November 15, 2007

INDUSTRY ACCESS*

Kaba Sells Canadian Unit in Shift to Access Systems

Kaba Holding AG, the largest Swiss maker of locks and security doors, sold Montreal-based zinc die casting specialist Capitol for 11 million francs ($9.5 million) allowing it to build up the access business, reported Bloomberg.com. 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.

BUSINESS UPDATE

The U.S. Green Building Council is planning to revamp its popular Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system, in an effort to make it more user-friendly. USGBC, which hopes to create, with some exceptions, one LEED system instead of having LEED for residential and LEED for commercial, for example, expects to roll out the new system next fall, reported Engineering News-Record. Full Story

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will provide an open exchange of information regarding "green" or "sustainable" building and maintenance practices during the entire facility lifecycle. It articulates several areas of joint interest, including development of documentation practices and procedures that achieve sustainability in construction. Full Story

Management consulting and research firm Zweig White Information Services has identified the 200 fastest-growing U.S. architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms for its annual ranking, The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List. This annual list features the design and environmental firms that have outperformed the economy and competitors to become industry leaders, reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) introduced its 2007 Update to AIA Contract Documents, which have defined the contractual relationships in the design and construction industry for 120 years. The AIA prepared the 2007 Update, which consists primarily of agreements in the popular A201 family of documents, with input from owners, contractors, attorneys, architects and engineers. The 2007 Update includes 40 revised, updated or new documents, including new owner/architect agreements. Full Story

"Nonresidential construction employment grew again in October, belying the notion that the housing slump is dragging down all construction," said Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). "An acceleration of hiring by architects and engineers suggests even better news ahead," Simonson observed. Simonson was commenting on the November 2 payroll employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reported Building Design & Construction. Full Story

The October Producer Price Index for Wood Doors (flush & panel, interior & exterior) was down 0.3% from 2006 and the Other Wood Doors (Incl. garage, screen, storm, etc.) PPI was up 2.1% compared to a year earlier. Compared to September, the unadjusted October PPI for Wood Doors was down 0.2%, while the PPI for Other Wood Doors was unchanged, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The PPI for Metal Doors, Sash & Trim was down 0.1% from September and up 1.6% from a year ago. Click here to view the full October Producer Price Index report. (PDF file - Wood Door information is on page 12 and Metal Door data is on page 17)

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with the support of a $1 million donation from United Technologies Corp., has launched www.Greenbuild365.org to transform green building education through global, online access. Greenbuild365.org will feature free and fee-based courses on green building technologies and innovations, along with practical training to prepare professionals to successfully apply LEED certification to building design, construction and operation, reported Consulting-Specifying Engineer. Full Story

CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Ten states account for 52% of non-residential building construction starts this year through September. Starts are up 18% in these states from a year ago, about the same as the 17% gain for the U.S. as a whole. What happens on job sites in these states will determine whether the non-residential building boom continues, pauses at a high level or reverses, according to Reed Construction Data. Full Story

The 2007 Autodesk/AIA Green Index survey reports 70% of architects say client demand is the leading driver of green building and that the primary reason these owners and developers are demanding greener buildings is for reduced operating costs. Architects are responding by significantly increasing their use of sustainable elements such as high-efficiency HVAC systems, recycled building materials and using software to model energy usage. Full Story

In Canada, commercial construction is currently about as strong as it can get. Office vacancy rates downtown in every major city in Canada are below 10%, an indicator of a significant need to build new office towers. This effect is most dramatic in Calgary and Toronto, reported Building Team Forecast. Full Story

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in conjunction with the AIA California Council announced the availability of Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide (The Guide), a primer for working in an integrated team model that includes the owner, architect and contractor, and extends beyond the major stakeholders to also include subcontractors, engineers and major systems suppliers, among others. The Guide, which is a resource available at no cost, provides direction on transitioning existing project delivery models to a collaborative, integrated team model. Full Story

SECURITY & SAFETY

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a wide range of emergency preparedness resources to help schools create safe and secure environments for their students. In order to advance school preparedness nationwide, DHS offers several planning and training resources to help local schools prepare comprehensive all-hazard emergency preparedness plans that are exercised regularly and developed in partnership with their community leaders and first responders. Full Story

The Superior (Wisconsin) School District is benefiting from a Secure Our Schools Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice which will provide funds to improve security in the school district, reported The Daily Telegram. Full Story (Free registration required)

The majority of schools (62%) consider unauthorized and dangerous people entering the building to be an extremely important concern; however, 78% of schools reported being only "somewhat prepared" to deal with an armed intruder on campus, according to Wren's Texas School Security Survey cited in Access Control & Security Systems. Full Story

A Chase bank branch that was robbed twice this year hopes to slam the door on armed robbers with a weapons-detecting entrance that scans customers with a metal detector and automatically locks out anyone carrying a gun, reported The Courier-Journal. Customers will be required to enter the vestibule one at a time, though a child may enter with an adult, and shut the outside door before opening the interior door. If you are carrying heavy metal, the second door will not open. And in fact, the first door won't open to let you back out again, either. Full Story

