The First Facility Management Blog

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute has released Seismic Design of Precast/Prestressed Concrete Structures. The manual represents the first comprehensive guidelines for meeting the requirements of the International Building Code and other engineering standards in regions of varying seismic hazard across the country.

“There has never previously been a publication that addressed seismic needs as they related to precast concrete design for all regions across the country and all code requirements,” says Jason Krohn, director of technical activities for PCI. “The manual was created especially because of the number of new provisions impacting seismic design in the last few code cycles.”

The ability to create a comprehensive design approach was simplified by the acceptance of the International Building Code that has merged the previous three legacy model codes into one, he notes. “Previously, it was difficult to create a design approach that could be certain to meet the three legacy building codes used in different regions. This manual now can provide unified procedures for designing precast, prestressed concrete structures for seismic requirements anywhere in the country.”

The manual presents approaches for designing precast concrete structures to meet the seismic-design provisions of Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-02) and Commentary (ACI 318R-02), ASCE 7 Standard Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-02), and the 2003 International Building Code.

The manual was written by Ned Cleland, Ph.D, P.E., principal at the engineering consulting firm of Blue Ridge Design Inc. in Winchester, Virginia, and S.K. Ghosh, Ph.D, principal in S.K. Ghosh Associates Inc., a seismic and building-code consultancy in Palatine, Ill.

The authors examine various styles and classifications of precast concrete lateral-force-resisting systems and review code and behavior requirements. These requirements are then applied to realistic examples. The manual includes an examination of energy dissipation, ongoing research, diaphragm design and anticipated code developments.

The manual is available from PCI for $175 for members and $350 for nonmembers.

The interest and participation in the LONMARK Best of the Year Awards program was extraordinary this year. The six award categories generated nearly 40 entries in total.

Based on the evaluations and recommendations of its Board of Directors, LONMARK was proud to honor the following companies and individuals for their accomplishments:
Multi-Vendor Project
US Army Corps, Fort Hood
The largest implementation of the Army Corps open specification

Certified Device
Somfy GmbH, Animeo LON 4AC Motor Controller
Sunblind controller designed for energy efficiency through daylight harvesting

Infrastructure Product
Echelon, i.LON SmartServer
This latest offering of an intelligent infrastructure product helps bridge control and enterprise applications

Software Solution
4HomeMedia, ControlPoint
This software solution provides a unique user interface for LON-based home automation systems

Initiative
Constellation Energy, New Energy Alliance
Constellation has brought together a variety of industry leaders to tackle demand response applications

Industry Visionary
Engenuity Systems Inc., Tracy Markie
As President of a large distribution company, Chairman of LONMARK International and industry leader, Tracy Markie epitomizes the stewardship qualities of an industry visionary

For more information about LONMARK International, visit this link.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is proud to announce The Merchandise Mart Chicago, the world’s largest commercial building encompassing 4.2 million square feet, has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-EB) Silver certification for existing buildings.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building meets the highest performance standards and is an environmentally responsible and healthy place to live and work. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for sustainable buildings that was designed by leading experts in the construction industry.

To earn LEED certification, a building must meet certain prerequisites and performance criterion within five key areas of environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Projects are awarded Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification depending on the number of credits achieved.

“Our investors want long-term results,” said Christopher Kennedy, president, MMPI. “Our city demands corporate responsibility and the community wants environmental stewardship. The LEED program helped us find common ground and proved that growth and sustainability are great partners.”

LEED was developed to define and clarify the term “green building” by establishing a common standard of measurement, as well as recognize environmental leadership in the industry while raising consumer awareness of the benefits of green building. LEED-certified buildings conserve energy and water, reduce waste sent to landfills, have lower operating costs are healthy and comfortable for occupants and demonstrate the owners’ commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

“The Merchandise Mart is to be congratulated for achieving LEED-EB silver certification,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, founding chair, USGBC. “This certification sends a message that The Merchandise Mart cares about the health of the building’s users and employees.”

The Delta Institute assisted MMPI in its path toward certification. The Delta Institute is a nonprofit organization formed in 1998 that works for a cleaner environment, healthier communities and a greener economy.

