What we're reading, following & covering

Hurricane Irma far exceeded previous flood risk levels, a new map reveals

January 18 | SXM Talks

The much-anticipated new map of the flood risk zones in St. Martin drawn up by experts from the French State showing the risk assessments from the previous Plan de Prevention des Risques (PPR), compared to the reality of what occurred during Hurricane Irma was presented to the press on Wednesday afternoon in Hotel de la Collectivite. Read more.

Students brave winter weather conditions on campus

January 18 | The Daily Athenaeum

What's the worst part about winter? Is it the fact that you have to get up and walk to class, hoping you won't slip on the ice? Or is it the fear of getting stuck on a hill trying to drive to work? Winter has arrived. Last week the weather went up to 65 degrees and then back down to 20 degrees with snow. This not only caused students to get colds, but it led to ice all over the roads and sidewalks. Property owners are required to clear ice and snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall. Read more.

Frontenac tables inspector agreement, opens up for proposals

January 17 | The Morning Sun

The Frontenac City Council was presented with a draft agreement to contract a building official professional, but tabled the matter after public comments and internal discussion. The council was presented a draft agreement to contract with Michael Hanika as a building official professional, building inspector, for the city. Prior to the presentation, Frontenac resident and Master Electrician Sean Hall asked the council about hiring procedure. Read more.

Federal grant mitigation benefit-cost ratio 6:1

January 17 | Engineering News-Record

Putting forth a stronger case this year than it did in 2005, the National Institute of Building Sciences recently published a report that bolsters its support of investments to mitigate the effects of four natural hazards. For example, society saves $6 for every dollar spent through federal grants funded to the private sector for damage reduction in the event of river flooding, storm surge, fire at the wildland-urban interface, and strong winds and earthquakes, says NIBS. In 2005, that benefit-to-cost ratio was 4:1. Read more.

Institute awards recognize exceptional service

January 17 | National Institute of Building Sciences

Each year, the National Institute of Building Sciences recognizes individuals and organizations that have provided outstanding service to the Institute, the building community and the nation. This year, at its Annual Awards Reception and Dinner, the Institute honored M. Dennis Knight, PE; the WBDG Whole Building Design Guide Advisory Committee; Henry H. Chamberlain; and James "Tim" T. Ryan, CBO. Read more.

Learn the value in terms of property costs and lives saved by using just these two natural hazard mitigation strategies

January 17 | FM Link

Last week, the National Institute of Building Sciences issued Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report, more than a decade after releasing its original report on the same topic and only days after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared 2017 the costliest year on record for weather and climate disasters. Read more.

After the hurricane

January 16 | The Washington Post

Months after Hurricane Irma blazed its destructive path through the Caribbean, the once vibrant community on the tiny island of Barbuda is still struggling to rebuild paradise lost. Before the September storm, Barbuda was a forgotten Eden about the physical size of the District of Columbia. Its 1,700 inhabitants were family, literally. The descendants of African slaves brought centuries ago by the British, many islanders were related. The workdays were short and the lobster was sweet. There were no street addresses. Everyone went by their first names. Read more.

New fire code prompts change in Winterfest's wish lanterns

January 16 | The Wenatchee World

Write down a wish on a paper bag, light a candle under it and watch it float toward the heavens above Lake Chelan. Those wish lanterns, miniature hot-air balloons that eventually either burst into flame or drop back into the lake to decompose, won't be taking off at the Winterfest celebration in Manson this weekend. Chelan County adopted the 2015 International Fire Code in July that specifically prohibits releasing "sky lanterns," a practice that has been a popular part of... Read more.

House panel rolls out hurricane recommendations

January 16 | Orlando Sentinel

A major highway project, emergency gas distribution centers, mandatory generator requirements for nursing homes and sales-tax holidays are among more than 70 ideas for improving the state's response to hurricanes. A state House panel put together to look at improving hurricane response following Hurricane Irma unanimously approved its final report Tuesday. That report features 78 recommendations, covering nine categories. It "is not meant to be a complete list of recommendations," committee chairwoman Rep. Jeanette Núñez, R-Miami, said. "This is just a starting point." Read more.

Quikerete launches the lightest, most sustainable stucco

January 16 | For Construction Pros

The QUIKRETE Companies is helping maximize jobsite productivity and profitability with the introduction of QUIKRETE Lightweight Fiberglass Reinforced Stucco (FRS). Recently granted IAPMO's Uniform Evaluation Service (UES) Evaluation Report ER-0455, QUIKRETE Lightweight FRS is 35 percent lighter than traditional pre-blended stuccos making it easier and faster to transport, stage, mix, pump, place and finish. In addition, QUIKRETE Lightweight FRS is one-hour fire rated and contributes to U.S. Green Building Council LEED credits. Read more.

