Metal and Education-The Future

As we near the end of the school year all across the islands of Micronesia, the thought of the future has been a running theme at graduations and commencements from Majuro to Palau .  A man who has a keen eye into the future and one of the smartest men in the construction industry, Fabral Vice President and General Manager Kit Emert wrote in his Blog earlier this year of the importance of building a sustainable environment for our children and young adults to learn, thrive and grow.  

While the metal industry's top executive noted that while each of us makes our own judgment on the state of education in America, we all must be supportive of learning within the building structures we present to them.  Emert points out that metal exterior enclosure systems provide an ideal solution for educational buildings and school athletic facilities. 

But why? 

"There are numerous reasons, but at the forefront is the fact that metal is truly sustainable as it provides materials containing high percentages of recycled content and that are wholly recyclable," wrote Emert. "Metal is economical in use as compared to other cladding materials. In addition, metal provides for efficient building enclosure, possible job site fabrication for long-length roofing panel systems, wall panel systems that blend well with other types of building products, metal can be incorporated with energy management products and metal cladding is ideal for retrofit applications." 

The 30 year metal construction professional added that metal systems can be designed for abuse resistance in high-traffic use or damage-prone areas. Emert opined that metal can be fabricated, colorized and designed to fit the architectural, functional and environmental needs of an educational building and enhance the learning process.

"Metal exterior enclosure systems have been successfully and beautifully utilized on countless schools across the US," wrote Emert. "Think metal exterior enclosure systems for education and in education-Metal is the sustainable direction for your building design and for our future."

With the rising cost of construction and increasing awareness of sustainable building practices across the Pacific, such a notion to move towards metal should not be left out of the design charrettes and master planning by government educators and island engineers alike through the summer break and beyond.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners can help with your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.

The S-5! Clip-A Product Line That Is Expanding

The first time I came across an S-5! Clip was two years ago on a roofing project at Naval Base Guam.  After completion of an over 150,000 square foot standing seam metal roof with Serrano Development Corporation, part of the scope was to ensure that the roof-mounted ventilation across this vast metal roof was properly secured to the structure.  The S-5! Clips brought on this particular job were pretty neat in its construction and offered a versatility I had never seen before.  A superior product that works well on these particular roof systems.  It was strong.  Plain and simple.

Near the end of last year, S-5! announced the expansion of its product line with 14 new clamps to attach roof accessories including solar and photovoltaic products, to metal roofs. 

Give the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based company credit for developing the new products to be cost-effective non-penetrating attachment systems. S-5!'s CorruBracket 100T attaches to corrugated roofing profiles and is fixed to the crest of the corrugation, leaving the drainage plane free of holes to protect against leaks. CorruBracket 100T comes with a factory-applied EPDM rubber gasket seal on the base and reservoir that conceals the EPDM from UV exposure.

S-5!'s S-5-V Clamp and S-5-V Mini Clamp fit most vertical-folded seam profiles manufactured in North America including structural and architectural profiles. The S-5-V Clamp works with other S-5! products including ColorGard, and the S-5-V Mini Clamp attaches rooftop accessories including signs, walkways and satellite dishes.

S-5!'s S-5-H Clamp and S-5-H Mini Clamp are two-piece clamps that accommodate metal roof panels with a horizontal seam. The clamps attach to the horizontal seam on the vertical leg of the seam.

My suggestion for metal building owners-if you don't have these on your roofs, you are missing out.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners, including Ceco Building Systems,  can help with your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.   

    

Collaboration on Education to Grow the Metal Construction Industry

This past summer, leaders from six trade associations and the Metal Construction Association came together to find the best way to bring their collective resources together to grow the metal construction market. 

The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA), the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA), the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), the National Coil Coating Association (NCCA), the National Frame Building Association (NFBA), and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) agreed that  to grow this industry is to focus primarily on education over the course of the next year and beyond.

How will it be done?  

There was agreement that the target audience be architects, specifiers and engineers. With education currently being  done on a project-by-project basis, industry leaders believe readily available, widely accepted educational tools on these issues would be useful to their own association members and the entire industry.

