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Archive for Commercial

Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 March 22, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Factors to Consider in Hospital Design and Construction

sxrayroomBecause hospitals provide a wide range of services and are made up of many functional units, they are the most complex of building types. Hospitals have diagnostic and treatment functions, such as clinical laboratories, imaging, emergency rooms, and surgery; hospitality functions, such as food service and housekeeping; and inpatient care or bed-related functions. Good hospital design integrates functional requirements with the human needs of its varied users. This need for diverse functions is reflected in the breadth and specificity of regulations, codes, and oversight that govern hospital construction and operations. Each of the wide-ranging and constantly evolving functions of a hospital, including highly complicated mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications systems, requires specialized knowledge and expertise.  Hospital design is also influenced by site restraints and opportunities, climate, surrounding facilities, budget, and available technology.  All hospitals should have certain common attributes, regardless of their location, size or budget.

 

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

An efficient hospital layout should promote staff efficiency by minimizing distance of necessary travel between frequently used spaces; allow visual supervision of patients; provide an efficient logistics system for supplies and food (and removal of waste); make efficient use of multi-purpose spaces and consolidate spaces when possible.

Flexibility and Expandability

Medical needs and modes of treatment will continue to change. Therefore, hospitals should follow modular concepts of space planning and layout; use generic room sizes and plans as much as possible; use modular, easily accessed, and easily modified mechanical and electrical systems; and be open-ended, with well-planned directions for future expansion.

Therapeutic Environment

Patients and visitors should perceive a hospital as unthreatening, comfortable, and stress-free. The interior designer plays a major role in this effort to create a therapeutic environment.  For example, this can be accomplished by using cheerful and varied colors and textures, by allowing ample natural light wherever feasible, by providing views of the outdoors from every patient bed, and by designing a “way-finding” process into every environment.

Cleanliness and Sanitation

Hospitals must be easy to clean and maintain. This is facilitated by appropriate, durable finishes for each functional space; careful detailing of such features as doorframes, casework, and finish transitions to avoid dirt-catching and hard-to-clean crevices and joints; and adequate and appropriately located housekeeping spaces.

Accessibility

All areas, both inside and out, should comply with all standards and minimum requirements of Americans with Disability Act, and ensure grades are flat enough to allow easy movement and sidewalks and corridors are wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass easily.

Security and Safety

Hospitals have several particular security concerns, such as protection of patients and staff, hospital property and assets (including drugs), and also vulnerability to terrorism because of high visibility. Security and safety must be built into the design with these things in mind.

Sustainability

Hospitals are large public buildings that have a significant impact on the environment and economy of the surrounding community. They are heavy users of energy and water and produce large amounts of waste. Because of this, sustainable design must be considered when designing and building hospitals.

Philippi Quality Construction

With more than 20 years of experience as designers and builders in healthcare facilities, Philippi Quality Construction understands that expanding your current facility or building a new one is the most exciting yet challenging endeavor your organization will ever experience. A successful hospital design and building project requires careful planning. Philippi Quality Construction’s team approach to architecture and construction eliminates problems by accepting full responsibility for the design and construction, resulting in a smooth experience.  For more information about Philippi’s team approach to hospital building and design, go to www.manitowocconstruction.com.

 

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Health Care Facilities
Tags : hospital construction, hospital design
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 February 24, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Energy-Saving Lighting Specifications For Commercial Buildings

 

lightingThe Department of Energy (DOE) has announced new voluntary energy-saving specifications for lighting “troffers” (rectangular overhead fixtures used in commercial buildings) as well as parking lot and parking structure lighting. To reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, building operators can voluntarily adopt these specifications for new buildings and/or building upgrades. The performance criteria for the specifications were developed by DOE’s Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEAs), a group of US companies representing various sectors that have identified energy-efficient and cost-saving practices.

High-efficiency troffer lighting specification

CBEA High Efficiency Troffer Specification was originally developed in 2011 for 2×2-ft troffers. The new Version 3.0 specification includes 2×2-ft, 1×4-ft and 2×4-ft products and provides minimum performance levels for LED and fluorescent troffers used in commercial buildings.

DOE estimates that 50% of all commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures are recessed troffers in 2×4-ft, 2×2-ft, 1×4-ft configurations that operate for more than 10 hours a day on average and consume more than 87 TWh of electricity annually. The new specification delivers energy savings of 15% to 45% compared with conventional systems. The specification includes an optional section on lighting controls, which can boost savings up to 75% by employing technologies such as motion sensors and timers.

High-efficiency parking lot lighting

DOE has also released updated specifications for high-efficiency parking lot and parking structure lighting. The original specification for LED parking lot lights was introduced in 2009. The new Version 1.3 contains additions related to IES TM-15 and TM-21 and surge protection. This LED lighting specification typically reduces energy use by 50% compared with conventional parking-lot lighting. Early adopters of the new specifications have included Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, and Cleveland Clinic.