When an earthquake hits next door

January 16 | The Atlantic

Most days, it's easy to forget that coastal California sits at the boundary of two tectonic plates, the Pacific and North American, which are slowly sliding by each other, creating the San Andreas complex of faults. It's easy to forget that one strand, the Hayward Fault, runs the whole length of the East Bay, cutting under Berkeley and Oakland, just a mile from my house, and that there is a one-in-three chance that it will produce a devastating earthquake before I'm a senior citizen. Read more.

Floor collapses at Jakarta stock exchange, dozens injured

January 16, 2018 | CNN

At least 77 people were injured in Jakarta Monday when an internal walkway inside the Indonesian Stock Exchange collapsed suddenly, causing widespread damage to the building's main lobby area. CCTV footage circulated online captures the precise moment the mezzanine walkway gives way, sending at least a dozen people crashing into the lobby area below. Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said 77 people were being treated at four local hospitals, most with minor injuries. No fatalities were reported. Read more.

Rise in fast burning house fires heats up calls for sprinklers in homes

January 16 | CBC News

Burned-out homes and distraught families are often all that's left in the wake of a new breed of house fire that feeds off flammable furniture and open-concept designs. Those fires, which chew through homes with frightening speed, are prompting firefighters and fire-prevention groups in Canada to push for the installation of sprinkler systems in new homes across the country. "Fires today move very quickly, they are to be taken seriously. I think the concept that the fire department will come and save you all the time is a myth," said Vince MacKenzie, a director with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. Read more.

SPRI updates and improves roof edge standards

January 16 | Roofing

The effect of high winds on roofs is a complex phenomenon, and inadequate wind uplift design is a common factor in roofing failures. Damage from wind events has historically been dramatic, and wind-induced roof failure is one of the major contributors to insurance claims. Roofing professionals have long recognized the importance of proper low-slope roof edge and gutter designs, particularly in high-wind conditions. For this reason, SPRI, the association representing sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry, has spent more than a decade enhancing testing and design standards for these roofing details. Read more.

A failing grade for the city's new energy-efficiency scoring system

January 16 | Crains New York Business

When Mayor Bill de Blasio was called out for taking SUVs on 11-mile jaunts to Brooklyn for his morning workouts, he derided the criticism as "cheap symbolism." He could not have been more wrong, as he lost the confidence of environmentally conscious New Yorkers and gave license to his 8.5 million constituents to be selfish rather than preserve the planet for future generations. But if he's bothered by cheap symbolism, he should look no further than legislation he signed this month forcing large buildings to post letter grades reflecting their energy use. Read more.

Will Rochester restaurant 'igloos' be frozen out?

January 16 | Star Tribune

A set of plastic domes large enough to each seat a dozen people sprang up on a Rochester restaurant's rooftop patio this winter, and for a few weeks, diners delighted in eating outside while posting all-but-made-for-social-media pictures of the domes lit from within and dusted with snow, the city's skyline twinkling in the background. Read more.

Sizing domestic water pipes

January 15 | Consulting-Specifying Engineer

Design professionals should consider several factors to dictate how water piping is sized for nonresidential buildings, including occupancy type, pressure availability from the source, specialized equipment requirements, and building layout. This article looks at sizing methods outlined in the International Plumbing Code (IPC), as well as explanations to determine when it is necessary to go above and beyond code-minimum requirements. The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and codes based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) use a similar method. Read more.

Developers respond to Austin's growing housing prices with more tiny homes

January 12 | KUT 90.5

As Austin's housing prices continue to climb, developers are tapping into the trend of building tiny homes. Kasita CEO Martyn Hoffman says the Austin-based company is hoping to make home-ownership affordable for more residents through its space-saving designs, "There's an idea here around how to utilize underused spaces in our communities and create greater housing supply, while not shortchanging people on anything that they want," he says. "They can still have a washer/dryer combo, still have a kitchen still have a living area and be able to live very comfortably in a small space." Read more.

Harker Heights: Building experts makes safety top priority

January 12 | KWTX 10

The Bluebonnet Chapter of the International Code Council is a nonprofit organization comprised of local professional contractors, building inspectors, code enforcement officials and other experts. The group, which meets monthly, is focused on the continued training and education of its members. Michael Beard is a building inspector for the City of Harker Heights, and the Bluebonnet ICC President. "You walk into a building to sit down and eat, and you don't really think, is this building going to fall on our heads, It's just a given that it's not going to," Beard said. Read more.

Adopt a hydrant in Coeur d'Alene

January 12 | KXLY

While most of the snow has melted off there is still plenty of time for snow fall this winter in Coeur d'Alene and that's why the fire department is asking people to adopt a hydrant. The Coeur d'Alene Municipal Code and the International Fire Code require property owners to maintain a three foot clearance around fire protection devices. These include fire hydrants, fire department connections, and post indicator valves. This goes for a private residence or a business. If a fire hydrant is buried in the snow and fire fighters can't find it, or if they have to dig out the snow before connecting our hoses, precious time is lost. Read more.