Floor Care Tips For Your Facility

July 12, 2023 0 Comments

A good floor care program includes consistent cleaning and maintenance processes that help keep flooring clean and delivering a consistent appearance. This reduces the need for more labor-intensive, periodic and restorative maintenance procedures such as scrubbing and recoating.

Every facility has unique flooring materials that require specific cleaning processes. Many have manufacturer care guides that must be followed to avoid voiding warranties.

A person wearing protective gloves and using cleaning equipment to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the floors in a facility. Proper floor care tips contribute to a well-maintained environment and promote a clean and professional appearance.
Floor cleaning tips for facilities

Floor Matting

Floor mats help keep abrasive soils and liquids from being tracked throughout your facility minimizing floor damage, reducing slip and fall accidents and decreasing costly restorative maintenance procedures like stripping and refinishing hard floors or carpet extraction for carpeted areas. Commercial floor mats are designed to be used in a wide variety of environments and can range from heavy duty scraper or entrance mats to anti-fatigue kitchen mats that help reduce worker fatigue from standing for long periods.

Mats should be placed at every facility entry point to capture and stop the majority of soil from being brought into a building. These can be made from a variety of materials, including carpet, rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Some have raised surfaces or “fingers” to scrape dirt and moisture off shoes, while others have cleated or gripping strength for increased traction on slippery hard surface areas. These mats are often used in retail stores or office buildings, but can be used in medical facilities or for a food service business to prevent contamination and provide added safety for guests.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming is one of the most important aspects of floor care. It removes loose soil that can damage flooring or create dust bunnies. It also prevents contaminated air that may impact respiratory health.

Vacuums that are properly adjusted to match the height of flooring are key for achieving better results. Using the correct settings allows for better suction and trapping of soil, making it easier to clean floors. Upright vacuums should be set to use a hard floor setting, which disengages the beater bar so as not to damage carpeting or scratch hard surfaces. Cordless and canister vacuums are typically equipped with a flat floor head that doesn’t have a beater bar to protect textured surfaces.

Regular vacuuming eliminates dust mites, pollen, dander and other allergens that can function as irritants. They can also cause eye irritation and nose, throat and lungs irritation when inhaled. Keeping these allergens at bay not only improves air quality, but it can significantly reduce the symptoms of allergy and asthma sufferers.

Dust Mopping

Frequent dust mopping is one of the most important preventative floor care activities. It reduces wear and abrasion from tracked in grit, soils and dirt extending floor finish life. It also reduces the need for wet cleaning and helps control airborne debris that can aggravate allergies.

It’s a quick and cost effective way to touch up floors and high traffic areas throughout the day and it’s especially useful during the winter when snow and salt residue is tracked into the facility. To ensure effective results, it is best to use a mop or cloth treated with the Dust Mops Treatment that has been specifically designed to pick up grit and grime.

It will not damage floor surfaces and can be used on all types of mops and dusting cloths. When used as directed, it attracts and holds dust and dirt like a magnet reducing the need for sweeping compounds and will not cause streaking or leave a film when wet.

Scrubbing

Floor scrubbing is one of the most labor-intensive aspects of a facility’s cleaning program, but it’s also a key step in restoring a floor’s appearance and protecting one of your most valuable assets – your floors. Scrubbing improves a floor’s appearance, extends its life and reduces the frequency of more costly and time-consuming restoration processes like stripping and refinishing.

Soils that are permitted to penetrate a floor’s finish can scratch, dull, and diminish traction, which can result in slip-and-falls. Interim maintenance steps such as spray buffing, burnishing, autoscrubbing and frequent damp mopping, will help extend the life of a floor’s finish and extend the time between deep stripping and refinishing.

Preventing up to 85% of soils from ever reaching your floors is the best way to protect and prolong their life. This can be accomplished by implementing a comprehensive entrance matting system that will capture the majority of dirt, snow and sand that are tracked into a facility.

Floor Care Tips for Health Facilities

July 12, 2023 0 Comments

When patients and visitors walk into a health care facility, the floors make a first impression. Building a floor care program to ensure patient and visitor satisfaction requires a comprehensive solution with the right products, procedures, tools and training.

Interim and restorative maintenance processes such as spray buffing, autoscrubbing, refinishing and stripping help preserve floor finishes and extend the time between more costly renovation or replacement procedures. Performing these steps consistently helps minimize the need for a more aggressive approach to floor maintenance.

