One of the issues Culp noted is that the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) may require triple glazing in Northern Zones. This change is not expected, though, in ASHRAE 90.1.

“It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not,” said Culp. “It’s coming, so embrace it.”

Other changes to expect include tighter air leakage requirements, new [building] orientation requirements and the recognition of dynamic glazing. He said the International Green Construction Code has even been promoting onsite renewable dynamic glazing.

Speaking of air tightness, Culp said envelope commissioning for this is also something to expect.

“This is coming in the codes and will require building air leakage tests/third party inspections of air barriers” he said, noting it will be in the next ASHRAE 189.1-2014; ASHRAE 90.1 is also working on this.

Another major concern for the glass industry, as Thomsen had also discussed, has been the “attack” on building glazing area. Culp explained that in 2009-2010 the glass industry was successful in overturning the ASHRAE 90.1 proposal to reduce prescriptive glazing area by 25 percent, from 40 to 30 percent.

“The battle has returned in ASHRAE 189.1, which is proposing the same thing but for buildings less than 25,000 square feet,” said Culp. What does this include? Culp explained that more than three-quarters of all buildings are less than this, including schools, offices, assisted care facilities, etc. If a code proposal such as this is approved, Culp explained, it would ultimately mean fewer windows and shorter/smaller windows.

“Strip windows would become punched openings; curtainwall would become strip windows, etc.” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the glazing industry, Culp said that based on the new energy analysis, which did factor in daylighting (unlike ASHRAE 90.1), “we believe it is flawed … [the proposal is] ignoring the human impact of workers in that space,” he said, referring to the proven benefits of natural lighting, such as improved worker productivity.

“It’s especially concerning since this is supposedly a green standard, including indoor environmental quality and occupant well-being,” he said.

The public comment period will start sometimes in April or May and Culp encouraged everyone to get involved.

“Get your company involved and support this effort,” he said. “We need all the help we can to battle this. Don’t view this as negative; it’s an opportunity to embrace.”

Click HERE to watch the video on Youtube.

“As most of you know late last year the U.S. government decided to impose tariffs on curtainwall imports from china,” Spooner began, and continued to explain how that happened and what you can expect to happen.”

Spooner explained that the case began in 2010 when a group of U.S. extruders petitioned the Commerce Department and International Trade Committee asking them to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese imports. The government ultimately ruled in their favor.

At the end of the investigation the government issued a narrative description of what’s covered as part of the ruling. He explained that while these are typically fairly short, this one in fact was long and extremely confusing. In one part of the description, he explained it became somewhat confusing as to whether curtainwall was included.

So, last August three glazing contractors, Architectural Glass & Aluminum, Bagatelos Architectural Glass and Walters & Wolf AGA approached Spooner’s firm to clarify whether curtainwall units were included and therefore subject to the tariffs. Spooner said the investigation found that importers were not collecting tariffs on imports of aluminum in curtainwall units and the three companies banned together to file a scope petition. Spooner continued, saying they were opposed by two companies, Jangho and Yuanda, which said curtainwall was like a finished window and therefore should not be covered. However, on November 30 Congress ruled in favor of those filing the scope petition.

“Late December Commerce required all ports to start collecting tariffs on these [products],” said Spooner. “Ports are collecting tariffs of 171 percent on imports of curtainwall from china.” He noted the groups are working with the ports to ensure that inspectors understand and are enforcing the order. For example, some areas of which companies must careful include transshipments, mis-labeling and under-evaluation. He added, “The tariffs can change yearly and be higher or lower. The U.S. is only country that re-calculates trade remedy tariffs each year. We don’t know what will happen next year with the tariffs.” He noted, though, they will most likely change.

Spooner noted Jangho and Yuanda have challenged the Department’s ruling at the Court of International Trade. He said this will take about a year to decide. During this time, Spooner, said, Customs continues to collect tariffs during the litigation. He said he wouldn’t expect the ruling to be reversed, as usually even when the Commerce Department loses on something the Court doesn’t completely reverse its decision.