The Mart’s certification was accomplished with support from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The insulation manufacturer recently received a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star from the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act VPP for its Kent, WA manufacturing facility. Insulfoam’s Kent plant is the 28th business out of 220,000 in the state of Washington to receive Star Status.

Currently, there are 7.2 million worksites in the U.S., and 1,880 national VPP Star sites.

“This award signifies a remarkable achievement for Insulfoam’s health and safety programs,” said Rick Canaday, general manager of the facility. “Health and safety are of the utmost importance to our overall performance, and we are incredibly proud of all of our employees who made this possible by stepping up and making these programs a priority.”

VPP is an OSHA Cooperative Program, and in order to receive this honor, Insulfoam Kent had to be recognized by both OSHA and the state of Washington as exemplifying the VPP principles of “building exemplary safety and health programs through cooperation, management’s commitment and employee/contractor involvement.”

In recognition of Insulfoam’s achievement, the Washington State Governor Christine O. Gregoire presented the plant with a certificate and a VPP flag. Insulfoam celebrated its accomplishment with a flag-raising ceremony on October 15th.

As a division of Carlisle Construction Materials, Insulfoam is the largest U.S. producer of block-molded EPS insulation, operating 11 manufacturing facilities across the country.

Real estate management professionals holding the Certified Property Manager® (CPM®) designation earned median total compensation of $103,000 in 2006, primarily from base salary for their management duties but also including additional income from sales and leasing commissions as well as other real-estate-related activities. By comparison, CPM® designees’ median total compensation was $95,000 in 2003, $83,000 in 1999, and $50,800 back in 1984, underscoring a history of steady income growth.

On a separate note, those pursuing the CPM® designation, termed CPM® Candidates, earned $75,000 in median total compensation last year versus $73,000 in 2003, $64,000 in 1999, and $35,000 back in 1984.

These are among the findings of the 2007 edition of the Certified Property Manager® Profile and Compensation Study conducted by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®). The Institute awards the CPM® designation to real estate and asset managers who have met strict criteria in the areas of education, examination, experience, and a commitment to uphold the IREM Code of Professional Ethics.

IREM periodically surveys its CPM® Members and Candidates – of whom there currently are approximately 8,560 and 3,150, respectively, in the United States and abroad – to compile, analyze, and compare the most critical components of real estate managers’ compensation and benefit packages. The published survey findings provide detailed comparisons based on portfolio size, area of management specialization, and level and types of experience and explain how each of these variables affects salary levels and the total compensation package.

Among other key findings of the 2007 edition of the study:
•Regionally, CPM® designees and Candidates located in the Pacific Coast states earned the highest total compensation. In contrast, CPM® designees in the Southwest earned the least, as did Candidates located in the Midwest/North Central region.

•The average CPM® designee is 49 years old, has earned a college degree, works for a full service real estate or property management company, and averages 22.4 years of experience.

•The average CPM® Candidate is 42 years old, has earned a college degree, works for a full service real estate or property management company, and averages 13.9 years of experience.

•51.6% of CPM® designees are male, whereas 62% of Candidates are female.

•About 52% of CPM® designees and 53% of Candidates, respectively, are employed by or associated with a property management division or firm of 50 or less employees.

•CPM® designees typically hold executive or property manager/supervisor positions within their firms. In contrast, while many Candidates occupy more senior positions, more than four in ten define themselves simply as property managers.

•CPM® designees and Candidates who characterized themselves as owners, partners, presidents/CEOs and directors reported receiving considerably greater compensation than other respondents.

•On the other end of the spectrum, those in both groups who view themselves simply as site managers reported receiving the lowest levels of compensation.

•CPM® designees who work for development companies, full-service real estate companies, REITS, and investment companies typically receive higher compensation than those who work for other types of employers.

•Similarly, CPM® Candidates who work for development companies, REITS, and investment companies were the best compensated.

•Office buildings account for the largest share of portfolios managed by CPM® designees and Candidates, followed by conventionally financed apartments.

•Salary and total compensation for CPM® designees and Candidates usually increase with the number of residential units or commercial square feet managed.

•Compensation for both CPM® designees and Candidates typically increases as their age increases, up to age 60.

The study findings summarize the results of the “CPM®/Candidate Confidential Inventory and Salary Questionnaire” fielded online by the IREM® Research Department in January 2007. Findings are based on responses received from 1,134 CPM® designees and 583 CPM® Candidates.

