|
By Sabhya Katia, engineer in Building Analytics for ESD, now Stantec, and Kenneth Griffin, BEMP, MBS, senior building analyst, ESD, now Stantec — Whether it is hybrid or full time, employees are returning to the office and business owners are looking for ways to make that return more enticing. In addition to improving facilities to be safer, healthier, and more ecologically friendly with programs like LEED, WELL, and WELL Health-Safety Rating certifications, building owners and operators are also taking the opportunity to make their facilities more aesthetically pleasing.
One popular renovation project is updating lobbies of existing structures to bring in more natural light with the addition or replacement of windows. This one step can help modernize a building’s appearance and in general make the office environment more appealing. New windows can also increase energy efficiency and enhance the safety and comfort of the space for occupants and visitors. Before launching into this type of major repositioning project, however, owners and developers should consider a hidden complication that, left unchecked, can turn into a major health and safety concern. What is this lurking danger? Condensation. Let me explain. I recently worked with a team charged with determining the impact replacing and expanding windows in the lobby of a major downtown building would have on the structure. Our client had the foresight to consider this possible complication.
Read more . . .
|
|
|
White Paper submitted by ABM — With over a decade of experience — and nearly 30,000 charging ports installed — ABM is the leading commercial installer of EV chargers in the U.S.
Download our expert EV answers ebook to learn more about our unique approach to creating custom electric vehicle (EV) solutions that improve driver satisfaction and get you closer to your sustainability goals.
How do I prepare my facility for the EV revolution?
Answer: Here’s your EV roadmap. We drew it just for you.
The right EV solution takes everything into account from the beginning. Financing and procuring for charging stations. Dynamic pricing models based on demand. Ongoing service and maintenance. All with an eye on long-term sustainability.
Here’s how ABM builds your custom, scalable EV roadmap for implementing charging technology and capabilities at your facility.
- Site consultation and analysis
- Equipment and network system selection
- Financing structure and incentives
- Design, Installation and electrical testing
- Ongoing service and maintenance
- Continuous monitoring, analytics and reporting
Throughout it all, ABM is your single point of contact operating right by your side, answering every question and ensuring that you make the best choices today — while remaining flexible and ready for the future of EV.
Read more . . .
| |
|
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released a new online toolkit, Pathways to Resilient Communities (PDF). This clearinghouse of available technical tools and resources helps community leaders improve their built environment’s ability to respond to increasingly severe storms and other threats to vertical and horizontal infrastructure. The toolkit summarizes the difference between codes, standards, and manuals of practice and denotes where local leaders can take action to ensure these resources are put into practice. It also features ASCE’s hazard-specific standards for threats to the built environment by region, including flooding, earthquakes, wind, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, winter weather and more.
"Civil engineers are trusted to protect the safety and health of the public through the construction and maintenance of infrastructure systems people rely on every day," states Maria Lehman, ASCE president. "This new toolkit will help decision makers understand why modern codes and standards matter when improving current infrastructure and building for a more resilient future."
Read more . . .
| |
|
|
Career growth in facility management is wide open, and there are a host of FM-related organizations that support professional development. The industry conferences usually offer a “Women in FM” discussion session and networking. But oftentimes that’s really not enough. Women in facility management, architecture, design and planning could benefit from a sustained peer-supported organization that supports critical career development for women. That’s where NextUp becomes an opportunity and an asset.
The NextUp network delivers inclusive programs and experiences that advance women at every stage of their career, accelerate workplace equity and drive business growth. They do this by developing leaders at every level of business, transforming norms by creating workplace equity and leading the DEI&B conversation by supporting women of color and their allies. NextUp envisions a world where women have equal opportunities at work and equal opportunity to build their lives and careers exactly the way they want them.
The 17,000-member-strong association, present in 21 regions across the U.S., provides critical career development for women who come to NextUp as individuals or members of a partner organization. Its leadership believes goals are unique to each person and tailors solutions that cater to its members’ career level.
For facility and design professionals who are ready to see what’s next:
NextUp Membership is open to individuals or members of a partner organization. When you join NextUp through The McMorrow Reports/FMLink, you are entitled to 20% off with the code NextUp23McMorrow. For more information, contact Beth Fasching, strategic partnership director, NextUp.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Armstrong World Industries recently expanded the capabilities of its ProjectWorks Design and Pre-Construction Service by making 3D Revit models available to designers, architects, and contractors utilizing the complimentary service. By expanding its in-house ProjectWorks proprietary design software to deliver 3D Revit models, Armstrong says it has answered the call of architects and designers needing to produce detailed renderings, ensure the feasibility of ceiling designs, and reduce the “friction” that sometimes occurs when contractors receive incomplete, inaccurate or confusing project details.