The BEC Conference concludes today. Look to usglassmag.com for more news from the event, as well as to future issues of USGlass magazine.

Click HERE to watch the video on Youtube.

Committee chair Chuck Knickerbocker of Technical Glass Products opened the meeting with a list of some of the group’s working items. These included a document on structural silicone glazing guidelines, which is expected to soon be approved, as well as a document of the top 10 items commonly missing from fenestration system shop drawings. This document was published several years ago as a Glass Informational Bulletin and is now being revised and re-balloted. Also in the works is the Commercial Fenestration Systems Manual. Knickerbocker said the first three of six sections should be published by September and will cover primarily basic system descriptions, etc., and after that will cover design consideration, some of the vocabulary, glossary, etc.

The Project Manager’s Reference Manual is up for renewal, as well.

Greg Carney, C.G. Carney Associates and technical consultant to the BEC division, raised one point of possible future discussion and consideration. He said there has been some activity in field where it seems in part gray PIB has been migrating into the sightline/vision area in insulating glass in the marketplace.

“This is just something to be aware of,” said Carney.

The group also heard two presentations that focused on “trends affecting the glass and glazing industry.” The presenters were John Runkle of ATI and Christian Kohler of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

Runkle began with a discussion on achieving a high performance building envelope through building commissioning; this involves evaluation, verification and documentation that a building’s design and construction meet performance expectations. In particular, the presentation focused on air barriers.

“More and more states are coming out with air leakage requirements,” said Runkle, who pointed out that the International Building Code references the International Energy Conservation Code for air leakage.

As for building envelope commissioning, he said this is becoming more pervasive and is something of which the industry can expect to see more.

Runkle noted that “in its simplest form” commissioning is to separate the interior environment from the exterior.

“The commissioning process needs to be holistic,” Runkle said. “Think about how one change could affect something else.”

As part of the process, he noted it’s important to get involved early in the process, such as in the pre-design phase; mock-ups are also a common element.

He explained that as part of building commission “you have the obligation to get as close to Mother Nature as you can to evaluate the building.”

Christian Kohler of LBNL spoke next about the COMFEN program for commercial fenestration. He explained that with fenestration designs there are a number of tradeoffs, such as cooling, daylighting, peak energy, architectural style, etc. Likewise, the solutions also vary.

As designs are constantly evolving, Kohler said COMFEN is a tool that will assist users throughout the design process.

“COMFEN is a façade design tool; it’s not a whole building design tool,” he said.

Kohler also showed demonstrations of the program and its features and capabilities. He also noted that electrochromic glazing was recently added as a glass selection type, as well.

The BEC Conference runs through Tuesday. Look to usglassmag.com for more news and videos from the event, and follow @USGlass on twitter for updates throughout the conference.

Thomsen explained he wanted to focus  on the critical developments in North America that involve window- to-wall ratio (WWR) and what the industry needs to do in order to be successful.

As he told the crowd, the glass industry’s number one competitor is not another glass company, but solid-surface materials such as brick and concrete.

“A facade with a WWR of almost 100 percent is what we all dream of,” said Thomsen, noting that all over the world people are trying to reduce the WWR, claiming that’s the way to better performance.

While architects love and want to build with light, if the industry does not evolve with trends in market, all glass facades may become something of the past. As he pointed out, the industry must understand the mega-trend of energy efficiency.

“Energy codes are tightening … you need to be prepared,” he said. ” If you’re not prepared you will be left behind.”

So as he stressed, glass’ true competitors are solid surface walls–other materials vying for solid surface facades.

“Our challenge as and industry is working together to keep WWR as 40 percent,” said Thomsen. He pointed out that in the U.S. there are energy codes, but some are mandatory and some are voluntary.

“In the U.S. we are not 100 percent coded in commercial facades like in other countries around the world,” he said.

He talked about how the industry must figure out how to attack the alternative facade companies that are saying less glass is good.

“Who wants to work in a brick box?” he asked. “Not many people.”

So, what happens when the WWR is reduced? There is  less glass per facade “There would be fewer windows and in other parts of the world we have seen this,” said Thomsen.

