AdvocacyNet
News Bulletin 145
June 30, 2008
*****

*Contact: Michael Moore (US) + 1 202 250 3927; Mendi Njonjo (Uganda) +
256 754 603 736

Heroism of Conflict Survivors Inspires New Program in Central Africa

June 30 2008, Washington, DC: Ricky Richard was fourteen when he was
abducted from his home in Uganda and drafted into the Lord's Resistance
Army, a violent rebel militia that has forced almost two million
Ugandans from their homes.

Mr Richard escaped after two years. But instead of turning his back on
his past, Mr Richard confronted it directly. After leaving college, he
formed Friends of Orphans, an organization that supports former child
soldiers with education and technical training, and even helps them
return to the villages they once terrorized.

Ah, so many questions and not enough knowledge to ask them
correctly....

I was just reading the state building code (Rico, you shouldn't send
me links like that). It seems that "Motels (nontransient)" and
"Apartment Houses" are both R-2 uses while a "Motel (transient)" is a
R-1 use under 310.1 Residential Group R.

I'm still working on the motel converted to apartments (without a CO)
project. Recap: builder used 3/8th sheetrock instead of 5/8th back in
the 60s when it was built.

If the project was converted from one R-2 use to another R-2 use, then
is there a change of use (for building code purposes, not zoning
purposes). If the use downgrades a risk category from R-1 to R-2; is
that a change that would require new fireproofing if it was acceptabe
at the higher risk before (but grandfathered construction).

I found a number of paint products that will provide fire protection
and I am meeting with the CEO next week to see what he thinks. In the
mean time, I'm just getting my ducks in order. Right now I am going
to propose using a fire-retardent paint to add a 1-hour fire rating on
top of the existing sheetrock.

I'm working on a design for a glass piece and was searching for Bamboo
pics, and came across a few links to Bamboo Buildings, and related design
innovations. Since sustainable architecture has been a topic here, I
thought I'd post a couple links that I found interesting:

http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/weblog.php?/weblog/comments/3419/
http://www.bamboocompetition.com/
http://www.bambooliving.com/
http://www.bambootechnologies.com/bbhomes.htm

I know that, in the tropics, huts and scaffolding are commonly built of
bamboo because it's plentiful there (esp. teh large species), but I've
never thought of it as something to use for other (as in, more "wester")
types of housing.

Some of the buildings are interesting, but I'm wondering whether there is
data re: whether bamboo building methods could be adapted to cooler
climates.

- Kris

Hi all- not sure if there are any interior designers on this group,
but maybe the construction folks could help me out too? I am trying
to gather some information on what interior designers charge for
hourly work & how they calculate the # of hours worked. I am fresh
out of interior design grad school and am not sure if I should adjust
down my hourly rate or bill based on 3/4 of hours worked, etc. Any
advice would be helpful. Thanks!
Char

Heat technolgy with verve. Since more than 30 years - water-bearing
chimney boilers.

As the costs for energy explode and the responsibility for everyone
towards the environment becomes clearer day by day, it is time to draw
the consequences. And to decide for a heat system that - technically
mature and approved in many cases - united any advantage of modern
heat supply.

During the years Normatherm(R) has become a synonym for the
development,
the construction and the installation of water-bearing chimney boilers
(inserts). This spadework becomes more and more a benefit...

"The world's first moving building, a 80-storey tower with revolving
floors giving an shifting shape, will be built in Dubai, its architect
says.

"The Dynamic Tower design is made up of 80 pre-fabricated apartments
which will spin independently of one another. ..."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7472722.stm

I knew I shouldn't have got up this morning.

I looked as in apartment complex. It used to be an old motel. Units
are basically SROs without kitchens. Zoning and original building
permit was for motel but has been "converted" to apartments without
any town approvals. Built in the early 60s. Wood frame (not block
between the units).

The units were built with 3/8th sheetrock, not 5/8th. The building
inspector says it needs 5/8th sheetrock on all party walls.

Building also has non-existent smoke detector system, etc.

I was thinking of trying to negotiated with the CEO because the
sheetrocking cost is a killer. I am getting bids by the end of the
week but I expect somewhere around maybe $1,000 per unit to go over
top of the existing sheetrock. I was trying to think of ways I could
present this, such as "we will provide state-of-the art smoke
detection to protect the tenants". I would be willing to include pull
alarms, etc.

Anyone have any experience with such a situation and how to cure the
sheetrock issue.

The Holy Shroud in Turin is and remains a riddle, as honestly
recognised by the manager of the most important of the three
laboratories which analysed the cloth by using the carbon 14. This
manager acknowledged a serious mistake in the dating.
The only means we have at disposal to solve the riddle is that of
recognizing that, without any doubt, in such Holy Linen happened
something that we cannot and never we’ll be capable to explain : the
Resurrection of Christ.

Website : http://digilander.libero.it/antoniobragadin/mystery.htm
Email : ricercapap.bra@alice.it

Wife and I completed a small 20x20 cottage,
using 2x4's walls stuffed with fiber glass.
The BC bc calls for the equivalent of 2x6 walls
stuffed with fiber glass so we're upgrading the
walls by applying 1.5" SM then covering that
with simple white vinyl siding, that is most heat
reflective.
So wife goes to our local building supplier - who
are really nice people - to get some plain old
white vinyl siding, a no brainer, we thought.

They only had a few 100 sq. ft in stock so she
bought what they had, and we installed it in a
jiffy, but they said we'll have more tomorrow.

In goes wife to get more, of the same product
code, however, it's 5" and the original stuff is
4". Apparently the store only stocks 5" as std,
but we got 4", if you are confused that's good.