HUNDREDS HOMELESS DUE TO FIRE ON BALCONY THAT DESTROY'S CALGARY CONDO COMPLEX

Massive blaze in Calgary leaves hundreds homeless
Firefighter injured in condominum inferno
By The Canadian Press
Fri. Mar 19 - 7:12 AMCALGARY — Hundreds of people are homeless after a massive fire destroyed much of a four-story condominium complex in southwest Calgary.
The blaze at a 159-unit building on Millrise Drive, sent massive, dark grey clouds of smoke into the sky Thursday.
One firefighter was injured and taken to Rockyview Hospital, where he was in stable condition.
Deputy Fire Chief Len McCharles said the fire appears to have started on a balcony and when crews arrived about 12:15 p.m., it had spread into two suites, crawling its way up into the attic space where it quickly spread.
McCharles said it's too early to tell the extent of the damage, which appeared to be mainly confined to the top floor, noting water damage to some suites untouched by fire may be extensive.

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SWR INSTITUTE AND RCI, INC. DECLARE ALLIANCE

From SWRI's website comes this press release...

SWR INSTITUTE AND RCI, INC. DECLARE ALLIANCE
Kansas City, MO: March 12, 2010 — A strategic alliance has been established between SWRInstitute
and RCI, Inc. The collaboration furthers the goals of both organizations – to promote standards for
those involved with sealants, waterproofing, building exteriors and restoration.
According to RCI President David R. Hawn, RRC, CEM, “The alliance strengthens the voice of both
RCI and the SWRInstitute. It expands professional development opportunities for construction,
consulting and contracting professionals, and it will present a united message regarding methods,
techniques and products used in the industry.” SWRInstitute President, Jed Daniel concurs. “Working
with RCI not only helps both organizations but the industry. SWRInstitute is excited about the
possibilities of this alliance.” The organizations will share industry expertise and information for the
mutual benefit of both associations.
SWRInstitute and RCI have begun collectively developing educational documents and programs for
sealant, waterproofing, building exterior, and restoration practitioners. A cosponsored Webinar on air
barriers is currently in production and will be released to the public mid-year in 2010. Future joint
projects will include a variety of Webinars, seminars, and position papers.
For more information on these professional groups, visit: www.swrionline.org and www.rcionline.
org.
SWRInstitute
SWRInstitute is an international trade association that represents the commercial sealant,
waterproofing and restoration construction industry. With over 260 member companies,
SWRInstitute’s membership represents some of the most experienced and qualified contractors,
manufacturers and design professionals in the industry. Through educational programs and
publications, SWRInstitute members promote industry-wide standards of application and products.
RCI Inc.
RCI Inc. is an international association of professional consultants, architects, and engineers who
specialize in the specification and design of roofing, waterproofing, and exterior wall systems. RCI
regularly hosts educational programs designed to demystify and explain the application of building
envelope technologies.

ICC Issues a Call for Presentations for Conference

Call for Presentations

The International Code Council (ICC) is seeking proposals for presentation for two education programs at the 2010 Annual Conference. We are looking for presenters who are interested in addressing an audience of code officials, inspectors, plans examiners, fire officials, city managers, engineers, architects, and others related to the code enforcement industry.
ICC strives to provide stimulating technical and non-technical presentations, which will enhance the professional competency of conference delegates. In an effort to provide meaningful, current, and relevant educational programs, sessions need to be interesting and informative for both the newcomer and the experienced professional.
Schedule for submitting proposals:

2010 ICC Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC, October 25 – November 1
April 4, 2010 – Deadline for submitting proposals
April 22, 2010 – Notification of selection results sent to submitters

This is a significant opportunity to share your knowledge with the building safety and fire prevention community.

ICC Annual Conference

Submit your presentation online. You will be contacted when the event manager has reviewed and approved the request.

Cracker Barrel

To submit a proposal to present during the Cracker Barrel event, simply email the subject matter you wish to present and you will be contacted when the event manager has reviewed and approved the request.

*ICC does not provide honoraria for educational presenters. Presenters are responsible for their own travel, hotel and other expenses.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us, 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 33818.

CENTRAL COAST WATERPROOFING IS FEATURED IN TODAY'S LOCAL PAPER!

We are so pleased to be the subject of an article in our local papers Home & Garden section today. The Tribune, a paper serving San Luis Obispo County, has a columnist, Rebecca Juretic, that writes stories on local business, mixing information on the business with timely and critical advice on home and garden maintenance, painting, landscaping etc.

Well today's article is on us! Thanks Rebecca for a great job and hitting the mark perfectly! As we preach, it's cheaper to maintain than replace.

Pick up your copy of the Trib today! Or Read The Article By Clicking Here

In Texas, Justice is Served-Perry Homes Loses CD Suit, HO's Awarded 58 Million

An elderly couple who since 2000 have been battling Houston-based Perry Homes over construction defects in their home in suburban Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday were awarded $58 million in damages by a jury in a Tarrant County court. That verdict has been characterized in press reports as a sharp rebuke of Bob Perry, Perry Homes’ owner and one of the state’s most powerful and politically influential businessmen.

The jury awarded the homeowners, Bob and Jane Cull, $7.1 million in actual damages and $40 million in punitive damages against Perry Homes. It also awarded $7.1 million in actual damages and $4 million in punitive damages against the builder’s warranty provider, Houston-based Warranty Underwriters Insurance.

Perry Homes referred all questions to its spokesman, Anthony Holm, who called the verdict “jackpot justice--absurd by any measure and an abuse of the legal system.” He said Perry Homes would “address these matters with a trial court, and if necessary, appeal.”READ THE REST OF THIS STORY BY CLICKING HERE

ICC-ES Approves Revisions to AC-39-Walking Deck Criteriea. Should Increase Their Revenues, While Confusing Consumers

I think the new AC-39 walking deck criteriea will open up a lot of confusion amongst consumers, Building Officials and enable some to manipulate their report...

ICC-ES Evaluation Committee Highlights

The ICC-ES Evaluation Committee met February 2-4 in Los Angeles to consider new proposed acceptance criteria for alternate products and for products where additional clarification is needed in the code; and for existing criteria that need to be revised to reflect current code, updated standards or changes to products. Twenty-two separate items were considered, with 18 being approved and eight held for further study.


AC39 — Acceptance Criteria for Walking Decks. Revisions were approved to address the 2009 International Codes, to provide requirements for walking decks that are not used as roof coverings and to provide requirements for walking decks used with nonclassified roof coverings.

For more information about the items considered, click here.