A person wearing gloves and using a mop to clean and sanitize the floors of a health facility, emphasizing the importance of proper floor care and hygiene in healthcare settings.
Hygiene protocols for healthcare flooring

Tile

Like other types of flooring, tile floors require regular cleaning to keep them looking spiffy. Sweeping or vacuuming a few times a week helps keep dirt, grit and other loose debris from scratching and dulling the tiles. If you have pets, trim their nails to prevent them from scratching the floor or damaging your grout.

After sweeping or vacuuming, wash your tile floors a couple of times a week with warm water and mild detergent or vinegar. If you use a sponge mop, make sure to change the cleaning solution frequently to avoid pushing dirty water into grout lines. A rag or chamois mop works best for this type of cleaning.

For vinyl and linoleum tile floors, follow the same process with one exception: linoleum is not meant for high moisture so don’t steam clean it. If you have linoleum, use a linoleum cleaning solution or borax ($6, Walmart) to wash it instead of vinegar.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a popular choice for flooring because it’s inexpensive, durable and relatively easy to clean. However, it still requires regular cleaning to prevent buildup that could damage the floor’s surface. Use non-wax cleaners and microfiber mop heads for best results.

Sweep and vacuum vinyl a couple of times a week to remove dirt & grit that can scratch the floor’s surface. Doormats outside each entrance help stop dirt, sand, grit and oil from being tracked onto the vinyl. Avoid rubber-backed or latex-backed mats as they can stain the vinyl.

Small scuff marks can be removed by buffing the vinyl with a soft pad or sponge and a bit of baking soda. For larger scuffs, try applying a dab of WD-40 lubricant. Fitting furniture legs with plastic glides or double-wheel casters helps protect the vinyl from dents and tears caused by dragging heavy furniture across the floor. Close curtains or blinds where direct sunlight hits the vinyl, as sun exposure can cause it to fade over time.

Linoleum

Linoleum (also known as lino or lino) is a natural floor material that was invented in the 1860s. It is made by binding linseed oil, wood flour, cork dust, sawdust, pine resin and mineral fillers to a canvas or burlap sheet and then adding pigments to produce the desired finish.

Linoleum is extremely durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic while retaining its appearance. It also is able to bounce back from minor dents and dings.

It is important to sweep and vacuum linoleum floors regularly using a hard floor attachment or vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. Regular mopping with a microfiber cloth and the appropriate cleaning solution is also necessary.

When mopping linoleum floors, it is important to use a non-toxic, solvent-free cleaning product. This can be found in many grocery stores in the form of a non-toxic, natural floor cleaning concentrate. Simply mix the solution as directed, apply it to the floor and then wring the cleaning cloth thoroughly.

Natural Stone

It’s important to do a little extra work with natural stone floors to protect and maintain them. Regular vacuuming and sweeping eliminates the tiny particles of dirt and grit that can cause scratches. A soft bristled broom or microfiber mop should be used for this. Avoid using vinegar or other cleaners containing acid on your stone floors. These can cause etching which requires costly restoration. PH-neutral cleaners are best.

Having mats or area rugs inside and outside all entranceways helps minimize the dirt, sand and grit that can scratch stone floors. Also, having nonslip mats at the entryways of high traffic areas can help prevent heavy wear and tear. It is also a good idea to test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous part of the floor to see how it reacts with your stone. It is especially important to test any alkaline or acid based cleaners on your stone surfaces as these could damage the finish and cause discoloration.

Floor Care Tips For Your Tile, Vinyl Or Hardwood Floors

July 12, 2023 0 Comments

Whether your flooring is carpet, tile, vinyl or hardwood, learning how to clean floors correctly can save you time and money. It also ensures your floors look great!

Preventative Maintenance: Put in place a floor matting program to capture incoming dirt. This is especially important in high-traffic areas.

A person using a mop and gentle cleaning solution to care for tile, vinyl, or hardwood floors. Proper floor care practices help maintain the cleanliness and beauty of different flooring types.
Floor care products for different flooring types

Manufacturer’s Care Guides

As with any floor, routine cleaning and protection are key to maximizing its lifespan. Follow your manufacturer’s guidelines for care to avoid accidentally voiding your warranty.

Vacuum, sweep or dust mop your floors on a daily basis to minimize abrasive grit and dirt that scratch or dull floor surfaces. Place rugs or mats in entryways to reduce the amount of dirt brought into your home.