 “We’ve done one-on-one education, taking pictures of jobs that show that metal is attractive and pointing out [limits to] their codes,” said National Frame Building Association Chairman Elect Ken Gieseke, “Getting tools to help us as an industry would be huge.”

NFBA has more than 700 members, including contractors, suppliers, and design professionals. The association seeks to expand the use of post-frame construction, educate builders and decision makers on post-frame construction, provide technical research, and market the benefits of post-frame construction.

Getting out messages like this to influencers of construction and consumers is key to growing the industry.

However, all the groups promote professionalism and provide education and training to their members, and some provide accreditation.

The 52-year-old NCCA, which has about 100 members, promotes the growth of pre-painted metal.  It serves as the voice of the coil coating industry for technical, promotional, education, and regulatory matters. The 46-year-old MBCEA provides, among other things, national standardized testing and apprenticeship and accreditation programs. It has seen a 30% jump in its membership of metal building contractors and erectors over the past year, according to MBCEA President Gary Smith.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partners can help with your next steel building or aluminium roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.    

Housing Market Gets Boost From Home Depot

New York-based Home & Textiles Today is reporting that with demand from building contractors rising and consumers beginning to step up investment in their homes, Home Depot said it expects the pace of same-store sales to accelerate in the second half of 2014.

The newspaper of the home textiles industry says that the Atlanta, Georgia-based home improvement retailer’s second quarter net income jumped 16.7% to $2.1 billion, or $1.52 per share for the quarter that ended on August 3, 2014. Sales rose 5.7% to $23.8 billion. Consolidated comps climbed 5.8%, with same-store sales for the U.S. operation up 6.4%.

"In the second quarter, our spring seasonal business rebounded, and we saw strong performance in the core of the store and across all of our geographies," said Home Depot Chairman and CEO Frank Blake.

Forbes Magazine reported on the Home Depot outlook as less a sign of good things ahead in the housing market than it was a sign that the company is just operating well.

“This strong performance gives us further confidence that Home Depot can handle a slower paced housing market recovery on strong execution,” said Citi analyst Kate McShane.

GET,LLC has worked on a number of federal projects with the home improvement retailer this year.  A strong outlook is welcome news for stockholders and expect the end of the year to get better for them.

To learn more about the other products and services that GET, LLC provides, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us at 671-483-0789 to discuss solutions for your important construction needs-All Made in America!!!

Why Keystones?

It sure has come a long way from the first patent in 1979 as a "wiring module for telephone jack". Amp Incorporated led the way until 16 years later the patent that we know today as that telephone connector with contact protect block that revolutionized telecommunications and continues to inspire thought on the transferring of data in and around facilities all over the world.

Keystone wall plates are built to connect keystone jacks for various cables into a single or double gang outlet box, which would be installed directly into a building's drywall. Surface mount wall boxes allow you to mount keystone jacks on the surface of the wall. 

Keystone ports are the small square holes in the wall plates and surface mount boxes that are made so that keystone jacks can snap right in. 

Keystone jacks are female connectors that snap into the wall plate or surface mount box, allowing cables to be connected in various configurations. There can be up to twelve keystone ports in a wall plate. Keystone wall plates will work with all kinds of different keystone jacks, including HDMI, VGA, DVI, RCA, IR, speaker cables and F-connectors, just to name a few.

Need a keystone or keystones for your next project?  Please give GET, LLC a call at 671-797-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for more details on how we can be of assistance.

The Future of Metal Construction Through the Eyes of Fabral

GET, LLC has had a great opportunity to meet and work closely with Fabral President Kit Emert.  It was in the Fall of 2012 that we had the pleasure of getting to know the head of the 47 year old premier supplier of metal roofing and wall systems for architectural, industrial, commercial, agricultural, post frame and residential applications.  Kit and our friends at MCR Guam Inc. are responsible for nearly a quarter of a million square feet of roofing at U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base since 2011.

