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Energy 200
Starting 2023 we break down our coverage of education community energy codes and standards into two tranches. Energy 400 covers the catalog of titles for intra-building energy systems -- i.e energy delivery networks between buildings. Energy 200 covers titles within any given building envelope.
Grandma’s Chicken Soup
"A feel-good study by one of UNMC’s top researchers has proven to be comfort food for the media for nearly 30 years. Several years ago, Stephen Rennard, MD, one of UNMC’s top scientists, decided it would be fun to put the old folk wisdom to the test. Cultures all over the world have some version of the credo that if you’re sick, you should eat chicken soup. It’ll make you feel better. Grandma says so! So it must be true."
Fenestration
The word "fenestration" comes from the Latin word "fenestra," which means "window" but in the modern era of architecture in building design, its use has evolved to mean any openings in a building's envelope -- i.e. windows and doors. Building codes and regulations in many countries now require specific fenestration standards to ensure buildings are energy-efficient and provide safe entry and egress.
Doors, windows and curtain walling
The surface area of a building occupied by doors and windows will ranges from 10% to 50 % of total wall surface area. The percentage varies based on architectural style, climate, and Owner preferences for natural light and outdoor views. Building codes and regulations specify minimum requirements for natural light and ventilation which determines design and placement.
Kitemark testing services for windows and doors
We break form from our focus on interoperability standards to learn about how product conformance enterprises in other nations informs the standard of care for essential architectural elements in education communities everywhere. A typical college, university or school district will have 1000's of doors. Conversely, product standards inform interoperability standards.
Quadrivium: Spring
Educational settlements are the closest many people come to feel at home in beautiful surroundings. The catalog that informs the safety and sustainability of these "cities-within-cities" changes 100 to 1000 times per day. By design titles are unstable, time-sensitive and copyright protected. We explore the action continuously; assign priorities, then schedule a separate teleconference to formulate responses to public consultations. Daily colloquia topics appear on our CALENDAR.
Guide to Premises Security
FROM OUR VIDEO ARCHIVE (2014): Michael C. Peele (Georgetown University) & Mike Anthony (University of Michigan) discuss NFPA 730; a guide that describes construction, protection, occupancy features, and best practices intended to reduce security vulnerabilities to life and property generally, with special attention to its application in education communities. Public comment on the First Draft of the 2026 Edition will be received until January 3, 2025.
Energy Standard for *Sites* and Buildings
To paraphrase Marc Andreessen: "Building standards are eating the world and ASHRAE is eating standards." Just when you thought ASHRAE's claim to energy regulation could not get any larger, it has recently appropriated everything *between* buildings in its scope. At least two energy/building enclosure related redlines are open for consultation through May 27th.
Recently in Washington D.C.
Access most recent coverage of lawmaking affecting education settlements: 118th Congress, Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Communications Commission.