coppertalk

By David Brender, CDA National Program Manager

This month several of our members and I have had the privilege of helping refine the National Electrical Code (NEC) for 2014. The CDA is one of many non-profit organizations and associations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, for example, who participate in writing the code every three years. Read more…

By Andy Kireta Jr., Vice President Market Development, Copper Development Association Inc.

CDA this month exhibited at the Healthcare Facilities and Expo in Chicago for the second year in a row. Attendees who visited the CDA booth included architects, specifiers, hospital staff and manufacturers of healthcare products. Our goal was to highlight copper’s antimicrobial properties and show how copper can promote human health in the healthcare environment. Read more…

By Charles Feigley, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of South Carolina

Charles Feigley, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina, this month presented a paper at the 12^th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate in Austin, Texas. The paper described studies underway at the Fort Jackson U.S. Army base in Columbia, S.C on the use of copper heat exchangers to suppress the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew that can cause odors and compromise system effectiveness. This study is supported by the U.S. Army and is a collaboration of the Copper Development Association, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina and Washington State University.
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By Fernando Pellicer, conservation architect and partner, DFS Inc. Architecture & Design

The Copper Development Association (CDA), in collaboration with the Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association (CCBDA), selected the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul as one of 12 recipients of the 2011 North American Copper in Architecture Awards Program. The winners showcase a wide range of projects, all of which highlight craftsmanship, attention to detail, and architectural vision. In addition to showcasing copper’s beauty, longevity and workability, sustainability was a running theme among the project submissions.

The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul is a historic landmark in Montreal, built in 1931-32 and designed by noted architect Harold Featherstonaugh. The church building was gothic in style and featured a copper roof. We were contacted because the roof was buckling, it was poorly insulated and there were major problems with icicles. The roof needed to be replaced.

With the help of Istvan Kovacs, the project manager, we addressed the problems by creating a 17,500 square-foot copper batten seam roof system. We had demolition crews remove the existing copper panels, gutters, downspouts and underlayment to the existing structure. We then installed a new waterproof membrane, foil-faced polyisocyanurate insulation and plywood sheeting. For greater durability, we used 17,500 square feet of 20-ounce copper batten seam roofing panels. We worked with Couverture Montreal Nord Ltee., a sheet metal contractor, to complete the job over a six-month period.

Our renovations helped reduce heating costs for the church and the insulation solved the icicle problem. Copper was the material of choice for our project because of its durability and the ease of installation. It was a successful project and we were very proud to be part of restoring a church with a long and rich history in Montreal. The church’s original copper roof lasted nearly 80 years and I’m confident this new copper roof will have a long and sustainable life as well.

Projects of this nature present certain challenges, which at the start, fuel the drive to succeed. Having won this award means that we have successfully met these challenges and are ready for the next ones. We sincerely thank The Copper Development Association for bestowing this award to DFS Inc. Architecture & Design for its use of copper, a most noble material,  in the restoration of the Saint Andrew’s and Saint Paul’s church roof.

By Andy Kireta Jr., Copper Development Association Vice President of Building & Construction

The Copper Development Association (CDA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 North American Copper in Architecture Awards. The CDA presents the annual awards jointly with the Canadian Copper & Brass Association (CCBDA). Read more…

By Andy Kireta Jr., CDA Vice President of Building Construction

They’re back and better than ever. Our successful Do It Proper with Copper series is back with a second installment of do-it-yourself architectural and plumbing how-to videos.

These short, instructional videos provide step-by-step tutorials giving viewers practical instruction on how to use the versatile metal copper in plumbing, architectural, building and construction projects. These new videos show how to create vertical lap, flat and standing seams for architectural copper systems along with bending and flaring, structural adhesives and brazing techniques that are used in plumbing applications. Read more…