Earlier this week, Kit shared his thoughts  on what lies ahead for the metal building business this year and into the near future: "In the U.S., as well as globally, there is a huge inventory of buildings sitting idle awaiting new office occupancy, industrial expansion or institutional upgrades.  In many cases, these structures are simply in need of exterior updating while in other cases these buildings are in need of substantial interior and HVAC improvements.  Regardless of the individual owner or building need, it is often the more sensible and sustainable option to retrofit a structure to meet current and expected future needs than to build new.

Metal exterior, and interior, cladding systems are ideally suited to meet the demands of retrofit construction.  Metal products are typically lighter in weight than other building materials and that means there may be less structural work necessary to accommodate a new metal cladding system and to meet building code requirements.  Metal can also be easily fabricated to meet the design element demands of retrofit construction and to address tolerance requirements that may be prevalent on an aged building structure.  Additionally, metal cladding systems integrate easily with other building materials and elements that may be maintained from the original construction design.  And, finally, metal can be fabricated to match historically significant metal construction design elements, such as, cornices, spires, finials, reveals, trims and panel systems.

Metal does provide an ideal architectural and functional fit for retrofit construction applications.  An idle building, or a building that is an eyesore, can become functional and architecturally significant with a beautiful metal enclosure system or design element makeover."

Thanks Kit for the vision and great advice.

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our metal building partner and Fabral representative for Guam and the Pacific Rim MCR Guam Inc., can help with your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.    

Delamping with LED Lighting-A Strategy to Save Energy Costs

Building owners are always looking for an efficient way to reduce costs in their facilities come budget time. The following strategy is a great way to get the cost savings they are looking for while also modernizing the lighting system in their respective building. 

 De-lamping, or the replacement of two fluorescent tubes with one LED tube, is gaining popularity among business owners because it greatly diminishes the operating cost for owners and, in many cases, reduces the payback period for an LED retrofit to as little as one year.

My friends at Independence LED Lighting offer up an example of de-lamping-converting a 2’x4’ office troffer containing four, 32 watt 4’, T8 fluorescent tubes to an LED Retrofit Kit consisting of two, 4’, 22 watt tubes powered by one external driver. This reduces the total fixture wattage from 128 watts to 44 watts, resulting in a 66% lighting savings.  LED retrofit products that are DLC listed and qualify for rebates with major energy providers, can also reduce the payback period and increase ROI.

GET, LLC, through our friends at Independence LED has installed "American-Made" retrofit kits in the commercial and industrial, warehousing, educational, parking garages, hospitality and multi-family residential markets. Independence LED CEO Charles Szoradi says that the key an LED De-Lamping strategy is based on our ability to use one high output tube to replace two existing fluorescent tubes or a pair of imported tubes.

"Since our tube systems are modular, coming in a selection of wattages and lengths, we can de-lamp just about any fixture configuration," said Szoradi. "Our deep fin aluminium heart sinks and external driver technology enables one of our LED tubes to do the work of two alternative options.”

When performing an LED retrofit, it is important to evaluate the fixture retrofit cost, and not just the tube cost. Four $35 imported Chinese tubes to replace four 32 watt fluorescent tubes may seem to be a less expensive solution than $68 US Made LED tubes.  However, buyers have to take the cost per unit off the table and look at the fixture retrofit cost. 4 x $35 = $140 while 2 x $68 = $136.  The value is in the FIXTURE retrofit cost and not the tube cost. Plus the US made tubes, including those by Independence LED, consume less electricity and have a 10 year warranty versus the imported tubes that often cap out at five years.

De-lamping’s ability to reduce the overall fixture retrofit cost, lower lighting electricity costs, and achieve greater performance has made it increasingly popular among business owners in the private and public sector.

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important energy efficient lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Saving $4 Billion by 2020 by Using Wireless Lighting Controls

A couple of local mid-sized corporations had asked me in recent weeks just how much savings can be achieved combining an energy efficient light bulb, like the Independence LED Lighting products we represent, and lighting controls in their respective buildings.   I found the answer in a very unlikely place.  