Use furniture sliders or mats under heavy furnishings to prevent abrasion, scuffing and scratches on your vinyl floors. Do not drag or pull any furniture across your flooring as this can cause permanent damage. Clean up spills immediately and wipe the surface of high-heeled shoes frequently to minimize damage. For stains caused by acids (e.g., coffee, fruit juice), alkalis (e.g., dish soap), blood, ketchup, mustard, oil-based paints, iodine, mercurochrome, urine or cigarette burns, gently peel away the dried substance & rub lightly with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol or rubbing alcohol.

Preventative Maintenance

Floors are expensive to install and replace and facility managers often sacrifice regular care in the name of cost-saving efficiencies. However, a program of preventative maintenance will extend the life of flooring by many years and may even push back the need for high-cost repair or restoration work.

Using a quality cleaning chemical diluted per label instructions, mop the floor with a soft pad or auto scrubber. Be sure to rinse and wipe up excess water, as standing water can damage wood floors.

Watch out for dark spots and heel marks caused by abrasive shoe wheels or oil-based substances. Rub the spot with fine steel wool and floor wax to help remove stains. Lastly, a good rule of thumb is to sprinkle a few drops of water on a dark spot. If it soaks in, the stain is still there and will likely require stripping & recoating. Ensure that walk-off mats are in place to trap dirt, grit and oil from footwear before it enters your facility’s hardwood floors.

Deep Cleaning

While general cleaning is effective at maintaining a visible level of cleanliness, deep cleans attack dirt and grime at a microscopic level to remove lingering stains. Vacuuming and cleaning pads aren’t able to get in between grout lines to lift stubborn soil, so frequent deep cleans are crucial to keeping tile floors healthy and looking their best.

A good rule of thumb is to mop high-traffic areas of the house weekly and less-used rooms a few times per month. However, the frequency depends on your flooring material.

Reichert recommends creating two buckets with your cleaning solution – one with the soap and another for rinse — to avoid over-saturating floors, which can cause damage. She also suggests adding around a quarter cup of vinegar and a few drops of dish soap to the solution for a more powerful and better-smelling mop. Make sure to use a cleaner compatible with your floor’s finish. This will prevent the acidic ingredients from damaging your finish.

Odor Control

Odor control is a key component of floor care. Many odors are caused by bacteria and fungus that thrive in the porous grout lines of tile floors, which can lead to infection and illness. A regular schedule of sweeping, mopping using clean equipment and chemicals and the use of absorbent mats under commodes and urinals help keep odors under control.

Keeping soils away from the facility is essential to prolonging the life of flooring. An effective entrance matting program along with regularly swept parking lots and sidewalks help to minimize the amount of dirt and debris that is tracked onto and into the facility.

Once a routine mopping regimen no longer produces desired appearance levels, it is time to move on to Interim Maintenance, which is a more aggressive approach that incorporates scrubbing and burnishing. This helps to restore the brightness and extend the time before a strip and wax needs to be performed. This is the final step in a comprehensive floor care program that protects floors and provides a clean environment for patients and visitors.

Floor Care – How to Keep Your Floors Clean and Longevity Enhanced

July 12, 2023 0 Comments

Keeping your floors clean is essential for both occupant health and flooring substrate longevity. A few simple, consistent cleaning practices can make a big difference.

Learn about each type of floor you have and read the manufacturer’s care guides to understand the proper cleaning methods. Also, consider selecting cleaners with natural ingredients that are safe for the environment and your staff.

A person using a mop and cleaning solution to maintain the cleanliness and longevity of a well-kept floor. Proper floor care techniques and regular maintenance contribute to clean and long-lasting floors.
Floor care products and supplies

Vacuum or Sweep Daily

As the largest horizontal surface within a building, floors collect everything that falls or is tracked in, which includes dirt, dust, and allergens. Developing a routine that includes daily vacuuming and sweeping can reduce the need for deep cleaning, extend the life of soft and hard floor materials, prevent slip-and-fall accidents, keep air quality high, and improve the overall appearance of the space.

Carpeted areas should be vacuumed twice weekly, and hard surfaces like linoleum, tile, and wood should be swept every one to three days or more, depending on traffic. In addition, it’s important to use a vacuum or sweeper that works well on hard surfaces and doesn’t stir up the dirt into the air. Additionally, implementing a robust entrance matting program will help eliminate the majority of damaging soils before they even reach your floors, which will cut cleaning time nearly in half. Having a clear routine can also help support staff morale, as they’ll know what to expect and be less likely to feel overwhelmed or confused.