The 3D Revit model is a full-scale, dimensionally accurate depiction of an architect’s ceiling design, supported by data-rich product information — including item numbers, descriptions, finishes, and perforations — on all elements of the panels, perimeter trim, and suspension system. This extensive information and model expand project evaluations to ensure constructability. In addition, the model can be used by architects and designers to generate detailed renderings and animated 3D presentations, supporting a more seamless design process.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Submitted by Universal Fibers — When walking into a business, hospital or school, there is an expectation of upkeep, cleanliness, and style from visitors. The look and feel of public spaces like these can help visitors determine if they want to purchase goods, choose a doctor, or enroll their children. The design of these spaces must reflect a feeling of comfort to the people who walk in the door, which can be provided through something as simple as the carpeting. Universal Fibers nylon 6,6 fiber is a high-performance, sustainable ingredient that makes carpets and your businesses look better for the long haul.
Carpet fibers, at their most basic, are the threads that make up carpeting. Nylon 6,6 and nylon 6 are two of the most common polyamides used in the textile and plastic industries. Nylon 6,6 fiber is the luxury suite of carpet fiber, as it provides many inherent benefits to those who use it in their businesses and large-scale projects.
Read more . . .
| |
|
As winter weather approaches, 47 airports in 23 states will be better prepared to keep airport operations running safely and smoothly. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded nearly $57.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 for snowplows, de-icing equipment, and new or upgraded facilities to store and maintain this equipment.
View a data visualization of the airports receiving grants for winter weather preparedness.
Approximately $17.7 million will be used to purchase snow removal equipment, including:
- $1,764,000 to Williston Basin International in North Dakota
- $2,093,040 to Will Rogers World in Oklahoma
- $1,316,990 to Bozeman Yellowstone International in Montana
Read more . . .
| |
|
The Citadel hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly constructed Capers Hall on Saturday, Sept. 9, following a two-year replacement project. Woolpert was architect of record on the project alongside design architect Creech & Associates Architects. Construction was led by Thompson Turner Construction. The three-story, 97,500-square-foot building replaced the college’s original Capers Hall, which opened in the 1950s. The building will continue to house classrooms and offices for multiple departments within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Citadel, with its iconic campus dating from 1842 located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction.
Woolpert provided architecture, landscape architecture and interior design for the roughly $67 million project. Capers Hall classrooms feature modern educational upgrades and furniture, including smart technology devices, expanded infrastructure for customizable classrooms, and audio and visual computer aids. The building includes a 250-seat performing arts auditorium, an art gallery, a training Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, and a modern computer lab.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Facilities managers (FMs), architecture and design (A&D) professionals and others involved in creating and specifying commercial interiors are invited to submit a presentation for consideration for NeoCon 2024 Programming. The NeoCon commercial interiors event provides unparalleled programming across a diverse range of categories, offering educational and inspirational expertise and insight on today’s most important topics.
Submissions may be considered for the following programming formats: Online CEU Sessions, Onsite CEU Sessions, Workshops or NeoCon Talks. Up to 50 submissions will be selected for virtual presentations on the NeoCon Learning Hub. An additional 10 CEU presentations, four workshops and up to 10 talks will be invited and developed for presentation onsite at NeoCon. For consideration, complete the online application by January 15. Selected submissions will be notified by February 29 for the NeoCon 2024 programming lineup.
Read more . . .
| |
|
This week's Featured Book from FMLink's Books section is from the Plumbing / HVAC category. This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the Plumbing / HVAC topic.
This easy-to-use handbook contains reliable, tested manhours for installing just about any plumbing and HVAC component the average contractor or estimator is likely to encounter. Plumbing & HVAC Manhour Estimates explains how and when to apply correction factors, how to put exclusions and clarifications into your bids (includes a checklist of typical items), and what "money-saving" material selections may be unwise.
The handbook also provides manhours for thermal insulation, trenching, close-out items, piping and control valve sizing tables, plus ballpark costs for equipment rental and budget estimates. These estimates have been compiled by a mechanical engineer / estimator with 40 years experience in estimating for residential, commercial and industrial jobs.
This and other Plumbing / HVAC titles are now available for purchase on FMLink.
| | | | |