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San Diego, California-based ON World Inc.,a provider of global business intelligence on smart technology markets in there recently published "Smart Building Wireless Sensor Networks found that wireless lighting controls in combination with energy harvesting, wireless mesh networking and wireless enabled smart LED drivers will save buildings $4 Billion in energy savings by 2020. 

“Today, a typical building wastes almost a third of its lighting energy due to inefficient or non-existent lighting control systems,” says Mareca Hatler ON World’s research director. “Wireless energy management systems that integrate with a building’s lighting infrastructure is one of the fastest growing areas in building automation.”

ON World’s survey of 85 professional installers found that 59% are providing wireless lighting controls. Over half provide a centralized wireless lighting control system and about a quarter install lighting systems that use wireless adapters. Nearly 6 in 10 provide a wireless lighting control system that features occupancy detection, 34% daylighting and 26% support utility demand response programs.

Maintenance-free wireless sensors and switches powered by harvested energy made up about 1 in 3 of the wireless lighting device shipments in 2012. Today, these mostly use the EnOcean wireless protocol that has over 1,000 interoperable products.   Wireless mesh networking avoids dependence on a wired backbone that is used by the majority of wireless lighting control systems. Targeted at building-wide wireless energy management as well as outdoor commercial areas, wireless mesh systems attach to, or integrate with, lighting luminaires. Competition is increasing from system innovators such as CIMCON, Convergence Wireless, Daintree, Enlighted and TwistHDM as well as lighting manufacturers such as Acuity, Digital Lumens, Harvard Engineering, Hubbell, Light Corporation and Venture Lighting Corporation.The migration to LED lighting is one of the biggest developments in building energy management systems by providing long-lasting light sources that are especially suited for digital controls. Software configurable LED drivers with integrated wireless communications such as those provided by Orama promise to reduce communications costs up to 90% by replacing the need for a separate device for the adapter.

Industrial, warehousing, parking garages/lots and outdoor area lighting are currently some of the fastest growing markets for wireless lighting controls. However, traditional commercial buildings such as offices, retail and restaurants will make up over 40% percent of the market by 2017.

The ON World report noted that by 2020, global wireless lighting control device shipments will increase by over 1500% from 2012 when they will save buildings $4.2 billion in energy costs.

Your mind made up yet?

To learn more about the lighting controls products that GET, LLC provides, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-Made in America!!!

Structured Stainless Steel Guide Released

An interesting development out of the steel industry as American design professionals now have access to a new resource related to carbon steel structural components  for steel buildings.  

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Steel Design Guide No. 27, Structural Stainless Steel, authored by Associate Director at the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) Nancy Baddoo, provides guidance for the design of structural hot-rolled or welded open sections such as I-shaped members, channels, and equal-leg angles, as well as rectangular and round hollow structural sections (HSS).

The publication is intended for engineers experienced in the design of carbon steel structural components, but not necessarily in the design of stainless steel structures, and is aligned with the design provisions in the 2010 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. The AISC Guide applies to austenitic, duplex and precipitation hardening stainless steel structural sections with thickness 8 in. (3 mm) and greater.  Some of the topics covered in this guide include material behavior and selection, cross-section design, member design, connections and fabrication.

"Up until now, there have been no specifications or guidelines for the design of structures fabricated from hot-rolled stainless steel plates or shapes," said Ted Galambos, Ph.D., P.E., emeritus professor of structural engineering at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and a reviewer of Design Guide No. 27. "This document, for the first time in the U.S., will show designers how to proportion stainless steel beams, columns, frames and connections that are fabricated from hot-rolled components. With this new design guide, it will be an easy task to expand the arsenal of engineers."

It was a collaborative effort to put this guide together, bring the collective talents of the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA), International Molybdenum Association (IMOA), International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), Nickel Institute, Outokumpu, Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA), Stainless Structurals LLC, Stalatube, and the Steel Institute of New York (SINY).

To find out more about how GET, LLC through, our metal building partner MCR Guam Inc., can help your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information. 

By 2020, Sale of Lighting Controls will Eclipse $5 Billion!!!

