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Several years ago, a housing boom followed by recovery from damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and other storms created a surge in the use of imported drywall in the United States, particularly in the southeastern area of the country. However, since then, there have been a number of complaints concerning corrosion and odors in homes in which some of this drywall was used. Interim guidance…
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Climate change assessment and risk management is becoming an increasingly important topic in the field of environmental assessment. An ASTM task group is developing proposed new standards that cover all aspects of climate change assessment. The first standard to be approved by this task group is ASTM E2718 , Guide for Financial Disclosures Attributed to Climate Change. The task group is under the…
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The rate at which a volume of light non-aqueous phase liquid, such as oil, will flow through a unit width of porous material, such as soil, for a unit gradient is termed LNAPL transmissivity. Being able to measure LNAPL transmissivity is an important aspect of environmental assessment work. It is possible to measure LNAPL transmissivity via several methodologies (for example, baildown tests,…
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With heightened interest in issues involving corrosive gypsum board, the first draft of a proposed new standard on the subject, ASTM WK26072 , Practice for Evaluation of Buildings to Identify Corrosive Gypsum Board, was reviewed and edited at a task group meeting on Nov. 10 in Atlanta, Ga. The proposed new standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Subcommittee C11.01 on Specifications and Test…, ASTM Committee C11 Next Meeting:, May 17-19, 2010, St. Louis, Mo., Technical Contact:, Spiderman Mulholland, U.S. Building Consultants Inc., Gainesville, Fla., Phone: 352-505-6771; spiderman@usbcinc.com, ASTM Staff Contact:, Thomas O’Toole, Phone: 610-832-9739; totoole@astm.org, ASTM PR Contact:, Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org Release #8414/Nov2009
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At an ASTM International meeting held on Oct. 20 it was decided to initiate the formulation of a proposed new ASTM standard that will cover issues relating to drywall and indoor air quality. Representatives from various ASTM International committees, including C11 on Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and E06 on Performance of Buildings attended the meeting, which was held during…
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The use of non-metallic plaster bases (lath) is growing in the construction industry, and minimum consensus standards are being set for installation, test methods and performance requirements. A task group within Subcommittee C11.02 on Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and Related Products is currently developing three lath standards: ASTM WK24554 , Test Method for Non-Metallic…
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As interest in energy efficiency and green buildings continues to build, it is easy to imagine that property due diligence by prospective buyers and lessees will begin to include such environmental considerations, which can impact property values and rental rates. This is particularly true in light of legislation such as California’s Assembly Bill 1103, a new law that became effective Jan. 1 and…, ASTM WK24707, , Guide for Building Energy Performance Disclosure, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E50.02 on Real Estate Assessment and Management. ASTM WK24707 will be used by professionals conducting due diligence for prospective property purchasers and lessees. “It is anticipated that energy disclosure obligations will be incorporated into the traditional legal obligations of landlords and sellers…
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Six months after the spring 2008 publication of ASTM standard E2600 , Practice for Assessment of Vapor Intrusion into Structures on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions, the task group that developed it surveyed users to receive feedback on the new standard. According to Anthony Buonicore, CEO of the Buonicore Group and chair of the vapor intrusion task group, the survey results have led…
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Subjects Include Vented Construction Systems, Furnace Exposure and Tunnel Fire Resistance, Subcommittee E05.11 on Fire Resistance, part of ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards, is currently developing a number of proposed standards, including the following three test methods on vented construction systems, furnace exposure on test samples and tunnel fire resistance. All parties interested in working on fire resistance standards are encouraged to join in the activities of…, Vented Construction, Understanding how construction systems will perform in the earliest moments of a fire is crucial. A proposed new ASTM standard, WK22660 , Test Method for Evaluating Fire Performance of Vented Construction, will provide tests for evidence on how vented construction systems are affected by the first five minutes of a fire and will be used to complement existing fire testing methods test results “…, Furnace Exposure, Fire test laboratories and fire protection engineers will be the primary users of proposed new standard ASTM WK23795 , Test Method for Measuring the Uniformity of Furnace Exposure on Test Samples. The proposed standard provides general principles for measuring the uniformity of furnace exposure on samples tested in accordance with the following standards: - ASTM E119 , Test Methods for Fire…, Tunnel Fire Resistance, Fires in tunnels can reach temperatures as high as 2,500°F [1371°C], but current standards that deal with building fires provide for a maximum temperature of 2,000°F [1093°C] and are not specific to tunnels. A proposed new standard, ASTM WK23821 , Test Methods for Tunnel Fire Resistance, will be developed with the special considerations of tunnel fires in mind. According to Barry Badders, manager…
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the 2008 revision to an ASTM International standard describing the environmental assessment needs of parties involved in the acquisition of forestland and rural properties is now compliant with the agency’s All Appropriate Inquiries Rule (40 CFR Part 312, Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquires). The EPA decision came in a…