Masonry Magazine January 2008 Page. 66
News
In mid-February, UT will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the data. The information will be evaluated and will form the basis of a life-cycle analysis of the environmental impacts of certain stone products, the development of strategic sustainability goals for the industry, and a plan for outreach to the environmental and green building communities.
All responses on the survey will be confidential and sent directly back to UT, which will report aggregated information. The survey data is crucial to industry efforts as they identify and quantify the processes and impacts associated with current industry practices and inform the development of management and operational strategies to promote overall improvement. The responses will help to create life-cycle data and assessments of stone compared to other building materials. For more information, visit www.genuinestone.org.
AIA Launches 'Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide'
Inefficiencies and waste in the construction industry have been increasing, and, coupled with the emergence of new technologies, including building information modeling (BIM), there is an increasing need for a collaborative approach to construction and design. To address this need the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently launched "Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide" (The Guide).
The introduction of The Guide coincides with the recent release of the Eighth Annual CMAA/FMI Survey of Owners, in which more than one-third of the survey respondents said they have used BIM on one or more projects, and the rate at which newcomers are joining the ranks of BIM users has been increasing. The survey found that, currently, significant impediments such as lack of expertise remain great hurdles to integrated project delivery (IPD) and BIM. The Guide aims to address these issues by providing an industry-wide approach to IPD.
The Guide is available for download at no cost at www.aia.org/ipdg.
Hydro Mobile to Distribute RAXTAR Hoists
RAXTAR, a European passenger and materials hoist manufacturer, joined forces with Hydro Mobile to penetrate the North American market. The agreement was signed in June 2007. Hydro Mobile is a North American manufacturer of mast climbing work platforms and will use its current business infrastructure to distribute the hoists as well as provide service and support. RAXTAR is emerging as a hoist specialist in Europe and the Middle East.
This partnership will offer an advantage to Hydro Mobile equipment owners, as RAXTAR's masts are compatible with those of Hydro Mobile's F-Series. The mast climber and the hoist can even function in parallel on the same mast. IMAS
Brick SouthEast Technique DVD in Spanish
Brick SouthEast, a trade organization representing brick manufacturers in the Southeast, has developed a dynamic DVD that guides builders through the
How Fast is FAST?
The FAST™ (FERO Angle Support Technology) system allows for faster, lower-cost shelf angle installations.
The FAST™ system:
* Eliminates the Need for Welded Connections
* Accommodates Construction Tolerances
* Allows for Continuous Vapor Barrier and Insulation
* Saves Money-Can be Installed by One Trade