Don’t lose your customers to your competitors because of a malfunctioning air conditioning system or poor ventilation or a generally uncomfortable room. Adequate HVAC services will ensure your restaurant runs appropriately as well as provide you that remarkable restaurant comfort. 

RESTAURANT AIR CONDITIONING

Restaurants face unique challenges, even though the HVAC systems for residential and commercial buildings are similar. These unique challenges require unique solutions. Identifying the regular problems your restaurant face is one thing, and it is another thing to fix these challenges.  A proper HVAC service will identify and make the necessary modifications to make your restaurant comfortable.

Some of these restaurant-specific challenges your heating and cooling system face include:

POOR VENTILATION

For residential structures, traditional ventilation can sometimes suffice. But this is not the case for a restaurant. Conventional ventilation involves opening a window or door to allow for the exchange of air between the building and its surroundings. However, this method of ventilation doesn’t always suit restaurants in terms of food and safety regulations.

Since the weather is continually changing, traditionally ventilating a restaurant is a waste of energy. HVAC services will ensure the heating and cooling of the air, as needed, as well as removing moisture through proper ventilation.

FLUCTUATING TEMPERATURE DEMANDS

The activities in a restaurant cause in-house temperatures to fluctuate. People are entering and living and heating and cooking in the kitchen. The activities in the kitchen usually generate more heat. An ordinary HVAC system in the dining room can regulate its temperature, while your kitchen staff members suffer in the heat of the kitchen. To balance the fluctuating temperature, Incorporating a special HVAC system is imperative. AC services in Oakland, FL  provide essential HVAC solutions for restaurants in the area. When it comes to ensuring optimal indoor comfort, especially in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.

AIR QUALITY CONTROL

Another challenge restaurants face is maintaining good air quality. The kitchen of a restaurant is a possible source of air pollution. This is because kitchen activities send fumes, and food particles into the air, these contaminants can enter HVAC equipment and choke up the inner workings, hence reducing its performance.

AC REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION FOR DINING FACILITIES

Whether it’s installing an additional air conditioner or replacing a malfunctioning one you require, a proper HVAC servicing firm will ensure your new cooling system is:

• Correctly sized to meet your restaurant’s needs
• Connected to a well-sealed duct system
• Operating with sufficient airflow in the system
• Installed with the proper amount of refrigerant

Installing new air conditioners can save you money on cooling bills. Because of the changing energy standards set by the department of energy, the fuel efficiency of air conditioners increases over time. Therefore, older air conditioners probably have lesser fuel efficiency when compared to newer ones.

ROUTINE COOLING MAINTENANCE

Managing a restaurant anywhere can be stressful. You’re either doing one thing or the other. There is always something on your plate. However, HVAC maintenance is an integral part of a restaurant and should be treated accordingly. So, neglecting HVAC maintenance can prove costly. In other words, it could mean an increase in utility bills, high repair cost, and, more importantly, the safety of customers and staff members can be put at risk by this act. If you lack in the HVAC maintenance department, you should contact an HVAC firm to set one up for your restaurant.

COMMERCIAL HEATING SERVICES FOR RESTAURANTS

It is fair to say that the bigger the restaurant, the bigger the HVAC needs. An HVAC firm will ensure the installation of a new heating system, repairs on your current system, or help with annual maintenance.

HVAC heating services will not only improve the comfort level of both your dining room and kitchen all through the year, will likewise help:

• Reduce your utility bills
• Increase energy efficiency
• Improve equipment reliability
• Reduce the risk of equipment failure
• Heating System Repair for Food Establishments

How A Hospitality Consulting Company Can Help Restaurants

Hospitality consulting companies are now in operation to help business owners ensure that they’re offering high-quality restaurant services. They develop systems based on food and beverage concepts to optimize customer experience, which also include ensuring HVAC structure management and HVAC maintenance operations.

The services that a hospitality consulting company offers include the following:

• Hospitality Development: A hospitality consulting company can help improve restaurant business operations, including HVAC system operations.
• Concept Development: A hospitality consulting company provides hands-on assessments, forecasts, and reports to provide insightful ideas to attain a profitable business. It’s important to understand your competition for long-term success.
• Culinary And Menu Development: A hospitality consulting company doesn’t only provide expert advice on business operations and commercial HVAC system operations. Hospital consulting companies also know the latest food and beverage trends to attain consistent quality and business profitability.

When you’re ready to hire the services of a hospitality consulting company, such as Hospitality HQ, always look for one with a critically-acclaimed portfolio of communal dining and restaurant projects.

Takeaways

There’s a wide array of commercial HVAC services for restaurants. Restaurant owners can save money by hiring professionals to do the job. Proper installation and routine maintenance are important to avoid costly repair and replacements of worn-out parts of your HVAC units.

The post Commercial HVAC Services for Restaurants appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

On the other hand, steel’s use as a construction material was not until the mid-19th century. Not because of its unavailability, but mainly because it was difficult to manufacture. However, in the 1850s which was kind of a steel era, new manufacturing methods were developed causing the rise of steel as a strong and reliable building material. Over the next hundreds of years, the use of steel and concrete continued to grow, with Nucor Skyline Steel becoming a key player in the industry and making them the most popular construction materials.

