Guiding Light

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center is now offering seven new publications on lighting for retail, outdoor applications, healthcare facilities, multimedia auditoriums, and educational buildings. These publications are part of the center’s Demonstration and Evaluation of Lighting Technologies and Applications (DELTA) program. For more information, go to (www.lrc.rpi.edu) or call (518) 687-7174.Cleaner Carpet with New GuidelinesNewly revised guidelines from Vancouver, WA-based The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provide a set of practical standards and a reference guide for carpet cleaning. The IICRC S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning was created by the Joint Industry Task Force for Carpet Cleaning Standards. To order a copy of the standard, contact the IICRC (www.iicrc.org) by calling (360) 693-5675.Military-level Security in Corporate AmericaWhile previously involved in designing high-security military facilities such as the Naval Reserve Center in Ft. Jackson, SC, the Orlando, FL office of VOA Associates Inc. is now lending its expertise to the corporate real estate community. The company has been incorporating anti-terrorism design strategies into buildings since the 1999 release of Interim Department of Defense Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) Construction Standards.“Most private companies know VOA for its higher education or commercial interiors and hospitality projects – they’re not aware of our large volume of work for the military,” explains VOA Managing Partner Jonathan F. Douglas. “Because of that experience, we’ve been involved with design issues relating to Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) measures for some time, and are now transitioning those skills to our other clients in light of today’s increased focus on security issues relating to building design.” For more information about VOA, visit (www.voa.com).DOE Guidelines for SchoolsRecognizing that the total energy bill for America’s schools is more than $6 billion, the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergySmart Schools (www.energysmartschools.gov) program has begun releasing guidelines to instruct K-12 educational facilities on ways to reduce energy consumption. The first report, Energy Design Guidelines for High Performance Schools in Hot and Dry Climates, includes information on site design, daylighting, mechanical and ventilation systems, and water conservation – key considerations for schools operating in the Southwest. “New construction practices and technologies, and energy-efficient renovations can bring that $6 billion expense down by 25 percent,” says Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. Six other reports, targeting specific climatic zones, are slated for release this summer.