Failures: Under pressure

Power washing a facade with water is often considered a simple, low-cost way to remove minor soiling. Although this is an effective cleaning method on many substrates, using a water pressure that is not properly controlled and limited to levels appropriate for the materials present can cause damage to...
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Specifying acoustic ceilings and HVAC equipment

Specifiers and architects seeking to ensure the mechanical equipment noise does not exceed the ceiling system’s ability to attenuate it can use a straightforward method defined in the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI) Standard 885 (2008), Procedure for Estimating Occupied Space Sound Levels in the Application of Air...
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Louisiana hotel features vintage windows with modern twist

When it was time to transform New Orleans’ historic Barnett’s Furniture store into an Ace Hotel, designers wanted to maintain the 90-year-old building’s original Art Deco façade, but also upgrade the structure’s features. Building professionals selected aluminum-framed windows, designed to replicate the look of steel-framed installations popular in the...
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Discussion on cool roofing peak energy demand

In our February 2016 edition we published an article, "Results may vary: Reducing energy usage with cool roofs," by Craig Tyler. Kurt Shickman of Global Cool Cities Alliance, wrote in to comment on what he calls an "inaccurate down-portrayal of roof reflectivity and peak energy demand reductions." We shared...
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In Memoriam: Richard (Dick) Eustis (1932−2016)

Richard (Dick) A. Eustis, PE, FCSI, CCCA, CSC, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 27, at a healthcare facility in Old Town, Maine, at the age of 83. Born on October 24, 1932, the CSI Distinguished Member, Fellow, and past-president made significant contributions at the Maine, Northeast Region, and...
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A reader comments on fiber cement feature

In our September 2015 issue, we published the article, “Fiber Cement Panels as Rainscreens,” by Carolina Albano. One reader, Richard Keleher (RJKeleher Architect), wrote to offer his thoughts about the piece and the subject matter in general. We shared with the author, who thanked him for his comments, and...
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