Photo sensors, occupancy sensors and networks controls. These are products that will certainly keep the lighting industry busy well into the next decade.  

The Wall Street Journal, citing a Navigant Research report, says that worldwide revenue from networked lighting controls will top out at more than $5.3 Billion by 2020.  This figure is up substantially from $1.7 Billion in 2013.

The Navigant report, analyzed the global market for lighting controls for commercial buildings to include new construction and retrofits.  Technologies ranging from Sensors, ballasts, drivers, switches, relays and controllers were all looked at. 

Throughout the U.S., municipalities and businesses are striving to replace their inefficient lighting to save energy, reduce their utility costs, and go green with more environmentally friendly, sustainable lighting solutions. New solid state lighting (SSL) technologies offer numerous benefits, including immediate energy savings of 50% or more, 50,000 hour lifespan for long term maintenance savings, and greater controllability. The use of controls, sensors, day lighting, and intelligent network systems offer an additional 25% or more in energy savings by adjusting light levels when and where the illumination is needed.

Navigant Research Analyst Jesse Foote told the Journal that,  "Building owners and managers, who are accustomed to the idea of centrally monitoring and managing their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, are beginning to expect the same level of control from lighting systems." Foote added that, "To meet this growing demand, a number of different types of vendors -- including pure-play startup companies and traditional lighting vendors -- are moving aggressively into the lighting controls market."

The report, entitled "Intelligent Lighting Controls for Commercial Buildings", noted that as falling prices for Light-Emitting Diode lighting (LEDs) drive up adoption rates of LED lamps, the adoption of lighting controls will also accelerate. Navigant Research opined that the semiconductor nature of LEDs makes them inherently controllable, with a high degree of dimmability, easy integration of controls with drivers, and instantaneous startup. Many LED lamps, according to Navigant, are being sold with built-in controllability, whether or not there are plans to make use of those features.

Want to get a jump on lighting controls for your building?   For more information on bringing controls and an LED lighting solution to your facility, please contact us at GET, LLC at 671-483-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for details of the technologies that can be of significant value to all building owners-All Made in America!!!

Ethernet FAQ-Plenum vs. Riser vs. Communications Cable

GET, LLC remain committed to providing more information about structured cabling for computer networks. This particular blog post examines the difference in use of three of the most popular cabling solutions and where the application is used in a building space.

In order to discuss Plenum (CMP) rated cable we must first discuss what plenum space is. Plenum space is the space in ceilings or between floors, which facilitates air circulation for heating and cooling systems. If air can travel between rooms in a building freely that air occupies a plenum space. The danger is when a fire breaks out. If the fire enters the plenum space, it encounters an oxygen rich environment that feeds it. By using plenum rated cable, one mitigates further fueling of the fire and reduces the toxicity of the smoke.

Riser Cable (CMR) is another designation found on cable and this is intended to be run between floors and not in a plenum space. Riser cable has a fire rating but not as strict as CMP so therefore CMP can be used in CMR applications, but CMR can never be used in CMP applications.

Communications Cable (CM) is general use cable suitable for in wall applications. It is rated to go in wall. It may not be used in applications where CMR or CMP is required, but CMR or CMP can be used for CM applications.

For more on structured cabling solutions for your respective business or building, please give GET, LLC a call at 671-797-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for more details on how we can be of assistance.

Steel Production Number Improve in 2012

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is reporting that the U.S. and NAFTA steel production and shipments both increased in 2012 over 2011, but import gains continue as U.S. and NAFTA markets have not attained pre-recession levels.  

The 2012 AISI Annual Statistical Report (ASR) showed that U.S. steel shipments were at 96 million net tons, a four percent increase from the previous year and an 11 percent increase from the most recent five-year average of 86 million net tons.  

Construction and automotive continue to be the largest markets for steel.

Metal Construction News call the report "the most comprehensive reference of its kind" for the American steel industry, adding that the AISI report provides statistical data for the U.S. steel industry and a variety of selected statistical data on the Canadian, Mexican and world steel industries.  

