INDUSTRY NEWS Nonresidential construction spending
rises 0.5 percent in October The nation's nonresidential construction in- dustry experienced a modest gain in October as spending increased 0.5 percent to $571.3 billion, according to the December 3 report by the U.S. Census Bureau. Total nonresidential con- struction spending—which includes both private and public projects—is up 5.1 percent compared to one year ago. Private nonresidential construction spend-
ing increased 0.3 percent for the month and is up 10.7 percent year over year. Public nonresidential construction spending increased 0.8 percent for the month, but is 0.4 percent lower than the same time last year. Eleven of 16 nonresidential construction subsec-
tors posted increases in October, including trans- portation, up 5.3 percent; water supply, up 4.3; and lodging, up 3.9 percent. Ten construction subsectors experienced increases in spending year over year, including lodging, up 29.3 percent; transportation, up 21.2 percent; and power, up 19.2 percent. In contrast, fi ve construction subsectors post-
ed decreases in spending for the month, including communication, down 6.9 percent; manufacturing, down 2.7 percent; highway and street, down 2.3 percent; sewage and waste disposal, down 1.7 percent; and conservation and development, down 1.5 percent. Construction subsectors registering decreases in year-over-year spending include con- servation and development, down 13.6 percent; water supply, down 7.2 percent; highway and street, down 4.8 percent; communication, down 3.8 percent; sewage and waste disposal, down 3.8 percent; and religious, down 3.7 percent. Residential construction spending jumped 3
percent for the month and is up 19.4 percent from the same time last year. Total construction spending—which encom-
passes both nonresidential and residential spend- ing—was up 1.4 percent for the month and is up 9.6 percent compared to October 2011.
in October and up 0.7 percent from the October preliminary imports total of 2,540,000 NT. Import permit tonnage for fi nished steel in November was 2,014,000 NT, down 2 percent from the preliminary imports total of 2,059,000 NT in October. Novem- ber 2012 total and fi nished steel import permit tons would annualize at 33,581,000 NT and 26,130,000 NT, up 18 percent and 20 percent, respectively, versus the 28,515,000 NT and 21,835,000 NT im- ported in 2011. The estimated fi nished steel import market share in November was 24 percent, and it is 24 percent through 11 months of 2012. Finished steel imports with large increases in
November permits versus the October preliminary include reinforcing bars (up 45 percent), hot rolled bars (up 39 percent), plates in coils (up 36 percent), sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 25 percent), and cold rolled sheets (up 17 percent). Major products with signifi cant year-to-date (YTD) increases versus the same period in 2011 include reinforcing bars (up 55 percent), line pipe (up 40 per- cent), sheets and strip galvanized hot dipped (up 38 percent), oil country goods (up 28 percent), sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 23 percent), and cut lengths plates (up 22 percent).
Rating the Severe Wind-Driven Rain Resistance of Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights" is available for AAMA members to download for $10. Non- members may purchase the document for $30 to download. The specifi cation is also available for purchase on CD and hardcopy. To order AAMA 520-12, visit
pubstore.aamanet.org.
Steel Framing Industry Association releases technical guide for
cold-formed steel framing products The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) has released the 2012 edition of the "Technical Guide for Cold-Formed Steel Framing Products," a technical guide for designing with cold-formed steel framing members. The 114-page book cov- ers both structural and non-structural applications, including section properties of SFIA member product profi les and complete load and span tables for most applications. In addition, the 2012 SFIA Technical Guide now includes suggested specifi cations that provide critical information on materials and instal- lation standards to help ensure more accurate bids, safer design and effi cient installation. SFIA's “Technical Guide for Cold-Formed Steel
Framing Products” is available as a free download at
www.steelframingassociation.org/technical- information, or ordered as a hard copy for $10, plus shipping, at
emma@steelframingassociation.org.
AAMA releases updated specifi cation "Voluntary Specifi cation for Rating the Severe
Wind-Driven Rain Resistance of Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights" has been released by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). The specifi cation provides an optional rating of the ability of fenestration prod- ucts to resist severe wind-driven rain. AAMA 520-12 is based on a rapidly pulsed
November SIMA import permits up 0.7
percent versus October preliminary Based on the Commerce Department's most recent Steel Import Monitoring and Analy- sis (SIMA) data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that steel import permit applications for November totaled 2,557,000 net tons (NT). This was a 6 percent decrease from the 2,721,000 permit tons recorded
www.metalconstructionnews.com
pressure differential method, recognizing that conditions encountered during tropical storms, hur- ricanes or severe thunderstorms are not static. In addition, the procedures and equipment required to perform the specifi ed tests are provided. The docu- ment details the testing apparatus used, defi nes test specimens and installation, and describes test methods utilized, as well as stating what informa- tion the test report should include. AAMA 520-12 references important industry
documents which include AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-11, "North American Fenestra- tion Standard for Windows, Doors, and Skylights" (NAFS) and ASTM E2268-04 (2011), "Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights and Doors by Rapid Pulsed Air Pressure Difference." AAMA 520-12, "Voluntary Specifi cation for
NRCA University offers business
management webinars NRCA University is offering its Business Management Webinars: Residential Series, the third edition of business management webi- nars designed to give roofi ng contractors new ideas they immediately can implement into their companies to enhance their bottom lines. This six-webinar series will begin January 9 and end April 24. Webinar topics include Occupational Safety and Health Administration fall-protection regulations and residential work, working effec- tively with homeowners, understanding fi nancial statements, professional residential proposals, technology in business and radiation risks. The Business Management Webinars: Resi-
dential Series package is $265 for NRCA members and $365 for nonmembers. Individual webinars are $55 for NRCA members and $75 for nonmembers. For more information and to purchase the webi- nars, visit
www.nrca.net/webinar.
January 2013 METAL CONSTRUCTION NEWS 11
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