12 Mar 2013

Loebsack, Schock Call for Critical Waterway Improvements

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Aaron Schock (IL-18) led a group of 21 Members of Congress in calling on the President to include support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) in its 2014 budget.  This program supports navigation infrastructure improvements and ecological restoration on the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS).   The UMRS is the only river basin in the United States recognized by an act of Congress as both a nationally significant commercial navigation system and river ecosystem.

"Ensuring that the locks and dams on the UMRS are capable of providing effective traffic flow is critically important to the competitiveness of our agriculture and manufacturing industries, and ultimately the consumer," the Congressmen wrote in a letter to the President.  "NESP has a real opportunity to be a model for constructing navigation infrastructure, and we look forward to this potential being realized for the benefit of the region and the nation.  We are hopeful that you will recognize the importance of NESP to the economy and ecosystem along the UMRS in your FY14 budget."

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

###
11 Mar 2013

Rock River Flooding Potential

By Shelly Chapman

The National Weather Service has advised that there will be some moderate flooding along the Rock River based on the Joslin gauge.  Residents in low lying areas are advised to be prepared for potentially serious flooding.

More information is available at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/forecasts.php?wfo=dvn

http://water.weather.gov/resources/hydrographs/josi2_hg.png

05 Mar 2013

Green Building in Education Construction: "The Wave of the Future, and It's Here Now"

By Rick Martin

Green Plans Revealed for Phase 2 of Western Illinois University Construction Project

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Bush Construction has been named as the general contractor for Phase 2 of the Western Illinois University Quad Cities (WIU-QC) Riverfront Campus in Moline, IL. According to Rob Davis, Bush Construction's Project Manager for Phase 2, the contractor's $29.5 million approved bid covers construction of three buildings. And like Phase 1, Phase 2 will be a green building project.
"Bush Construction was the contractor for the first phase of the Riverfront Campus," said A.J. Loss, President of Bush Construction. "Phase 1 serves as an excellent example of how an educational facility can save energy and protect the environment through a well-planned combination of green technologies. We are proud to have been selected by Western Illinois University for Phase 2."
A rendering of how one of the buildings in Western Illinois University QC, Phase 2, will look.

A rendering of how one of the buildings in Western Illinois University QC, Phase 2, will look upon completion.
"Green building in education construction is the wave of the future, and it's here now," said Dr. Joseph A. Rives, Vice President of Quad Cities and Planning for Western Illinois University. "We are very pleased with the work that Bush Construction did on Phase 1. They brought us a LEED certified, environmentally friendly facility on-time and under budget."
Dr. Rives stated that the Phase 1 green building project has helped tremendously with student, faculty and staff recruitment. "Premier students want premier facilities," he said, "and there's no question - we have them."
"For Phase 2, we are aiming for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification," Davis said. "Phase 2 will utilize a strong combination of environment-friendly green features." Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is the world's most widely used and recognized green building program. The LEED system is point-based, and the level of a LEED project - Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum - is determined by the number of points it has earned. A project can receive LEED points at various stages in its development, such as design or construction.
Phase 2 construction will feature classrooms, computer labs, science labs, offices and support space. The three buildings included in Phase 2 will house academic programs and services from the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services, and Fine Arts and Communication. They will also include programs and services from the WIU 60th Street Campus in Moline, IL, including the library, classes offered through the Quad Cities Graduate Study Center, and WQPT-Quad Cities public television.
History of the WIU Riverfront Campus

