The Construction Specifier Express

May 24, 2022

Mad Men’s Time & Life Building gets energy-conscious facade flip

Ensuring quality in electrical construction

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More than two decades ago, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) identified a need to clearly define good workmanship in electrical construction.

Minnesota Zoo trail eyes record for longest elevated pedestrian loop

The Minnesota Zoo has embarked upon a project to replace its old monorail system with a Treetop Trail elevated walking route.

Library Building Award winners reinvent the traditional learning space

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Library Association (ALA) have presented five libraries with the 2022 AIA/ALA Library Building Award for excellence in architectural design.

Seattle airport arrivals facility connects natural artistry with flexible design

The new, expanded International Arrivals Facility (IAF) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has been cleared for takeoff.

ACI funds 10 diverse projects to further concrete sustainability

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation’s Concrete Research Council (CRC) bestowed grants to 10 projects aimed at furthering the knowledge and sustainability of concrete materials, construction, and structures.

Features

Design and specification considerations: Stand-alone canopy structure systems

Freestanding canopy systems can be specified for numerous project applications, fabricated with a choice of materials, and engineered to meet a range of performance requirements.

Enhancing rooftop stormwater management technologies

Urban centers have high concentrations of impervious areas and outdated sewer infrastructures, which post a challenge in managing stormwater during extreme rainstorms.

DISCUSSIONS OF THE WEEK

COST ESCALATION AND SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) issued a press release asserting construction costs have escalated 22 percent in the past year. Couple that with substantial challenges in the supply chain, including frequent delays in delivery of products needed for construction projects, and the design and construction industry is currently in a very challenging position. It is increasingly difficult to prepare a reasonably accurate opinion of probable construction cost. When the supplier’s price quote is valid for only seven days, and weeks or months elapse between the bid opening and when the purchase order is signed, someone is undertaking significant price risk. Supply chain issues are legion. Products are delivered late. Some orders are canceled. Sometimes alternative products are delivered instead of the ordered and approved products. Do your clients recognize these challenges? What are they and you doing to address them?

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IMPACTS OF LOW-E GLAZING ON CELL PHONE SERVICE

Has anyone ever heard of low-e glazing having a great impact on cell service? A colleague in my office has a client asking if low-e coatings or treatment on building windows blocks signals, and claiming to have issues. According to them, they’ve had to install signal repeaters in their building. I’ve seen a few articles on the topic, but nothing from a source I’ve heard of or necessarily trust. Any thoughts?

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