Barrier Attends Wisconsin Code Change Update Session
Barrier Technology CEO, Mike Huddy and Sales Manager, Jim Dukart attended the Northwest Building Inspectors Association Wisconsin Commercial Building Code update seminar in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Thursday, February 21.
The seminar, offered by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Buildings and Safety Division, focused on code changes the state is implementing as it adopts the 2006 International Building Code (IBC), approved by the Wisconsin state legislature in November 2007. Wisconsin's updated Commercial Building Code will go into effect March 1, 2008.
Among the most significant changes for Barrier is that there will now be exceptions to the requirement for sprinkler systems in multifamily buildings that have 8 units or less and are less than 16,000 square feet in size. Blazeguard Fire-Rated Sheathing can now be used in combination with a 2 hour rated fire wall to separate units and eliminate the requirement for a sprinkler system. This is a new territorial opportunity for our residential roof deck market. Barrier will review the code changes and offer technical advice on their effect on townhome builders in Wisconsin. Please watch this blog for further information, or call Jim Dukart at (800) 638-4570 for details.
The meeting was attended by more than 80 code officials, architects, and designers, and was part of a state-wide series of seminars regarding Wisconsin's code changes. Barrier frequently attends such seminars to help builders better understand how Blazeguard can be used to meet or exceed code requirements. If there are code changes or seminar in your area that Barrier should know about, please pass them along. Fire-rated sheathing, town homes, multi-family construction, housing market, small cap, otcbb, ibtgf, barrier, blazeguard, mycoguard, fire-rated paint, intumescent paint, mold, mildew, fire-retardant plywood, frt, sips, structurally insulated panels, fire-rated wall assemblies, commercial modular, modular home construction, green building products, LEED, control room, electrical panel backer board, SIPs
First Large Government Project using the Blazeguard product, FR Deck Panel is secured!
Yesterday we received the news...a large government project, barracks for a military base, will be constructed using our Blazeguard product, Mule-Hide FR Deck Panel! ABC Supply Co, the major distributor of the Mule-Hide FR Deck Panel used in commercial modular construction, has been working diligently to get our panels listed in the government specifications for these types of modular buildings. Their hard work has paid off! This project alone will require over 5,000 FR Deck Panels. In addition, there are already two other similar governmental projects in the works looking to convert to this modular system as well. Barrier is excited at the growth opportunity this new market sector brings to our existing commercial modular business. Fire-rated sheathing, town homes, multi-family construction, housing market, small cap, otcbb, ibtgf, barrier, blazeguard, mycoguard, fire-rated paint, intumescent paint, mold, mildew, fire-retardant plywood, frt, sips, structurally insulated panels, fire-rated wall assemblies, commercial modular, modular home construction, green building products, LEED, control room, electrical panel backer board, SIPs
Logan Lumber Company hosts Buyer Show/Open House
Logan Lumber Company, our wholesale distributor in Florida, is hosting a Buyers Show/Open House next week to showcase their new facility. Here are the details: Tuesday, February 19th 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1635 Tappan Boulevard Tampa, FL (813) 253-3445 Logan has been a long-time partner with Barrier in bringing the Blazeguard Fire-Rated Product to the Florida multifamily construction market. In 2006, we shipped almost 4 million square feet of Blazeguard into this market. 2007 was obviously impacted significantly by the steep downturn of the housing industry, especially in Florida, as speculative investing and over supply peaked. However, we have already seen the market start to turn ever so slightly with several car load volumes shipped down there since the first of the year. We wish Logan a successful Open House/Buying Show next week and a successful 2008. Fire-rated sheathing, town homes, multi-family construction, housing market, small cap, otcbb, ibtgf, barrier, blazeguard, mycoguard, fire-rated paint, intumescent paint, mold, mildew, fire-retardant plywood, frt, sips, structurally insulated panels, fire-rated wall assemblies, commercial modular, modular home construction, green building products, LEED, control room, electrical panel backer board, SIPs
Economist predictions from International Builders Show