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

By a 9-1 vote, the Wisconsin state legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) approved the adoption of the updated International Building Code (IBC) submitted by the Department of Commerce, reported Wisbusiness.com. Full Story

Even with worrisome economic signs ahead prompted by housing and sub-prime lending woes, most Americans opted on Nov. 6 to improve infrastructure and expand schools and health facilities in their hometowns. Nearly 85% of ballot issues, representing some $29 billion of municipal spending and new debt, was approved on Election Day 2007, according to The Bond Buyer, an industry publication. But leery and tax-weary voters did manage to defeat big spending measures in New Jersey, Seattle and North Carolina, as well as numerous local initiatives, reported Construction.com. Full Story

Employers must provide all personal protective equipment (PPE), with a few exceptions, at no cost to employees, under a new final rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA anticipates this rule will have substantial safety benefits that will result in more than 21,000 fewer occupational injuries per year, reported Facilitiesnet. Full Story

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Government Funding

Congress has passed another continuing resolution funding the government until December 14th. As a result, it will be the month for the unexpected. Energy, climate change and consumer product safety legislation are likely candidates to move at least one step further in their legislative ladders. The question is what else is likely to pop up?

AMT

The House has passed their individual Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) "patch" bill with pay-go revenue offsets. The bill goes to the Senate where they will debate whether to pass the House bill or strip out the offsets.

The Republicans have generally argued the AMT has become bad tax law; Congress should just admit it and repeal it without revenue offsets and not penalize other parts of the economy with a tax increase. The debate in the Senate may be a precursor of any effort to provide estate tax relief. There is some room under the current budget resolution to deal with the estate tax, but there is a quirky “sort of” pay-go requirement associated with it. How the Senate deals with the AMT pay-go may give us an idea of what we can expect next year.

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

Foundation Presents at Campus Fire Forum 9

Over 100 college fire and safety officials are gathering in Austin, TX this week to attend Campus Fire Forum, the nation’s premiere conference focusing specifically on fire safety in the campus community. Started as an invitation only event, Campus Fire Forum has steadily grown in popularity each year. This is the only national conference that focuses exclusively on campus fire safety issues and continues to offer attendees the opportunity to learn from the experts and interact with campus fire safety professionals from across the country.

"It was a great opportunity to talk with college campus fire officials and to hear first hand some of the issues that they deal with on a daily basis," commented Bill Johnson, staff member for the Foundation. "Information that we were able to present at one of the sessions in regards to the fire door inspection program, and the role this industry is playing to move this initiative forward was very well received. I anticipate we will be visiting some campuses in the future to continue to create the awareness on the importance of this program."

Forum for the Future

A video copy of this event will be made available shortly and will be viewable from the foundation’s website www.lifesafetysecurity.org.

The Foundation’s 2007-08 Online Auction will be Re-opening.

Support the Foundation by visiting lifesafetyfoundation.cmarket.com next week to see what items are available for bid. The entire auction will remain open for several months. However, each item will have its own expiration date. Check back regularly to see when each item will accept its final bid.

Companies, Chapters and Individuals Committed to Making a Difference

Thank you to all of the individuals, companies and chapters that continue to support the Foundation. Click here for a complete list of contributors (as of September 5th).

It is with this type of commitment that the Foundation is able to continue to advance our important message of life safety and security.

Your support continues to make a difference. Thank you.

Keep up-to-date with the latest Foundation news and programs, please visit www.lifesafetysecurity.org

DHI NEWS

LAST CHANCE TO RECEIVE 2007 EDUCATION PRICING!
December 7th – 9th, 2007 in Lansdowne, VA

DHI will be offering ONE LAST National Education session this year. If you are interested in becoming a Fire Door Assembly Inspector (FDAI) this school is designed for you! The classes that will be offered include:

Basic Architectural Hardware (COR110)
Hardware Applications (COR115)
Using Codes and Standards (COR140)
Fire Door Assembly Inspection (DAI 600)

Whether you need to satisfy the pre-requisites or are ready to enroll in the Fire Door Assembly Inspection class, you can’t afford to miss this upcoming education opportunity!

Take advantage of 2007 pricing!!!! Beginning January 1, 2008, the price for DHI education will increase! Don’t miss your last chance to take advantage of 2007 education pricing! Register online at www.dhi.org/education/courselistings.asp, fax your completed registration form to 703-222-2410 or contact DHI directly at 703-222-2010.

Give the Gift of DHI This Holiday Season!

Do you know someone who could benefit from membership in DHI? Sign them up for DHI membership this year and give them all the benefits and resources that DHI has to offer industry professionals. A great gift this holiday season, you can give your hard-working employees the key to success with a DHI membership. To register, go online to www.dhi.org/membership and sign them up! If you have any questions about DHI membership, please contact our Member Services team directly at 703-222-2010.