Retrofitting buildings with vapor barriers

Vapor intrusion occurs when there is a migration of chemicals containing vapor from a subsurface source such as soil, groundwater, or soil vapor into an overlying building (Figure 1). As a result of past activities, some areas are more prone to the risk of vapor intrusion for its surrounding...
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LEDs illuminate renovated Illinois library

An extensive renovation to the Indian Trails Public Library District in Wheeling, Illinois, resulted in a modern and engaging learning space for the public. The library now occupies more than 5574 m2 (60,000 sf) and is well-equipped with more than just books—interactive labs and classrooms for community education programs,...
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Design guidance for building safe rooms

Safe rooms are specially designed structures that offer an enclosed space for people to seek refuge in the event of extreme weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. These structures are designed to provide what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) considers to be “near-absolute protection”—a term describing the level...
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Using CLT to spark change

Mass timber—specifically cross-laminated timber (CLT)—continues to spread across the nation as an alternative to traditional concrete and steel construction. CLT panels are described as large-scale, predesigned, and highly engineered for precise tolerances.
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