Concrete vs Steel

It isn’t fair to say one is better than the other. However, there are similarities and differences between the two. If you find yourself at a crossroad of concrete and steel, there are several factors you need to consider. First of all, both materials are reliable. Steel costs significantly less than concrete, but concrete offers better overall performance.

To help you decide which material is better for your project, you need to know how they compare in significant properties such as strength, durability, and so on. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Strength

Building materials are acted upon by various forces, one of which is the crushing force. A material’s ability to withstand this force is the compressive strength of the material. In a complete structure, the compressive strength of various building elements (slabs, beams, and foundation), gives the structure the ability to withstand vertical loads.

Another material strength property is tensile strength. This refers to a material’s ability to withstand tension forces. For example, the underside of a beam does not elongate or crack when acted upon by vertical load.

The ability of a material to resist shear in the presence of two opposite and unaligned forces is the shear strength of the material. This type of force typically occurs when a building faces lateral loads (winds and earthquakes). In other words, the shear strength of a material is its ability to resist lateral loads.

The compressive strength of concrete is excellent. Sadly, the same cannot be said for its brittleness – it fractures easily under tension. But there are measures to counter this weakness. Embedding bars made of tension resisting materials (mainly steel) into concrete, to form reinforced concrete, will do the trick. Skilled concrete contractors play a very important role in ensuring this reinforcement is properly executed, using precise placement techniques to maximize both durability and structural integrity.

Reinforced concrete has good shear strength. This is mainly due to the fact that, along the length of the structural members, vertical steel bars are tied with stirrups (short perpendicular bars). Stirrups are responsible for its shear strength.

You might ask, why reinforce concrete, when you can make use of steel? Well, steel’s tensile strength is its most important feature, in becoming a useful construction material. But its compressive strength is not as high as concrete. However, with the development of technology, well-designed steel structures can offer the same overall strength as reinforced concrete.

Durability

Durability is a material’s ability to stand the test of its surroundings and time. Both concrete and steel are very durable, but only if designed properly. In this case, reinforced concrete can withstand the following;

• Freeze-thaw cycles
• Chemicals
• Seawater
• Moisture
• Solar radiation
• Abrasion
• Vermin attacks
• Fire

But despite being able to endure all these, reinforced concrete has something that can compromise its durability. You may have guessed right, the steel reinforcement that gives it tensile and shear strength. But how? Let me explain in these easy to understand steps;

• Steel is susceptible to corrosion, so the bars in the reinforced concrete can rust when exposed to moisture.
• When the bars rust, it releases itself from the bond of its surrounding concrete.
• The rusting process creates iron oxide
• This oxide could result in tensile stresses, which can eventually lead to concrete failing.

Concrete is naturally alkaline, therefore, can inhibit rebar corrosion. However, that might not just cut it, and extra measures may be necessary. Epoxy-coated, stainless steel, or composite rebar will do the trick.

Structural steel is equally prone to corrosion. To mitigate this, paint, powder coating, sacrificial layers, and corrosion inhibiting chemicals are reliable methods.

Fire Resistance

The inert nature of reinforced concrete makes it incombustible. Also, concrete has a low rate of heat transfer, preventing the spread of fire. However, when exposed to long-lasting high temperatures, both concrete, and steel, can lose their strength.

Depending on the aggregate composition of concrete, high temperatures between 800°F and 1,200°F might cause concrete to lose its strength. According to research, lightweight concrete has better fire resistance, when compared to the others. This is because of better insulating properties and a lower heat transfer rate.

On the other hand, structural steel begins to lose its strength from a temperature of 550°F. At 1,100°F, it loses 50% of its room temperature yield strength. However, there are measures that can increase the fire-resistant property of structural steel. Some of which include;

• Fire-resistive coatings
• Barriers
• Cooling systems
• Concrete encasement
• Active measures, such as sprinklers.

Sustainability

In terms of sustainability, both concrete and steel are good construction materials. The recycling process of steel is significantly easy, and that’s why 85% of the steel used in the world is recycled. This makes steel a sustainable material in the sense that recycling reduces the need for steel production. And the energy used in recycling steel is significantly lower than that needed for steel production.

Likewise, concrete has sustainable features. It can be recycled to produce materials for the following;

• Gravel
• Aggregate materials
• Paving materials
• Erosion control materials

Additionally, a demolished concrete can be used for landscaping, oceanic reef restoration, and much more. Also, if the concrete is not contaminated, it can be reused as new mixes for new concrete.

The post Concrete vs Steel: What You Need to Know appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

Previously, we discussed how you can identify load-bearing walls from partition walls. That gives you great knowledge into which walls you cannot remove or would need extra measures, and which ones you can remove easily.

But, while partition walls are not bearing any load of the structure, removing them is not that simple as they still contribute to the building’s overall stability. In this post, we are going through the effects that interior walls have on construction in order to learn which ones we can remove, reposition, or where we can add new walls. Bear in mind that you still need to get a city permit, so we need to design for approval.

A load of non-loadbearing walls

Interior walls may not bear any load of the building, but they do have a load of their own. You need to consider the seismic base shear of the wall, particularly when for the upper floors.

As a rule of thumb, the load a floor can endure is 6 psf. With that in mind, you can calculate the weight of the new partition walls you are adding and see if the total weight would exceed the accepted load. For instance, assume your total floor area is 100 feet. That means the floor can endure weights up to 600 pounds, so the total weight of the walls should not exceed 600.

