ATLANTA - The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), recognizing their shared technical interests and desire to foster superior building performance. Both organizations intend to work together to identify opportunities for shared operation services, collaboration on product development, and making presentations at each other’s conferences.

The two associations are also looking to jointly promote educational programs to members; identify and create new products and services where mutually beneficial; encourage continuing dialogue between ASHRAE and BOMA at national, regional, and local levels; and encourage collaborative and cooperative activities to promote continuing professional development. Together, BOMA and ASHRAE are also committing to support each other and fully participate in standard development areas, initially centering around ASHRAE standards 62.1, 90.1, 180P, and 189.1P, working within the ANSI consensus standards development process.

“We are pleased to collaborate with ASHRAE and work toward our shared goal of promoting superior building performance,” said BOMA International chairman and CEO Brenna Walraven, executive managing director for national property management, USAA Real Estate Co. “ASHRAE and BOMA are on the forefront of developing standards that significantly impact building owners and managers, and we look forward to working more closely with them on these matters.”

“BOMA and ASHRAE share many of the same objectives and we are excited to strengthen our relationship,” echoed ASHRAE president Kent Peterson, P.E., vice president and chief engineer of P2S Engineering. “We are all working toward optimal performance of both new and existing buildings, and this partnership will be beneficial for both ASHRAE and BOMA members.”

For more information, visit www.ashrae.org or www.boma.org.

Publication date: 02/25/2008