ToolBase E-News volume 133

In This Issue:

CALIFORNIA SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS:

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has revised the criteria for lighting standards in new homes built in California, which will go into effect on October 1, 2005. According to a recent item in Conservation Update (July 2005), a publication by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP), the new rules require that fluorescent fixtures provide at least half the light in the kitchens. Also, bathrooms, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and garages must have fluorescent lights or motion sensors for incandescent lights. The new rules are expected to save at least 30 percent of an average home's lighting costs. For more information, read the update.

NEW SPIN ON TURNING MANUFACTURING WASTE INTO FUEL:

According to a recent article in Interior Design (Mairi Beautyman, July 21, 2005), Shaw Industries has joined with engineers from Siemens Building Technology to design a carpet manufacturing plant that aims to save both time and money by converting manufacturing waste into fuel. The $10 million plant will use its own scraps and sawdust for fuel to save up to an estimated $2.5 million each year. For more information, read the article.

WORKING IN CRAMPED SPACES MADE EASY:

According to a recent write-up in Popular Science (Alan J. Heavens, August 12, 2005), new hand tools could make it easier to get into small spaces and remove unwanted nails. The Bionic Wrench, by Loggerhead Tools, LLC, adjusts easily to fit any bolt or nut from 7/16 to 3/4 of an inch. The Extractor, made by Jefferson Tool, LLC, is a pair of 11-inch pliers that prevent shearing a nail when pulling it. And Craftsman's new chrome wrench generates the necessary torque and pivots to any of nine positions along its 180-degree arc. For more information on these innovative hand tools, read the Popular Science summary.

ONLINE CONCRETE ENGINEERING PROGRAM AVAILABLE:

A recent article in Nation's Building News (August 15, 2005) reports on an engineering program available online from the Concrete Foundation Association that allows users to design a basement wall that conforms to CABO 95, IRC 2000, UBC, BOCA 97, or ACI-318-99 codes. Users can change the wall height, thickness, or required reinforcement with the program. Once the design satisfies the desired model code, it can be printed and used as a blueprint. The CFA says the program is easy to use because builders only need to provide information regarding soil conditions. The program is free for the NAHB members and costs $25 per visit for non-members. For more information, read the article.

WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEM OFFERS CONVENIENCE TO HOMEOWNERS:

According to a recent Builder Online article (Steve Zurier, July 1, 2005), there is a new option for homeowners with security systems in their homes who want to use only voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) - the new service that lets people make lower-cost local, long distance, and international calls over the Internet - and get rid of their land lines. With a new alarm system that works wirelessly, builders can now offer their customers the option of VoIP-only phone service. The security system, offered through Alarm.com in partnership with Vonage, uses a wireless radio to communicate, so it isn't dependent on the broadband connection used by the VoIP. Subsequently, if the broadband connection is lost, the security system still works. If the power goes out, the security system has a built-in backup battery that lasts for 24 hours. For more information, read the article.

SMART BUILDING MATERIALS HELP CLEAR THE AIR:

According to an Associated Press article (July 25, 2005), scientists are currently developing smart building materials designed to help clean the air. For example, one Swedish construction company hopes to construct concrete walls that could break down vehicle exhaust. The material uses catalytic cement and concrete products coated with titanium dioxide, a compound that can become highly reactive when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. When UV rays hit the titanium dioxide coating, they will trigger a reaction that destroys molecules of pollutants like nitrogen oxides. In 2003, the company coated a 75,000 square foot road surface with photo-catalytic cement in order to test their theory and found nitrogen oxide levels were reduced by up to 60 percent. Although this is promising, researchers admit these levels may change drastically when tested outside of a controlled environment.