The Illinois-based industry magazine points out the the AISI Report features comprehensive charts and graphs, including: selected statistical highlights on shipments, apparent supply, imports, employment and raw steel data over a 10-year period; selected financial highlights on income and cash flow data; shipments by products and markets over a 10-year period; raw steel production (state distribution and capability utilization); and imports and exports data.   The report also includes an executive summary that highlights recent and historical trends in the North American steel industry.

"The annual statistical report is an indispensable reference tool for anyone interested in tracking steel industry trends," said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson.  "With 16 pages of charts and graphs in the executive summary alone, it is a valuable resource for industry, media, academia, steel analysts and anyone else who is interested in comprehensive data on our industry."

NAFTA Raw Steel Production was 133 million net tons in 2012, a two percent increase over 2011.

To find out more about how GET, LLC through, our metal building partner MCR Guam Inc., can help your next steel building or aluminum roofing project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.

Independence LED Lighting CEO Speaks at MIT Enterprise Forum

Last week, Independence LED Lighting Charlie Szoradi spoke before the MIT Enterprise Forum's GO GLOBAL Networking Event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The MIT Enterprise Forum is the preeminent organization of entrepreneurs in the global innovation economy. For 35 years, they have produced programs and events about innovation, technology and entrepreneurship for over 50,000 leaders around the world.  The MIT Enterprise Forum of Philadelphia sought out Charlie to complement what they call the "5-Star Playbook: A Hands on Guide for Companies Entering the International Marketplace".

The focus of Charlie's talk and the Forum was simple.

The group shared that exporting products Made in the USA is no longer only for large companies. The event pointed out that small and mid-sized enterprises are finding opportunity to increase sales and profit beyond the borders of the contiguous United States-case in point: Guam and the Western Pacific. Charlie and the MIT Enterprise Forum stressed that entrepreneurs can take full advantage of the business potential following their "5-Star Playbook", a guide for success in the global marketplace. The Forum shared their insights, tips, and resources that included information on over $120 Billion in support from the Federal Government to expand businesses internationally.

Charlie and the group coached those in attendance on strategies to access federal and state financial aid and support, identify and develop overseas business relationships and locate global buyers for US products.

Under his leadership, Charlie and Independence LED Lighting have certainly practiced what they preach-GET,LLC is just one of the many companies mentored by our friends in Boyertown.

Less than a year ago, we entered into a relationship committed to complementing our efforts to bring a diverse array of resources to building owners across the Western Pacific, built a network of suppliers to provide energy efficiency products with Independence LED Lighting as the key solution to reduce their energy costs and committed ourselves to being a proud American small business focused on the delivery of lighting products to the marketplace with the "Made in the USA" label.  

To learn more about the LED lighting products and other related electrical products that GET, LLC provides, please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs.

GETting Perspective at the AIA National Convention in Colorado

GET, LLC is proud to be a part of the annual American Institute of Architects National Convention in Denver, Colorado.  The three day show, which opens on June 20, 2013 brings together the industry's top professionals under one roof to celebrate their collective work that changes the lives of people around the world each and every day. 

The AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857. They are responsible for a number of different education programs-case in point, GET, LLC attended an Introduction to Metal Buildings course hosted by the AIA in Guam last Fall and was very well received by the local architect community. We were blown away by the information presented in the Continuing Education course and has been the catalyst for our current work with the Denver-based Metal Construction Resources, LLP and MCR Guam Inc.

The 2013 edition of the AIA's National Convention is such a great extension of that AIA Course in Guam for this blogger. I am very excited about what the next couple of days has in store.  With that, over the course of the Convention I will use this forum to describe what I see and write about the AIA show from a perspective of a first timer to the event and general feeling about the AIA and their signature event. 

What I can say so far is that this city is getting ramped up big for the AIA.  800 exhibitors will showcase their wares and over 30,000 participants are expected to attend the courses and check out the variety of products and services that will be on display at the Denver Convention Center.  Even at the hotel where I am staying and a number of eating establishments I have already visited, scores of attendees are mapping out their plan of attack for the AIA Convention.  Each with a unique mission to accomplish to further advance their businesses at home and as part of the network of 300 state and local AIA Chapters.

