Large crowds and the elements can make any sport played in a stadium that much more exciting. But while stadiums remain vacant due to current COVID-19 restrictions, now is an ideal time for facility managers and owners to perform maintenance on these important structures in preparation for the fans’ return. Most sports stadiums in the United States are made up of reinforced concrete with steel seating supports and railing. Unfortunately, an even more universal characteristic is their openness and vulnerability to the elements — in addition to the wear and tear they receive from fans. All of these forces combine … Read more
Proposal Activity for Q2 Construction Released
According to a recent report released by PSMJ Resources, proposal activity for architecture, engineering and construction firms sank to its lowest quarterly level in over a decade in the 2nd quarter of 2020, as the coronavirus-related downturn trimmed backlog and reduced revenue for firms coast to coast. PSMJ Resources’ Quarterly Market Forecast reported a near-record-low net plus/minus index of -22% for proposal activity in the latest quarter, substantially down from the +17% recorded in the 1st quarter. Backlog slid from an NPMI of +6% in the 1st quarter to -24% in the 2nd, while the revenue NPMI dropped from +9% to … Read more
American Society of Concrete Contractors to Hold Virtual Annual Conference
The American Society of Concrete Contractors will be replacing its 2020 Annual Conference with a virtual conference the same week, Sept. 21-25. The conference will feature seminars, roundtable (breakout) sessions on a variety of timely topics, a sponsor show case and two award receptions, one to recognize safety achievements and a second to recognize outstanding decorative concrete projects. Speakers will include ASCC technical director Bruce Suprenant, P.E., PhD., FACI; ASCC decorative concrete specialist Chris Sullivan; Jeffrey Coleman, The Coleman Law Firm and ACI president; Kevin MacDonald, Beton Consulting Engineers; Chris Plue, Webcor and Sherry Perdue, Safety Performance Solutions and Philip Donovan, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, who … Read more
Heat Safety Key as Temperatures Rise
Best practices to recognize warning signs, keep crews safe By Nicole Moyen Not only are average temperatures increasing globally, but the number of extreme hot days are also on the uptick. This year is projected to be one of the hottest on record, so it’s important to take precautions to keep your crews safe in the heat. Despite the fact that NIOSH and OSHA have created guidelines for heat safety, they are not followed at many jobsites as they are not mandatory standards. Heat-related medical care and productivity losses cost the U.S. up to $6.2 billion, and are estimated to … Read more
CDC Selects Construction Manager to Build High-Containment Continuity Lab
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has selected McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. as construction manager and constructor for a new high-containment continuity laboratory at the Roybal Campus in Atlanta, Georgia. The new facility is part of CDC’s 2025 Masterplan that was finalized well before COVID-19. The new 160,000-square-foot, multistory research building will increase the CDC’s research capacity to sustain its diagnostic mission and support its public health mission by helping communities prepare for, detect and respond to consequences of all public health hazards. The HCCL building will be a Biosafety Level-4 facility, a designation reserved for the highest level … Read more