“There will be smaller windows; strip windows will become punched openings; curtainwall becomes strip windows. The amount of traditional curtainwall will be reduced.”

Thomsen said the industry must increase value of every step in the supply channel.

“We have to promote energy efficiency and unity through the supply channel,” he said.

As he explained, all it takes is one negative in the channel.

“It has to be a positive value at each step in the chain,” he said.

So, what are some ways to improve energy efficiency? For one he noted full migration to high-performance coatings. Also, argon filling is increasing in use, which he described as an easy way to improve energy efficiency of IG. Other improvements can come from warm-edge spacers, surface-four coatings, silk-screening and triple glazing.

“The reality is, in many parts of the world 80 percent of IG is triple-glazing,” he said.

“Triple-glazing was a key step in Europe maintaining WWR,” said Thomsen. “We have to support these emerging technologies.”

Looking closer at Europe, Thomsen talked some about how there they are how winning the battle, holding or growing WWR. He said for one they have strong code implementation.

“In some parts of Europe you can’t sell a building unless you have a paper that says the building meets the codes,” he said. He also said many buildings in Europe are becoming certified to show that they have a zero energy payback.

Likewise, there is also a big trend in Europe toward double-skin facades.

Thomsen encouraged those in attendance to take the time to learn about the advanced technologies that are coming.

“Don’t wait for everyone else to do it first,” he said. “Get engaged with industry partners. Take the time to figure out how you can get involved … partner with suppliers who are working on zero-energy building.”

The bottom line, Thomsen said, is either improve energy efficiency or lose surface area.  “If we increase WWR we all win – that is key.”

To learn more about “The Battle for the Wall,” look to tomorrow’s BEC newscast as well as a future issue of USGlass magazine.

CLICK HERE to view a blog, “A Ready Warrior, from publisher Debra Levy on Thomsen’s presentation.

“Construction was actually stable in 2012,” says Stephen Sandherr, AGC CEO. “Construction investments rose by about 7 percent last year, driven mostly by increases in private sector demand. Construction employment only increased by 18,000 nationwide.”

He continues, “The question we want to answer from this year’s outlook is whether the industry expects demand for new construction activity to rise again and, if so, will that new activity finally translate to significant increases in construction employment, demand for new equipment and a renewed sense of optimism among contractors?”

On a positive note, he said that 20 percent of the firms surveyed plan to add employees to their staffs in 2013, while 9 percent expect to make layoffs. Seventy-nine percent plan to add 15 or fewer people, while 13 percent plan to add 25 or more workers.

“Firms are more optimistic about the outlook for hospital and higher education facilities, with 38 percent expecting demand for these types of structures to grow, while 39 percent expect this area to remain stable,” says Sandherr.

However, the news is not all good.

“Unfortunately there are as many causes for concern as there are signs of optimism,” says Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “The demand for public buildings is sure to decline again, manufacturing work has been slacking again … material costs continue to rise and many firms are reluctant to make investments in new equipment.”

He continued, “Many firms expect the demand for public construction to decline in 2013; specifically, 40 percent of respondents expect demand for public buildings to shrink while only 18 percent expect that market to grow. Another 37 percent report that they expect demand in K-12 school construction to shrink while only 20 percent expect it to increase.”

However, the numbers of projects that have been cancelled or delayed due to tight credit conditions was down 9 percent for 2012, according to the survey.

“Forty percent of contractors reported having projects cancelled or delayed because of tight credit conditions during the past 12 months, while a year ago 49 percent reported delays or cancellations,” said Simonson.

Another factor that will play into the 2013 market is rising costs for both health care and materials.

“Seventy-seven percent of firms expect to pay more for health coverage this year while 90 percent of firms expect to pay more for materials this year,” said Simonson.

Overall, Simonson reported that only 20 percent of the companies surveyed said they expect the overall construction market to grow in 2013, while 46 percent don’t expect it to grow until 2015 or 2016.

“In other words, 2013 should be a better year, but not a great year, for most construction firms,” he said.