The parking-structure lighting specification includes specifications for high-efficiency fluorescent, induction, and LED lighting in parking structures. Like the parking-lot specification, the parking-structure specification also contains updates related to IES TM-21 and anticipated RP-20 requirements.

Through CBEA, DOE collaborates with building owners, operators, and manufacturers to develop minimum performance requirements that are voluntarily adopted by CBEA members.

More information on energy saving lighting specifications can be found at www.energy.gov.

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Green
Tags : Commercial Building Lighting, Energy Savings, Lighting Specifications
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 February 9, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Considerations for Choosing a Design/Builder for Church Construction

schurch2Finding the right builder to design and construct your church should be based on getting the most value, not who will do it for the least amount of money.  Be sure you understand your needs, both short and long term.  You should also understand your congregation’s opinion on needs for your new/rebuild church construction.

Ask your congregation and church staff the following questions:

1.   Who are we trying to reach and what will help us reach them?

2.   What can we afford and how do we pay for it?

3.   Where should it be located and when do we want it completed?

4.   Will we have room to grow once it’s complete?

You will want to seek a design/builder who has experience in church and worship facilities, and ask them the following questions:

1.   How do you determine what we should build?

2.   What are options to lower square footage costs?

3.   Will you provide me with a guaranteed maximum cost?

4.   What are the inevitable challenges you face on every church project?

Here are some questions the design/builder should ask of you:

1.   What are your membership numbers and your average attendance?

2.    How many services do you hold and which days and times?

3.    Are you offering education for children and other programs, and if yes, what days and times?

4.   What is the age demographic of your congregation?

5.   What is your current growth rate trend?

You should have good communication with your design/builder to ensure a smooth build that won’t break your budget.  Consider the experts at Philippi Quality Construction for your next church building project.  Philippi Quality Construction’s team approach to architecture and construction eliminates problems by accepting full responsibility for the design and construction, resulting in a smooth experience.  With any construction company, the benchmark of success has to be its level of customer satisfaction.  Philippi Quality Construction strives to keep our customers engaged in the workflow throughout the project.  All clients are updated on the building’s progress, fully explaining each step, answering all of your questions, offering clear, understandable options and making sure your church project stays on time and on budget.

More information on Philippi Quality Construction at www.manitowocconstruction.com.

 

 

 

 


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Categories : Church Construction, Commercial, Construction
Tags : church construction, church design, Church remodel
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 February 3, 2012
 · 0 Comments

16 Essential Hand Tools!

These are 16 recommended tools that a commercial construction worker should have and a great list to aspire to for your home construction projects too!

1.   20 oz. framing hammer

2.   15 oz. titanium hammer

3.   20-piece screwdriver set

4.   Reversible screwdriver

5.   22-piece combination wrench set (SAE & MM)

6.   99-piece socket set

7.   2 handsaws

8.   4-piece adjustable wrench set

9.   30′ tape measure

10. 3-piece plier set

11. Framing square

12. Speed square

13. 6-piece clamp set

14. 30-piece bar clamp set

15. Complete 5 level set with case

16. Chalk lines

You should always buy the best tools you can afford.  Well-crafted tools work well and last for a very long time.  Plus it saves you time and trips back to the store for returns!

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Residential
Tags : commercial construction, hand tools, home construction projects
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 January 27, 2012
 · 0 Comments

8 Recommended Power Tools for Construction Projects

1.  10” Contractor Table Saw – Buy the nicest one you can afford.  You will use it more than any other tool for almost any cutting task you have.

2.  Power Drill(s) – Get a 18 volt cordless drill with a quick “chuck” which will let you change the bits quickly without a chuck key.  If you can afford it, buy a corded ½” drill for larger projects.

 

3.  Sliding Compound Miter Saw – You will use this for cutting dimensional framing lumber, crown molding and any other complicated compound cuts.

4.  Small Orbital Sander – These can be very handy and are not very expensive.  They are very nice for finish work and the pads are easy to change.

5.  Wormdrive Circular Saw – Buy a heavy one with a strong motor.

6.  Router – No shop is complete without a really good router.

7.  Reciprocating Saw – This is a must for demolition!  Get a decent one and you won’t regret it!

8.  Combo Compressor/Nailer Kit – Get one that comes with a finish nailer, brad nailer and a crown stapler.

Make sure you purchase decent brands so your tools last longer and are more reliable.  You get what you pay for in power tools.  Porter-Cable and Milwaukee Tools are well made brands will give you years more of use than the cheaper brands.

 

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Residential
Tags : construction, Power Tools
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