"Building Leaders" is the theme for the AIA Convention-something I hope will inspire me and the other attendees to think about over the course of the next couple of days in Denver and to take home with us following its conclusion. 

What Is The Future of LED Lighting? A Report on The Global Market For LED lighting In Buildings

The London-based market research and  investment consultancy Memoori, has released an interesting report that reviews the future of emerging trends that can expect to change the face of the Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting industry.  

What do they expect is going to take off like a rocket?  OLED, Smart Lighting & Controls, Low Voltage AC LED, Alternative Substrates and Phosphor Technology will set the trends. 

With, lighting accounting for 19% of the worldwide electricity consumption and commercial, residential, and industrial buildings responsible for 49% of the world’s energy consumption, what will be the next steps for building owners to respond to this growing energy concern.  Studies estimate that by US building owners cutting the energy used by lighting by 40% would save about $53 billion in annual energy costs, and reduce total energy demand that is equivalent to the annual operations of 198 mid-size power stations.

The Memoori Study also found some other interesting pieces of information:

Their research estimates that the total value of the global market for lamps and luminaires used in building lighting in 2012 was approximately $54 billion, and project that this overall market will grow by 3.6% in 2017

Memoori predicts that the revenue of the global LED market for buildings will rise from $9.46 billion in 2013 to a total of $25.4 billion by 2017.

And finally, they project market growth for LED lighting in all regions. Growth in India will be the highest at approximately 31%, but from a very low base, and penetration rates there are likely to remain relative low. The rest of Asia (with the exception of Japan) will experience growth of around 24% due to positive legislation, new construction, and government incentives.

The report adds that many global lighting product sectors remain highly fragmented. This is likely to change over the next few years. Memoori predicts that the continued drive for improved lighting performance and lower costs should drive continued vertical integration in the market particularly downstream in the value chain.

The Business of LED Lighting in Buildings 2013 to 2017 report by Memoori does so much to provide important conclusions, supported with facts, as to what is shaping the future of the LED lighting industry.  It is a must read.

For more information on bringing an LED lighting solution to your facility, please contact us at GET,LLC at 671-483-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for details of the technologies that can be of significant value to all building owners-All Made in America!!!

Steel is Good "Shelter from the Storm"

A great article by Mark Robbins of Metal Construction News recently brings to mind a great sale pitch for metal buildings: "...with proper design and storm-resistant construction, the damage to buildings by Mother Nature's tantrums can be greatly reduced."

While building to code is just not enough, ensuring your metal building is designed and constructed to resist wind effects is very important.  Living in the Western Pacific that is so true.  Life in "Typhoon Alley" means you must build to withstand hurricane or typhoon force winds of 170 miles per hour.  The best constructed steel buildings on Guam have answered that call.  There are still some post-War buildings that stand today on our island that have seen dozens of storms come and go in our latitude.  Must mean that the construction of the vertical and lateral load paths of these monuments to Mother Nature were spot on.  Fasteners, bracing and straps were also instrumental in keeping these buildings intact.

In discussions with CECO Building Systems, they have assured that will take extra efforts to ensure that steel building built on Guam will be properly engineered to this extreme weather condition that I believe is such a value added benefit for the local steel building customer.  Extra time to ensure that their product can withstand the harsh elements related to tropical storms or typhoons in the Western Pacific is a testament to their commitment to great customer service and above all-keeping the building owner and the neighboring public to these facilities safe.

While perlins and girts need to be strengthened,  it is the roof that must be able to be storm-resistant.  One of our partners in Fabral are just as committed to protecting against the sometimes volatile Western Pacific trade winds.  Their attention to detail in the engineering of roofing systems can be seen on a number of buildings here in Micronesia and take the extra step with weather tightness warranties that are so very important out here.

Other parts of the steel building from the gutter, louvers and curbs cannot be overlooked in relation to being storm ready.  Windows and doors should also be impenetrable to the harsh environments that island life can bring.  

