METALCON Education Program Highlights Busy Areas for Metal
Posted
07/27/2012
The 2012 METALCON International takes place October 9-11, 2012
at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL. It
remains the only annual trade show and conference focused on the
applications of metal in industrial, institutional, light
commercial and residential building projects.
The new METALCON education format offers more indepth learning
opportunities in the classroom and on the exhibit floor. It
provides up to 30 hours of education, moving from a traditional
1.5-hour multi-track program to longer 3-hour sessions tailored to
specific disciplines.
Retrofit
While new commercial construction remains relatively low,
retrofit is gaining momentum. In 2010 major retrofit and renovation
comprised 64% of all construction - up from 60% in 2009.
Scott Kriner, LEED AP, president of Green Metal Consulting Inc.,
Macungie, PA and technical director for the MCA, explains why the
outlook for retrofit remains strong. "Retrofit
activity is improving due to better incentives, increased emphasis
on energy efficiency, and a better understanding of the total
environmental effect of new construction. Reusing an old building
always has less of an impact on the environment than tearing it
down, and manufacturing and installing new building materials.
Retrofitting can bring a building up to new energy codes and
introduce newer building envelope technologies such as cool
roofing, above sheathing ventilation, radiant barriers, and phase
change materials that can enhance the performance and extend the
useful life of a building. All these points we'll cover in our
presentations at METALCON. With energy costs and conservation at
the forefront of building design, architects and building owners
will find the programs on retrofit at METALCON quite valuable."
Sessions on retrofit will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday,
October 9 and 10. Tuesday's program titled, "Tired of Your Roof
From Hell?" is designed to meet the needs of building owners,
facility managers and developers. The session is presented by Scott
Kriner and Chuck Howard, PE, President, Metal Roof Consultants,
Inc., Cary, NC. On Wednesday, Chuck Howard presents a special
program "Metal Roof Retrofit: Use the KISS Method" for commercial
roofing contractors.
Insulated Metal Panels
Steven R. Webster, president of Dutton & Garfield, Inc, a
metal building design/build contractor in Hampstead, NH, says the
use of IMP's in commercial or industrial buildings
is growing across the country. "They are a modern, durable product
and accepted by a growing number of designers in the architectural
community. The IMP has very consistent thermal qualities, great
appearance, and accelerated installation due to it being a single
component. There's no question that the thermal properties of the
IMPs will meet the increasing requirements of today's codes."
Webster is also current president of the Metal
Building Institute, and current past president of Metal Building
Contractors and Erectors Association.
The comprehensive session about IMPs on Wednesday, October 10,
is designed to meet the needs of architects, contractors and
building owners. It will be presented by Webster and Ken Buchinger,
Vice President of Business Development and Research &
Development for MBCI, Houston, TX. Titled "Capture Your Part of the
Growing Insulated Metal Panel Market with the Right Applications,
Products and Techniques," the session is sponsored by the Metal
Building Institute.
Cold-formed Steel Framing
Cold-formed steel framing is also playing an increasing role in
the construction marketplace, from the smallest of structures to
multifamily and mid-rise projects. Since 1994 METALCON has had many
programs about steel framing, one of which eventually became Stud
U. This year the topic is covered in a new program called "Stud U
for the Masses." Custom designed for architects, builders and
contractors, engineers, building inspectors and building trade
instructors, it features classroom and hands-on learning. Modeled
after the very successful two-and-a-half-day Stud University that
was responsible for the construction of several main-attraction
structures built at METALCON International in previous years, the
new format makes the topic more accessible to a wider scope of
design and construction professionals.
The new, two-part program provides an easy-to-understand, yet
comprehensive explanation of framing with cold-formed steel. The
sessions are sponsored by the Steel Framing Alliance, Premium Steel
Building Systems, and FrameCad Solutions, and will be taught by the
steel industry experts who spearheaded Stud U. This includes:
Maribeth Rizzuto, LEED AP, director of Education and Sustainable
Construction for the Steel Framing Alliance and Managing Director
of the Cold-formed Steel Engineers Institute, Washington, DC; Danny
Feazell, President of Premium Steel Building Systems, Roanoke, VA
and the former president of the Mid-Atlantic Steel Framing
Alliance; and Nader Elhajj, Director of Middle East and Africa for
FrameCad Solutions, Upper Marlboro, MD.
Offered on Tuesday, October 9, Part I of "Stud U for the Masses"
covers the basics, such as material types, thicknesses and
capabilities, and describes various construction scenarios from
foundations through trusses. It also provides resources for
cold-formed steel and identifies those most helpful in conquering
any misgivings about this engineered building material.
Part II builds on the expertise learned in Part I and exposes
participants to some of the most frequently overlooked items during
designing, specifying and installing cold-formed steel framing.
Through a combination of graphics and a structure constructed in
the METALCON Exhibit Hall, participants experience firsthand the
latest design and construction techniques and have an opportunity
to use some of the latest tools by constructing a mini cold-formed
steel framed project.
METALCON's education sessions run from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m., with
a 15-minute break, on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 9 and 10.
Topics are designed to meet the needs of Residential Roofing
Contractors; Commercial Roofing Contractors; Design Professionals;
Architects and Engineers; Owners/Facility Managers and Metal
Product Manufacturers.
METALCON features nearly 800 booths filled with the latest
building products and services for those who design and build with
metal - or want to learn all about metal. It also highlights
sustainable products and ideas with: Green Island, an exhibit area
featuring metal-related products that meet green building
standards; and Solar Bay, a special pavilion in the show featuring
educational forums; and Solar Bay Live. In Solar Bay
Live world-renowned experts use full-scale mock-ups of a
variety of solar technologies on metal roofs and walls to present
live-action demos that offer tips and trade secrets about metal and
solar technology.
METALCON draws designers, builders, developers, contractors,
fabricators, and suppliers from more than 52 countries. Experts
from 300 companies exhibit the latest products and technology and
share their knowledge with attendees, while industry specialists
present key topics in the education program. Industry experts from
the Metal Construction Association also present the latest
applications and field techniques in daily demonstrations in the
exhibit hall.