Industry and Trade Associations

Aerial Lifts or Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP)

International Powered Access Federation

The IPAF works for the safe and effective, worldwide use of powered access equipment. They provide training, technical advice and information and attempt to influence legislation and standards. It is a not-profit organization owned by its members including manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and other users.

Architects

American Institute of Architects

Building Envelope

Air Barrier Association of America

Air barrier systems include multiple materials, such as building wraps and sealants, and components, including windows, that seal the building enclosure, which includes all six sides of the building. Air barriers are also sometimes used to separate building sections from each other. Air barriers serve to wrap the building shell and protect the building elements within it from the effects of air leakage. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) includes requirements for air exchange between the inside and outside of buildings that can only be achieved with effective air barriers. Currently (2015) the ABAA lists twelve states and the District of Columbia as government authorities with air barrier requirements in their building codes.

Philadelphia skyline from The Girard Point Bridge
Philadelphia Skyline From The Girard Point Bridge (photo © JVS Building Services, LLC & Rob Crimmins)

Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry

A significant amount of the information here is on interior building elements but they aren’t lacking in resources dedicated to the building envelope. Their flagship publication, “Construction Dimensions” almost always included articles and ads about exterior building elements.

Building Envelope Science Institute

The Building Envelope Science Institute, Inc. (BESI) provides training and certification programs in building envelope construction, maintenance and restoration.

RCI, Incorporated

RCI, Incorporated is an international association of professional consultants, architects, and engineers who specialize in the specification and design of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall systems.

SWRI – Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute

SWRI is a trade association of the sealant, waterproofing and restoration construction industry. Membership is limited to experienced and qualified contractors, manufacturers and design professionals. All the major manufacturers including Dow, Sika, Tremco, and Pecora seek SWRI certification of their products and include notice of that qualification 0n their data sheets and packaging.

Building Information Management – BIM

BIMForum

From the “About” page on their web site: “The BIMForum’s mission is to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of building information modeling (BIM) in the AEC industry. We will lead by example and synchronize with counterparts in all sectors of the industry to jointly develop best practice for virtual design and construction (VDC). We will share our experiences and execute our goals via online forums, highly useful deliverables and practical industry conferences. We will revolutionize the building industry.”

buildingSMART Alliance

One of many councils of the National Institute of Building Sciences this organization is devoted the development of Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Building Owners and Managers

BOMA – Building Owners and Managers Association International

BOMA is a federation of ninety one U.S. associations and eighteen international affiliates that was founded in 1907. Members are owners and managers of commercial buildings of all types.

International Facility Management Association

IFMA membership includes 24,000 members in 105 countries who manage more than 37 billion square feet of property. The organization includes 134 chapters and 17 councils worldwide. IFMA members purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services annually.

Building Standards

ASTM International

The American Society of Testing and Materials, provides over 12,000 globally accepted standards for contractors, professionals and manufacturers.

Building Science and Technology

National Institute of Building Sciences

The National Institute of Building Sciences was authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383. In establishing the Institute, Congress recognized the need for an organization that could serve as an interface between government and the private sector. The Institute’s public interest mission is to serve the Nation by supporting advances in building science and technology to improve the built environment. Through the Institute, Congress established a public/private partnership to enable findings on technical, building-related matters to be used effectively to improve government, commerce and industry.

Cast Stone

Cast Stone Institute

The Cast Stone Institute® (CSI) was formed in 1927 by producers who saw the need for a common voice for their industry. Today they serve as the authoritative spokesperson for Cast Stone and provide expert counsel to the architectural and engineering communities.

Cement

Portland Cement Association

PCA represents America’s cement manufacturers from their headquartered in Skokie, Illinois and their offices in Washington, DC. The association provides advocacy for infrastructure investment, jobs creation, transportation legislation, and the establishment of reasonable emissions guidelines to protect the environment while maintaining economic growth.

Coatings / Paint

Master Painters Institute

MPI’s website is for coating specifiers, architects, designers, property managers, painters, retailers, and contractors. It also has tips and suggestions or the general public.

Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC publishes the Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings and the online trade magazine, Paintsquare.

Concrete Repair

American Concrete Institute

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute, founded in 1904, provides standards, technical resources, certification programs and training. ACI has nearly 20,000 members worldwide in over 101 chapters and 93 student chapters in over 120 countries.

International Concrete Repair Institute

On their home page ICRI states that they are “the only association in the concrete industry devoted solely to repair and restoration” and “it  publishes a bimonthly magazine and technical guidelines for concrete repair, and cosponsors the World of Concrete. Local chapters provide regional networking opportunities. Worldwide membership include contractors, manufacturers, engineers, distributors, owners, and other professionals with a common goal: prolonging the useful life of concrete through quality repair, restoration, and protection.”

Conservators

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works – Architecture Specialty Group

Association for Preservation Technology International (APT)

APT is a cross – disciplinary, membership organization that promotes the best methods for conserving historic structures. Members are from over 30 countries are preservationists, architects, engineers, conservators, consultants, contractors, craftspersons, curators, developers, educators, historians, landscape architects, students, technicians, and others persons who have interests in the methods and materials used to maintain, conserve, and protect historic structures and sites. APT is a publisher and educator, it grants scholarships, convenes technical committees, presents awards and otherwise supports all those who wish to join them or avail themselves of all the association has to offer.