The 2007 edition of the Certified Property Manager® Profile and Compensation Study is priced at $47.95 for IREM® Members and $59.95 for non-members, plus shipping, handling, and applicable state sales tax. To order, contact the IREM® Customer Relations Department at (800) 837-0706, ext. 4650. Internet users can order the study in soft cover or in a downloadable format by accessing the IREM Bookstore in the Publications section of the IREM Web site.

OSHA regulations don’t just apply to back office staff; front office employees could be at risk as well. Here are some tips that can keep front office staff happy and content.

You’ve likely had coworkers complain to you about a fellow staffer, but how you handle these negative comments and complaints impacts your working relationship with your supervisors and your professional image in the office.

Here are some suggestions for handling criticism of supervisors appropriately in various situations:
•When you’re standing in for a superior at a meeting: If attendees decide to air complaints about the supervisor during a meeting, you need to respond as effectively as possible. Take time to find out the reason for their anger, answer questions, clear confusion, and explain his position. Your overall mission is to support your superior.

•When you’re in a social atmosphere: Social gatherings are sometimes a popular forum for office gossip. When the gossip is about a superior, steer the conversation in another direction. If you’re not able to change the subject, simply excuse yourself from the discussion.

•When you’re at work: Whether you overhear comments or colleagues complain to you directly, gather the information and try to find out as much as you can in order to respond appropriately.

While it’s necessary to support your supervisor when others criticize him or her or spread gossip, you should make him or her aware of what’s going on when:

•The criticism or gossip stirs up professional issues. For instance, gossip may be circulating around the office that could tarnish a supervisor’s professional image.

•Your supervisor is able to take steps to correct the complaints or criticism.

•You’re able to take corrective action to stop the criticism.

For more on this subject, click this link.

J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has awarded six scholarships to students participating in the KellerOnline® University Program. Students at schools participating in the University Program were eligible to participate in the contest for a chance to receive a portion of the $10,000 in scholarship monies being awarded.

Auburn University student Bobbie Watts was awarded a $5,000 scholarship. With a passion and drive for providing workers with a safe working environment, Watts stated in her scholarship essay, “My industry experience has shown me that safety is about more than just obtaining knowledge. It is also about successfully applying that knowledge and having the right resources to help make the most effective, efficient and legal safety decisions. I’ll know that I’m doing my job right when my passion for safety is shining through in my work.”

Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Keith Mullen, University of Minnesota Duluth; Kasey Nussmeier, Murray State University; Jonathan Scott, Murray State University; Shannon Seefeldt, Fox Valley Technical College; and Chad Stuart, University of Wisconsin Stout.

Rustin Keller, corporate Internet products manager, said, “These students have demonstrated a strong desire to study safety and understand the significant impact that they can have on the organizations in which they will work. We are pleased that KellerOnline could provide these students with scholarships to aid them in the completion of their degrees.”

J. J. Keller launched the KellerOnline University Program as part of its commitment to higher education and the industries which it serves. Through this free program, professors and students have access to reference materials, safety specific interactive tools and applications, and industry information. The program is another tool for professors to enhance their curriculum and a resource for students in attaining their degrees.

Registrations for the KellerOnline ® University Program are currently being accepted. To register, contact Stephanie Dean at 920-720-7802 or sdean@jjkeller.com. Only students at schools participating in the KellerOnline University Program are eligible for the scholarships, which will be available to students again in 2008.

About KellerOnline
KellerOnline is a widely used safety management tool on the web. More than 19,000 safety professionals rely on KOL to manage their safety programs. KOL integrates a safety management process with reference materials, tools, and applications in order to help users reduce accident rates, decrease injuries, and lower workers’ compensation costs.

About J. J. Keller
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. was established in 1953 and has become a respected name in risk and regulatory management. The company employs nearly 1,200 associates and serves over 300,000 customers including more than 90% of the Fortune® 1,000. J. J. Keller’s product line includes publications, consulting, online services, and outsourced services.

