Don Pilz has joined AWCI in November 2024 as the director of technical services. Pilz is a seasoned professional with more than 37 years of experience in the building construction industry. His passion for the field and diverse background—spanning roles as a drywall/lather, building envelope consultant, product development consultant, and for the last 17 years as the R&D manager at CEMCO—will drive innovative education, resources, information and solutions to AWCI members and the wall and ceiling industry.
Construction Technology Council (CTC) met in-person at both BUILD24 in Orlando, Florida, and the Industry Leaders Conference in Hollywood, California.
Numerous industry issues were discussed related to ceilings and specialty products, steel framing, gypsum board, plaster and lath, EIFS, stucco, fireproofing and other important matters.
AWCI continued to work with other associations on updates to the International Code Council’s 2027 building codes.
AWCI was also represented on a committee developing the new “ICC 1125, Standard for Classification of Magnesium Oxide Boards and Construction.” This standard will establish the minimum physical board requirements for several categories of MgO board usage in building and construction for reference in model building codes. The first draft is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 and will address the use of these boards in both floor and wall applications.
AWCI helped develop a code change clarifying the language in section 2510.6 of the International Building Code, which affects stucco, drainage and water-resistive barriers. This change, proposed by the Wall and Ceiling Bureau, was created in response to a more complex proposal put forth by the Foam Sheathing Coalition. Both proposals will be discussed at the first round of International Code Council code hearings during the week of April 8.
ASTM International balloted two new standards that closely parallel two AWCI publications: Standard Practice for the Testing and Inspection of Field Applied Sprayed Fire-Resistive Materials (AWCI Tech Manual 12-A) and Standard Practice for the Testing and Inspection of Thin-Film Sprayed Fire-Resistive Materials (AWCI Tech Manual 12-B). AWCI closely monitored the development of these new standards and their alignment with the AWCI publications.
AWCI attended the Drywall Finishing Council’s annual spring meeting in Nashville. Members discussed development and updates of their technical documents, their soon-to-be-released industry-wide environmental product declaration for joint compound and the development of updated product category rules for future EPDs.
AWCI attended a virtual meeting led by former code staff on the future of AISI standards. This was the first of several meetings to determine the future of CFS standards that were initially developed by AISI, but will move to other associations as AISI moves out of the standards development and code advocacy business .