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Opening Thoughts from the President & CEO  This past month has proven to be very busy with attending the GlassBuild America show and preparing for AAMA's National Fall Conference. The overall consensus of GlassBuild America this year was that although attendance had declined from previous years, the products, exhibits and technologies being displayed were fresh and influential. So, after considering the economic events of the past few years and the industry as a whole, there is a certain focus on the reevaluation of existing products and taking on new products to augment those impacted by the lingering recession. Read the full article. AAMA Makes Technical Information Readily Available with Launch Of Virtual Library AAMA is pleased to announce the launch of the AAMA Virtual Library (AVL) during its National Fall Conference in Palm Desert, CA on Monday, September 26. The objective of this program is to develop a system whereby members may purchase annual licenses to offer electronic versions of AAMA publications for use by their employees in an effort to make AAMA’s technical information resources more readily available. Additionally, the program was created as an initiative of the association’s Strategic Plan. Read the full article. U.S. Economic Outlook Update Given at AAMA’s National Fall Conference During the 2011 AAMA National Fall Conference, Dr. Esmael Adibi provided an update on U.S. Economic Outlook and how the European debt crisis, the turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa and the federal and state budget deficits are negatively impacting the weak economic market we are experiencing. As director of the A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research and Anderson Chair of Economic Analysis at Chapman University, Adibi provided answers on the outlook of the job and commercial real estate markets and the overall forecast for the upcoming year including any hope for signs of resurgence. Read the full article. Significant Progress Made on Green and Sustainability Specification Development at Fall Conference At AAMA’s National Fall Conference in Palm Desert, CA, the association’s green-related task groups met to discuss AAMA’s green product certification programs. The conference marked the first in-person meeting of the reactivated Green and Sustainability Procedural Guide Task Group, as well as the successful completion of the Product Group ballot moving the specification closer to publication. Read the full article. Assessment of Accelerated Weathering Tests at AAMA National Fall Conference Session The AAMA Alternate Accelerated Weathering Task Group met on Tuesday, September 27 at the Fall Conference in which Kurt Wood presented an update to ASTM’s D01.53 ten-year exposure study. As an ASTM-NCAA joint project, the speaker discussed how both associations leveraged their resources to study the effects of weathering from five to ten years, and the overall focus was aimed at discussing the test methodology, statistical approach utilized and reviewing the final results. Read the full article. Regulatory Affairs Committee Addresses Legislative and EPA Issues at National Fall Conference At the Regulatory Affairs Committee meeting during the AAMA National Fall Conference, Rich Walker, AAMA President and CEO, reviewed NAHB data on energy-efficient tax credits claimed by homeowners in 2009; EPA regulations including LRRP, boiler MACT and ENERGY STAR® Phase Two window criteria; and other federal legislative issues. Also included in his agenda was a discussion of stringent regulatory measures intended for commercial buildings. Read the full article. News from the Feeds During the month of September, AAMA participated in GlassBuild America and previewed some of the latest technology and innovative products that professionals in the fenestration industry have been working on. AAMA also hosted its National Fall Conference in Palm Desert, CA, which proved a valuable opportunity to work with members in progressing the strategic goals of various committees and task groups’, in addition to brainstorming ways to further the future of our industry. In addition, after significant hard work and collaboration, AAMA, the National Patio Enclosure Association (NPEA) and the National Sunroom Association (NSA) released a joint specification establishing minimum performance requirements for sunrooms. News Feed
What's New Feed
 Development Continues on Organic Coatings Document for Wood and Cellulosic Composite Profiles The WCCMC Exterior Stain Task Group [Chair Paul Adams (Deceuninck North America LLC)] has been developing a new specification that describes test procedures and performance requirements for organic coatings applied to AAMA-certified wood and cellulosic composite substrates. Read the full article on the Wood and Cellulosic Composite Council News page. AAMA Announces Publication of Exterior Stain Document and Related Scope Change The WCCMC Finishes Committee has been working on AAMA 633-11, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Exterior Stain Finishes on Wood, Cellulosic Composites and Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Window and Door Components, which has been published and is available for purchase from the AAMA online Publication Store. The specification describes test procedures and performance requirements for exterior stain finishes applied to AAMA-certified wood, cellulosic composite and fiber reinforced thermoset components for windows, doors and similar products. Read the full article on the Wood and Cellulosic Composite Council News page.  NFPA Appeal Denial Offers Opportunity to Strengthen the Case for Smoke Vents The principal standard governing the use of smoke and heat vent products is National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 204-07, Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting. There are also allied standards, such as NFPA 92B, Standard for Smoke Management Systems in Malls, Atria and Large Spaces. Various code requirements are based on these standards, such as the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC). In terms of thoroughly addressing the use of smoke vents, the recently approved NFPA 204 2012 – arguably the most influential of the standards – remains essentially a draw. The optimum goal of getting a definitive guideline for the use of smoke vents written into the standard was not achieved; however, neither was the goal of opponents to have them eliminated entirely. Read the full article on the Skylight Council News page. Daylighting Gains Recognition in Codes Daylight harvesting is a relatively new term that encompasses a systematic approach to daylighting in which optimization of sunlight diffuses through a combination of sidelighting and toplighting. When combined with a sensor-based electric lighting control strategy (automated if possible), a desired task light level is maintained while minimizing ongoing energy costs. As a result of its strong energy savings potential, codes and standards have begun to address daylight harvesting—especially the latest editions of national model energy conservation and green building codes. Read the full article on the Skylight Council News page. |
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