Educating the Marketplace on the Benefits of Reflective Products

RIMA-I Accomplishments

RIMA-I is constantly striving to develop and grow the reflective insulation and radiant barrier industries and be a reliable resource of accurate information on the industry. Some of RIMA-I's more recent accomplishments include:

• Providing articles and information to several industry trade magazines on a variety of topics Developing new Technical Bulletins on specific industry issues
• Maintaining an official code representative to attend code hearings, review code changes and make recommendations on code issues.
• Participating in Federal Standards formation.
• Aided in the development of Department of Energy, 'Energy Fact Sheet on Radiant Barriers' and the Department of Energy, 'Energy Handbook on Reflective Insulation'.
• Gained acceptance for sale of reflective insulations and radiant barriers in the state of California.
• Gained approval for truss mounted radiant barriers in California.
• Contributed data that led to approval of radiant barriers and energy code credits in Florida.
• Contributed technical papers to various seminars and workshops sponsored by the Department of Energy, ASHRAE, TVA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as a number of building and insulation industry associations.
• Developed an AIA Accredited Course on the industry to educate Architects and Engineers.
• Participated in national/international conference offering workshops and educational materials & training.
• Established cooperative arrangement with Australia and the UK.
• Established a presence as 'the voice' for the reflective insulation, radiant barrier and IRCC industries.

Staying involved in all aspects of the industry and providing information and resources to professionals and consumers alike to help guide and educate on behalf of the industry.

As always, RIMA-I will continue to be your watchdog for the industry, protecting member interests. We've done a lot, and still have lots to do. Together we can continue to drive the industry forward.

RIMA-I members have and are serving on many committees that involve Federal, State, Manufacturer organizations/societies such as:

	ASTM C16.21 Committee Provides leadership in the development of industry standards for reflective insulation and radiant barrier products. D.O.E. Insulation Committee Participated in Federal standards formation. Our efforts contributed to development of an Energy Fact Sheet on Radiant Barriers, and the Energy Handbook on Reflective Insulation, as well as D.O.E. research papers on radiant barriers: Karns, Tenn. houses -- Oklahoma field tests on radiant barriers -- Ft. Benning field test on radiant barriers Calif. Bureau of Home Furnishings Standards Comm. Contributed to the Reflective Insulation section of the California standards. Gained acceptance for sale of reflective insulations and radiant barriers in the state of California. California Thermal Conference Contributed two papers on reflective insulation and radiant barriers. California Energy Commission Gained approval for truss mounted radiant barriers. Florida Power & Light/University of Florida Seminars Conducted seminar on radiant barriers. TVA Radiant Barrier Workshops Provided speakers, served as panel member, and presented papers that furthered work being done by TVA in concert with D.O.E. and Oak Ridge National Labs. American Institute of Timber Construction Adhoc Committee on Moisture in Wood Roofs Assisted in development of standard for installation of all types of insulation, including radiant barriers and reflective insulations, in commercial wood truss roofs. Insulation Contractors Association of America Tech Committee Served as Technical Panel Member and contributed to the development of Bulletin #18 on reflective insulation and radiant barriers. Participated at the regional level -- Atlanta and Orlando Chapters. Wrote ICAA Fact Sheet. Building Thermal Envelope Coordinating Council Participated in for 1 year. Annual International Conference on Thermal Insulation Presented a paper on reflective insulations and radiant barriers. Rural Builders Association Active member for 6 years. Contributed two papers and served as panel members on a number of insulation workshops at annual conventions. Presented paper for publication in Association magazine. Colorado Thermal Insulation Association Participated in for 4 years. Contributed to the Reflective Insulation section of the Colorado thermal Insulation Standards. Florida Department of Community Affairs Contributed data that led to approval on radiant barriers. National Frame Builders Association Active member for 4 years. Served as panel leaders on round table discussions on reflective insulations and radiant barriers. Speaker at convention workshops. Members served and are currently on Board of Directors. Presented paper for publication in Association magazine. ASHRAE - DOE - BTECC Conferences Contributed to the technical program on "Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings I-V", sponsored by all three groups.

RIMA-I members are active participants on all ASTM C-16 sub committees on Reflective Insulations and Radiant Barriers. Their role is vitally important in establishing standards for testing and evaluating materials and installation procedures.

RIMA-I members have contributed to articles that have appeared in many magazines and newsletters such as: Builders Magazine, Journal of Light Construction, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Architecture Magazine, RSI, Energy Design Update, Florida Builder, Contractors Guide, Practical Homeowner, Rural Builder Magazine, Frame Builder Professional, Metal Construction News, Metal Architecture.

RIMA-I continues to work with many of the organizations, societies, associations, and governmental agencies to gain further acceptance of our products and help establish standards that promote their best use. A current major project is to assist every state in their review of their current energy standards to bring them into compliance with Federal Standards. This effort will further local acceptance of radiant barriers and reflective insulations.