A specifier plays a critical role in ensuring buildings are designed and constructed to meet and exceed the needs of the people using those spaces. Many design elements go into every stage of the construction process, from initial drawings to materials selection, but there is one building design aspect...
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Regarding the proliferation of plastics and composites, the thermal barrier section of the IBC (chapter 26, specifically) came into existence. However, “thermal barrier” is a term used specifically for the fire rating of a building element. It can be confused with terms such as “thermal insulation” or “thermal bridging.
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Tensile architecture, also known as tensile structures or fabric architecture, is becoming a popular choice for applications such as stadiums, airport hubs, train and bus stations, exhibition halls, event pavilions, and temporary structures such as festival tents. This structural design approach uses tension forces to create stable and visually...
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The increased use of continuous insulation (c.i.) represents a fundamental shift in the way building insulation and energy efficiency efforts are approached in construction. As conversations around sustainability and energy conservation gain traction, c.i. has received greater attention among both commercial and residential customers.
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Reducing the carbon footprint of construction should focus on building products that are long-lasting and resilient, can reduce CO2 emitted during the operation of the building, and are made or partially made of recycled content.
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Whether the motivation is building code compliance, building protection and performance, or insurance premium reductions, it is necessary for facility owners and managers to address flood risk and determine how to protect their facilities.
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Concrete block masonry and architectural block masonry also support resilient building. The more extreme weather events being experienced throughout the world can be mitigated with concrete masonry as it is fireproof, highly impact-resistant, and can store moisture without degradation.
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The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) are two federal laws that present tremendous opportunities for implementing energy-efficient upgrades, such as new interior lighting systems. However, given the intricacies of these laws, understanding how businesses can counsel clients to take advantage of them for...
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As energy codes and sustainability standards continue to drive industry innovation, specifiers can now choose curtain wall systems that waste significantly less energy than their predecessors. Some manufacturers are using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) technology to create curtain wall components, reinforcements, and pressure plates.
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As more architects and interior designers make acoustic attenuation a regular part of the building design process, sound absorption tends to get all the focus. However, absorption is not always the goal. Performance spaces, lecture halls, recording studios, and other commercial applications often require more sophisticated acoustic management.
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