Keep the Dirt Out

Grit and dirt particles are the enemy of hard-surface flooring, so an ounce of prevention goes a long way. Having doormats and rugs near the entrance helps to trap a lot of this dirt before it has a chance to reach the floor, especially in high-traffic areas. Also, having people remove their shoes before entering is a great way to keep grit off the floors in general.

Depending on the type of floor, some require special care. If your facility has bamboo or other types of sustainable hardwood, be extra careful to sweep regularly. These types of flooring are more prone to scratches and nicks than other hardwood. And if you have sealed wood floors, be sure to test cleaning products in an inconspicuous area before using them.

When mopping, use clean, fresh water to rinse the floors, says Vega. This will help to reduce the likelihood of damaging the seal. And be sure to thoroughly wring out the mop between sections. Using dirty wash or rinse water will only spread the grime around the room.

Prevent Scratches

Keeping up with cleaning and preventing damage will minimize scratches. However, if you do notice light scratches or gouges, try a few DIY home remedies before attempting more in-depth repair.

Start by gently cleaning the scratched area. A soft mop or commercial wood cleaner paired with a rag should remove any dirt or debris that has become embedded in the hardwood floor. After cleaning, the floors should be misted with water and gently buffed to remove any remaining streaks.

Light scratches often show up as lighter colored marks on the floor. If this is the case, you can use blending pencils or stain markers to cover them. Stain markers are designed to stick to raw wood and come in a variety of common wood shades.

Deeper scratches or gouges can be repaired with wood filler. This can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores and can be mixed to match your hardwood flooring color. Once the filler dries, it can be lightly sanded and then stained or painted.

Protect High-Traffic Areas

Even if you vacuum, sweep, and mop your floors regularly, there will be certain spots that get more wear and tear than others. These are called high traffic areas and it’s important to protect them.

Area rugs are an excellent way to protect your carpet and they also add a little style. They help to reduce the impact of dirt and grit, while being easily replaceable should they become damaged.

Floor care specialists provide detailed housekeeping services for assigned areas. They may maintain hard surface floors by stripping, buffing, waxing, burnishing, scrubbing, and re-finishing as directed. They also ensure adherence to all safety guidelines and procedures for using chemicals, equipment, and tools. These professionals often work in healthcare and are trained to recognize unsafe conditions, including spills, slips and falls, and pathogens. They typically require a high school diploma or GED certificate to begin working in the field. They also need to have strong customer service and work ethic skills to excel in their role.

Floor Care – A Key Aspect of Keeping Facilities Clean

July 12, 2023 0 Comments

Floor Care is a key aspect of keeping facilities clean, safe and healthy. Regular sweeping and cleaning will ensure that dirt and grime doesn’t have a chance to build up, and that spills and stains are dealt with quickly.

Interim maintenance processes like spray buffing and traction enhancement reduce the need for more labor-intensive restorative work, which can prolong the lifespan of flooring.

A person using a mop to clean and care for a well-maintained floor, demonstrating proper floor care techniques and equipment usage.
Floor care and cleaning services with washing machine

What type of flooring do I have?

The type of flooring you choose will affect not only how a room looks but also how it functions. The best choice depends on a number of factors, including the cost and how it works with other furniture in the space.

From entry-level vinyl to the fast-growing category of luxury vinyl tile (LVT), the options are vast. Pros: The latest print technology offers limestone, sandstone, slate, and traditional or exotic hardwood looks; and some LVT is waterproof so it can be used in wet areas like bathrooms. And installation is relatively easy, especially for peel-and-stick tiles and floating planks.

Some wood floors are sturdier than others, and some are more susceptible to damage from sunlight, so be sure to take into account the area where you want to install it. Also consider that solid-wood floorboards can be refinished over time, but this will incur additional costs. Alternatives to wood include jute, sisal and seagrass, which are renewable and allergy-friendly.

Read the manufacturer’s care guide

Every type of flooring has its own specific cleaning and maintenance instructions. It’s important that you thoroughly read these and follow them to the letter. Failure to do so could void your warranty and can lead to damage or discoloration.

In addition to sweeping and vacuuming, a schedule for mopping is recommended. Be sure to use a cleaner that is recommended by the manufacturer and do not saturate the floor with water. Most manufacturers recommend “no-rinse” cleaners.

