News from American Institute of Building Design, California Society

We have picked the date and location for our Society Conference in 2011. It will be at the Jack London Lodge in Glen Ellen. We reserved the entire Lodge with great room rates of $95 for Thursday night and $115 for Friday night. Hotel reservations must be made at least 60 days in advance to hold your room. So, get your reservation in early as nearby lodging costs are a lot more expensive. The Conference will be held March 10-12, 2011. More information will be coming soon.

The Society is planning on having a seminar this fall all about the new California Green Building Standards Code. The 2010 CalGreen code becomes effective Jan 1, 2011. The regulations require a lot of new items which must be included in construction documents as part of the Title 24 information. You will be receiving more information on this seminar shortly. The complete text of CALGreen is available for purchase from the International Code Council (www.iccsafe.org). The CalGreen text may be viewed in draft form on HCD's website (www.hcd.ca.gov) or the California Building Standards Commission's website (www.bsc.ca.gov).

For some of you, your membership classification of "General Member" has been changed to Practicing Associate (PA). The classification name change will be final at the start of 2011. This change has to do with the revised National AIBD Bylaws. If you have any questions feel free to contact me, and I will explain it further to you.

Richard Emigh

President, AIBD, California Society

Please extend a welcome to our new members!!

Cornelia Haber, Professional Building Designer (PBD)

1490 Holt Avenue, Lost Altos, CA 94024

650-787-1197

cornelia.haber@gmail.com

Cornelia has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Israel Institute of Techology, Haifa, Israel. Her experience includes 3 years working in architectural planning, and

19 years as owner of Cornelia Haber Design.

Kenneth A. Hesse, Practicing Associate (PA)

10215 Brian Ct., Whittier, CA 90601

562-948-4361

Ken has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has worked in a larger architectural firm for several years and is just starting his own business.

GET THE LEAD OUT!!!

Since April 22, 2010, contractors have been required to have Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval before working on almost all homes constructed before 1978. The rule is aimed at lowering exposure to toxic lead-paint chips and dust, which can affect the health of homeowners, especially children and pregnant women.

Workers must be trained in EPA-approved methods of protecting and cleaning up work areas. This can be done by a Certified Renovator (someone who has taken the training course and passed the test to become a "Certified Renovator." The procedures require contractors to put protective plastic coverings on all floors and surfaces, and they must extend six feet beyond where the paint will be touched. Power sanders and grinders must have HEPA vacuum attachments to capture dust, and heat guns have to be set below 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Workers are urged to wear respirators and disposable suits, gloves, and shoe covers.

Certified Renovators must check to see whether dust, debris, or residue exist after the job is done. There are clearly defined requirements for noticing owners/tennants of impending work, documentation and daily paperwork that must be filled out, copied to owner, and retained in the contractor's files for three years.

The rules apply to many types of renovation, from paint scraping to window replacement and carpet removal. Originally, the rule allowed some owners of homes built before 1978 to opt out of the requirement by signing a waiver that says there are no children under the age of six in the home and there are no pregnant women in the house. But a court settlement between the EPA and advocacy groups removed the opt-out rule to protect more people from lead poisoning. Many contractors oppose the rule because it will make their work more expensive and require more time, as well as a fear that there will be increased competition from untrained contractors who do not have to follow the EPA rules.

With sponsorship of Anderson Windows, The Connor Institute has presented classes to qualify as a Certified Renovator in several locations in California. While no classes are currently scheduled, check with Connor Institute from time to time for futue schedulings. Additionally, the United States Environmental Protection Agency offers a search engine for classes near you.

NATIONAL CONVENTION TIME!!!

August 11 throught August 14, members of AIBD from all over the country will be attending this year's National Convention. In addition to conducting the business of the institute, there will be educational opportunities allowing us to keep pace with the latest in building energy efficiency, roof design, and 3D modeling tools. A tour of Portland with a view of architecture, then and now, is scheduled. Schmoozing with each other and representatives of various building products at the trade show is always fun and informative. Excellence in design will be acknowledged by observing and voting for the Designers' Choice Award in the American Residential Design Awards competition. The Induction of officers and design competition awards gala dinner with the presentation of the Designer of the Year Award will conclude the event.

Don't miss this opportunity to meet with fellow designers and share triumphs, disasters, methods and inspirations. It's your best opportunity to reap the full benefits of membership in this great organization.

Links below will take you to: Portland Bridge, Sailboats

Convention Registration

Travel Information

Convention Schedule

CODE CORNER

CALGreen and the new California Residential Codes are coming - be ready for the new requirements!

Beginning in January, California's new mandatory green building code - the first of its kind in the nation - and the new California Residential Code will be implemented.

While the GreenBuild Code doesn't involve a great deal of change from building practices that we are used to, it will require a prodigious number of forms that will need to be filled out.

Our own Jeff Rice attended a half day

seminar presented by Calgreen and was disappointed in the content and presentation of the seminar. He suggests waiting for something better to come along, such as our own CalGreen Seminar in the fall (See President's Message, above!) Expect to see seminar offerings about the new California Residential Code, as well.

The Residential Code, based on the International Residential Code rather than the International Building Code that we are accustomed to, will likely involve major change from what we are working with now. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes will be separate. Cost of the "Home Builders Collection" will be in excess of $600, so start saving your pennies!!

As with most new code requirements, the closer implementation becomes, the more substantive and useful the information about applying the new code becomes. Look for seminar updates in the fall newsletter!

BACK TO THE OLD DRAWING

BOARD

Musings of Veteran Designer

I recently became a Certified Renovator! A class was offered by The Connor Institute, sponsored in part by Anderson Windows, for a full day of learning about the dangers of lead and how to mitigate its effects when it is present, most likely in paint, in homes built before 1978. (See article above: GET THE LEAD OUT!)

I learned the safety precautions that must be taken, how to train workers on the job site, where and when notice must be given prior to undertaking such work, documentation and record keeping required for each job. Since the fine for each infraction of the lead abatement requirements is $37,500.00(!) it is paramount for all contractors to not only be aware of the regulations, but also provide all of the necessary paperwork and proof of proper procedure.

With the design business still slow (non-existant) I am now able to serve as the Certified Renovator on remodeling jobs, not only for the other side of my office here (Chapman Construction Co.,) but I can also offer my services to other contractors to handle worker training and am/pm inspections with the related required paperwork provided.

Along the way, there may be opportunities for making contacts that could result in design business and I will be able to hang up my respirator, disposable suit and paper painter's hat, except for in-house applications!! One hopes!!!!!

Carole Chapman