Construction Management

The Construction Management Association of America

The Construction Management Association of America provides education and training, conferences and ANSI accredited certification for professional Construction and Program Managers.

Engineers

American Society of Civil Engineers

Civil Engineering Resource Guide

This page on the Smartscholar.com site includes numerous links to sites with information of use to civil engineers, civil engineering students and engineering scholarship applicants.

Structure Magazine

STRUCTURE magazine is  published for the practicing structural engineer by the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA).

Estimators

American Society of Professional Estimators

Glass

Glass Association of North America

GANA represents and promotes the interests of flat glass manufactures, fabricators and glazing contractors.

Masonry

International Masonry Institute

“IMI Mission” from the their “About IMI” page on their web site – “The International Masonry Institute offers quality training for craftworkers, professional education for masonry contractors and free technical assistance to the design and construction communities. IMI is a strategic alliance between the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) and their signatory contractors to promote quality masonry construction.

International Masonry Society

From the “About IMS” page on their website: “Founded in 1986, The International Masonry Society has a membership from throughout the world and an international reputation in the field of masonry literature, the dissemination of research and current thinking, as well as the organizing of meetings, seminars and symposia. The Society presents an unrivaled opportunity for members to remain current in all masonry fields.”

Masonry Advisory Council

Extensive technical information on masonry design and detailing.  Brick distributors, concrete masonry suppliers and mason contractors are listed in their industry directory.”

Masonry Contractor’s Association of America

Perhaps THE most comprehensive site on the web on the subject of masonry.

The Masonry Society

Publications such as guides and standards for designers, specifiers and inspectors

Masonry Systems.org

From the  “WHO IS MSO?” page on their site – “MasonrySystems.org is the brainchild of the Masonry Executives Council (MEC), a coalition of professionals from more than two dozen masonry associations. Our goal is to provide a unified source of inspiration and information about masonry design and construction. By working together, we’re striving to make it easier for architects, engineers, developers, school boards, and city officials to choose to use masonry for their buildings.”

National Concrete Masonry Association

From their “About NCMA” page on their web site – “NCMA is the national trade association representing the producers and suppliers of the concrete masonry products, including concrete block, manufactured stone veneer, segmental retaining walls and articulating concrete block.”

The Brick Industry Association

The Brick Industry Association is an outstanding resource. Their technical notes are extremely useful.

Metals

American Society for Metals

The American Society for Metals was founded in 1913. It is the world’s largest association of scientists and engineers working with metals and on associated disciplines. Their membership exceeds 30,000 worldwide. Dissemination of information and education and promoting innovation and materials development are the organization’s goals.

Natural Stone

Marble Institute of America

From the “About” page on the MIA web site: “For over seventy years, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has served as the authoritative source of information on standards of natural stone workmanship and practice and the suitable application of natural stone products.”

Precast Concrete

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Pressure Washing

The WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA) and Industrial & Municipal Cleaning Association (IMCA)

Members include high pressure waterjet and industrial vacuum equipment users, manufacturers, distributors, researchers, regulators, and consultants.

PressureNet.net

Pressure washing business network with information for professional pressure washing businesses.

Project Management

The Project Management Institute

Tools, information, webinars, articles, blogs and training for project managers.

Roofing

National Roofing Contractors Association – NRCA

The National Roofing Contractors Association has represented roofing professionals since 1886. The NRCA is a leading provider of information and education in all segments of the roofing industry including contracting, manufacturing, distribution and design.  architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and county, city and state government agencies. NRCA’s mission is to inform and assist the roofing industry, act as its principal advocate and help members in serving their customers. NRCA continually strives to enhance every aspect of the roofing industry.

RCI-online.org

RCI, Incorporated is an international association of professional consultants, architects, and engineers who specialize in the specification and design of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall systems.

Safety

American Society of Safety Engineers

Scaffold

Scaffold and Access Industry Association – SAIA

Formed in 1972 the SAIA is an association dedicated to access industry safety, training and education.

Sealant

SWRI – Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute

SWRI is a trade association of the sealant, waterproofing and  restoration construction industry. Membership is limited to experienced and qualified contractors, manufacturers and design professionals. All the major manufacturers including Dow, Sika, Tremco, Pecora and others seek SWRI certification of their products and include notice of that qualification in their data sheets and packaging.

Specifications

CSI – Construction Specifications Institute

The Construction Specifier: The Official Magazine of CSI

ICC – International Code Council

Window Film

International Window Film Association

The International Window Film Association (IWFA) is devoted to the interests of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers and facilitates the growth of the window film industry by providing research, effecting policy and educating interested parties on window film. Service to their membership is the mission of the IWFA.

The Protective Glazing Council

PGC was formed in 1997 to provide resources for those engaged in the development of protective glazing systems for the General Services Administration and other US government agencies and construction generally in the United States. The Protective Glazing Council merged with the Glass Association of North America In 2014 as a standing council. Segments of the industry such glass fabricators, suppliers of materials and accessories, window film manufacturers, curtain wall and window manufacturers, sealant suppliers, test laboratories and the fenestration industry are represented on the Council.