In order to reduce the frequency of deep stripping, facilities need to implement a proper preventative maintenance program that includes regular application of a top coating, which can extend the time before the Interim Maintenance process is needed for scrubbing and recoating. In addition, placing a high-quality doormat in front of all exterior doors can help trap dirt and grit before it gets tracked inside. Lastly, adding rubber caster cups to the bottom of all furniture can minimize movement and scratching.

Take care of high-traffic areas

When it comes to floor care, high-traffic areas deserve special attention. It doesn’t take long for dirt, mud, dust, and other debris to accumulate in these areas. Over time, this can damage hard-surface floors and even make carpets appear old and worn-out.

The best way to reduce the frequency of this type of maintenance is by implementing an effective entrance matting program and frequent dust mopping in high-traffic areas. This can save you a lot of money and keep your facility looking its best.

Cleaning and disinfecting other high-touch surfaces is also important to keep germs from spreading throughout your building. From doorknobs to the checkout counter, a thorough cleaning of these high-touch surfaces can help prevent diseases such as COVID-19 and salmonella. This helps create a safer environment for patients and employees alike.

Clean frequently

Floors can be difficult to clean, but it’s important that you do so regularly. Keeping your floors clean can help reduce the spread of germs and contaminants and improve air quality. Studies have shown that viruses like the Coronavirus can travel through the air and settle on surfaces, where they can then be redistributed when people touch those same surfaces.

Regular cleaning and maintenance can also help prevent accidents and injuries. Dirty and damaged floors can create tripping and slip-and-fall hazards. Spills and stains that aren’t cleaned up quickly can cause health problems for occupants with allergies or respiratory conditions.

Preventative floor care, such as daily sweeping and vacuuming, can reduce the frequency of more extensive and costly repairs. A well-designed and implemented program that includes a sweeper designed for the flooring material and an effective entrance matting system can reduce soiling by up to 85%, thus eliminating the need for more extensive and costly scrubbing and cleaning.

Managed IT Services Lubbock

February 14, 2023 0 Comments

If your business depends on technology to operate, you need to ensure your systems are functioning correctly and are secure. You also need to budget for staffing and training.

A managed IT service provider can help you with your IT needs without putting a strain on your wallet. They offer a variety of services to keep your company running smoothly, and they can do it all for a flat monthly fee.

Managed Services Providers (MSPs)

MSPs can provide a range of services, from help desk support and security to data storage and cloud integration. They can also handle network management, monitoring, and patching.

They rely on a variety of tools to perform their work, including professional services automation (PSA) and remote management and monitoring (RMM) software. Many MSPs also use billing systems that handle invoicing, budgeting and payments.

Typically, managed services providers target small and medium-sized businesses. They offer an all-in-one solution that helps clients save time and money by implementing technology solutions that scale with their business.

A good MSP should be able to adapt to a changing business landscape and offer technology that advances your company’s security, productivity, and growth. Those factors are critical to success in the managed IT services Lubbock market.

Security

Whether your business is large or small, it’s crucial to keep information safe and secure. To ensure this, managed it services Lubbock take numerous security measures.

Besides ensuring that you’re protected against external threats, managed it services Lubbock also take steps to prevent your information from being stolen by hackers and other malicious users. These measures include firewalls, data backups and more.

The best way to get a comprehensive security plan for your business is through a managed it services provider (MSP). This allows you to focus on running your business while the MSP takes care of security issues.

Progent’s cybersecurity experts are CISA, CISM, GIAC, and CISSP certified to assist you with network security, virus defense and recovery, spam and email content filtering, compliance reporting and more. We can also help you establish a reliable data storage system to reduce the risk of cyberattacks, ransomware and other data loss.

Backups

The best way to protect your company’s data is to back it up with a reputable cloud-based solution. It’s also a good idea to backup your files on multiple devices.

The most important part of the process is selecting a quality service provider that will not only offer you a great solution but will also help you avoid common pitfalls. A good managed it services Lubbock partner can advise you on the right technology to use, how to properly implement it and will manage your IT infrastructure for you.

The best managed it services Lubbock company will be able to assist you with a wide range of solutions including network management, data backup and recovery, software licensing, and much more. In addition, they can recommend and install the most suitable computer systems, printers and copiers for your needs.

Scalability

Scalability refers to an IT system’s ability to adapt to changes in workloads and demands. This can include adding additional resources or switching to a new operating system.

Companies that have scalable IT systems maintain their performance and efficiency despite increasing operational demands. This allows them to meet customer needs and attract more customers.

To scale, a company needs to understand the technology it uses. Engineers need to build a technology stack that supports rapid growth and changes in demand.

