Useful links relevant to the Insulation Industry
ASTM International is the world's leading standards development organization. ASTM Technical Committee C16 has developed virtually all the standards for insulation materials used in the United States and in many other nations. These standards are contained in Volume 4.06 of The Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Buyers and specifiers can search for the standards they need on the ASTM web site, and immediately download individual standards through the on line ASTM store. The cost of individual standards varies, but they are generally in the $30 to $40 range. Three or four individual standards about equal the cost of one volume of The Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
Affordable Comfort, Inc., is a not for profit organization that presents national and regional conferences on energy conservation, healthy living environments, and sustainable building, and publishes information on these subjects.
The Alliance for Fire and Smoke Containment and Control is a coalition of companies and trade associations working to promote passive protection as part of a balanced design approach to fire protection in the built environment. Since cellulose insulation is recognized as a material that increases the fire resistance of walls, and as an effective fire block CIMA was a charter member of AFSCC. Visit AFSCC at www.afscconline.org
The Alliance to Save Energy doesn't take much explanation. Check the ASE site to see what the alliance is doing to further its mission. Visit The Alliance to Save Energy at www.ase.org
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy focuses on efficient heating and cooling, lighting, windows, and appliances. The site includes an excellent list of links to other energy conservation sites.
Building Technology Roadmaps were developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in cooperation with industry. CIMA and other insulation industry associations actively worked with DOE in developing the Residential Buildings Technology Roadmap. View buildings technology roadmaps at www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/technology_roadmaps
BuildingGreen.com is a massive site with comprehensive information about "green building" and energy conservation products, materials, and methods. Visit BuildingGreen at www.buildinggreen.com
Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) has extensive information about residential design, building materials, energy conservation, and other important subjects available on its site.
Energy Star is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that rates and identifies energy efficient products, appliances, and homes. The Energy Star site will help you follow a more energy-efficient lifestyle – and save a lot of money, too! Visit Energy Star at www.energystar.gov
The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) promotes awareness of energy conservation and sustainable building practices, and offers practical, detailed solutions for energy-efficient, environmentally sound construction. Visit EEBA at www.eeba.org
The Energy Star Toolbox is a joint project of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It offers plenty of practical tips for making your home more energy-efficient.
Environmental Building News is the definitive publication for news and information about "green building."
Home Energy Magazine is published for people who build homes – and people who live in them. You'll find plenty of useful information about energy-efficient building practices and appliances in the pages of Home Energy and on the web site. The web site also has many links to other energy conservation and "green building" sites.
Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA) is an organization of insulation installers that specialize in residential and light commercial projects.
The International Code Council (ICC) is an alliance of the regional building officials professional associations, BOCAI, SBCCI, and ICBO, formed to develop a single set of model codes for use throughout the United States and in other nations. The ICC site is the place to go for the latest information on building codes and code development.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is the trade association for home builders in the United States. The NAHB site describes information resources for contractors, educational programs offered by NAHB and its state and local chapters, and economic and statistical information about the home building industry.
The NAHB Research Center, owned by the National Association of Home Builders, is America’s Housing Technology and Information Resource. Here you will find information about new building materials and practices – and traditional materials and methods, too.
National Insulation Association (NIA) is an organization of commercial-industrial insulation contractors. NIA members insulate power plants, process systems, factories, refineries, and similar facilities.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers energy conservation information on its web site.