Construction Informer

Untangling Those Fall Arrest Harness Lines

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:02:51 +0000

One big challenge in fall protection is managing the connections from multiple fall arrest harnesses. Lines get tangled and then people disconnect from the anchor point to get them untangled. But, there is at least one product available today that claims to solve that problem. The LinkedPro system is modular and can be used in [...]

Landscape Architects Report on Hot Outdoor Living Trends for 2012

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:22:40 +0000

The American Society of Landscape Architects just released the results of its survey on outdoor living trends showing homeowners are heavily into garden spaces and entertaining spaces. Landscape architects with a specialization in residential design across the country were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements. The category [...]

Solar Generator Supplies Job Site Power With Plug-In Flexibility

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:31:35 +0000

Every now and then an energy-related product catches my attention and I just have to tell about it. That was the case with the announcement of the availability of the new Yeti 1250, a portable, solar generator. That’s right, a SOLAR generator. According to the manufacturer, Goal Zero, this generator will run a chest freezer [...]

Prus Construction’s Poynter Named Craft Pro of the Year

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:22 +0000

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. recently gave out a slew of awards at its 2012 EdCon & Expo in San Antonio. Besides teams of student construction managers competing for awards, and individuals in craft training competing for other awards, there was also an individual award given to recognize one person as Craft Professional of the [...]

Calatrava’s Fluid Architecture Featured in St. Petersburg

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:18:41 +0000

Blending architectural form with movement is no short order. After all, construction materials tend to be more rigid than fluid and the whole idea behind building is to create something that will last. Still, creative architects have discovered ways to give projects a sense of movement while still meeting the necessary codes and restrictions associated [...]

Roofing Safety System Works By Monitoring People, Equipment and Materials

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:24:16 +0000

Researchers at the University of Calgary have developed a system that uses remote tracking to monitor people, equipment and materials so roofing is a safer job, according to a press release. The system uses tags and ultra wide band radio signals to keep track of where everything is, leading ultimately, the researchers say, to safer [...]

Consumers in the Dark About Solar Power Purchase Agreements

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:56:22 +0000

Americans are generally in the dark when it comes to what it costs to get their energy from the sun, according to a Harris Interactive poll commissioned by Sunrun, a home, solar power service company. The poll results showed 97 percent of Americans overestimate the cost of going solar, while nearly 8 out of 10 [...]

Video Shows Tintable Glass Installation

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:12:35 +0000

Eyeglasses have been adjusting to the light for years and the technology is continuing to spill over into building technologies. SAGE Electrochromics, a leading manufacturer of electronically tintable glass that can be tinted or cleared to optimize daylight and improve the human experience in buildings, says unlike traditional glass, dynamic glass is a strategic design element [...]

Purdue Commercializes Faster Growing Hardwood Tree Varieties Called Greatwoods

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:50:27 +0000

In what portends to be a stunning advancement in the long term for specifiers and contractors looking for quality lumber in the U.S., the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) at Purdue University is developing several varieties of trees under the Greatwoods™ name including black cherry, black walnut, red oak and white oak. The center has a [...]

Provo Boy Gets Wheelchair Ramp Courtesy of Construction Firm

dtcraig@constructioninformer.com (Duane Craig) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:28:22 +0000

In another example of places where the construction industry is giving back, Big-D Construction recently teamed up with a student at Utah Valley University to complete a service project as part of ”Project Mobility,” a cause dedicated to helping financially limited and disabled people receive installed wheelchair ramps and lifts at their residences. This particular ramp was [...]