Specifying ceiling panels with a high NRC

Standards now require high-performance sound absorption overhead in many building types. Understanding the acoustic requirements within the building standards and translating those correctly into a project’s written specification is only the first step. One should also understand other potential impacts on the building design to ensure the facility sounds...
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Polished concrete: Not just shiny

The lack of standardized terminology results in bids, including fully refined, ground, and polished concrete floors as well as surface-applied sealers or coatings. Using contractor terminology to build a means and methods specification always backfires, and the nature of the language leaves the design firm and owner at risk...
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The doors to life-saving measures

As a direct outgrowth of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) P-361, Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes: Guidance for Community and Residential Safe Rooms, and the International Code Council (ICC) 500, Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, rolling doors are one step in the battle...
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