Design to code and install correctly.  Take these steps and your metal building will serve your needs for decades and saves costs and reduces liabilities during a storm.  For more on metal building solutions for your organization, please contact GET, LLC.  Our strategic partnership with MCR Guam Inc. and Metal Construction Resources LLP will ensure you have the best metal building for your needs.  Drop us a line or call us to discuss further.

State of the Metal Construction Industry in 2013 and the Outlook for Guam & Metal Buildings

A Repeat of 2012.  Lack of focus on selling the value of steel buildings over price.  Lack of definitive direction in Washington.  Those are just some of the things being said by the leaders of the metal construction industry on the outlook for 2013.  

Metal Construction News is the original news magazine of the metal construction industry and has been the premier source for news, products and strategies since 1994.  The Monthly publication talked to the industry leaders about what the new year can expect to hold for the business. 

The article can be found: http://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/magazine-features/2013-state-of-the-metal-construction-industry.aspx

The discussion on metal construction in the residential market, change in public policy, the workforce and the evolution into a sustainable industry were thought provoking. 

For the islands of the Western Pacific, metal buildings have been a part of the landscape since 1945.  If you look closely, many of those original structures are still standing in varying degrees of deterioration.  For the most part, these steel icons have stood the test of time.  

Today, demand is on the rebound.  Smaller projects are featuring steel buildings.  Contractors are revisiting steel versus concrete as a solution to their project needs.  While the Butler brand has been front and center on Guam.  Ceco is now making a run on the marketplace.  The end result has been more competitive pricing and quality products entering the region. With many taking a second look at the Guam Buildup and associated structures needed, metal buildings could once again be the owners choice.  

Why is this encouraging?  

Construction materials made up 3% of imports into Guam in July 2012. Steel structures accounted for $432,997 or about a quarter of the construction material imports.  This is an encouraging sign and expect it to grow in the months to come.  2013 could be a great year for the metal buildings industry on Guam. And on the heels of a anticipated ramp up in 2014 and 2015, this could be even better for metal buildings here.

Guam SAME hosting 2012 IBC Fundamental Provisions Workshop for Engineers, Architects and Builders

Something to put on your calendar.  Next month, the Guam Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) will be hosting a one-day workshop entitled "2012 IBC FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURAL PROVISIONS FOR ENGINEERS, ARCHITECHS AND BUILDERS".  The event is slated for February 20, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Guam. This workshop is designed to help the Guam Engineering, Architecture and Construction industry with the transition to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) to be implemented on Guam within the next 12 months.

It took much work and lobbying by local contractors, but Guam recently moved from the 1994 edition of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) to the 2009 edition of the IBC as the basis of the Building Code of Guam. For the users of the Building Code of Guam, this involves a steep transition, because the following model code editions were skipped: the 1997 UBC, the 2000 IBC, the 2003 IBC, and the 2006 IBC.

The focus for the event will be on designs for the two natural hazards common to Guam-wind and earthquakes.   When you live in a place where you have four named storms a year and sit along "The Ring of Fire", it makes so much sense to understand more about the changes.  Additionally, the impacts on the IBC changes on steel and concrete structures (both cast-in-place and pre-cast) will be discussed in detail.

This course, along with efforts by the Guam Legislature to adopt the Guam Tropical Energy Code are great first steps in modernizing construction techniques and standards on Guam.  The GTEC should be passed in the first quarter of this year -GET, LLC will be able to assist with the LED Lighting upgrades and recommendations on sustainable insulation solutions for steel and concrete buildings.

While there are many who would say that such alterations will bring up the cost of construction on Guam, the changes are necessary for our island to be in compliance with the code and prepare ourselves for the buildup related to the move of the III Marine Expeditionary Force to Guam in the years to come-an effort that would require such requirements.  We can't expect changes such as these to come only because we are going to see large amounts of federal monies into an aging infrastructure, but because t is the right thing for us to do as a modern American community building facilities for the future of the next generation of Guamanians.