The National Institute of Building Sciences has partnered with The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) through an official memorandum of understanding that will help both organizations connect the full value chain from manufacturer to end users with guidance on sealant technology in vertical wall assemblies. Initial efforts will center on repositioning and revising the sealants section of the Building Enclosure Design Guide section of the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG).

“Partnerships strengthen and enhance our nation’s building safety and sustainability,” says Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, President and CEO of NIBS. “The greater built environment counts on us to provide the latest in research. Updating the sealants section will ensure construction and building officials have the most current guidance with regard to technology.”

The new sealants section is expected to be complete by year-end.

Steve Duren, Managing Director of Membership & Industry Programs with ASC, says the effort to update the WBDG is intended to provide specifiers, design professionals and personnel making important decisions with sealant technology guidance on performance metrics and industry documents.

“As the sealant chemistries evolve and find new uses in vertical wall systems, it is important that the industry has resources that go beyond standards,” he says. Also of interest to NIBS members: ASC is updating its Adhesives.org website to include a building & construction landing page.

The Whole Building Design Guide is the largest repository of building information and a robust gateway to accurate integrated 'whole building' design techniques and technologies. It is the only web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners with a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology. WBDG is organized into four major categories: Design Recommendations, Project Management/Operations & Maintenance, Federal Facility Criteria and Continuing Education.