The state of Delaware has updated its statewide adoption of NFPA 1, Fire Code and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code to the 2009 editions, and NFPA 70, National Electrical Code to the 2008 edition. The state has also updated several other NFPA codes and standards to the latest version. All adoptions became effective on November 11, 2009. Full Story

A bill being considered by the New Hampshire legislature that would ban nearly all uses of biometrics is an inappropriate response to privacy concerns that would deprive residents of an important security technology, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has told state lawmakers. HB 1409 would prohibit any government agency or private entity from using biometrics as part of identification cards - except for employee identification cards - and from requiring a person "to disclose or provide biometric data as a condition of doing business with, engaging in any business activity or relationship with, or obtaining services from, that agency or entity." Biometric data is defined to include everything from DNA to retinal scans to facial features to fingerprints. Full Story

Maine will have a state building code that will apply to new construction in towns with more than 2,000 residents, and it will be adopted June 1, 2010. The new code, called the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (LD 2257, Public Law 699), is in the process of being crafted by combining fire safety codes, national building code standards, historic preservation elements, international energy conservation guidelines, and standards for radon prevention and adequate ventilation - and tailoring all of that to apply to Maine, reported The Free Press. Full Story

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk signed an agreement with Canada to provide reciprocal access to their government procurement programs, seeking to end a dispute over "Buy American" provisions in the U.S. stimulus package. The deal, which was signed earlier by Canadian Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan, gives companies on both sides of the border access to government procurement contracts below the federal level, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story

All of Indiana's local governments and schools soon could be required to build green buildings. The Indiana House recently voted 51-47 to pass House Bill 1063, which would require local governments to erect new buildings that meet the silver rating on the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards. It also allows for local governments to achieve a similar rating on other green building standards. The bill has moved to the Senate, reported the IndyStar.com. Full Story

After overcoming some obstacles, the American Architectural Manufacturers Manufacturers Association made further progress on its green and sustainability rating and certification program as it gathered here for its 73rd Annual Conference. The event also saw discussions related to AAMA's strategic plan unveiled last year, a preliminary market forecast from Ducker International, and a review of a recent proposal addressing lead content in hardware, reported Window & Door. Full Story

US LBM Holdings LLC has signed an agreement to acquire the operations of Chicago-area Edward Hines Lumber Co. as well as its Hall & House Indiana operation. In addition to four lumberyards, Hines operations include a full service Millwork Division in Buffalo Grove, IL, including a steel door shop, lock shop, and interior door line, as well as a Window Center in Kirkland, IL. Full Story

Click here for more Industry Access news including recent new hires, merger & acquisition activity and who's offering new products.

* DHI Members may submit news releases to be considered for inclusion in DHI's IndustryWatch. Send to: jmadden@dhi.org

The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce looks at seven trends that will shape the future of green building. Full Story

The AEC industry is heading into 2010 in better shape than was the case a year ago, according to the 2010 AEC Industry Outlook: Strategy and Insight for Design & Construction Firms, a new forecast released by ZweigWhite. A significant turnaround for the commercial market isn't anticipated until 2011, but a modest pickup is expected in late 2010. Some sectors are faring better than others, and will continue to do so. Markets to watch for 2010: healthcare, education, and mixed-use. Full Story

The U.S. economy will grow 3% this year and next, more than anticipated a month ago, according to the median estimate of 62 economists polled by Bloomberg News. Full Story

A congressional watchdog panel warned that mounting commercial real estate losses could endanger the banking system and thwart economic recovery. A total of $1.4 trillion in commercial real estate loans will require refinancing in the next four years, the Congressional Oversight Panel said in a report. More than half of those loans are underwater, written for properties whose value has dropped like a rock, reported CNN Money. Full Story

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest after New York, plans to sell about $1.75 billion of bonds to fund what is described as the largest school construction program in the U.S. Full Story

After four years of decline, Florida construction starts are expected to rise 5% in 2010, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. Full Story