The International Builder's Show took place this week in Orlando. Economists at the show spoke about predictions that residential building nationwide would continue dropping through out 2009, but put a ray of light out there as well...lower home prices will help correct the current housing decline. David Seders, NAHB's Chief Economist, told those attending the conference that single family home starts could decline on into 2008, but lower home prices is part of the long-term solution. Reduced prices will spur sales and increase demand for new homes and residential building. Another positive note was from the Chief Economist for Freddie Mac. In summary, he said the Fed Reserve interest rate cuts and the economic stimulus plans are both positive. It will take a little while for the impact to boost the economy, but lower interest rates will help home buyers make housing purchases. Barrier sees the demand for multifamily housing to continue. The demand for afforable housing for first-time home buyers and maintenance free-living opportunities for baby boomers downsizing remains strong. The over supply in inventory continues to slowly deplete and we've seen new projects begin the construction phase again. Lower interest rates, combined with the proposed government economic stimulus plans, can only help those financially responsible folks who have been on the fence about homeownership take the leap. Fire-rated sheathing, town homes, multi-family construction, housing market, small cap, otcbb, ibtgf, barrier, blazeguard, mycoguard, fire-rated paint, intumescent paint, mold, mildew, fire-retardant plywood, frt, sips, structurally insulated panels, fire-rated wall assemblies, commercial modular, modular home construction, green building products, LEED, control room, electrical panel backer board, SIPs
Blazeguard Fire-Rated Sheathing Case Study - Used in SIPs construction in Cottonwood, MN
Blazeguard Fire-Rated Sheathing was used as the required thermal barrier in a Structurally Insulated Panel (SIPs) project in Cottonwood, MN. Extreme Panel Technologies manufactured and installed the panels. Attached is a link to the full story... Case Study - Extreme Panel, Cottonwood, MNBlazeguard technology is a perfect fit for SIPs panels as it offers a price competitive product that exceeds the thermal requirement, has a Class A flame spread rating, reduces labor, and offers impact resistance. Barrier sees this market as the next step in market diversification. Our manufacturing plant has both the ability to produce "jumbo" panels - up to 8' x 24' - and the available capacity. Look for Barrier to strengthen its relationship with SIPA (Structurally Insulated Panel Association) and increase marketing efforts directly to SIPs manufacturers over the next year. Fire-rated sheathing, town homes, multi-family construction, housing market, small cap, otcbb, ibtgf, barrier, blazeguard, mycoguard, fire-rated paint, intumescent paint, mold, mildew, fire-retardant plywood, frt, sips, structurally insulated panels, fire-rated wall assemblies, commercial modular, modular home construction, green building products, LEED, control room, electrical panel backer board, SIPs
2008 Architect Perspective
In the January/February 2008 issue of Architectural West, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continued up more than two points in November. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported that the November ABI rating was 55.3 up from 53.2 in October. Inquiries for new projects were 56.6. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. We know that there is an approximate 9 to 12 month lag between architect billings and construction spending. This really dove tails with other projections reported of a recovery of some of our construction revenues in the second half of 2008.
Architects/Engineers are a key focal point for the Barrier sales team in the residential roof deck market. Barrier approaches this audience by attending AIA shows, group presentations, and on-site visits. By providing them our Blazeguard Fire-Rated Panel code reports, product specifications and load limits, we give them the tools to confidently specify Blazeguard in projects required to meet certain fire codes. The more Blazeguard is specified up front in the planning phase, the more likely our product will be used over competitive products when construction begins. We remain positive about the potential 2008 brings for Barrier. Fire-rated sheathing, town homes, multi-family construction, housing market, small cap, otcbb, ibtgf, barrier, blazeguard, mycoguard, fire-rated paint, intumescent paint, mold, mildew, fire-retardant plywood, frt, sips, structurally insulative panels, fire-rated wall assemblies, commercial modular, modular home construction, green building products, LEED, control room, electrical panel backer board
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