When calculating, we must include both dead load and live load. Dead load is applied to non-movable objects, such as floors and bearing walls while live load applies to movable things such as furniture, people, and interior partition walls.

Preventing ceiling cracks

Added interior walls may partially bend the ceiling of the upper or lower floor, leading to cracks on the finish. Long-span floors are particularly vulnerable to this, caused by added interior walls or foundation settlement.

To offer some protection against such cracks, interior walls should be enhanced with double wood blockings.

Accommodating for lateral load

Buildings sometimes get under pressure from lateral forces, such as wind, seismic forces, or water and earth pressure.

Interior walls have a fair share in improving a building’s lateral resistance, sometimes up to 50%. For that reason, having many partitions in a house is good for the building, as long as it does not exceed the maximum pressure on the floor.

Of course, some design codes (particularly in the United States) prohibit the consideration of the extra resistance interior walls contribute to a building and lean on more conservative calculations. Other design codes allow assuming up to 10% increased resistance from the inclusion of interior walls.

Partition walls help resist deflection as the load on the floor increases. However, many designs omit them entirely, as analysis tools to model complicated 3D structural configurations are not readily available, and including them would increase the cost of the calculations significantly.

Wrapping up

In this post, we strived to point out the different loads on a structure, and how non-loadbearing walls still contribute to absorbing some of that load. We learned the limits of how many walls we can add, and where we should not remove them.

Knowing what partition walls do from a structural viewpoint helps you better decisions about your remodeling plans, and what is and what is not possible for your home.

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The capability of a roof to shield a building from harsh sunlight, heavy rains and snow, and strong winds also depends on the choice of roofing system itself.  After all, not all commercial roofing systems are created equal. Some roofing materials may be right for your building, while others aren’t.

Whether you’re constructing a new building or replacing the roof on an old one, you need to consider a variety of commercial roofing systems. Before hiring professional roofers with proper roofing liability insurance coverage to work on your roof, check out the commercial roofing systems listed below.

Metal Roofing Systems

You should consider metal roofing if you’re going for a combination of durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.

A metal roofing system can last up to 50 years or more. Made from a variety of materials, commercial metal roofs can also be recycled, making it an environment-friendly roofing material.

One disadvantage of metal roofing is its tendency to expand or contract under different temperatures, which makes causes leaks. However, you can prevent this problem with proper design, installation, and maintenance.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR) System

Is your building located in an area where severe weather is a regular occurrence? If so, then the built-up roofing (BUR) system may be the right roof for it.

The built-up roofing (BUR) system uses layers of asphalt to make low-slope roofing stronger. You can place the asphalt shingles single ply, or you can opt for triple-ply placement. Either way, you will get a commercial roof with multi-layer protection that offers excellent resistance to water, uplift, and daily wear and tear. BUR also has strong insular qualities, which can boost the energy efficiency of your building.

Modified Bitumen Systems (MBS)

Modified bitumen roofs are similar to BUR in the sense that both use asphalt, except that it brings a modified polymer into the mix for a stronger system. With a permanent adhesive sealing, the plated base layer and a granular top layer as finishing, modified bitumen provides better protection from collisions with objects. Aside from increased strength, a modified bitumen roof is also more flexible.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) System

If you want a flat roof for your building, you might want to check out an EPDM roofing system. Commonly referred to as rubber roofing, EPDM is a popular choice for many property owners not only because it’s affordable, but also because of its many great qualities.

For one, an EPDM roof comes in one piece, which means the whole thing is seamless. For another, EPDM roofs are lightweight and very flexible, making them capable of withstanding excessive building movements. Its ability to resist UV radiation can also help your building become more energy-efficient.

PVC Membrane Roofing System

The durability and fire-retardant properties of a PVC roofing system make it popular among property owners. It also has superior resistance to wind, moisture, and chemicals. With a breaking point of up to 350 pounds per square inch, a PVC roof is incredibly strong as well.

The lighter color that they usually come in allows this type of roofing system to reflect heat, which helps keep the temperature inside your building more manageable. That should lead to more energy savings for you.

Slate Roofing System

A slate roofing system has a perfect combination of beauty and durability. Slate is naturally resistant fire and pests and looks so great that it could raise your property’s curb appeal and value.

As long as it’s installed correctly, a slate roof can keep your building dry for up to 150 years, mainly because the material is inherently watertight. Roofers don’t even have to use underlayment to achieve that with slate, which also comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and grains.

Slate, however, can be quite expensive. You also have to make sure that the roofers you hire to install it are experienced in handling slate because its shingles can be a bit fragile and may crack or break during the process.

The commercial roofing systems listed above are just some of your options. When considering them for your building, always factor in the weather in the city where your building stands. You should also make sure that the material will help your building mesh with the overall look of its neighborhood. Most importantly, choose the commercial roofing system that will best fit your budget.

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As you would expect, installing a rooftop HVAC system is expensive. However, the efficiency and location may make up for its cost of installation. That said, it is safe for you to consider this option.

The rooftop HVAC systems are common in commercial and industrial facilities and have been for quite a while now. This is aided by the fact that most commercial and industrial facilities have flat roofs, making the installation and maintenance of a rooftop HVAC system easier.