In 2003, John Deere donated its former Technical Center in Moline, including 20 adjacent acres along the Mississippi, to WIU-QC, to serve as the site of a new Riverfront Campus. WIU-QC determined that work on the campus would be completed in two phases.
Jerod Engler of Bush Construction acted as Project Manager for the first phase. Phase 1 included the renovation of a two-story, 60,300-square-foot building, which houses the College of Business and Technology. This green building project consisted of partial demolition of the existing structure, multiple additions, and extensive remodeling. Phase 1 has received LEED Silver status.
The second phase is now beginning, and like the building in Phase 1, the three buildings in Phase 2 will feature a modern steel and glass look. "Phase 2 will continue with the same high standards as Phase 1," said Bill Brewer, Assistant Director of Physical Plant, WIU-QC Operations and Maintenance. "Phase 2 will also maintain the strong commitment to environmental sustainability found in the first phase."
According to Brewer, completion of Phase 2 is anticipated in Summer 2014.
Green Features Planned for Phase 2
In recent years, Bush has played a key role in numerous high-profile green building projects in the Iowa-Illinois Quad-Cities, including WIU-QC Riverfront Campus, Phase 1; Davenport Public Library, Eastern Avenue Branch; and the MetroLINK Transit Maintenance Facility, currently in progress. According to Davis, Phase 2 of Riverfront Campus will include numerous applications of green technology, including:
Vegetative Roofing: Whether you call it a vegetative, green, or living roof, this form of sustainable technology is often what people think of first, when they consider possible green building features. A vegetative roof is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium. The greenery is planted over a waterproofing membrane, and the roof may also include additional layers, such as root barriers and drainage/irrigation systems. Vegetative roofs absorb rainwater, provide insulation, and also help lower urban air temperatures.
Geothermal Technology: Geothermal systems use the Earth's ambient, subsurface temperatures - a free, inexhaustible source of energy - to heat and cool buildings. The process employs a geothermal heat pump, which is a central heating/cooling system that pumps heat to or from the ground. It uses the earth as a heat source in cold weather, and as heat sink when temperatures rise. Geothermal technology substantially reduces the operational costs of heating/cooling systems.
Enhanced Commissioning: Commissioning is the process of verifying, in new construction, that a building's subsystems achieve the project's requirements, as intended by the owner and as designed by the architects and engineers. These subsystems can include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, building envelopes, and more. The main goal is to maximize the project's efficiency, from the design phase through post-construction and occupancy.
Daylighting: Daylighting is the practice of positioning windows or other building openings so that natural sunlight provides effective internal lighting. Energy savings are achieved through the reduced use of electricity and the warmth gained from solar heat. Artificial lighting use can be reduced through daylight harvesting - a process in which dimming/switching electric lights respond automatically to the presence of daylight.
Waste Management/Recycling: When construction waste ends up in landfills, it increases the burden on landfill loading and operation. Whenever possible, it is best to minimize and recycle construction waste, demolition debris, and land-clearing debris - a process known as construction waste management. Specifications for the Phase 2 construction project stipulate that a minimum of 75% of construction waste will be recycled.
"We look forward to working with WIU-QC again on Phase 2," said Loss. "We commend them for their commitment to green building, and for providing a healthy environment for their students and employees."

For more information on Bush Construction, call (563) 344-3791 or visit www.BushConstruct.com. To find out more about Western Illinois University in the Quad Cities, visit www.wiu.edu/qc/.
-- End --
01 Mar 2013

Think Spring and Liven Up Your Landscape at the Rock Island Library

By Rock Island Library

Rock Island, IL: If you're in the mood for spring, the Rock Island Public Library is ready to help you liven up your landscape with a new series of gardening programs in March and April.

 

The following Liven Up your Landscape programs start at 6:30 pm in the second-floor Community Room of the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

 

Go Wild, Go Native: Wednesday, March 6. Looking for some new ideas for your garden? Head to the library for a program with Marilyn Andress from Interstate Resource Conservation and Development, RiverBend Wildland Stewards. Ms. Andress will share tips and recommendations and the benefits of adding wild and native plants to your garden.

Putting Some Herbs in Your Life: Wednesday, March 13. Herbs add flavor and color to your garden and your home. Peg Christensen, from QC Herbs, will share her knowledge about how easily you can add herbs to most areas of your life, including your kitchen, bathroom, closets and more.

Starting a Rain Garden: Monday, April 1. Dan Mays, Scott County Master Gardener, created his first rain garden more than a decade ago. Mr. Mays will share some tips and tricks to getting started, how he began his first rain garden, and some recommendations you won't find anywhere else. Attendees can also pick up an application for the City of Rock Island's Rain Garden reimbursement program at the end of the evening.

Flying Flowers in Your Garden: Monday, April 8. Can you identify the butterflies of our area by some of their caterpillars? Roxie and Dallas DeShane, River Bend Wildland Stewards, will share what host plants each butterfly prefers for their larvae, so you can attract these "flying flowers" to your garden this spring. Handouts will be available to help you plan and plant your garden.

Vegetable Gardening - A Feast for the Eyes and Palate: Monday, April 15. Learn how to make your vegetable garden the star of the neighborhood by choosing edible plants that are nutritious, tasty, and beautiful. From the flashes of gold dangling from a Sunshine Cherry Tomato on a decorative trellis to the bright blue peppers of a Filius Blue pepper plant, a vegetable garden can provide a feast for the eyes and for the palate. Sandy Russell from Tastes of the Rainbow will show how using organic or heirloom seeds can help you add extra color and flavor to your vegetable garden.

