Series single-skin rainscreen panels feature concealed fasteners and a common-lock joint that allows the panels to be integrated with each other. The panels are primed for easy installation, with stand-off clips that provide a ventilation cavity and drain plane behind the panel. These panel clips also allow for thermal and seismic movements.

“The panels are a quality product and are easy to work with,” says Brown. “We also appreciated the fact that CENTRIA was able to achieve the shades of grey we desired.”

The Archer Hotel was completed in August 2017. LK Architecture provided design services, the general contractor was SD Deacon, and the CENTRIA dealer was Blackwood Associates. The panels were installed by TriCore Panels, Inc.

Improved product; same great price

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. – To Excel Dryer, leading is nothing new. After all, their signature product, the XLERATOR® Hand Dryer, created the high-speed, energy-efficient product category, and set a new standard for performance, reliability and customer satisfaction. Excel Dryer has again set a new industry standard, this time, by offering an improved product with 50% longer life and an industry-leading 7-year warranty, without increasing the list price.

Effective December 1, 2019, all XLERATOR® and XLERATOReco® Hand Dryers are warrantied for seven years; this covers all parts, and most importantly, the motor. Many other hand dryers on the market offer a lesser, more restrictive warranty, typically 1–5 years. William Gagnon, vice president of marketing and sales at Excel Dryer recommends buyers thoroughly review the warranty of any dryer they are considering purchasing.

He cautions, “Though some manufacturers offer longer warranties, a review of the fine print shows that motors are typically only covered for three years and sensors are only covered for one. Both of these parts are crucial to hand dryer functionality and are covered for a full seven years by Excel Dryer.”

Recently, other well-known hand dryer manufacturers increased the list price of their products, without making any substantive improvements to product or warranties. Excel Dryer's price list, on the other hand, is remaining the same despite the manufacturer's notable product improvement and extended warranty.

With XLERATOR's extended product life and unrivaled warranty, the best just got better. “We pride ourselves on manufacturing a dependable product our customers can rely on,” expressed Gagnon. “We are always looking for ways to improve our products and deliver more value to our customers. And with our latest product improvement, we've done just that.”

Safety Concerns, Revenue Losses Cited in Case-Based Analysis

Silver Spring, Maryland—A study released by Urvashi Kaul, Consultant and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University, seeks to address the issue of wood-framed residential fires, particularly multifamily wood-framed structures. The study, which examines two recent California apartment fires, focuses primarily on the economic impact wood-framed building fires have on communities and local governments.

The two fires cited in the study represent a range of financial loss and were selected to reflect the various costs to society of wood-framed residential fires. The first, a 2011, three-alarm fire at the Renaissance City Center in Carson, destroyed five buildings, damaged six more, and displaced senior citizens in adjacent buildings. The Carson fire was considered a total loss.

The second fire, a 2014 blaze at the 1.3 million square foot Da Vinci apartment complex in Los Angeles, required 250 firefighters to extinguish and shut down the northbound 101 for several hours. At least four surrounding buildings were damaged by the fire, including some owned or leased by the City Government.

“Los Angeles could lose $22.6 billion in wood-framed residential fire losses over the next fifteen years,” Professor Kaul estimates. While property damage accounts for roughly $20.5 billion of this figure, potential city expenditures could amount to $132.5 million, with $70.1 million going to police, fire, and sanitation departments, and another $62.4 million of indirect costs, such as remediation, insurance, and planning.

“If we view construction projects as community investments then we should prioritize safety and longevity in the selection of materials,” says David Kersh, Executive Director of the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee. David Kersh is a member of 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.

“Housing is the cornerstone of any community,” says Mr. Kersh. “Our personal and professional lives are built around where we choose to live. Strong and resilient housing will always foster strong and resilient communities.”

According to Kersh, Los Angeles and much of California has been recently experiencing unprecedented growth in residential, multi-unit construction. “The timeliness of this issue could not be more striking,” Kersh says. “We are building the future now, and we have to make sure we get it right. There's no room for error.”

Bossier City, La. — You can never have too much of a good thing, so McElroy Metal incorporated solar panels with the roof recover of a third manufacturing plant.

After completing successful solar panel installations with roof recovers at plants in Peachtree City, Ga., and Adelanto, Calif., McElroy Metal recently completed a third solar conversion with its plant in Clinton, Ill.

Inovateus Solar installed 1,116 Hanwha Q-Plus L-G42 350W panels on the facility in Clinton. The system is rated at 390.6 kW DC, has five inverters and is designed for an annual output of 829,289 kWh.

“We're very excited about the addition of solar panels to a third manufacturing facility in conjunction with the roof recover,” says Ken Gieseke, Vice President – Marketing at McElroy Metal. “Once we did the math, calculated the return on the investment, it simply made sense to install the solar panels. McElroy Metal remains dedicated to being an advocate for solar energy.”

The original R-panel metal roofing on the plant, constructed in the 1970s, was recovered by McElroy Metal's 238T symmetrical standing seam roofing. Solar panels were attached to the new roofing using S-5! clamps.

“McElroy Metal has been a respected and premier metal roof and component manufacturer for three generations,” says Rob Haddock, founder and CEO of S-5!. “Just like S-5!, they got there by setting the highest standards of quality and integrity for themselves and for their vendors. As both companies are leaders in the metal construction industry, we have had the privilege of working alongside McElroy in many venues, industry trade groups and supply relationships now spanning almost 40 years. Not only are they a valued S-5! customer and distribution partner, but close friends, industry advocates, allies and activists. Two premier brands, McElroy and S-5!, have both raised the bar in making metal roofs better, and together again, with the addition of solar power on their third S-5! solarized project. I am sure we both look forward to the next one.”

A variety of S-5! products were used in attaching the solar panels to the standing seam roofing, including 1,800 S-5-T clamps, specifically designed to fit profiles with a “T” shaped seam configuration, and 850 RibBracket II clamps, which are made for attaching to trapezoidal roof profiles.

In addition, 2,050 MidGrab clamps and 410 EdgeGrab clamps from the S-5! PVKIT 2.0 were also used. The PVKIT 2.0 is comprised of pre-assembled components to save time and money that require the use of only one tool for installation. All parts are made of non-corrosive aluminum and stainless steel and install with the module to reduce layout time.

McElroy's 238T symmetrical standing seam system does not have male and female seams, but is comprised of panels with matching left and right seams. The panels are joined with a mechanically seamed cap. The panels are non-directional and can be installed left to right, right to left or even center to right or left. In addition to installation benefits, symmetrical panels offer easy individual panel removal and replacement for easy plenum access. Panels can even be re-installed, requiring only the purchase and installation of a new cap.

The 238T metal roofing panels were roll formed on site, run directly on to the roof and installed by Prairieland Roofing of Arthur, Ill.