This can mean refactoring code to reduce complexity or optimizing memory usage. It also means integrating scalability into the entire software development process.

Cost

As an organization, there are a lot of hidden costs to maintaining your information technology infrastructure. These include unexpected expenses like hiring new staff, managing IT equipment, or handling security.

A good MSP can help you reduce these expenses and save you a lot of money by providing services at predictable monthly costs. Managed IT services also make internal planning and spending management easier as a result of the fixed fees of subscription packages.

Most providers offer a range of service and software as a bundle for a flat fee per user. Depending on your needs and size, there are different plans you can choose from. Generally, a full-stack plan will protect your network, maintain your hardware, offer help desk support when issues arise, and provide consultation services to evolve the best IT strategy for your company.

Types of Building Construction

February 7, 2023 0 Comments

Although many houses look good at first glance, the things below affect their price and durability, especially in the emergency. Building codes classify all structures as Type 1 to Type 5, and these types of buildings reveal important information such as fire resistance. 

Some modern buildings are stronger and cheaper to build. However, products such as wood and synthetic rubber burn easily, leading to rapid collapse and other hazards to firefighters. 

The most fire-resistant buildings, type 1, which can withstand high temperatures without collapsing, are used with concrete and steel. In contrast, Type 5 construction, which is the least fire resistant, is heavy and uses combustible materials that collapse soon after a fire. We will cover all five types of buildings: 

Fire resistant 

Type 1 buildings are fire-resistant high-rises. Typically, these buildings are over 75 feet tall, including residential and commercial spaces. Because of their design, Type 1 houses are considered the best in fireproofing, because they can withstand high temperatures for a long time.

When firefighters encounter a Type 1 building, they must set up a ladder to ensure safe evacuation. 

Here’s what you need to know about Type 1 homes: 

  • Materials: These buildings are made with materials that make it strong and protect it with a fire-resistant coating.
  • Strength: All materials used are fire resistant, fire resistant for up to four hours and do not fall.
  • Weaknesses: Exposed steel can wear out over time, and roofs and windows that are difficult to penetrate can block ventilation in the event of a fire.
  • Special note: Some Type 1 buildings have special HVAC systems and self-pressurizing stairs that reduce heat spread. In general, Type 1 buildings are very strenght and unlikely to collapse in the event of a fire.

Non-combustible

Most new or renovated commercial buildings, including big box stores and department stores, are Type 2 buildings. Although fire extinguishing systems are used in these buildings, it is difficult for them to collapse when the fire exposes their iron roofs to heat.

When firefighters encounter these structures, their most important thing is to light the building to prevent a fire, a sudden and dangerous increase in temperature. Here’s what you need to know about Type 2 homes: 

  • Material: The wall is a rotating slab or footing, but fire resistant. Metals and lightweight concrete roofs are not flammable, but flammable materials such as foam and plastic may be. 
  • Strength: They have one to two hours of strength, depending on the material used.
  • Weaknesses: Without adequate ventilation, temperatures can rise quickly, leading to collapse. 
  • Special notes: Firefighters want to make these buildings have skylights or roll-up doors on the outside of the building.

Type 2 buildings include many non-combustible materials, but are still at risk due to the high risk of collapse. 

Ordinary

Schools, businesses, and buildings with fireproof walls and roofs are known as Type 3 buildings. While older buildings often have clapboards, newer buildings give a light. 

When firefighters approach a Type 3 building, they prioritize whether the building is old or new to make appropriate ventilation decisions.

Here’s what you need to know about 3-story buildings: 

  • Materials: The walls or solid masonry are made of non-combustible materials, while their roofs are flammable. 
  • Strength: With the combination of non-combustible masonry and fire, the outer wall can hold even if the ground collapses.
  • Weaknesses: Most houses of this type have attics or horizontal spaces connected, allowing the flame to spread unless fire stops are installed. 
  • Special note: The building system of these buildings – including similar elements in the trusses and panel panels – determine the type of reduction that the firefighters must make to keep the ventilation in the building.

Although Type 3 buildings have fire-resistant materials, their highly flammable building systems and combustible insulation poses a risk to firefighters.

Heavy Timber

Many Type 4 buildings were built with large logs before 1960. Quickly recognized by firefighters, these buildings feature the log walls and spans found in barns, offices and old churches. . They used their strong construction to build steel beams and bolted together.

