December 14, 2017

Which Version of ANSI 117.1 Should You Be Using?

ANSI 117.1 is a standard for accessibility in buildings and is referenced by the International Building Code.  The two most recent versions were published in 2003 and 2009.  Technically ANSI 117.1 is only a standard but because it is referenced by the building code it becomes part of the code. Most jurisdictions are either using

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Construction Material – Aerated Autoclaved Concrete

Aerated Autoclaved Concrete, or AAC is a building material that has been around since 1914, mainly in Europe, and available in the United States since the mid 1990s. It is, as the name implies, a masonry product and it consists of aggregate that is no larger than sand. As a building material it is suitable

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Save Energy on Lighting With Dimmer Switches and Incandescent Bulbs

Out here in the west, we take our energy conservation pretty seriously. Energy reduction in lighting is something we’re ALL concerned about, and compact fluorescent replacement bulbs, used in the right way, make great sense to save energy. There are a lot of great places for compact fluorescent replacement bulbs, but most of them don’t

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Electrical Engineeirng Solar Panel Arrays

The Sunshine Subsidy for Colorado’s Tollways

Just over a year after switch-on and with two global awards under its belt, the longest solar-powered toll road in the US is generating heightened interest in highway applications of alternative energy. The E-470, which loops around the eastern perimeter of the Denver metropolitan area in Colorado, won the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) President’s

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Accessible Window Designs for Apartments for IBC and Fair Housing

Looking for accessible windows for an IBC / ANSI Type A units?   I may have found some answers.   Looking for ADA compliant windows?  ADA also has very similar requirements to ANSI for operable parts and many of the websites below mention ADA compliance. Challenge: ANSI 117.1 1003.9 + 1003.13  requires 1 accessible operable window where

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Project Spotlight: DU Centennial Halls & Towers

Throwback Thursday- Higher Ed Renovation Designing a space for a specific demographic can pose unique challenges. DU Centennial Halls & Towers were meant to be a place for young minds to thrive, and throughout time the design of these spaces needed an update. While the existing space had potential, the use of the lobby and

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