Whereas, in single-family homes, the reverse is the case, as homeowners consider the installation of rooftop HVAC systems too costly. And as such, resolve to central air systems.

Central A/C units are the most common HVAC systems in residential buildings. And if you are part of this train, chances are, your A/C’s location is outside your home, on a concrete pad. Although this is a fair location for central A/C systems, it is not free of challenges. Some of these challenges may include;

• Attracting debris
• Its open location to children can also result in inadvertent damages.
• Tedious and expensive maintenance.

However, the location of rooftop systems ensures that these challenges are averted.

Because of the working principle of rooftop systems, maintenance is easier than that of central air systems. It is common knowledge that cold air descends, hence, the HVAC systems on rooftops do not have to do much work. Causing the system to operate with reduced fan speeds, hence less power consumption and higher efficiency.

Upgrading your HVAC system and placing it on your roof is very beneficial. However, you need to carry out some research and planning to make sure you have a successful project. Such as:

1). Determine the system capacity

Before thinking of your budget for a new HVAC system or an upgrade, you need to know the size that matches your home. Too large or too small systems are usually inefficient and would result in poor conditioning. However, with the right size, you will have an efficient and comfortable indoor conditioning.

Now the question is how do you know the right size? A professional, or an MEP engineering firm, can help you in determining the right size for your home. However, if you are feeling rather self-sufficient, multiplying your total floor area by 25 BTU will do the trick.

However, this calculation is not accurate and can only point you in the right direction. For precise results, seek HVAC services from good MEP engineering firms.

2). Determine Your Roof Support System

Once you are aware of the size of your system, the next thing you should consider is whether your roof can support this size. It is possible for you to estimate this by yourself with the help of your HVAC contractor. However, it is very risky. To be on the safe side, consult a structural engineer.

And depending on the calculations of the structural engineer, your roof condition and design. It may be necessary for you to reinforce or replace your roof.

Now that your roof can support the system, the location of the system is the next point to consider. The best location would be one that offers enough clearance around the unit. Hence ensuring the adherence to safety requirements.

Your engineer and HVAC contractor can work together to come up with the best location for your system.

3). Ensure Envelope Integrity

The process of rooftop HVAC system installation requires that penetrations are made through your roof. However, penetrations must be to the minimum. You don’t need penetrations for the whole system, it should be for ductwork and necessary reinforcements.

Minimal penetrations will enhance the acoustic advantage of the rooftop system. Additionally, reducing the transmission of vibration into the building is imperative and can be achieved using isolators.

The envelope of the penetrations must be of good quality. Your roof needs to continue functioning as a normal roof and keep out the weather. Your roofing contractor will make sure of this.

Once everything is in place, you can begin to enjoy your new air conditioning. Take advantage of the benefits of rooftop HVAC systems and upgrade your HVAC system.

The post Upgrading Your HVAC System and Placing it on the Roof appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

Removing a load bearing wall is a very delicate task. It can lead to severe structural damage, therefore, removing a load bearing wall should be with the consent of a professional and qualified structural engineer. There are always facts you can’t afford to ignore regardless of the task. For removing load bearing walls, below are facts you can’t ignore.

A Permit Is Required

Generally, every home remodeling requires a permit. Removing a load bearing wall is no exception.  However, if your load bearing wall embeds your plumbing or electrical wires, you will require a separate permit for that

Notably, permits requirements and regulations differ for different locations. So, it is advisable that you contact your city’s building and planning department to ascertain what permits you should apply for.

This is one of the reasons for consulting the right structural engineering firm is crucial to successfully remove a load bearing wall. An experienced structural engineer would know what permits you require in your city. A permit application may include the following, depending on your city;

• Architectural plans
• Structural plans
• Structural evaluations

Removed Walls Must Be Replaced In Some Way

Load bearing walls bear the name “load bearing” for a reason. Therefore if you are removing a load-bearing wall, there has to be a replacement of some sort in place. Consider your windows and doors. Holes in the walls of your home would compromise its stability, however, replacing these portions with doors and window beams make up for its stability.

The same is the case for a load bearing wall, albeit, on a larger scale. You must replace a load bearing wall. Below are load bearing replacement options.

• Beam only: in case that the removal wall is only for vertical load and there are sufficient piers at the end of the beam
• Beam and post (goal post): in case that the removal wall is only for vertical load or small lateral load
• Box frame: in case that the removal wall is for the vertical and lateral load (say shear wall). Box frame should be able to provide the same lateral resistance for this part of the building

The Beam Will Be Below the Ceiling

The beam replacing the load bearing wall bears the load of the floor structure above. Therefore, more often than not, the beams are not as high as the ceiling. In order for the beam to flush with the ceiling, the beam must be in the plane of the floor above, this is achieved by cutting back the joist of the floor, then with a metal joist hanger, and from the sides of the beam, hang the ends of the joists.

Clearly, this is more tedious than a simple beam replacement below the ceiling. In any case, consulting the right structural engineering firm is imperative.

Intermediate Posts Might Make the Project Cleaner

Using a beam and post replacement can eliminate the open floor plan look. However, adding an intermediate vertical post will no doubt, ensure greater beam strength. Asides beam strength, intermediate posts would allow the usage of smaller beams, hence, eliminating the problem of protruding beams.

