The American Wood Council’s (AWC’s) 2018 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for one- and two-family dwellings is a referenced standard for wood design in the International Code Council’s (ICC’s) 2018 International Building Code (IBC) and 2018 International Residential Code (IRC). The publication equips designers and code officials with engineered...
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Insulated metal panels (IMPs) have gained significant traction in recent years as a factory-assembled alternative to standard, site-built construction types. Comprising two impermeable metal facers separated by an insulating core, IMPs provide thermal resistance with an effective air/water/vapor barrier in a single component.
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As is the case with many buildings, a national chain of early childhood education centers chose the location of its Washington D.C. project on a site known to have soil and groundwater contamination as a result of the property’s former uses. The specifier included a vapor intrusion mitigation system...
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Once a novel and expensive prospect, sustainable construction practices have now become commonplace. In the past 10 years, advances in materials and applications have propelled the industry forward and now allow one to not only construct better performing commercial facilities but to respect and protect the environment while doing...
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American Wood Council (AWC) regularly reviews and updates its codes and standards to keep pace with technological advances and material innovations affecting the use of wood products in the country. The council recently updated its National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction. Developed by AWC’s wood design standards committee,...
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For building owners and managers striving to meet fire and safety codes, “dual-technology” exit signs that combine the efficiency of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting with new photoluminescent (PL) materials can help increase reliability and performance over decades of use.
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When it comes to specifying coatings for projects, one must consider both performance and aesthetics. Recent advancements in technology have resulted in paints offering unexpected benefits such as killing harmful pathogens on coated surfaces as well as helping reduce odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a space.
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Ensuring the safety of the built environment is a top priority for American Wood Council (AWC) because a few high-profile fires in recent years have highlighted the need for increased safety of buildings during construction.
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Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) occur in every type of healthcare facility and can be spread in various ways. These infections are caused by a number of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Hospital water systems and bathrooms can be ideal places for germs to breed. However, through smart restroom design...
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Building energy codes continue to shift in the direction of increased energy efficiency, resulting in tighter and better insulated buildings. At the same time, a focus on indoor air quality (IAQ) in the built environment is gaining traction. One way to counteract the negative effects of potentially toxic building...
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