Although they are flammable, they retain a surprising amount of fire due to the size of the wood. Here’s what you need to know about Type 4 homes: 

  • Materials: Large trees form the walls and roofs of these buildings.
  • Strengths: Many load-bearing walls are non-combustible and their stop system allows hot water to leave the building without increasing the load and posing a risk. 
  • Weaknesses: Metal seals break at high temperatures, in industrial plants, hazards such as oil, metal, or goods can cause more heat.
  • Special Notes: Although large parts of wood are resistant to fire, old buildings with limitations or weather damage face a greater risk of collapse. Although the Type 4 buildings are well maintained and resistant to fire, the age of some of these buildings presents a difficult problem for firefighters.

Wood-framed

Many modern buildings are type 5 due to their use of light materials – usually wood – in the walls and roof. Unlike Type 4 indoor wood, Type 5 uses heavy or engineered wood. Although this material is cheap, good in structure, it does not prevent fire and such buildings can collapse within minutes of fire. Firefighters can successfully fire a Type 5 building on their wooded roof, but the risk of falling or catching fire is very high.

Here’s what you need to know about Type 5 homes: 

  • Materials: They are made of wood, often produced, or other flammable materials for walls and buildings. 
  • Strength: Large spaces provide structural support that helps prevent roof collapse, and indoor platforms often prevent light from spreading vertically.
  • Weaknesses: Manufactured wood burns quickly and modern construction methods put buildings at high risk of catching fire. 
  • Special Notes: Drywall briefly protects structural members, but other materials are common in this type of fire extinguisher.

In general, Type 5 homes have less fire resistance. While these structures have changed the construction industry, they present new challenges to firefighters.

Stages Of A Project In Construction

February 7, 2023 0 Comments

For each stage of the construction project, from the simplest to the most complex, there are certain methods and procedures that must be followed to ensure the result.

These services may vary depending on their size, number of people involved, budget and delivery date. Either way, construction work is often a long and demanding process.

The good news is that with the continuous progress in digital solutions, managing the various processes of the work can now be done much easier and more precisely. In addition, collecting valuable field data can play an important role in improving and, indeed, planning the construction process for future projects.

In short, here are the 6 stages of construction work and what you need to know about them: 

1. Project concept and planning 

Normally, the process starts with the customer. This is where the dream begins and the search for the right place and the details/patterns to be met. Depending on the project, the organizational structure may be different. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few months or longer, depending on how important it is to complete the project at hand. Needless to say, builders are not involved in this because the ball is still in the customer’s hands.

2. Arrangement and design

Once the project is close to completion, it’s time to sit down and make a plan. This is still the first step, which means nothing is certain at this point. However, design is where the engagement process often begins.

The design team, led by an architect or engineer, must ensure that the standards and regulations of each state are respected and respect the vision of the owner. and ensuring that newly constructed structures are used. There are usually four different stages in the planning process and they include program and capacity, planning, design development and contract documentation.

During the planning and feasibility stage, the goals and objectives of the project must be defined. Many decisions are made at this time, including the size of the house, the use of space, and the number of rooms needed.

The design is a drawing that will show the space as well as objects, colors and even textures. This drawing will be used during design development to evaluate the required equipment, as well as its cost and materials.

Once the contract is drawn up, everything is close to completion, since they have final drawings and specifications. These books are used in the construction field by those who want to work in the profession.

3. Pre-construction stages

The next phase of the construction process begins after the sign is completed and a contractor is selected to do the work. Once a contractor is selected, the project team is formed. Normally, the project team is given the opportunity to prepare the site before work begins. As a rule, it has the following specializations: 

  • Contract Administrator 
  • Project Manager 
  • Supervisor 
  • Site Engineering 
  • Health and Safety Manager 

Working closely with the contractor, the project team is responsible for field trips to complete site inspections. The site survey will help the project team identify or anticipate environmental challenges that may arise during the construction process. Soil analysis is also an important part of this step. After all information is collected, city leaders must review all plans and results. This is often a lengthy process, as all concerns and opinions must be heard and addressed. 

4. Procurement stage

Now is the time for the project team to order and get supplies, equipment, and services. This process of the project can be complex or small and demanding depending on the scope of the project, the available resources and the agreed start date.

Many large construction companies have their own sales department. In such cases, it is common for companies that work at the same time to order workers, tools and materials for several projects. This process can be different in small projects.

All of this work is usually done by a general contractor, however, there are times when contractors will take care of certain parts. Underground workers may be responsible for hiring their own workers or getting their own materials so they know they have exactly what they need to complete a part of the job. 