You Must Use Temporary Supports

This is a common practice in most structural remodeling. You can’t ignore temporary supports when engaging to remove a load bearing wall. Removing a load bearing wall’s framing without assembling temporary support could be very dangerous. Therefore, building temporary supports on both sides of the wall is imperative.

Note that the load bearing wall is bearing the load of the floor joist above, and the ends of the floor may be resting directly on the wall. Hence the need for temporary support on both sides.

With No Beam, Your House Will Fall Down Slowly, Not Right Away

In most cases, when the walls of a structure are removed, the structure still remains standing. For instance, in the event of an earthquake, you may find structures with their external walls ripped off but still standing. This is because of redundancy.

Most structures are built with high reliability by considering redundancy. The functions of elements like external walls and load bearing walls are duplicated in other elements like flooring, subflooring, underlayment, joist, rafters, etc. these elements act like the displaced elements to keep the structure standing.

However, redundancy alone, can’t keep a structure intact for long. Gravity will continuously act on the structure causing it to fail. The same applies for the load bearing walls, without beam replacement, your structure might appear to still be intact, however, after a while, it will fail and collapse.

The post Removing Load Bearing Walls: Facts you can’t ignore appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

Each and every HVAC consultant and designer should know the fundamentals of heat load calculation in order to be successful. This calculation is very important for every house owner considering the fact that heating and cooling a building is practically the most important energy expense in building management. A building is heated through many sources, internally and externally. In order to determine the full effect of heat from every source, contractors usually perform this so-called heat load calculation.

But which are the most popular heat sources?

There are both direct and indirect heating sources that can affect a building. Regardless of the building, you are studying, you need to know that there is a commonality in all building heat sources that usually remain constant.

Solar heat

Depending on the design of the building in the study, we can say that solar energy can trigger heating and cooling issues, but it is also a good method to conserve energy and generate power. Convection, radiation, and conduction are practically the most important kind of solar heat that can influence the heat load calculation of a building.

When the walls and roof of a building are exposed to a difference in temperature between indoor air and the warmer outdoor air, they are practically going through a process called conduction.

The heat transfer generated by movements of large pockets of warmer outdoor air or indoor air from one room to another is usually called convection.

The sun is practically the most important source of heat for the majority of buildings, and thus it is very important to obtain a proper design to take advantage of all the effects of solar heat. This can be done only with a proper HVAC load calculation. The position of the sun at the moment of the calculation is the most important factor when figuring out the solar heat gain in a specific room. Each wall of a room will receive a certain amount of heat from the sun, at particular moments of a day. Depending on how they occur, the solar heat gain effects can be felt differently from one point of the house to another. Indoor temperatures will be raised very quickly when the glass windows are exposed to solar heat.

People generate heat as well

The temperature within the building structures can be highly influenced by human beings. People normally consume a minimum of 2000 calories each and every day from foods and drinks. Calories result in energy, which is also converted to heat through a metabolism process. Physical activities are another form through which the human body generates heat. The human contribution to the overall heat temperature of a building can be quite significant if we add up all of these aspects.

More information regarding the heat load formula

It is very important to analyze and identify all of the heating sources present in a building in order to conduct a proper heat load formula. The HVAC designer will be entitled to recommend a type of air-conditioning system according to the final calculation. This calculation is very important for homeowners as it will help them estimate the proper capacity of their HVAC system, avoiding, therefore, any oversized or undersized unit.

Only a specialized HVAC professional can perform this time-consuming and complex task called Heat Load Calculation. Through this calculation, he is able to offer the basis to select an air-conditioning system of the right type and capacity for the application at hand, which will help in time to achieve optimal building performance.

As a property owner you need to know that in order to obtain this calculation, the HVAC professionals will request some additional information about the building, such as the architectural plans. As soon as all the necessary data has been collected, the calculation procedure can begin. The calculation can be done both manually and with the help of specialized software.

By using predefined equations and tabulated parameters, professionals are able to analyze the data gathered from the building survey and complementary documentation. It is very important to evaluate the building geometry, construction materials, and appliances and building systems in order to determine the right equations and table values. The air-conditioning system is recommended based on these calculations.

Heat load calculations can also be performed with the help of software, such as Trace 700 and HAP. The programs help professionals automate all the time-consuming processes. However, the software requires ample technical knowledge. The software performs the calculation for you based on the data obtained from the building survey, architectural plans and any other relevant documented that you have at hand. All areas of the building are taken into account when performing the heat load calculation. All the recommendations that can lead to peak thermal performance are made based on these calculations.

What do we need to know?

Even though many individuals see professional design services as an expense, you should know that they are practically an important investment in the future. A properly-designed HVAC system will ensure the cooling load of a building it serves. You should think about solar power as a reliable solution in case your property has an ample rooftop area. With this option, you can optimize the solar heating effect while obtaining an environment-friendly source of energy.

The post Think About the Heat Load Calculation as an Investment in the Future appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

Project owners are demanding quick delivery of jobs at a reduced cost. But that notwithstanding, MEP engineering teams are constantly looking for innovative and the best ways of combating the challenges characterizing the building process. Fortunately, one of the areas you can see the biggest improvements is in the design and coordination of MEP buildings.

