The CSTB at BATIMAT 2013
Guiding professionals in innovation, particularly SMEs/VSEs; supporting the development of new sectors and advancing energy renovation; incorporating progress in sustainable buildings into neighborhoods and the city... These are some of the specialist areas developed by the CSTB for the Batimat trade show, held last November 4 to 8 in Villepinte. Some highlights of the show: visit by Cécile Duflot, Minister of Housing, Regional Equality and Rural Affairs, on Monday, November 4. Other highlights marked the week for professionals in the sector: meetings on innovation and stakeholder expectations, presentations of new products at the CSTB Bookshop, and daily talks by CSTB partners and experts.
- Meeting on innovation with Cécile Duflot
- Renewal of the agreement between the Confederation of Craftsmen and Small Builders (CAPEB) and the CSTB
- Progress report on the RAGE 2012 program
- Extension of the RGE accreditation for the environment
Meetings on innovation with Cécile Duflot
On Monday, November 4, 2013, Bertrand Delcambre welcomed Cécile Duflot, Minister of Housing, Regional Equality and Rural Affairs, to the CSTB stand at Batimat.
The minister also met with three representatives of SMEs involved in an innovation process with the CSTB.
Watch videos of these businesses that were shown at the CSTB stand.
- Watch the videos on the CSTB website
- Discover the CSTB TV channel
Award-winning innovation from Techniwood
Techniwood, guided in its assessment process by Synerbois (partnership between the CSTB and FCBA), received the Gold Trophy for Innovation at Batimat 2013. The prize was for its PANOBLOC® product, a prefabricated wood construction panel system. Its innovative nature (currently under ATEx) and performance are recognized throughout the sector.
CAPEB renews its commitment with the CSTB to keep construction tradespeople informed
On Wednesday, November 6 at Batimat, Patrick Liébus, President of the Confederation of Craftsmen and Small Builders (CAPEB), and Bertrand Delcambre, President of the CSTB, updated and extended their mutual commitment which began in February 2011.
Against a complex landscape of standards and regulations, the new agreement facilitates access to reference texts for tradesmen who are members of CAPEB. The objective is to give them all the tools they need to conduct projects in accordance with best practices in the construction sector. By making regulations, technical rules and standards more accessible, the CSTB also accomplishes its mission of dissemination of knowledge.
In plain terms, the licensing agreement enables the use of the REEF 4 document repository, maintained by the CSTB and accessible online. Through their local CAPEB, tradesmen can benefit from complete and detailed information on all specialist areas of construction.
In addition, this new agreement makes it easy for those who are members of CAPEB to purchase Unified Technical Documents (DTUs). Members benefit from a special rate, a loyalty policy and a discount on subscriptions.
“The RAGE 2012 program is in an intensive phase of production,” said Alain Maugard
At a talk given Friday, November 8, 2013, at Batimat, Alain Maugard, Chair of the Steering Committee for the “Environment Reform in Practice” program (RAGE) 2012 and President of the certifying agency Qualibat, promoted the advancement of this program through the actions of its stakeholders.
“The RAGE 2012 program is in an intensive phase of production,” said Alain Maugard. This elaborate, in-depth project is forging ahead: nine professional guidelines, three handbooks, eight reports and two working papers have been produced. They are available on www.reglesdelart-grenelle-environnement-2012.fr.
“The CSTB contributes to the drafting of 33 professional guidelines and handbooks on passive envelope systems. Dozens of experts have been mobilized for over a year and are actively involved in aligning the documents generated for this program. At the same time, the CSTB is guiding innovation through Technical Appraisals,” explains Bertrand Delcambre, President of the CSTB.
The RAGE program (2012–2016) was launched to support professionals in addressing the challenges of the sustainable building: energy savings in buildings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It aims to update current best practices and add to them, particularly regarding renovation work. It also works to revise the benchmarks for initial and professional training in the sector.
The RAGE program brings together the CAPEB, FFB, AQC and COPREC Construction, with technical support from the CSTB.
Qualibat: a nonprofit organization for measurement and certification of construction contractors. FFB: French Building Federation. AQC: Association Qualité Construction. COPREC Construction: Confederation of independent prevention, monitoring and inspection bodies.
RGE accreditation program now available to new professionals
During her visit to the Batimat 2013 show, Cécile Duflot, French Minister of Housing, Regional Equality and Rural Affairs, joined the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the CSTB and members of the construction industry in signing three charters that enrich the RGE accreditation program. It is now open to professionals conducting studies and to industrial companies.
The RGE accreditation program (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement) grants the RGE quality mark and promotes upskilling of construction professionals, alongside other existing marks, such as NF HQE.
Today, some 9,000 businesses have obtained RGE accreditation for construction work.
Three charters were signed with the goal of doubling the number of RGE contractors by mid-2014. The charters aim to:
- Expand “RGE Travaux” for works;
- Launch the “RGE Études” mark to identify professionals qualified for project management; and
- Incite industrial companies to focus more attention on energy savings and promote the “RGE” mark.
The “RGE” mark makes it easier for the public to identify contractors and tradesmen who are accredited in the field of energy renovation. Hiring RGE-accredited professionals is a condition for obtaining State aid through a program (J'éco-rénove, j'économise) which assists private individuals with energy renovation works.
The RGE accreditation program is the key pillar in the success of the Housing Energy Renovation Plan (PREH). Launched through executive order of the President of the French Republic in March 2013, this plan aims to renovate 500,000 housing units by 2017, reducing building energy consumption by 38% by 2020.
Learn more:
- RGE-accredited professionals for energy renovation in housing units (government portal)
- RGE: find professionals qualified for energy renovations (ADEME website)