 

Programs are free and open to the public. For more news about Rock Island Public Library events, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-7323 (READ), or follow the Rock Island Library on Facebook and Twitter. A monthly calendar of library events is available online and at library locations.

(end)

01 Mar 2013

Governor Quinn Announces Investments to Continue Developing Millennium Reserve

By Robert Jackson Jr.

More Than $6 Million in State and Local Partnership Investments to Help Create the Largest Open Space Project in the Country

CHICAGO - March 1, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today took another major step towards revitalizing Chicago's Calumet region by announcing $6.8 in state and local investments to continue developing the Millennium Reserve, a 140,000-acre project to create the largest open space area in the country. The governor also signed an Executive Order creating a steering committee made up of federal, state and local partners that will oversee the vision for the reserve. Making the Millennium Reserve a reality is part of the governor's ongoing commitment to protecting Illinois' natural resources, creating jobs and strengthening communities.

"These key investments, along with the creation of the steering committee, will help us continue to create the Millennium Reserve and connect our Calumet communities through trails and green space," Governor Quinn said. "By creating the largest open space project in the country, we are giving more children an opportunity to experience the great outdoors and continuing to make Illinois one of the nation's greenest states."

The Millennium Reserve Steering Committee will submit a preliminary report to the governor within six months of its first meeting, and will provide regular reports every six months thereafter. The steering committee will identify specific projects of regional significance, recommend major policy initiatives that could be pursued by the state of Illinois and partner organizations, and identify potential funding sources for projects within the Millennium Reserve.

"I want to thank Governor Quinn for creating the steering committee, and I look forward to helping him continue to help move this first-of-its-kind project forward," said John Rogner, who directs landscape conservation activities for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will serve as chair of the steering committee. "Illinois' Millennium Reserve initiative will serve as a national model not only for the preservation and expansion of green space, but also for increasing outdoor recreation in urban communities."

"Americans spent more than $145 billion dollars in 2011 on outdoor recreation, including bird watching, hiking and fishing," Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller said. "Investments like these in open space projects and outdoor recreation make a lot of sense. The Calumet area of Chicago is home to some of Illinois' richest biodiversity, with a wide variety of wildlife and plant species in the midst of an urban environment. In the Millennium Reserve, we are following Mother Nature's course, and creating a destination for all Illinoisans and the 53 million tourists who visit the Chicago area every year."

Standing inside the newly-constructed visitor center at William W. Powers State Recreation Area on Chicago's South Side, Governor Quinn today announced the following investments within the Millennium Reserve boundaries:

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has been awarded two federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants for work that will benefit the environment and the economy of Millennium Reserve. Nearly $400,000 is being invested for Greencorps Chicago (GC), which is the city of Chicago's green jobs training program. GC will work on invasive species control at 15 sites in the Millennium Reserve. An additional $300,000 will support the expansion of green infrastructure projects in seven suburban communities.

Chicago Park District Projects - Using federal funding from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the IDNR is investing $200,000 in the Chicago Park District's efforts to improve two recent land acquisitions within the Millennium Reserve. 

Recreational investments - The state of Illinois is using more than $5 million in federal grant funding to invest in recreation opportunities within the Millennium Reserve. $4.7 million from the federally-funded Illinois Transportation Enhancements Program (ITEP) will be used by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to construct new links in the Cal-Sag Trail and the Thorn Creek Trail. Another $600,000 in federal Coastal Zone Management Program funding is being invested in expanding fishing opportunities for youth in the region.

William W. Powers Visitor Center - A $900,000 capital investment is being used to complete the new visitor center at William W. Powers State Recreation Area, due to open later this year. The exciting, contemporary facility will orient visitors to the state recreation area on Chicago's South Side with exhibits engaging adults and children with the natural features and historical significance of Wolf Lake. Public meeting space within the visitor center building will be available for use by groups and partners in the Calumet Region.

The Millennium Reserve: Calumet Core initiative is built upon strong partnerships, community planning, and the work of active citizens and organizations who have sought to transform an economically-challenged industrial region into a re-envisioned community landscape that is economically, environmentally and culturally vital to the region. The project is part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative to reconnect Americans, especially children, to America's rich outdoor treasures; build upon public and private priorities for conservation and recreation lands; and use science-based management practices to restore and protect our lands and waters for future generations.