MEP engineering teams are now exploring the use of 3D, 4D, and collaborative project delivery solutions to bring down the inherent waste in the system and increase productivity and efficiency of building projects. But one thing is sure: there is bound to be delays in project execution as a result of unforeseen circumstances on the site and the structure of the project.

Ideally, finishing a project entails smooth communication of the final goal, robust project management, and calculated timing of the building process. These factors are essential in managing construction processes which require critical changes to the plan. This is where the MEP Engineer has a big role to perform. They need to discuss about the approved plans and the complete design style and structure before starting any construction work.

From the building engineer and architectural perspective, the paper design and drawings should be excellent so that the MEP engineering Team can build a compliant working project. Come along to discover more about how to fasten the entire building process and how the MEP Engineer assists in producing a safe and functional building.

Choosing the Right MEP Engineering Team

The first step to determining your MEP engineering needs is to look at the drawings and designs to find out the need or relevance for contractors and permits. This takes quite a little time before the commencement of any physical work. As it is with every engineering jobs, time is of the essence. If the planning stages for design commences in time, paperwork submissions can get approved early, and the construction project will take less time to accomplish.

Violations of building codes for either commercial or public buildings can cost the builder so much money and a single code violation is likely to cause a shift in schedules and construction stages.   

An outstanding MEP Engineer will be fast and positive to react to any questions and issues the project may need answers to before going to the next stage. Equally, they cooperate with you to achieve your objectives.

It is the responsibility of the MEP Engineer to gather the trades, workers, and contractors to finish the project early without delay. So, choosing the right team that has the practical experience and knowledge of the location, building style as well as how to effectively utilize the budget to achieve the desired goal is very important.

Buildings of diverse nature such as complex or light industrial projects need coordination for MEP systems. So, what role will the engineering team perform in such a situation? First of all, the engineer prepares the MEP mechanical, electrical, and plumbing specifications. In addition, the engineer assigns the full task for coordination such as checking of architectural conditions, clearances, and field conditions to the specialty contractor.

The need to choose the right MEP Engineering team is very important as they help to prepare diagrammatic drawings of MEP projects to set up the scope, quality, and materials for the job including other responsibilities.

Project Timeline

A month is enough to start the construction of the facilities of the building by building with floor joists to support subflooring before the commencement of framing. By this time, roofing materials are expected to arrive the site and overhead covering is expected to be in place to enable workers to start installing interiors from plumbing, HVAC and wiring.

Really, these functions are performed by professionals in those areas as they have full knowledge of local rules and regulations. They will equally save time while high-quality building materials are supplied to them at each stage of construction. The different trades are to work together at the same time to ensure that all the interiors have to work simultaneously without meeting any hassle along the line when working on the site.

The electrical panels are designed in such a way to support the load before the MEP Engineer closes the walls. Fortunately, this will eliminate any form of delay and extra cost arising from tear and replace. A trusted MEP Engineer is capable of designing and building MEP systems to make sure your project is not delayed as a result of local city codes. They like challenging assignments and love to work with others collaboratively.

Furthermore, an MEP Engineer will strengthen the walls and enclose the electrical, mechanical systems, and insulation to prepare for drywall. Carpentry work could take about three months to accomplish.

Design Installation Stage

The last job on plumbing, fixtures, and appliances together with wiring plates make the engineering design and installation complete. The final interior design stage includes the area of painting, decorations, upgrades of molding and baseboards, doors and window treatment as well as floor covering. This job takes a maximum duration of about one month.

Upgrades are very important and should be handled with care. However, they do not increase the value and cost of the project and decorative items contribute little to the quality of the building. The main thing here is to include the upgrades with the construction budget without significantly changing the structure of the building.

An MEP Engineer will assist in delivering your project on time as well as on budget. All you have to do is to direct your questions, arguments, and concerns to them.

Conclusion

It is important to note that before you commence any construction job, you need to discuss the approved plans and complete design style including structure needs. You need to concentrate on contractors and permits as well as the entire team needed to complete a project when determining your MEP Engineering needs. You need a team that is well-versed, knowledgeable, and experienced in building style and location, and can comfortably fit into your budget delivering the highest efficiency ever.                                                                    

The post How to Speed Up the Building Process by Working with a MEP Engineering Team appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

This area was designed in such a way that each building had access to a park with trees, benches, and a jungle gym. It was successful in proving that complex multi-family buildings could work out and also be green.

Multi-Family Home Today

Today, multi-family housing has taken a new turn. Thanks to the technological advancement in the construction industry, houses that were once thought of as unimaginable are now being erected on a daily basis. However, this proved to be just the beginning. These advancements are continuously changing what we call “home”.

According to a recent study jointly carried out by the MIT Center for Real Estate and the Urban Economic lab, multi-family housing is projected to play a prominent role in the building industry in the years to come. This opens a door of opportunity to investors and building companies that are willing to take a ride with the expected wave. This post seeks to show you how multi-family houses will dominate the future.

A Projection for Population Growth

A good place to start is to see what the population will look like in the future. To do that, let’s consider the growth pattern from now till 2040.

To start with, it is important to note that population growth is majorly affected by birth and migration rates. According to the projection by the U.S Census, about 157 million babies will be delivered by the native mothers through 2040. In addition, a total of 64 million immigrants are projected to occupy America during that time frame.

