Confused About Energy? The word energy is arguably the most commonly used word in the architecture/engineering/construction industry these days; and rightfully so. The increasing cost associated with energy, along with the threat of energy instability and America’s dependence on foreign energy sources are certainly matters that need our attention. In addition, the recent removal of rate … Read more
Act 129, which was signed into law October 15, 2008, requires utility companies to reduce consumption for electricity by 1% by 2011 and 3% by 2013. Additionally, the Act requires a 4.5 percent reduction in peak demand by 2012. In an effort to encourage customers to reduce energy consumption, utility companies are offering a variety … Read more
A common misconception is that emergency power and uninterruptible power are the same; however, emergency power is not necessarily uninterruptible, and uninterruptible power may not provide the duration of power required during power outages. Both forms of back-up power may require significant up front and long-term costs, but understanding the difference between the two systems … Read more
“Commissioning is one of the most potent and yet least understood strategies for managing energy use, costs, and associated greenhouse gas emissions in the buildings sector.” – Evan Mills, Ph.D. Building owners and managers often ask what are the costs and benefits of building commissioning. A report completed by Evan Mills, Ph.D. of the Lawrence … Read more
The law requires that any multi-story, commercial or public building provide a means for a disabled person to request evacuation assistance in an emergency situation. These areas of refuge are generally required on each floor, with the exception of the ground floor. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines specific requirements for such features as … Read more
A relatively new technology is quickly making an impact on the design and construction industry. Building Information Modeling (BIM) introduces a new way for architects, engineers and construction professionals to deliver coordinated, accurate and computable information about a building or project throughout the design and construction process. Through the use of software programs, BIM allows … Read more
It seems that over the past several months we have been hearing more and more about the hazards and codes related to electrical arc flash. There have been many seminars, conferences and training sessions popping up that are intended to raise awareness and explain the requirements associated with this electrical phenomenon. One reason we are … Read more
The word “efficiency” is not often associated with a power distribution system; however, following the appropriate protocol for conducting short circuit and coordination studies can help improve efficiency and safety for your building’s power distribution system. Short circuit and coordination studies are especially important for both normal and emergency power distribution systems within healthcare facilities … Read more
There are generally three reasons to consider a construction project for your organization: Modifications to existing space to accommodate shifting business requirements, improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs Expansion of existing buildings to accommodate growth or program changes New construction to support growth plans and address market needs. No matter the reason for the … Read more
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are facing an increase in the number of bariatric patients. This reality has led to the need for specially-designed patient rooms that require the expertise of a professional design team. Some of the special considerations required for bariatric patient rooms include: Water closets should be floor mounted and designed to support … Read more
You are probably familiar with the term commissioning, but did you know that there is a more cost-effective alternative to traditional commissioning? We call this process systems validation. Systems validation encompasses the foundation of commissioning but in a more customized, streamlined process. Systems validation can be an effective way to ensure your building’s systems function … Read more
Today’s healthcare facilities house countless pieces of valuable equipment ranging from IT equipment, linear accelerators and MRI units, to cardiovascular imaging machines for cath labs, CT scanners and other imaging equipment. These sophisticated machines require a significant financial investment that facility owners and operators should be sure to protect. While it is common to incorporate … Read more
If your business is like most today, your construction and operating budgets have been drastically reduced, or maybe even eliminated. The capital equipment upgrades that you were planning for this year have been put on hold; and instead, your focus has turned to reducing operating costs and avoiding layoffs. If you are in the fortunate … Read more
As a responsible healthcare facility, you are committed to the health and well-being of both patients and staff alike. While you may take pride in protecting your patients and employees by providing a safe and sanitary facility, there are other, less obvious, areas to consider such as airborne contaminates and the use of airborne infection … Read more
The rising costs of water and energy have forced many businesses to examine ways to make their buildings more efficient. One option many building owners are implementing is installing water-and energy-efficient plumbing fixtures. The recent push to go green has caused most of the major plumbing manufacturers to begin designing new fixtures that use significantly … Read more
Project closeout should be one of the most celebrated phases of any construction project. The design team can see their knowledge and planning put to actual use; the construction team can pack up their equipment and “turn over the keys” and the owner can finally achieve functional use of the building or area that they … Read more
Service contractors can be a vital resource to anyone charged with building management. They can provide flexible labor to supplement in-house staff during peak work periods and often offer a higher level of expertise in areas where in-house staff may have limited knowledge. Once you have identified the annual maintenance tasks required for your facility and … Read more
Before doing any excavation work on your site, you should remember three important numbers…811. Calling 811, anywhere in the nation, will connect you to Call Before You Dig, where you can begin the process of having all of your underground public utilities marked, free of charge. Before calling 811, be prepared to give the operator … Read more
A power outage can have significant impacts on your healthcare facility including jeopardizing patient safety as well as facing a potential loss of revenue and limiting patient services. But, taking the necessary steps to reduce these risks can be perceived as costly. How do you balance reliability, redundancy and budget to reduce your risk of … Read more
As summarized in last month’s article, it is important to understand your technician’s level of expertise (and possible limitations) as well as to make sure a few key items are included in your service contract. In addition, your control service provider should offer certain value-added services to make sure you are receiving the best possible … Read more