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June 11, 2009

INDUSTRY ACCESS*

SARGENT® Forms Partnership with S2 Security

SARGENT, an ASSA ABLOY Group company, and S2 Security, a specialist in the field of IP-based integrated physical security management products, have entered a partnership that will make SARGENT's WiFi-enabled locksets operable with S2's portfolio of security management software. Under the partnership, S2 Security will integrate the SARGENT v.S2 and Passport 1000 P.2 WiFi-enabled locksets with the S2 NetBox and Enterprise security management systems.

The Profile Series v.S2 and Passport 1000 P.2 locksets utilize open-standard 802.11 b/g WiFi technology which allows facilities to leverage their existing wireless network or simply build a network with standard off-the-shelf products. The v.S2 is operated with a Prox reader and optional keypad, while the Passport P.2 works with magstripe cards. Both locks provide centrally managed control without many of the costs, labor and infrastructure upgrades associated with a traditional hardwired system.

S2 Security's S2 NetBox and S2 Enterprise products are advanced network appliances that implement integrated physical security for facilities of any scale. The S2 NetBox product requires no PC and no software installation – just a web browser.

For more information visit www.sargentlock.com.

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.

BUSINESS UPDATE

A coalition of major Euro real estate firms is preparing to launch a new pan-European rating system that will provide a uniform yardstick of energy use in rated buildings. And this "Global Green Rating" system could be coming to the U.S. next year. The Global Green Rating system will give investors and building owners better information about how a building is actually being used - especially with regard to energy usage - vs. what it was designed and modeled to do, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

Industrial Distribution offers six business lessons to learn from the recession. Full Story

The global green building materials market continues to grow, despite the global economic downturn. The worldwide green building materials market was valued at $455.3 billion in 2008, and NextGen Research, in its new report Green Building Materials: Making Cement, Insulation and Wood Products Increasingly Environmentally Friendly forecasts the market will grow at a CAGR of nearly 5% to reach $571 billion by 2013. Full Story

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Construction spending rose 0.8% in April, defying economists' forecasts for a decline. The unexpected gain - the most since August - marked the second straight month that builders boosted spending on construction projects around the country, the Commerce Department reported. Economists were bracing for a 1.2% drop in construction spending for April, reported The Washington Post. Full Story

Spending on construction by the nation's education institutions increased in 2008, reversing four years of declines in total annual expenditures, according to American School & University's 35th annual Official Education Construction Report. One of the reasons for the increase in spending was the fact that the majority of the construction projects were started prior to the escalation of the economic crisis and were locked in to higher prices for materials and labor, among other things. Total spending on new, addition and modernization construction by school districts and higher-education institutions increased to $43.3 billion in 2008 from $32.9 billion the year before. Click here to read the report.

SECURITY & SAFETY

Increases in physical and network security breaches among K-12 school districts are hampering schools' efforts to improve their overall security, according to the third annual School Safety Index, a survey of more than 400 K-12 district IT and security directors conducted by CDW-G. Sixty-seven percent experienced a physical breach, such as an unauthorized person in the school building or vandalism, reported eSchoolNews.com. Full Story

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Internal Revenue Service issued an advance notice outlining documentation requirements that window and door manufacturers must provide to homeowners looking to claim energy efficiency home improvement tax credits under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. According to the notice, an Energy Star label is no longer acceptable for exterior windows and skylights, as the IRS had allowed for products purchased prior to June 1, reported Window & Door. Full Story In a related story, the U.S. Department of Energy has issued a tax credit label designed for manufacturers that would like to promote Energy Star-qualified products that are eligible for the tax credit. Full Story

The Homeland Security Department notified lawmakers June 3 that it once again will delay a rule requiring federal contractors to verify the legal status of their workers, reported Nextgov.com. The rule, which was supposed to take effect June 30, is not scheduled to begin until Sept. 8. The rule would require contractors to use the E-Verify system, an online tool that allows employers to verify a worker's Social Security number and immigration status. Full Story

Officials in Portland, Or have proposed a green building incentive program that would be the first of its kind in the U.S. Under the program, new commercial buildings, 20,000 sq. ft. or larger, that meet Oregon's state building code would be assessed a fee by the city of up to $3.46 per square foot. The fee would be waived for buildings that achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Those that achieve LEED Gold, LEED Platinum or the Living Building Challenge, would receive rebates of $1.73-$ 17.30 per square foot depending on certification level, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