These immigrants are projected to give birth to about 40 million babies. This leads to a total increase of 261 million. On the other hand, about 162 million Americans will die during this time period, leading to a net increase in the population to about 99 million by 2040.

This shows the need for more apartments to cater to the projected population growth. With the current congestion of city centers, these buildings are likely to also spring up in downtown locations like Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. In fact, investors are betting that as immigrants add to a city, it will cause a rise in rental rates thereby increasing their revenue.

The Role of Innovation in Multi-Family Dwellings

The growth in multi-family buildings isn’t only going to be evinced in urban cities. With innovation in the transportation sector, suburban areas that are currently notable for frustrating traffic jams will also experience a boom in multi-family housing. Smart transportation will make transportation more effective; drastically reducing the average travel time.

In the core of most cities, the changes are going to be more dramatic. Spaces once occupied by factories or parking garages will be used to erect multi-family buildings. This way, more residents will be able to benefit from the concentration of social amenities that are characteristics of urban centers. Although the apartment sizes are expected to be smaller on average, the projection in the reduction of the average size of American families in the future will compensate for that.

Needless to say, innovation in the building industry will result in more elegant, green multi-family dwellings with high structural integrity in the future.

What Would these Multi-Family Buildings Be Made of?

Prefabricated Materials

The idea of prefabricated housing is becoming commonplace in places like Scandinavia. With the current advancement in material science, quality building materials that are weatherproof can be cheaply mass-produced. The concept of 3-D printing is also taking the architectural world by storm.

With all these, architects can easily design apartment pods that can be easily assembled in any location. By employing this technique, multi-family homes can be easily constructed with lower construction manpower. Also, it makes it easier to use spaces in a more efficient manner. This approach is expected to be adopted widely in the years to come.

The Impact of Data

When assessing the quality of a house, it goes far beyond the building materials used in its construction. A report by MIT also shows that a dynamic sharing economy can be created from municipals that provide free internet access. With access to the internet, a web of information will be shared between residents and the city’s agencies.

The data obtained can be used to predict social, economic, and environmental interactions. This information can serve as a footprint for working towards the ideal environment.

Biophilic Buildings

Also, “biophilic” buildings are expected to be on the rise. Biophilic buildings incorporate the feeling of nature in working or living spaces. This collaboration allows for a greener environment. With modifications in current zoning regulations, major cities in the future will contain numerous biophilic multi-family buildings that will be affordable irrespective of your social class.

To round off this section, while the concept of “multi” can be associated with congestion, it actually represents collaboration and networking. In addition, it allows space to be used more efficiently. Similarly, multi-family dwellings will be a great way to deal with the expected growth in housing demand.

Conclusion

Although the dream of multi-family dwellings was kindled by the Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, as time went by, many urban centers based on multi-family dwellings became neglected. This made and still makes many people skeptical about multi-family buildings.

Think about this, the advancement in technology in the building industry, transportation industry, internet, and many other sectors have transformed our lives in America. The idea of collaboration, smart technology, the Internet of things, and automation are making multi-family housing a sweet sensation right now.

This, in turn, places them on a far higher pedestal when compared to their counterparts in the twentieth century. The ongoing transformation in the building industry across the country is embedded with new and exciting opportunities for investors that are willing to get into the market.

Now is the time to leverage multi-family buildings as they will transform the American landscape in the coming decades.

The post Why Multifamily Housing Plays a Prominent Role in the Building Industry? appeared first on S3DA DESIGN Structural and MEP Design.

Build a mezzanine

This is a fantastic way to increase the floor space, especially in a compact flat or property where space is at a premium. The idea is to move your bedroom to the mezzanine so you can free up space below and create a large open-plan area.
Having a mezzanine is the easiest way to make a small space feel much more generous. This is also one way to increase your property’s resale value.
Compared to a loft conversion, building a mezzanine is also budget-friendly. Since it is built internally, with no changes done to the structure, planning restrictions do not apply. Just to be safe, check with your government’s planning portal for guidance and regulations on building a mezzanine first. This is to ensure that you won’t have to deal with legal issues down the road.

This makes a mezzanine loft conversion especially attractive in urban homes where planning permission is restricted. Companies like Proficiency Bespoke often recommend this route for clients looking to add value without the complexity of major extensions.

The same space can be used as a home office as well. If this is what you need more, building an office in the roof instead of a bedroom will be beneficial to you. This also makes sense if the area does not have enough space for a bed. Plus, the view can be more relaxing when looking down from your home office and can get you to be more productive as well.
Architect Pravin Muthiah of Coupeville effectively transformed a compact flat by moving it to a higher level. The living area of the flat is then turned into a larger space. This means having both a living area and a small bedroom without the need to add a structure to the property.

Pravin says, ‘With most small, modern spaces, normally both the living room and bedroom would be on the same floor, but this is a good example of how a small space can feel much more generous by having a mezzanine. It effectively adds another room, as well as increasing resale value.’

This idea is especially recommended for protected or listed buildings that were destroying the original structure to add more space is not allowed. Also, it would be a shame to mess with the character of the property just so you can have more room.
With a mezzanine installation, the look and character of a protected building will be preserved.
Make sure to consult with an architect to identify which editions will be permissible. Will it be necessary to source a mezzanine gate? Are you allowed to add skylights or dormer windows? How can you make a beamless structure that is durable and reliable?