For more information on the Millennium Reserve Initiative visit  http://millenniumreserve.illinois.gov.

 

###
28 Feb 2013

QNET offers solution to Egypt's water pollution problem through HomePure

By Rick Martin

A report by the National Council for Human Rights in Egypt criticized the method of water treatment in Egypt, pointing out that in a time when all countries in the world develop methods for water purification, Egypt is still using chlorine to disinfect water at high rates. Several studies have suggested that chlorination by-products may be linked to heart, lung, kidney, liver, reproductive problems including miscarriage rate, and central nervous system damage.

While the State is striving to find long-term solutions to resolve this problem, corporations have come up with products and solutions that help improve water quality and provide clean water for drinking.

Leading direct selling company QNET is one such example. Its product, HomePure, is a portable water purification system for homes that is able to filter out 97% of chlorine found in water.

"The World Health Organization reports that 80% of diseases in Egypt are caused by contaminated drinking water. With Egypt being one of QNET's fastest-growing and important markets, we have taken special care to produce a product that would help one of the country's most pressing problems," explained Mr JR Mayer, QNET Managing Director.

HomePure is equipped with a 7-stage filtration system, each filtering out a different type of contaminant. The system is also equipped with tourmaline ceramic balls which have antibacterial and deodorising qualities.

The water that you end up drinking is Pi-water, water that is very similar to that found in your body. It's created by a Pi-water ceramic that adds Ferric Ferrous Salt to the water. When added to tap water, Fe2Fe3 quickly breaks down the chlorine and suppresses the increase of excessive free radicals, thus serving as an anti-oxidant.  Pi-water is well known, especially in Japan, as water that enhances your body's living energy.

"No other filter that I know of comes with such technology. Being a mother of two, my children's health is my topmost priority. I start my day with a glass of Pi-water every morning without fail," said Hala Tawfik, a QNET Independent Representative in Egypt on why she prefers HomePure over other filters.

"Aside from the Pi-water ceramic ball, there are several features that set HomePure apart from similar products in the market. The first is the antibacterial Silver-lite stone that the filtration system is equipped with, which prevents bacteria and algae growth," said Mr Mayer.

"Second, HomePure is installed with a smart indicator that lets you know when you need to change your filtration cartridge, so you can be assured of fresh and clean water each time."

After the seven stages of filtration, the water that you drink contains a small amount of natural minerals and is similar to that found in the human body.

The product is already one of QNET's best-selling in Egypt. Mai Shaheen, one of QNET's Independent Representatives in Egypt, explains why she started using HomePure.

"The technology used to filter the water makes it not just colourless and odourless but, for the first time, our tap water has no taste, which means it is pure," explained Mai.

"The water filtration system we had at home before HomePure never made a difference to our tap water, as it still had a strange taste and smell. When my friend told me about her father's experience with HomePure and how he had completely stopped buying bottled water, I considered it immediately."

The system has been tested and certified by NSF International, a leading global provider of public health and safety risk management solutions. It has also been tested at renowned laboratories worldwide such as TÜV SÜD PSB in Singapore, SIRIM QAS International and Consolidated Laboratory in Malaysia, and KEWI Korea Environment & Water Works Institute in Korea*.

HomePure's user-friendly design makes it easy to install and use in the home. It also does not require electricity to operate, thus providing clean water at minimal cost.

"It doesn't require much space in the kitchen, nor does it need regular maintenance. The 7-stage filter might sound complex but I was able to fix the machine at home in about three minutes, without the need for an electrical connection," said Mai Shaheen.

"Products like HomePure are an example of how QNET helps individuals achieve their goals and lead better lives through a combination of an entrepreneurial business opportunity with life-enhancing products," said Mr Mayer.

-End-

26 Feb 2013

Governor Quinn Statement on New Fracking Regulation Proposal

By Erin Wilson

SPRINGFIELD - February 21, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn released the below statement following today's introduction of House Bill 2615 to create a regulatory framework for hydraulic fracking. The governor directed members of his cabinet to help negotiate the bill to ensure the strongest environmental protections possible.

"Today's proposal is good news for Southern Illinois and our entire state's economy. This legislation has the potential to bring thousands of jobs to Southern Illinois, while also ensuring that Illinois has the nation's strongest environmental protections.

