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June 26, 2008

INDUSTRY ACCESS*

Hager Companies Introduces Free Specification Writing and Architectural Hardware Consulting Services

Hager Companies, a leading manufacturer of commercial door hardware, recently announced a new series of value-added Architectural Hardware Consulting (AHC) services to architects and hardware specifiers, all free of charge.

Hager’s list of value-added services includes door hardware specification writing, code compliance, design development assistance, submitted schedules review and approval, budget preparation and technical project support.

The new services from Hager Companies reflect a growing trend in the industry of hardware manufacturers taking over the specification functions. Previously, independent spec writers provided product specifications and design coordination on projects to architectural firms. Today, door hardware companies are providing the functional specifications for finished products, including how they will be incorporated into all building structures, including hospitals, schools, office buildings and many others.

Hager Companies offers a "Lunch and Learn" program to inform architects about its new Architectural Hardware Consulting services. Interested architectural firms can schedule a presentation by calling Hager at 1-800-325-9995. For additional information, visit www.hagerco.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

DHI-Sponsored Insurance Program — Protects, Educates, and Saves You Time & Money!

The Door and Hardware Institute has endorsed Telcom Insurance Services Corporation (TISC) to administer an insurance program for the members of the Association. TISC is a national leader in developing association specific programs and has worked closely with the leaders and select members of DHI to become an authority on providing protection to the architectural door openings industry. TISC’s President and CEO, Peter Elliott, has personally taken the lead in crafting a program that will deliver first class coverage and service to the DHI members. Read More (PDF file)

Following a slight rise in April, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell two points in May, prolonging the downturn in design activity at architecture firms. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the May ABI rating was 43.4, down from the 45.5 mark in April. The inquiries for new projects score was 46.5. Full Story

A key index of construction industry costs increased 6.6% in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same period a year ago. The rise in the Turner Building Cost Index was attributed to higher costs for construction materials and commodities such as steel, copper, aluminum, asphalt, roofing and PVC. Besides global supply and demand, the higher prices are due to increased energy costs for manufacturing and transportation, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

The May Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 2.0% from 2007 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.6% compared to a year earlier. Compared to April, the unadjusted May PPI was unchanged for Wood Doors and the PPI for Other Wood Doors was up 0.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was up 1.0% from April and up 2.3% from 2007. The PPI for Builders Hardware was up 5.8% from a year ago and up 1.8% from last month. Click here to view the full May Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 15, Builders Hardware page 21 and Metal Door data is on page 22)

In a move that has the potential to make buildings significantly more energy efficient, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) have announced a new BOMA Energy Performance Contract Model to help building owners to perform major energy retrofits to the existing buildings faster. Full Story

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $557.8 billion, new construction starts in May were essentially unchanged from April, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. Nonresidential building in May registered a particularly strong performance, led by the start of several large manufacturing plants. Full Story

Institutional building in 2008 continues to see a strong amount of educational structures reach groundbreaking, helped in particular by more expansion for colleges and universities, according to The McGraw-Hill Companies' Construction Outlook Midyear Update. The 2008 forecast for institutional building calls for a 2% gain in dollar volume, although square footage will settle back 3%. Full Story

SECURITY & SAFETY

When it comes to what end users want and need from their access control systems, integration is probably the top-requested feature across the board, with video integration the No. 1 option, reported Security Distributing & Marketing. Full Story

Access control is one of the most important aspects of emergency department security, according to a recent article in Security Management. Most hospitals have some access controls, but they do not always extend that control specifically to the ER, according to a survey released in 2007 by GE Security and IAHSS. The survey found that while 81% of hospitals had implemented electronic access controls generally, only 68% had access control technology of any kind in the emergency department. Full Story

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

In order to help communities overcome the obstacles of encourage green building practices, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) commissioned a report, Local Leaders in Sustainability – Green Incentives, that defines and examines many types of incentive programs, details the inherent barriers to success and highlights best practice examples from around the country. Full Story

Hospital and nursing home building projects would have to be environmentally friendly to win crucial state approval under sweeping regulations proposed by Massachusetts health authorities. If the measure is endorsed by the state Public Health Council this fall Massachusetts would become the first state to tie approval of healthcare construction to green standards increasingly adopted by office builders, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

The New Jersey Senate gave final legislative approval to a bill authorizing the state to borrow $3.9 billion for school construction without approval by the voters, reported The Star-Ledger. The bill (A2873) goes to Gov. Jon Corzine, who implored lawmakers to pass it. Full Story

Members of the West Virginia School Building Authority approved new building standards for school construction. The new "quality and performance standards" will set requirements for construction schedules, materials, roofing, flooring, indoor and outdoor walls, the quality of doors and windows and more, reported the Charleston Gazette. Full Story

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Americans with Disabilities

The House will consider a bill this week to modify the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). H.R. 3195 expands the nature of impairments to which the law would apply; reverses the Supreme Court’s interpretation that favored employers, that they could consider "mitigated measures" when determining whether an individual is disabled; and, creates a shift in the burden of proof to the employer when the parties are litigating whether someone has suffered from discrimination.

The original proposed version struck the phrase "that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual" that followed "physical or mental impairment" in the definition of a disability. The compromise restores those words, but provides that "substantial limits" means "materially restricts." It also provides examples of what constitutes "major life activities." The compromise does allow consideration of eyeglasses and contact lenses as a mitigating measure.

We expect the bill to pass easily as it has considerable bi-partisan support.

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.

DHI NEWS

DHI’s 33rd Annual Conference and Exposition HOUSING UPDATE!
November 7 -15, 2008 in Boston, MA

DHI’s Headquarters Hotel, Westin Boston Waterfront
Conference Block: SOLD OUT!
Student Block: Still Available

Hotel rooms for DHI’s upcoming Conference and Exposition in Boston this November are filling quickly. Space is still available at the following DHI host hotels: Doubletree Hotel Boston-Downtown, Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, Seaport Hotel.

For more information about the hotels and rates, please visit the DHI conference Web site at www.dhi.org/annual or call the DHI Housing Bureau at 866-578-8809. To take advantage of DHI’s conference rates, be sure to book your reservation by Friday, October 10, 2008.

UPCOMING DHI VCE Feature Program:
Overview of the Fire Door Assembly Inspection Class

Join us Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:00 am EST as Keith Pardoe, DAHC, CDC, Director of Education and Certification presents a comprehensive overview of DHI’s Fire Door Assembly Inspection class (FDAIC). This overview session is a great opportunity to learn more about this incredible program from the convenience of your own office. Find out how you can get on the path to becoming a Fire Door Assembly Inspector. This interactive virtual environment allows you to ask questions at the end of the session and speak directly with Keith Pardoe. Go to www.dhi.org for more details and click on VCE.