Builders News

Weatherization & Renewable Energy

Workers often fail to assemble structures in accordance with properly written plans. Too often, workers are uneducated about proper construction of building systems and the use of materials per the manufacturer’s recommendations and reasonable “best practices” for construction of homes and buildings in coastal, mountainous or areas with relatively high humidity. Thermal and moisture protection is the entire country’s problem! Read More

New Course: Drier by Design-Designing to Keep Water Out

Those selecting details of building assemblies must consider many variables, not the least of which are reasonably expected weather and climate conditions. Expected temperatures, humidity normally experienced, average amounts of rain and snow, the prevailing directions from which these come and where drifts normally occur are all pieces of predictable weather conditions. Depending on available financing, unusual occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, 50-year and 100-year floods can also be planned for during the design process. The direction each wall will face and existing drainage patterns on the site, which hopefully direct water away from the building, will affect design choices for exterior wall detailing. Even where vapor barriers need to be specifically located within wall and roof systems will vary based on prevailing climate conditions. Read More

New Course: Aging in Place – Eliminating Pitfalls

Every design or building issue dealing with the disabled or handicapped cannot be dealt with here. Massive laws have been passed for the purpose of guiding design decisions for buildings intended for use by the disabled. Many of these focus on commercial buildings financed with taxpayer funds, institutional projects where users regularly come when facing health challenges, and multi-family housing of various types, possibly used for occupancy by the elderly. Read More

New Course: Danger in the Damp

There are straightforward steps that can be taken to reduce the chance of water intrusion. Specifying and using building materials that neither accept nor hold moisture is one practical solution. For example, rigid insulation will not hold moisture, whereas cellulose insulation will absorb the same. Metal siding will repel water, but wood siding becomes saturated unless protected. Single ply membrane roofing offers no lapped joints wherein moisture can reside, but that is not true of asphalt shingle roofing. Sandwich panels containing insulation faced with steel or aluminum sheeting are another prime example of materials which by their nature, repel moisture. Read More

New Course: Lean on Me – Choosing Railings Carefully

Railing systems themselves can be certified through the CCRR process, but this certification still does not cover required project specific fasteners. If the project is straightforward, engineering for fasteners can usually also be provided by the supplier. If the project requires closer attention to fastening details, a local engineer can be hired to verify that proper fasteners are utilized. No one wants to be involved with a railing system that fails. Read More

Construction Company Fined after Workers Burned by Scalding Oil

Nelcon Inc, a Montana construction company, faces $261,000 in fines after three workers were burned by hot oil at an asphalt plant in Laurel last fall. The safety citation stems from an Oct. 25 incident, where Nelcon employees suffered second and third degree burns while pouring oil into a heating container used for the asphalt-mixing process. The oil heated to 450 degrees reacted with cooler oil and spilled onto the workers. Read More

4 Safety Practices for the Modern Jobsite

A similar trend appears when looking at materials-handling practices. 86% of contractors from large companies reported that they formally plan how materials will be handled once work is awarded, and 72% reported that they meet with employees for a discussion on how materials will be moved. In comparison, small and midsize companies reported they develop a formal plan for material handling, but only 54% conduct those meetings with employees. Read More

Construction Job Gains Outlook

All 50 states increased in employment from the year-to-year average ending in April. “12 states recorded annualized growth to and/or above 1.8% in employment, which was the national growth rate.” Texas added the most with 294,200 jobs. Read More

Contractor Convicted of Cash Bribes to Mayor

Usually in public corruption investigations the contractors are the ones who corporate with the government and testify against politicians, but in this situation, it was the mayor who cooperated with prosecutors. Webb admitted he took a combined $300,000 from Tower Contracting and other contractors beginning in 2008. Webb had a shell company that he set up using his children’s name called “Kat Remodeling” to funnel in bribes, to make payments seem legitimate. Read More

Would Your Construction Company Benefit from Drones?

A recent study of two construction companies focused on how company size affected the use of drones. Bough Engineering is a family owned construction company that employs 13 people. PCL Construction is a group of independent general contracting construction companies operating in the US, Canada, and Australia. PCL employs 4,400 people. Contrary to what many may expect, representatives from both companies use drones in much the same way. Read More