"I am committed to creating jobs and economic growth in every part of Illinois, and always making sure our water and natural resources are protected for future generations.

"I want to thank everyone who's been working hard in good faith on this issue. While there is more work to be done, this proposal moves us forward."

###
26 Feb 2013

City of Davenport Snow Emergency Declared

By City of Davenport
Date of Record: February 25, 2013

Based on predicted weather a Snow Emergency has been Declared.  The Snow Emergency will be in effect beginning at Noon, Tuesday, February 26th through Noon, Wednesday, February 27th.  Parking on posted Snow Routes is prohibited when a Snow Emergency has been declared. Vehicles parked on Posted Snow Routes during a Snow Emergency may be subject to ticketing and towing.  As an alternative visitors to the downtown area are welcome to park for FREE in any one of our three parking ramps.   We encourage all residents to park off street wherever possible on all other streets.  If you must park on the street, and are not on a Snow Route, please park on the even side of the street Tuesday and the odd side on Wednesday.  Off-street and even/odd side of the street parking will assist the snowplows in moving through narrower streets.
For more information on parking and snow/ice clearing activities you may also visit our Winter Guide.

If you are in need of assistance with snow shoveling or are interested in volunteering to help someone in need shovel their walks please refer to the City's new Snow Angels program at this link.
22 Feb 2013

Federal agencies release Asian carp environmental DNA study findings

By Sarah Gross

CHICAGO - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) today, Feb. 20, released an interim report for the Asian Carp Environmental DNA Calibration Study (ECALS), which is a three-year study funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, as scoped by the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework.

"The purpose of ECALS is to improve the understanding and interpretation of Asian carp environmental DNA results, so we can refine and make this relatively young monitoring tool the most effective to detect live Asian carp presence," said USACE Environmental DNA (eDNA) Program Manager Kelly Baerwaldt.

Initial ECALS efforts within this report focus on identifying alternative sources of eDNA beyond a live Asian carp, whereas marker development to aid in detecting the specific species and calibration experiments that look at factors that may influence the detectio n, degradation or persistence of DNA will receive greater attention in 2013.

Among preliminary findings:

  • Storm sewers, fisheries sampling gear, fish-eating birds, dead fish carcasses, barges, and sediments may contribute to a positive eDNA detection without a live fish being present
  • DNA can stay on these sources for a numbers of days
  • Tagged-bird studies show large variations in bird movement and consumption of Asian carp in the wild, which may lead to positive detection of Asian carp eDNA in bird feces
  • Shedding rates of DNA from Asian carp were not affected by different temperatures or flow rates of water
  • DNA from Asian carp sperm can be detected for over two weeks after release from an Asian carp

The agencies will host a stakeholder conference call Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. (Central) to answer questions regarding this report. Call-in information is USA Toll-Free: 877-336-1839, USA Caller Paid/International Toll: 636-651-0008, A ccess Code: 8506361, Security Code: 0000.

"Partnership is key in the successful planning, research and implementation of a comprehensive Asian carp prevention plan, and we are confident we have the right people on board to thoroughly explore eDNA uncertainties," said USGS Researcher Jon Amberg.

The ECALS Team will continue to investigate alternative sources and pathways for eDNA detections beyond a live fish; examine how environmental variables such as light, temperature and w ater velocity impact eDNA detections; explore the correlation between the number of positive samples and the strength of the DNA source, develop more efficient eDNA markers to cut the sampling processing time in half and model eDNA transport specific to the Chicago Area Waterway System.

"As members of the ACRCC, we are committed to preventing Asian carp from becoming established in the Great Lakes through participating in extensive monitoring of the waterways and additional research on eDNA," said USFWS Midwest Region Hatchery Supervisor Kurt Schilling.

The report, executive summary and fact sheet are posted on Asiancarp.us.

Asian carp DNA surveillance programs determine the presence of Asian carp by detecting the genetic material (DNA from shed cells in slime, feces, urine, etc.) in water samples to correlate DNA detection with the possible presence of invasive silver carp or bighead carp.


-30-

22 Feb 2013

First-Ever Indoor Hailstorm Created at IBHS Research Center

By Joseph King

Tampa, Fla. (February 20, 2013) - Demonstrating innovative leadership in building science and property damage prevention, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is conducting the first-ever, full-scale indoor hailstorm at the world-class IBHS Research Center in South Carolina.

