Archive for July, 2010

Cory’s Quality Conundrum: Correctly applying building wrap

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

When applied correctly, building wraps such as Tyvek® CommercialWrap® offer protection from water and air damage while still allowing moisture to escape the wall cavity.

The wrap is useless, though, if improperly installed. Here are some tips for the most efficient application of building wrap:

  • Always securely tape the tops of walls
  • For the bottom of the wall, always tape on the horizontal plane
  • Read instructions carefully for taping the interior of an opening, such as a window or door
  • Tape all joints and ensure a 6-inch overlap between sheets
  • Tape as soon as possible for maximum protection of drywall and insulation

Stay tuned for tips on sealing building wrap penetrations.

Lean and Green: A healthy dose of LEED

Monday, July 12th, 2010

A rendering of the new Rush hospital building

As the construction manager responsible for the build-out of the new hospital building on Rush University Medical Center Campus – known simply as the Rush Transformation – we’re going for the gold: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, that is.

Berglund is working with Rush and its general contractor and other construction partners to ensure the construction of the new 14-story hospital building is environmentally conscious.

We’re tasked with:

  • Submitting and processing all shop drawings and product data
  • Submitting and tracking LEED requirements – both up front and during closeout – as they relate to each product installed on the project (wood backing, drywall, acoustical ceiling, flooring, etc.)
  • Developing, submitting and implementing an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan specific to the interior build-out
  • Verifying that all materials delivered to the jobsite comply with the information submitted – for example, verifying that at least 50 percent of all wood blocking is Forest Stewardship Council-certified and documenting this with photos of the “FSC” stamp visible on the materials

This tracking is a detailed and time-consuming process – so we’ve got a thorough, organized paperwork system to ensure that LEED certification is achieved. Our subcontractors involved in the project must fulfill these requirements also.

Stay tuned for more information on the project and a future “Lean and Green” post on Berglund’s Indoor Air Quality Management Plan.

Six things you might not know about restoration and preservation

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Thanks to restoration and preservation techniques and practices, many of the world’s most historic buildings get a new lease on life. Here are a few interesting facts about restoration that you probably didn’t know …

  • Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, N.Y., was the first property in the United States that was acquired and preserved for historic reasons.
  • In 1948, the White House was in danger of collapsing. The solution: Three years of extensive reconstruction and restoration.
  • Acid rain – a major cause of masonry deterioration – was first observed in the 19th century, when forests located downwind of large industrial areas showed signs of deterioration, but was not considered a serious environmental problem until the 1970s, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Pigeons and ivy are two of the lesser-known destructive forces in the deterioration of older brick structures.
  • The Historic Sites Act of 1935 declares that it is “a national policy to preserve for public use historic sites, buildings, and objects of national significance for the inspiration and benefit of the people of the United States.”
  • The Tax Reform Act of 1976 removed the incentive to demolish older buildings to encourage historic preservation.