In Salt Lake City, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is financing a $1 billion redevelopment project near the temple, called City Creek Center. Completion of the project - 20 acres of retail shops and residential towers - is scheduled for 2012, reported The New York Times on the Web. Full Story

The Akron, OH school board approved a $44.8 million design to rebuild a combined Buchtel High School/Perkins Middle School. The project is part of Akron's $800 million school construction program that will shut down, renovate or replace every Akron school, reported Ohio.com. Full Story

Adventist Health will finance, design and construct a new $58 million, 25-bed community hospital in Willits, CA, reported The Willits News. Full Story

Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc. has secured $179 million in financing to start building Aberdeen Heights, a senior living community planned for the former site of SSM St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood, MO, reported the St. Louis Business Journal. Full Story

As building design evolves to accommodate present-day conditions, addressable security and fire and life-safety systems are more important than ever. Fire and life-safety systems are becoming more flexible, efficient and responsive, giving campuses cost-efficient, integrated options, reported Campus Security Magazine. Full Story

Recent advances in processing now mean that glass panels in timber fire doors can perform a number of other functions in addition to fire resistance, reported ttj.com. Full Story

Audit Letters

The first two thousand letters out of an eventual total of six thousand over three years will be sent to some very unfortunate small businesses by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) next week.  The reason businesses will be getting these letters is because their business rhymes with "random."  The IRS is conducting what it calls a National Research Program (NRP).  The purpose is to determine whether businesses are properly classifying individuals as employees or independent contractors.  If you are thinking, I do not need to read further because I do not have independent contractors, SORRY, you have to read on.  First, this is supposedly a scientific sample.  Businesses are not selected based on the likelihood of having an issue with classifications, but because they are unlucky.  Every business that gets the letter will be put through an audit, regardless.  In addition to the classification issue the examiners will also be looking at executive and officer compensation and whether fringe benefits are being properly reported as taxable or nontaxable income.  (The IRS has a publication at www.irs.gov that is a pretty good primer on fringe benefits, Publication 15-B, Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits.)

The New York Times on the Web recently posted an article on this topic, click here to read it.

DHI's Jerry Heppes sits on the board of the Small Business Legislative Council. If you'd like more information on these or other issues affecting small businesses, feel free to contact him at jheppes@dhi.org.

This material is protected under copyright law and contains confidential information.  It is for the sole personal, informational use of DHI members. It cannot be distributed, reprinted, referenced as a source for attribution, or otherwise made public.

Industry Education is Right Around the Corner —
Take Advantage of Early Bird Pricing! Offer ends March 22.

DHI's National School April 25 – May 2, 2010 in Lansdowne, VA

With only 2 National schools scheduled in 2010, take advantage of DHI's upcoming May 2010 National school in Lansdowne, VA, to increase your technical knowledge and hone your skills!  Register now! Our special Early Bird tuition rate offer ends March 22.

This upcoming school offers 28 different classes – including the Fire and Egress Door Assembly Inspection class (DAI 600)!

Please note that due to consistent high demand for DHI National Education, we recommend that you sign-up for classes as soon as possible to secure your spot BEFORE classes sell out. For a complete list of course offerings click here!

***Please be sure to go to www.dhi.org to register OR check out the February 2010 issue of Doors & Hardware for a summary of the Fall National School and complete registration information*** 

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Use the knowledge you have gained through DHI education, industry training, and on-the-job experience by taking a DHI Challenge Exam online through our NEW Learning Management System (LMS). Passing a challenge exam will give you credit for a specific course needed for the DHI Education and Credentialing Program. By taking the Challenge Exam, you are indicating to DHI that you have gained enough knowledge of the subject matter through study and experience.

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For questions regarding Challenge Exams, please contact Amee Patel at 703-766-7025.

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Beginning with the January 2010 issue, Doors & Hardware magazine is now posted as a PDF in its entirety on www.dhi.org.

You may access each issue by logging in to the DHI members only access side of the web site using your DHI Member ID number and your last name in lowercase letters as your password.