STRUCTURETEC BLOG

National Safety Stand Down Week recognizes the construction fatalities that occur each year due to preventable falls. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 350 of the 937 construction fatalities recorded in 2015 (BLS data).  The goal of National Safety Stand Down Week is to raise fall hazard awareness in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

Parking structures are exposed to very aggressive environments throughout the duration of their service life. They endure dynamic vehicle loads, thermal cycle loading, weather, UV exposure, chemical exposure, and vandalism. Each of these factors can, and do, affect the long-term integrity and durability of these structures and their sub-systems. So how do you know what a parking structure needs maintenance?

The fall protection industry is undergoing significant changes in 2017. Even with the availability of new technology and sophisticated equipment, statistics show that the number of fall fatalities has not decreased. OSHA released new fall protection regulations that went into effect January 17, 2017 that will help business owners mitigate risk and ensure the safety of their workers.

Even contractors with the best intentions miss critical elements that can cause parking structure restoration projects to be short-lived. If a contractor makes even the slightest mistakes, hundreds of thousands of dollars could be wasted, while significantly reducing the useful life of your parking structures. Here are three pitfalls we often encounter when a consultant has not been involved:

With fall in full swing and winter right around the corner, now is an important time for facility managers to ensure that their commercial roof system will withstand the upcoming weather. Heavy snow loads and ice buildup can cause significant roof problems, making fall an essential time to have a commercial roof inspection.

Annually in the 4th quarter StructureTec Group gathers for a companywide planning session to discuss strategy for the future. In addition to our companywide meeting, we have divisional meetings to discuss the specifics on how each division within StructureTec Group can prepare for the year ahead.

Historical data shows that there is a strong correlation between the time frame of bidding and project costs as it relates to seasonal construction projects. Numerous current market factors compound the effect that the bid time frame has on project cost. The below chart shows the correlation between month bid and project cost and makes a strong case for bidding projects as early as possible.

Until recently, adversarial relationships among architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors characterized the design and construction industry. However, in recent years, collaboration, alternative delivery methods, and more progressive owner designer-contractor relationships–such as Design-Build – have improved these relationships.

Spectrum Health, the largest healthcare provider in Southwest Michigan and largest employer in Grand Rapids, needed an assessment of their Blodgett Campus. Not long after completion of the building's construction, the ground level and below-grade areas of the courtyard began to leak.

The number one challenge reported by facilities departments is securing funding for maintenance, repairs and capital projects. Short-term, band-aid solutions are often implemented instead of strategic long-term maintenance programs because facilities departments can't justify the expenditure.

There is much dissention in the market­place today on the best way to detect mois­ture trapped in a roofing system. There are many different options, both destructive and nondestructive. We are going to analyze three of the major nondestructive techniques: nu­clear, dielectric, and infrared.

Parking areas, loading docks, and campus roadways have a significant effect on your facilities appearance and functionality. Deteriorating pavement areas are not only a safety concern, but a direct reflection of your organization’s image.