The US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce voted 27-10 on May 26 to favorably report HR 4805, the "Formaldehyde Standards in Composite Wood Products Act" to the full House for action. The Committee "markup" session, chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), resulted in the passage of amendments to the bill that were negotiated over the past two months and supported by the Composite Panel Association (CPA) and almost all of the other groups tracking this bill. For more information click here.

Congressional leaders will introduce a bill to extend the stimulus plan's Build America Bond program while gradually lowering the federal subsidy paid to those who sell the popular debt, according to a Reuters report. Full Story

The Defense Department and General Services Administration, which control three-fourths of the government's office space, say they want to use those facilities to test the latest green technologies. GSA Administrator Martha Johnson wants to reduce her agency's carbon footprint to zero - not just in the facilities GSA builds and manages, but in all of the goods and services agencies purchase through GSA, reported FederalTimes.com. Full Story

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Fire Protection Research Foundation will be co-sponsoring a one day health care summit, National Trends in the Delivery of Health and Long Term Care:  Implications for Safety Codes and Standards, set to take place July 21 at the Holiday Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. Full Story

ADT Security Services will split into two organizations to focus on its key customer segments — residential and small business, and commercial — following the closing of its deal to acquire Broadview Security (formerly Brink’s Home Security), reported Security Sales & Integration. Full Story

SecurityInfoWatch.com looks at the latest innovations in door hardware. 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 industry debated the topic of exterior door and window assemblies during the International Code Council's final action hearings. Jeff Burton, director of codes and standards, representing the Association of Millwork Distributors (AMD), proposed that R612.8 of the International Residential Code be revised as follows: Exterior windows and door assemblies not included within the scope of Section R612.6 or Section R612.7 shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 330 or AMD side-hinged exterior door standard (SHEDS). The proposal ultimately was disapproved, reported Door & Window Manufacturer Magazine. Full Story

For the third straight month the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has gone up. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI rating was 48.4, up from a reading of 46.1 the previous month. Although this score reflects a continued decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings), it is the highest score since January 2008 when revenue at architecture firms headed into recession. The new projects inquiry index was 59.6. Full Story

The International Code Council (ICC) approved as amended a proposed change to the International Building Code's (IBC) General Code section that clarifies that doors are allowed in the glass wall forming the separation between an atrium and adjoining spaces (G51-09/10), reported the USGlass News Network. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting information on how it can better assist the states to adopt, implement, enforce, and assess compliance with the current model building energy codes or their equivalent. Click here to read the Federal Register notice. (PDF file)

Enough indicators are now emerging to reflect that the U.S. economy is poised to trend upward in the next two years, reversing the 2.4% decline in 2009, according to the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Economic Forecast. Among the positive signs of resurgence is an increase in both consumer spending and business spending, especially in equipment and software, and a stronger inventory swing, reported Modern Distribution Management. Full Story

The April Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 0.7% from 2009 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was down 1.8% compared to a year earlier. Compared to March, the unadjusted April PPI was down 0.2% for Wood Doors, but unchanged for Other Doors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was up 0.2% from March, but was down 1.3% from 2009. The PPI for Builders Hardware was up 1.1% from 2009 and up 0.8% from a month earlier. Click here to view the full April Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 16, Builders Hardware-page 22 and Metal Door data are on page 23)

The year-to-date value of construction starts through April 2010, excluding residential contracts, totaled $82.7 billion, 11.0% more than in the same months of 2009, according to Reed Construction Data. Individual month of April starts were 6.6% higher than March starts. Full Story

New York City Developer Gary Barnett is about to start construction of a $1.3 billion skyscraper on 57th Street that will overtake Trump World Tower as the tallest residential building in the city, reported the New York Times on the Web. Full Story

Regular Operating District (ROD) grant funding is ready to be released for 142 facilities projects at 111 schools in 59 school districts throughout the New Jersey, School Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Marc Larkins and Education Commissioner Bret Schundler announced. Funding for the program was made available from the sale of $500 million in bonds by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), reported MyCentralJersey.com. Full Story

The $4 billion realignment campaign at Fort Belvoir is not the biggest in the Army, but it certainly is the most complex, involving 160 Defense Department agencies and a myriad of local governments. Under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission mandate, the transformation of Fort Belvoir involves 20 separate projects totaling 6.2 million square feet of building space, 7 million square feet of parking structures and the relocation of nearly 20,000 military and civilian employees from around the Washington area into facilities managed by Fort Belvoir, reported FederalTimes.com. Full Story

The University of Colorado Hospital's Board of Directors approved a second, $400 million tower on the campus. The project, scheduled to be completed by January 2013, will include a new 12-story tower and a four-story critical care wing The new critical care facility will bring additional operating space, a new emergency department and a cardiac and vascular center to the campus. The tower will house 144 new beds and four floors of available space to accommodate new beds in the future, reported the Aurora Sentinel. Full Story

New York City Schools chancellor Joel Klein presided over the groundbreaking for the first phase of a mixed-use development that will house two public schools on Manhattan's East Side. At $500 million, the World-Wide Group's development at 250 E. 57th St. is reportedly the largest project in the 43-year history of the Department of Education's Educational Construction Fund, which partners with private developers on mixed-use projects featuring new school facilities, reported GlobeSt.com. Full Story

The International Code Council (ICC) approved several changes to the International Building Code's (IBC) Fire Safety section during it's final action hearings. ICC approved as submitted a proposal that removes an exception to 715.4.4.1 on glazing in doors and allows for the use of fire resistance-rated glazing larger than 100 square inches in doors (FS100), reported the USGlass News Network. Full Story

The International Code Council (ICC) approved a proposal that mandates, among other things, how fire-rated glazing products are to be marked, reported the USGlass News Network. Full Story

Hexavalent Chromiumn

OSHA has issued a direct final rule requiring employers to notify their workers of all hexavalent chromium exposures, effective June 15, 2010.  The rule revises a provision in OSHA's Hexavalent Chromium standard that required workers be notified only when they experienced exposures exceeding the permissible exposure limit. Industrial uses of hexavalent chromium compounds include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers, and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating. Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when performing "hot work" such as welding on stainless steel or melting chromium metal. Occupational exposures to hexavalent chromium can occur among workers handling pigments, spray paints and coatings containing chromates, operating chrome plating baths, and welding or cutting metals containing chromium, such as stainless steel.