"IBHS is blazing a new trail in applied research - with ice and air cannons," said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. "Meticulously recreating hailstorms at the IBHS Research Center will enable our scientists to conduct a multi-faceted, first-of-its kind research initiative, exploring several aspects of building material and assembly performance that researchers have never been able to explore before."

Among the many unique aspects of IBHS hailstorms is the use of thousands of very highly realistic hailstones, which are painstakingly created by IBHS scientists. Dr. Tanya Brown, IBHS research engineer - and a meteorologist - uses a mixture of tap water and seltzer water to attain the appropriate shape, density and hardness that closely mimics hailstones produced by Mother Nature. This laboratory work is based on, and supplemented by, field research during which the IBHS team tracked several storms to gather extensive data on which to base hand-made hailstones.

Among the challenges facing IBHS researchers is the fact that - unlike size and density - there is no standard definition or measure for the compressive strength, or hardness, of hailstones.

"It makes sense that harder hailstones will cause more damage, but we need to explore that," says Dr. Brown. "To do that, we had to create a compressive force device, and it had to be portable enough to take into the field, where we could find and measure actual hailstones."

Research Center staff used a load cell (like those found in bathroom scales), vice, and balance to measure hailstone mass, and a caliper to measure stone dimensions. The vice was customized to include the load cell and was interfaced with a complex computer program to measure compressive force needed to crush different hailstones; they combined this data with GPS information about the location of where each hailstone fell in order to tie hail characteristics back to specific storm attributes.

Another distinctive aspect of IBHS laboratory work involved creating an effective system to properly deliver hailstones. After investigating numerous options, IBHS researchers determined there was no off-the-shelf solution. So, the engineers designed and built multi-barreled hail cannons, which they mounted on the Research Center catwalk, 60 feet above the test specimen house inside the center's massive test chamber.

"Creating hailstones and designing and building the hail cannons were two of the greatest challenges we faced," Dr. Brown said. "But, like every research project we undertake at IBHS, getting the science right is paramount. We thoroughly investigated many hailstone formulas and hailstone delivery prototypes to ensure our hailstorm capabilities provide the closest match possible to Mother Nature."

During the full-scale IBHS hailstorm, multi-barreled hail cannons deliver approximately 8,000 to 10,000 hailstones (with diameters of 1", 1.5" and 2") at up to 76 miles per hour. The cannons are aimed a 20 ft. by 20 ft. residential-style test specimen featuring different types of roofing and siding materials. In the first-ever demonstration of this capability, to simulate a common residential space, IBHS will place a car and typical outdoor furniture, toys, and accessories near the structure.

Key construction features of the home used in the demonstration, to illustrate different levels of performance in a hailstorm, include :

  • Roofing - one plane of the roof is covered with standard, non-impact resistant 3-tab asphalt shingles; another plane is covered with impact-resistant architectural asphalt shingles. The other two planes of the roof is covered with standing seam metal roofing. In one case, the metal roofing is installed directly over the rood deck; in the other case, the metal roofing is installed over a layer of asphalt shingles - a common real world occurrence and one which may enable more hail damage.
  • Exterior walls - two sides are covered in fiber-cement siding; the other two feature standard vinyl siding.
  • Windows - both vinyl and aluminum windows are installed.
  • Gutters - both aluminum gutters and downspouts are installed.

"We are interested in all types of materials that are used on the exterior of buildings. While there are impact-resistant standards for roofing materials, there are absolutely no such standards for siding or fenestration, such as doors and windows," Rochman said. "This is incredible, given the many millions of dollars consumers and insurers spend each year on repairing or replacing these materials. One of our goals is to advance development of such standards."

IBHS' hail research initiative also will:

  • investigate the impact of aging on the performance of building materials when subjected to hail impacts;
  • document differences between cosmetic and structural damage - and provide insights and guidance about best practices when it comes to evaluating, as well as repairing and replacing building components exposed to hail; and,
  • help people who manage and evaluate different types of risk, including high winds and hail, to understand how various building materials, systems and types are vulnerable to hail damage.

Editor's note: IBHS has produced additional media assets for use with this story, including video and photos. To access and download extra assets please visit the IBHS Hailstorm Demonstration Resources page: http://www.disastersafety.org/research-center/hail-demo/#resources.

or via direct message on Twitter @jsalking.

for more information about how to make your buildings more resistant to a variety of disasters, big and small. Follow IBHS on Twitter at @DisasterSafety and on

# # #

About the IBHS - IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks on residential and commercial property by conducting building science research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices.

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