5. Construction stage

Before construction begins, a pre-construction meeting is held to ensure that everyone is on the same page when construction begins. This forum usually includes information on the following topics: 

  • How to go to the site 
  • project quality control 
  • how and where everything will be stored 
  • the hours that each person will work 

Each user can be assigned his own schedule. It is also important to note that each employee’s schedule may vary depending on their role. This is especially true for contractors who need certain parts of the project to be completed before they begin their part. It simply means that poor planning at this stage can lead to significant delays in budget. Once the meeting is over and there are no more outstanding questions, the first part of the project can begin. The goal at this point is to plan well enough that everything goes smoothly. Of course, this rarely happens, because things always go wrong during construction.

To avoid those pitfalls, when planning your construction project, you need to use digital solutions. 

6. The post-construction stage

Last but not least, the post-construction part. Now that all the work on the site has been completed, the project will come to a close.

However, there are still a few steps to go through before handing over the keys to the house. In general, the final stage of the construction work is divided into three main stages: 

  • Construction building commissioning 

First, an inspection of the entire building will be conducted. If done correctly, these tests are easy to pass.

The reason for this is that more research must be done throughout the duration of the project. It is during these previous investigations that the problems will be found and solved.

Once everything is done, it is time for the project team to train the customer in the operation and maintenance of the newly constructed structure. This is a very important step because it will help increase the life cycle of the project.

  • Occupancy of the owner

Now that the training is over, the owner can take over the house. This is when the license period runs. In this way, the owner of the project can be sure that he has enough time to check all the systems, tools and various things installed.

There are three main types of licenses in construction: 

  • Express warranty: It is usually included in the contract. 
  • Implied warranty: It is issued by law.
  • Statutory warranty: Introduced in the constitution of the state. 
  • Closure

This is the final step in a long planning and construction process. The project team should enter into a comprehensive contract and ensure that the project is free of any kind of legal issues.

At this time, it is also a good practice to conduct a post-project analysis that can help various users to identify unfinished projects, analyze why this happened and draw up ideas for the future. Post-job reviews can also be the basis for creating an in-depth job completion report.

Final word

Finally, each stage of construction work is a process, decision and many tools. His confusion depends on the size and type of work, but there are unsuitable systems that cannot be ignored.

Short-based communication and the difference between truth is two redes and redemptions to ensure that the time will be produced and completed.

What Is Commercial Construction

February 7, 2023 0 Comments

Commercial construction includes the design, renovation and construction of commercial buildings. These projects use heavy infrastructure supported by developers, as well as local and national governments.

Manufacturers and contractors compete for construction contracts by bidding. The more detailed and accurate the plan, the better the chance of winning the project. Size, budget, and scope determine how much it will cost to design and complete a structure. Value engineering can be used to estimate the most accurate project plans and costs. Let’s take a look at the three types of stores and their role in the industry.

What are the types of business structures?

Commercial construction projects can be small, medium and large in size. These projects include everything from hotels to office buildings to high-rise buildings found in cities. 

Type 1: Small-scale construction

Minor construction involves repairing the sewer system, renovating and renovating the interior and exterior of the building. The project is shorter and requires less equipment and personnel. 

What is an example of a small-scale project?

“Treehouse Masters” welcomes Pete Nelson and his team to design, craft and build custom treehouses. Their headquarters, Treehouse Point (in Fall City, Washington), has a bed and breakfast in a tree house. Guests can stay or stay the night and live the high life. 

Type 2: Medium-scale construction

Medium construction includes renovation, space expansion, and building work from scratch. More complex projects than smaller projects, such as adding more land to a home. This means that work can take several months to a year to complete.

What is an example of a medium-scale project? 

In 2019, the Mall of America (in Bloomington, Minnesota) approved plans for a $250 million water park project. When completed, the 250,000 square foot facility will be the largest in North America. 

Type 3: Large-scale construction 

Big construction projects are building hotels, airports, government buildings, roads and skyscrapers. These “megaprojects” are sponsored by large business development agencies and government agencies. Large-scale operators use heavy equipment to add more soil and build large plots of land. A long-term project can take years.

Large scale project example

John F. Kennedy International Airport (in Queens, New York) is working on a $3.8 billion expansion and renovation project for Terminal 4. Scheduled to be fully completed by 2025, the project will add 500,000 square feet and 16 airport terminals. Now that we’ve covered the types of businesses that are built, let’s explore the process of making contacts.