The newly filed stipulation does not provide details on the closure of the case, but notes that each party will bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees. The two previously had advised the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that they were in settlement negotiations and requested to reschedule a court-scheduled settlement conference for February 1.

“ … the parties have been actively engaged in settlement negotiations on their own and are optimistic that they can reach an agreement without the necessity and expense of a settlement conference,” wrote the parties in a joint motion.

This is one of two cases that has been pending against CBO Glass, the assets of which were acquired by Quebec-based Gamma International last August. Last March, the International Painters and Allied Trades Industry Pension Fund filed suit against the company and two of its officials, Gilbert DiMaio, president and CEO, and Paul F. Hogan, principal, alleging that they “failed to pay amounts due under the Labor Contracts, Trust Agreements and Plan.” The court has not yet ruled on a motion to dismiss filed by DiMaio and Hogan last summer.

Counsel for neither the Trustees nor CBO had responded to requests for comment on the settlement at press time.

Yesterday, Mark Eaton of 7foot4, led a keynote session called “Safety from the Top,” which focused on building effective teams. On Monday, Jason Jennings provided a seminar called “Think BIG, Act Small,” during which he discussed the importance of such industry meetings.

“It’s about growth for our [companies] and jobs for our members,” he said.

Other sessions included “The Future of Our Pension Plans” by Randy DeFrehn, executive director of the National Coordinating Committee for Multi-Employer Plans and “Success Today!” by John Bielak, general organizer/director of the shop department for Iron Workers International.

Darrell LaBoucan, president of the Iron Workers District Council of Western Canada, Shawn Campbell, president/general manager for BFI Constructors Ltd. and Ron Gladney, general counsel for Iron Workers International, participated in a panel called “Demand for Skilled Labor in Canada.

During the conference, IMPACT announced an alliance with the Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) “designed to increase diversity in the ironworking sector of the construction industry by facilitating access to bonding opportunities and technical assistance for small and emerging contractors.”

“SFAA is dedicated to increasing diversity and supporting the growth and sustainability of small and emerging contractors through greater access to bonding and credit,” says SFAA president Lynn M. Schubert. “Since small businesses are the engines of job generation, the ironworking industry will benefit from the cutting-edge programs and opportunities created through SFAA’s partnership with IMPACT.”

In addition to bonding opportunities and technical assistance, the partnership between IMPACT and SFAA seeks to provide informational and educational support to emerging contractors, according to the groups. “As a 47-year veteran of the ironworking and contracting industries, I know how important educational tools are to survive and thrive,” says Bill Brown, IMPACT Management co-chairman and president of Ben Hur Construction Co. in St. Louis. “This partnering agreement marks an important step in expanding services to this group.”

As part of the partnering agreement, IMPACT and the SFAA plan to:

• Jointly develop and support programs to provide ironworking contractors with the skills and access to bonding and finance;
• Facilitate access to bonding opportunities and technical assistance for ironworking contractors through informational and educational activities; and
• Increase access to surety bonding by small and emerging companies involved in the ironworking sector of the construction industry.

“One of our goals as a joint labor-management partnership is to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial activity,” says Walter Wise, IMPACT Labor co-chairman and general president of the Iron Workers.

“ … the parties  have been actively engaged in settlement negotiations on their own and are  optimistic that they can reach an agreement without the necessity and expense  of a settlement conference,” write the parties in a joint motion. “They  accordingly request that this court postpone the currently scheduled settlement  conference. If the parties are not able to resolve the matter, they will  contact the court to reschedule the settlement conference or, no later than  February 1, 2013, file a status report with the court.”
This is one of two  cases currently pending against CBO Glass. In March, the International Painters  and Allied Trades Industry Pension Fund filed suit against the company and two of its officials, Gilbert DiMaio, president and  CEO, and Paul F. Hogan, principal, alleging that they “failed to pay  amounts due under the Labor Contracts, Trust Agreements and Plan.”
At press time, the court had not yet ruled on a motion to dismiss filed by  DiMaio and Hogan.