Engineers at Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD) used Flomerics’ Flovent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to verify the design of the first university residence hall in Illinois to obtain a Certified Gold Level rating under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building system. ESD used the relatively new displacement ventilation approach in their mechanical design of Saint Xavier University’s new $9 million, 37,000 square foot Arthur Rubloff Hall in order to reduce energy consumption.

“The simulation evaluated the comfort of the building under a wide range of conditions and demonstrated that the new design, which uses displacement ventilation would not only be energy efficient but also comfortable and healthy,” said James Vallort, an ESD engineer.

“Displacement ventilation provides energy savings by concentrating cooling in the areas occupied by people and allowing the other areas of the building to be warmer,” Vallort said. “The savings come from only having the ventilation system deliver air in the neighborhood of 65F and also from operating the diffuser fans at a much lower speed.”

The owner liked the energy savings provided by the displacement ventilation approach but wanted to be sure it could achieve a high level of comfort and indoor environmental quality. ESD addressed these concerns by simulating the operation of the displacement ventilation system.

ESD engineers used the Diffuser SmartPart to create compact models of the diffusers that closely match the performance of the diffusers without having to model their geometry in detail. The extract units in the ceiling, consisting of rings near the outer edges of the walls, were modeled using another Flovent SmartPart called a “Fixed Flow Device”.

“The results of the simulation clearly show the displacement ventilation system working as intended,” said Aliza Skolnik, another ESD engineer. “The temperature plots across a vertical plane of the building show how temperatures remain comfortable in the lower, occupied, part of the room, with significantly higher temperatures above the levels occupied by people. The airflow predictions show air coming out of the diffuser units, gaining body heat, and then rising under natural buoyancy forces through the extract units in the ceiling. The simulation results helped the building owner feel comfortable with the displacement ventilation concept, and verified the significant energy savings achieved by this method.”

When the building was completed, ESD engineers performed a variety of tests as part of the commissioning process. These included personal comfort tests and temperature measurements. “The tests showed that the actual temperatures matched the simulation predictions within +/- 1F,” Vallort said. “More importantly, they showed that people in the rooms were comfortable under a wide range of conditions. The result is that Arthur Rubloff Hall is the first university residence hall in Illinois to obtain a Certified Gold Level rating under the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building system and provides 30% energy savings compared to traditional designs.”

Technology is undoubtedly here to stay in our modern world. And the recent arrest of a teenager in Holland for stealing furniture from rooms in Habbo Hotel, a Finnish virtual hotel chain, indicates the realm of technology will continue to add weirdness to our world.

This screen shot from the Web site shows Habbo Hotel “guests” poolside.

Reuters reported on November 14:

Dutch police made their first arrest of an online thief last week. A 17-year-old accused of stealing virtual furniture from rooms in the Habbo Hotel — a popular teenager networking Web site.

An Amsterdam police spokeswoman confirmed a report that the teenager was accused of stealing 4,000 euros ($5,864) worth of virtual furniture by hacking into the accounts of other users.

OSHA recently published a new final rule requiring employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) used to comply with OSHA’s standards for all employees. Employees are responsible only for the costs of everyday clothing, footwear, and safety eyewear.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) submitted comments to OSHA on the proposed revisions in 2004, stating employers shouldn’t provide “tools of the trade.” The new rule states that employers are responsible for most personal protective equipment specified in the NFPA 70E standard for electrical work, in addition to basic worksite personal protective equipment.

“Safety is of paramount importance to NECA and our electrical contractor members,” said NECA CEO John Grau. “Electrical construction has always required comprehensive and methodical use of specialized personal protective equipment, and we appreciate OSHA’s recognition of this fact. I am certain that NECA-member contractors will make every attempt to satisfy the new OSHA rules.”

“Job site safety is essential to worker protection and productivity,” said NECA member Dick Nogleberg, president of Placer Electric, Sacramento, CA. “Electrical contractors require workers to use the correct PPE and follow safety policies to keep a construction project on track, as well as for their own safety. Nothing hurts a project more than an injury or accident, so we do everything we can to prevent them.” Nogleberg already provides all levels of NFPA 70E-specified PPE to his workers and says that the OSHA rule will help him justify the costs to general contractors and owners.

The new rule has an enforcement deadline of May 15, 2008, six months from the date of publication to allow employers time to change their existing PPE payment policies to accommodate the final rule.