The Steel Tube Institute announced Wednesday that it has added a director for steel conduit, Dale Crawford, in preparation for “another year of high demand for steel conduit.” Crawford is responsible for activities, strategies and programs involving North America's leading steel conduit manufacturers.
The strong outlook for steel conduit is based on discussions at recent meetings with industry leaders, contractors and engineers, which the institute detailed in a press release.
According to the release, at the December 2017 meeting of the Construction Sustainability Council, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) presentation showed that ongoing US economic improvement will continue to boost growth in jobs and business investments throughout 2018. Predictions also showed an increase in the use of steel, as well as a 2 percent increase in nonresidential building construction. These trends signify that the demand for and use of steel conduit will remain strong, specifically in the construction of new buildings.
Presenters at the 2017 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo and other industry gatherings have noted a growing trend in designing more resilient buildings. The Industry Statement on Resilience from top design and construction associations, co-authored by the American Institute of Architects and the National Institute of Building Sciences, defines resilience as "the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events."
Electrical systems are a significant component of any building design, and steel conduit is the most resilient solution for protecting physical conductors, the institute said, adding that logic suggests engineers and architects will continue to specify steel conduit in the coming year as part of the push to improve community resilience.
As construction grows and resilient building design becomes more prevalent, Crawford said he looks forward to helping steel conduit users and specifiers with their project-related questions. "At STI, we're proud to serve as the go-to resource for steel conduit," he said. "Our involvement in the first draft review of the 2020 National Electrical Code this month is just one of the ways we'll help ensure that our nation's electrical systems are as safe and efficient as possible."