If hexavalent chromium is present in your workplace, this is a significant change. For more information, click here.

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.

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
With Everyone Giving a Little, We Can Accomplish a Lot.

The Door Security & Safety Foundation strives to raise public awareness of door safety and security issues in the built environment. YOUR company's support will go a long way in helping us maintain a position of leadership in our fight to set the standard for fire door inspections.

The Foundation promotes awareness of activities and efforts that make a real financial impact on this industry:

• Health care facilities in NY are conducting inspections and recently placed a $35,000 order for upgrades to fire-rated openings.
• Inspections taking place in Clark County, NV. These inspections are based on and actually exceed the requirements of NFPA 80.
• Inspections in long-term health care facilities are taking place in the Orlando area because of Foundation training.
• Because of the efforts of a local distributor, AHJ training sessions were held in the St. Louis area that have provided direct feedback from fire officials on violations and corrective action that needs to take place.

STATUS OF CODE ADOPTION...

The greater the understanding of the fire-rated opening and the purpose of an inspection, the more likely the fire-rated opening will be brought into compliance with the fire code through the upgrade of existing products. California and Pennsylvania have already adopted the 2007 NFPA 80 standard, which mandates the yearly inspection for the fire-rated opening. New York is on track to adopt the standard by the end of 2010. Other states that are on track for fire door inspections because of their adoption of NFPA 80 include:
• West Virginia       • Massachusetts             • Maine                  • New Jersey
• Hawaii                 • Maryland                      • New Hampshire    • Oregon
• Oklahoma            • Illinois                          • Iowa                    • Washington (July 1st, 2010)
• Utah (July 1st, 2010)

Thank you for your commitment to the Foundation and for your consideration of support:

Donate online by clicking here.
Donate using email (or snail mail) by clicking here.

Contact Bill Johnson directly at 703.766.7039 or BJohnson@dhi.org to have him answer any questions or to make a verbal pledge commitment.

With everyone giving a little, we WILL accomplish a lot

DHI News

DHI SUSTAINABILITY…
DHI's 35th Annual Conference & Exposition
Registration NOW OPEN
September 14–23, 2010 in Chicago, IL

Doors and Hardware Impact Sustainability
• Sustaining your business by understanding opportunities from managing your accounts receivable as an asset, beyond just credit and collections.
• Solidifying channel relationships during challenging times.
• PLUS! 2010 Forum for the Future IS INCLUDED in your conference registration – a $100 SAVINGS!
The Forum is not just an "optional event" on the schedule for certain attendees. Once again, this year, this Industry event is the cornerstone of the entire Conference and ALL ATTENDEES are strongly encouraged to attend.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE BIGGEST SAVINGS! ● FULL CONFERENCE PACKAGES AS LOW AS $150*!!!

* Members only rate. Price for non-members is $250. Offer non-refundable and valid only through July 30th, 2010.

FDAI—Reality or Myth?
What states have adopted requirements for annual fire door inspections?

Check out this interactive map showing which states have currently adopted building and construction codes. Since both IBC and IFC 2009 editions reference NFPA 80, 2007 edition, each of these states (unless specifically altered by the AHJ) are ready to go with implementation of the requirement. Even though a state has adopted the requirement, local jurisdictions must adopt the newest revisions.

The reality is building and construction codes mandating the annual inspections of fire doors and doors of egress ARE coming to a state near you! Are YOU ready?

GROWTH THRU EDUCATION
DAI600 "WEST" - The ONLY DAI600 Session Offered on the West Coast in 2010!
Fire and Egress Door Assembly Inspection (DAI600)
June 26-29, 2010 • Chaparral Suites • Scottsdale, AZ

You've heard about the ANNUAL FIRE DOOR ASSEMBLY INSPECTION PROGRAM…
Now, take advantage of this session to benefit from this rapidly growing business opportunity - Become an Intertek-Certified Fire Door Inspector!

Complete FDAI program details
Register Online
Download Application

Questions? Contact DHI Registrar, Linda Saylor, directly at 703/766.7021 or by e-mail at: LSaylor@dhi.org

LAST Call...
Call for Nominations: DHI 2010 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Founder ● Fellow ● Distinguished Consultant ● Award of Merit ● Mary Roth

Our industry and organization has progressed over the years due to the work and efforts of many selfless professionals. We need to honor their contributions publicly. Receiving recognition by DHI is a wonderful way to acknowledge their contributions to the industry and we offer a variety of awards that can accomplish this goal.

Take a moment to consider nominating deserving persons in any or all of the listed categories. Nominations can be for services at the national level, local and state levels, and/or at the chapter level. Many of the nomination categories require substantial information and further written support. Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2010!

Go to www.dhi.org to download a nomination form or contact Cathy Jones at 703/766-7012 or by email at CJones@dhi.org for specific details and with any questions.