Build up for cosines

If your property has a double-height space, it can appear cold and cavernous. To create a home that is warm and cozy, building a mezzanine floor to break down height is an ideal option.
It is recommended that sleep space is added on high to extend the living space downstairs. This is also the best option for when you want to have a room where you can escape from all the frenetic noise and chaos going on downstairs.
Of course, to ensure that every room is connected, follow a design where someone from downstairs can see the top and vice versa. Using glass for the walls of the mezzanine area is a good option and allows for the lower space to borrow light from upstairs.

Build over existing structures

A new floor area can be built over existing rooms. Do you have a tall kitchen ceiling? Build a mini mezzanine over it to reduce the height and add a lovely bedroom.
This construction idea not only increases the number of rooms your property has but also creates architectural interest. This is especially true for homes with a plain interior. Paint the mezzanine in colors that accentuate lines or add a stark contrast to create visual appeal.
To avoid blocking the sightline, design the stairs leading up to the mezzanine in such a way that each tread floats. This also allows for more natural light to be distributed throughout the space.

Break up tall ceilings whenever possible

As previously mentioned, you can reduce ceiling height to build an extra room. Just make sure to maintain enough headspace so you can stand from the mezzanine floor. Architects suggest keeping the overall height to a minimum of 4.4 m.
If your property has a ceiling height of 10 meters or more, adding a mezzanine is the easiest way to reduce it and extend living space.

Build up for storage space

Maybe what you need is not a bedroom or living space but storage space. In this case, a loft conversion or mezzanine is unnecessary. You can create a lot of new storage without breaking down walls and with very little disruption.
The eaves of a pitched roof, for example, are one option. The staircase case can be built with drawers as well. And if there are newly exposed cavities around your home, you can transform them into storage units too.
Another option would be to custom-design the bed to allow for under-bed storage. You can also build it high, so the platform is packed with storage units underneath. Since you need to build stairs to access the bed, each thread can also serve as a drawer.
Depending on the architectural design of the bed, you can even add a closet or built-in wardrobe next to the storage staircase.

Consider privacy

Regardless of which option you choose to add space to your home, there are certain factors you must consider. By knowing these beforehand, you will be able to make decisions more efficiently before starting on the project. In addition, you will be spared from having to spend more just because there were factors that you failed to consider.
Mezzanine floors may be often portrayed as open and somewhat visible from downstairs, but this doesn’t always have to be the case. It can be built completely covered on all sides.
In the event that some windows are covered in the process, adding skylights will resolve concerns over access to natural lighting. Most skylights can be added without the need for planning permission.
Ventilation in both the mezzanine floor and the rest of the house must be considered as well. An architect can provide recommendations on where to add ventilation.

Ceiling height

When adding a mezzanine floor, there should be enough headspace for you to stand up straight. 4.4 meters is the minimum, but you can always go higher than this, depending on your height and the height of your property.
For homes with a pitched roof, the central part can have enough headspace even when the sides are lower.

Light source

How do you plan to illuminate both the enclosed space and the elevated room? If your property originally had floor-to-ceiling walls or windows, access to natural light won’t be a problem.
If this is not the case, the addition of skylights is one solution. This is especially true if adding dormer windows is not possible. Most states don’t require building permissions for skylights but it pays to be well informed.

Storage staircase

Mezzanine floor access can be as functional as it is decorative. You can make it visually interesting with the right architectural details. Go for something bold with a spiral or floating staircase. Go practical with a storage staircase.

Have both with a parrot staircase where you step up with opposite feet. This design idea is perfect for a flat or a home with limited floor space and will add more storage space when each thread is built as drawers.

Fire safety

Even when building regulations do not require it, have a fire escape compliant window added to the mezzanine space. Whether it’s used as a bedroom or office, fire safety should be a priority. Follow the same safety measures that are used for a loft conversion.
Mezzanines must be single-spaced with no subdivisions. Storage and wardrobes may be added but not walls.

Loft Conversion or Mezzanine Floor

The choice will depend on several factors. Ask yourself the following questions to make the right choice.

• Can you afford to build up and out?
• Do you have room to build up and out?
• Are you okay with complying with planning permissions and building requirements?
• Do you live in a listed or protected building?
• Are you okay with a major disruption due to extensive construction work?
• Do you really need an additional room or just storage space?
• Can you afford to hire an architect, a structural engineer, or both?
• Do you want to add more value to your property?

If you answered yes to the last question, mezzanine extensions are a better option. Creating a split-level room offers the best returns on your investment.

Considerations when making a choice…

Armed with the information above, it is up to you to decide on a loft conversion or a mezzanine level. With the help of a reliable architect, you will be given the best advice on what type of space to add. They will also help in ensuring that factors that matter and what it means to you to take the planning permission-free route of adding more space are taken into account.
Once you’ve made a decision, make sure to work with a reliable architectural and structural company only as they can help you achieve your goals, regardless of how complex or unique they are. They will also be able to guide you on the costing, materials, and other essentials in building the mezzanine, loft, or any other home conversion that will best fit your needs and circumstances.

In case you have any architectural, structural, HVAC, and MEP design including fire sprinkler design requirements, or need a home renovation design, feel free to contact us.  We provide you with the full permit set design + T24 for your request.

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