Archive for January, 2010

Events of recent years have changed the way we specify doors and windows for some buildings. We have also learned a new vocabulary. Here are the definitions of three commonly used terms: antiterrorism, counterterrorism, and force protection.

The Department of Defense (DoD) defines “antiterrorism” as “defensive measures used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals and property to terrorist acts.” This is distinct from “counterterrorism,” which refers to “offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism. Both are part of the DoD concept of “force protection,” which brings together all the security disciplines in a broader program to protect service members, civilian employees, family members, facilities and equipment.

The International Code Council has partnered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to create an International Green Construction Code that will guide the design and construction of green commercial projects.

The initiative seeks to develop a regulatory framework for sustainable construction that is consistent with ICC codes and standards nationwide.  The initiative was launched in June 2009, and the first draft of the regulations will be presented this year for public comment.

“This will be the first time code officials, owners and designers will have an integrated regulatory framework to put into practice that meets the goal of greening the construction and design of new and existing buildings,” said Code Council CEO Richard P. Weiland. “Only a code that is useable, enforceable and adoptable will have the capability of impacting our built environment in dramatic ways.”

This video created by Joe Swaika, Associate Architect at Herrington Architects, illustrates another application of the in-door proximity reader installation mentioned in the December 21 entry on The Door Blog.

As you can see, when a person holds his prox card to the surface of the door on the right with the prox reader in it, an automatic operator is triggered on the opposite door and it opens to let the person in.  This application is perfect for accommodating persons in wheelchairs or with disabilities.