A growth management bill supported by business and development interests but opposed by environmentalists and local governments became law with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's signature June 1. Crist said he hopes the bill (SB 360) will boost Florida's sagging construction industry and create new jobs by making it easier to build in urban areas and extending the life of existing development permits for two years. Other provisions are designed to promote affordable housing development, reported FloridaToday.com. Full Story

A new Hawaii state building code, in the works for approximately two years, could be implemented by the end of this year following a public hearing. The state Building Code Council is awaiting approval from Gov. Linda Lingle to hold a statewide hearing where the public can comment on the plans for the state to go to the 2006 version of the International Building Code, reported Pacific Business News (Honolulu). Full Story

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Credit Card Protections

There has apparently been some confusion among the small business community over the new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act. Many small business owners are under the impression that they have lost protections with this new bill. The confusion apparently stems from the fact that Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) proposed an amendment that would require credit card issuers to provide the same NEW protections that would now be offered to consumer on their credit card accounts to cards issued to small businesses. The amendment was withdrawn with the promise they would be given another chance during this Congress. It should be noted, however, that small businesses did not lose the original protections they had; they simply haven't been extended the new protections that are now enjoyed by consumers. Hopefully that will be corrected in the months ahead as Senators Landrieu and Snowe are planning to introduce a free-standing bill that would extend the protection to the credit cards that small businesses use and will be looking to use their positions as the Chair and Ranking Republican on the Committee on Small Business to move the bill forward.

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.

FOUNDATION NEWS

Denver Officials Attend Fire Door Training Session

The Foundation presented a fire door training session at the Colorado Convention Center to a group of fire officials from Denver. This class raises the awareness for inspections and gives the AHJ a better understanding of what to look for when approving a fire-rated opening by a knowledgeable individual.

"We have begun the inspections in high-rises because of the large potential for loss of life. Once we get a sense of what we scope of the issues are and start to see more individuals who are qualified to inspect these openings, we'll be able to look at many more structures," said a chief with the Denver fire department.

"Within a year, we'll start to see the suburbs following Denver's lead. We'd like to see more qualified individuals available to inspect the opening," the chief added.

Foundation Partners with International Association of Fire Chiefs
Makes AHJ Guide - Fire Rated Doors Available Electronically to IAFC Membership

One of the main objectives of the Foundation for the Advancement of Life Safety and Security is to create awareness and provide education for those that are responsible for enforcing codes. Making the AHJ guide available to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) membership is one step in creating the awareness that will lead to safer door openings.

While there are many changes to the 2007 edition of NFPA 80, without a doubt, one of the most significant changes is the requirement for all fire-rated door assemblies to be inspected annually. This guide provides the IAFC membership with an explanation of these changes and, specifically, what to look for when they are asked to approve an inspected fire-rated opening. The guide will be available to all IAFC members and will reside in their 'Members Only' area.

The Foundation will also serve as a training resource for IAFC members by providing information for the fire door inspection program.

DHI NEWS

FREE DHI Webinar: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm EST

"FSC Chain of Custody Requirements"
Presented by Stephen Farley, CSI, CDT
Marshfield DoorSystems, Inc.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the only forest certification program recognized by LEED, the primary green building rating system for commercial buildings. In April 2008, LEED adopted the FSC's requirement that vendors invoicing contractors be Chain of Custody certified. This certification enables the tracking of material from the project back to the forest of origin.

Join us online as Stephen Farley provides an overview of FSC, why Chain of Custody is important, who needs Chain of Custody certification, how to implement Chain of Custody procedures, how to apply for and achieve Chain of Custody Certification and audit expectations.

Please note that you must load the VCE program onto your computer prior to the event, by clicking here and follow the prompts. If you have any questions please contact DHI directly at 703-222-2010.

DHI’s 34th Annual Conference and Exposition
September 16 – 25, 2009
Orlando, FL

Take Advantage of SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED Registration Fees! DHI's "Stimulus Special" offers packages as low as $105* until June 30th, 2009!!!! Click here for more information and to register online.

PLUS! We have included the 2009 Forum for the Future in your conference registration – that's a $100 SAVINGS! Don't miss this year's Forum for the Future which spans 2 days and includes critical industry information:

The release of cutting edge industry research
A short and long term economic forecast and how it impacts the non-residential construction industry
Problems to avoid as the recession ends and ways to recession-proof your business in the future
A discussion of distribution channel partners' best practices

For more information about all this year's event has to offer and to register online, click here.

* Members only rate. Price for non-members is $205. Offer non-refundable and valid only through June 30th, 2009.