Building Codes

OR Adopts Code Change Allowing 18-Story Wood High-Rises

August 20, 2018

Oregon has become the first state to approve the use of science-based building code requirements for tall mass timber buildings under their statewide alternate method (SAM). The SAM program is unique to Oregon, allowing early technical consideration and approval on a statewide basis.

Senators Introduce Bi-partisan Building Energy Conservation Bill

August 13, 2018

On July 27, Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) reintroduced S. 3295, "All-of-the-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act."

Global Coalition to Focus on Building Fire Safety Standard

August 13, 2018

According to a recent article in Construction Specifier, more than 30 organizations from around the world have joined forces to develop landmark industry standards to address fire safety in buildings.

A Look at the Passive House Movement in New York

August 1, 2018

Passive house certainly appears to offer a model that ensures that new projects are doing more good than harm to our environment, which is encouraging.

 

Thermodynamics Simplified Heat Flows from Warm to Cold

August 1, 2018

Designing a resilient building envelope can seem intimidating, especially with all the building and energy code requirements. And while there is no getting around the complexity of the interactions between a building’s interior, its walls, and the surrounding environment, things make more sense when you take the time to look at the fundamental physics at work.

Does Your Teammate Sign and Seal Their Testing and Engineering Work?

July 30, 2018

The structural building component industry was founded on taking responsibility for its engineering work, demonstrated through sealed truss design drawings.

Confidence Through Sealed Engineering, No Seal=No Teammate

July 30, 2018

When building officials, or really anyone, reject an engineer’s seal instead of following the code compliance process for alternative materials, products, designs, building system designs and methods of construction, they exceed the authority given to them by the building code or professional engineering law.

APA Confirms Wide Range of OSB Design Values

July 26, 2018

An APA report entitled, A Review Of Large Scale Wood Structural Panel Bracing Tests, states there is a wide range of OSB shear resistance performance values given the wide variety of boundary conditions that exist in real buildings.

Benchmark Comparison & Boundary Condition Testing Are Important

July 26, 2018

APA states, and the SBC Research Institute (SBCRI) agrees, that test results can be affected by test apparatus and real world boundary conditions.

Competition Improves Everyone; APA Disagrees

July 26, 2018

Competition makes everyone in a market better. That is why SBCA continues to fight for a free and fair market place that has access to accurate and transparent information and facilitates good decision making.