Technical News

July 2023

New Addition to the ASCE/SEI 7-22 Standard Protects Buildings from a 500-year Flood Event

The American Society of Civil Engineers released a new update to their most widely used standard today, ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Building and Other Structures. As the increasing frequency...

August 2022

New Standard Will Help in Design of Barriers in Building Construction

A new ASTM International standard will describe in detail the design and specification process for water vapor transmission properties of water-resistive barriers and air barriers (WRB/AB) in building construction. ASTM’s performance of buildings committee...

October 2021

ASTM International Develops New Classification for Low-Frequency Impact Noise Rating

A new standard developed by ASTM International’s building and environmental acoustics committee establishes an evaluation metric for low-frequency impact noise. Specifically, it allows for evaluation of thudding from footfalls in buildings. The...

December 2020

Gypsum Association Develops Video on Repairing Fire Resistive Systems

The Gypsum Association commented at the September AWCI Construction Technology Committee meetings that the association has released a video that shows the proper way to repair damaged gypsum panels in a fire-resistive assembly. The video...

August 2020

Proposed Guide Supports Evaluation of Cavity Wall Façades

A proposed standard will be used to support the periodic assessment of cavity wall façades. ASTM’s committee on the performance of buildings (E06) is developing the standard. In cavity wall façades, a grid...

June 2020

Gypsum Association Releases EPD for Typical 5/8” Type X North American Wallboard

The Gypsum Association has released a revised and updated environmental product declaration for 5/8” type X North American gypsum boards. Following the standards set in the association’s recently revised product category rules (PCR) for North...

May 2020

New Standard Will Support Recycling of Gypsum Panels

A new ASTM International standard will allow the gypsum industry to continue to manufacture quality products while integrating recycled materials into their processes. ASTM’s gypsum and related building materials and systems committee (C11) developed the...

May 2020

MCA Releases Series of White Papers to Define Metal Composite Material

In response to widespread confusion regarding what qualifies as a Metal Composite Material, The Metal Construction Association has published a comprehensive and authoritative white paper, “What Is A Metal Composite Material?” and made it available...

May 2019

Simpson Strong-Tie Launches Online Resource Center Promoting Construction Practices Designed to Resist High-Wind Events

Simpson Strong-Tie has launched the High-Performance Solutions for High-Wind Forces online resource center to provide contractors, inspectors, specifiers and homeowners with customized resources for safeguarding the structural integrity of homes and buildings during hurricanes,...