Best Access Doors – Blog

Every building has different electrical requirements. It all depends on the size of the structure or the energy consumed by the equipment essential for operation. In a commercial property where practically everything runs using electricity, it is critical to have the wirings and installation correctly installed.

When it pertains to cabling, wiring, and busways, electrical designers and engineers have several approaches to supplying loads inside a building. Local regulatory restrictions, including electrical room safety requirements, project cost, new construction versus remodel, owner choice or specifications, structure height and type, and long-term goals for the facility can all influence the decision to define one approach over another or a combination of ways.

There are three basic types of electrical wiring techniques for commercial buildings. Each has its pros and cons that you might want to consider:

1. Raceways & Conductors

The NFPA 70: National Electrical Code, notably Chapter 3, regulates commercial wiring, just as residential wiring. The article titled General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials, under the NEC Article 300, handles all wiring installation except for any adjustments made by other items in Chapter 3. The criteria are safeguarding against physical damage, fastening and stabilizing the structure, sufficient cover for subsurface installations, and many other features.

Among the most prevalent electrical wiring methods are the raceway and conductor system. It involves many insulated phases in metallic or nonmetallic conduits or tubes. According to the NEC standards and the application procedure, it may include an equipment ground conductor. Every installation has a custom design that fits the specs and architectural plans of the site.

PVC refers to rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, which comes in various shapes and sizes, but is most commonly utilized as Schedule 40 or 80 for subterranean applications that are either directly sunk or concrete wrapped.

RMC: is a galvanized steel conduit with a thick wall and zinc external coating utilized in situations that necessitate optimum protection against physical damage. You may also know it as RGS or GRC.

EMT: The most popular raceway in commercial structures is EMT, a threadless steel tube with thin walls galvanized on the outside and corrosion-resistant on the inside.

IMC: Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) is a thin-walled variation of the RMC with a corrosion-resistant internal coating and a galvanized exterior.

FMC: Flexible metal conduit (FMC) is a metal conduit in various metal types and wall thicknesses.

Cable trays are not the same as raceways. The latter is a structural system for managing and mechanically supporting cables.

Pros

• It allows for some adjustments in circuit layout. 
• In cases where there is a potential for physical damage, you can use IMC, RMC, and EMT. 
• Raceways are a versatile material that you may utilize in various remodeling projects. 
• When you remove the conductors from the installation, you can remove the raceways. 
• Underground PVC installations are low-cost.

Cons

• The cost of installation is usually relatively high. 
• It only allows for a certain amount of bends before needing a junction box. 
• Because of the more stringent routing requirements, installation can be more challenging than cabling systems.
• In terms of applications, type PVC has a few drawbacks. 
• You cannot place some varieties in places where they’ll sustain physical damage.

Busways

Another variety of electrical wiring utilized in commercial applications is busways, also known as bus ducts. Its description is a metal-enclosed racetrack with factory-mounted bus bars. Typically, there are two busways types: feeder and plug-in—insulated or bare conductors, which you can utilize in these combinations.

Pros

• Significant ampere ratings are available, ranging from 60 to 4,000 amps.
• Compared to several conduits for the same load, it is smaller.
• With plug-in busways, you may add and adjust load takeoffs as needed.
• With bus duct uses, total voltage drop has a lower impact.

Cons

• When many elbows and offsets are necessary, installation costs can quickly escalate.
• You can’t utilize it in places where there’s a risk of physical harm.
• There is a space limit for bus plugs in vertical installations.
• If water leaks exist in the building, it may fail.
• On the bus duct, there are many short-circuit currents.

Cable Assemblies

Another frequent sort of electrical wiring is a premade cable assembly. The composition consists of insulated phase and neutral conductors and an insulated or bare equipment grounding conductor, and there is a wrapping of metallic or nonmetallic sheath around the latter.

Manufactured cable assemblies are available as conventional solutions, but you can also customize them with unique conductor configurations and consider installing drywall access door panel exposed flange for maintenance. In a standard setup, you can typically utilize THHN/THWN or XHHW-2 (copper or aluminum) conductors. The following are the most typical types seen in commercial structures:

#1. Armored cable (type AC) includes a metallic sheathing of steel or aluminum armor in the package, serving as a ground path. You typically utilize it to connect luminaires to power receptacles on branch circuits.

#2. Metal-clad cable (type MC): A series of conductors enclosed in a metallic sheath of steel or aluminum that interlocks armor, although not as a ground path in this instance. MC is offered an outer PVC jacket for direct burying or moist locations.

#3. Mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable (type MI): A unit of copper conductors encased in a magnesium oxide-insulated copper sheath. It gets utilized for specialized applications like ensuring that emergency systems comply with NEC 700 standards.

#4. Nonmetallic sheathed cable (types NM, NMC, NMS): It is a unit of conductors enclosed in a nonmetallic, PVC-insulated sheathing with a nylon jacket. You may know as Romex. The grounding conductor is usually bare copper.

#5. Service-entrance cable (types SE, USE): A series of conductors having a PVC jacket on the outside, enclosed in a nonmetallic sheathing with cable support. You can utilize it as a distribution feeder to a branch circuit panelboard and a utility drop to a meter pedestal.

#6. Underground feeder and branch-circuit cable (type UF): A group of conductors utilized for external direct burial feeders and branch circuits to unattached garages. It has a wrapping of a nonmetallic sheathing with PVC insulation and a nylon jacket inside a gray PVC outer jacket in this combination.

Pros

• The cost of installation is usually lower. 
• It takes less time to install. 
• There is no limit to how many bends you can do. 
• Assemblies went to thorough testing at the manufacturer. 
• Type MI is a fire-resistant material.

Cons

• It needs shorter spacing for support and security. 
• There are no modifications after the installation. 
• You cannot place it in areas where there is a risk of physical damage. 
• You cannot abandon it during the construction of a building. 
• During the acquisition of cabling, you require more planning.

The Takeaway

Such wiring techniques are only a few of the many options available on the market. Although these are the wiring techniques you will most often find on a commercial project. Other conditions may necessitate the use of a different wiring style. Always double-check the fine print of service for each wiring type application and consult an expert if you’re in doubt.

Best Access Doors is your best option for your access doors and panels. We offer an excellent selection of products that will surely fit your project needs, all categorized for your shopping convenience. For quotation requests and customized door sizes, call (800) 483-0823 today!

Being a commercial building owner is a big commitment. Depending on your business, managing a building involves many obligations, such as complying with local building codes, ensuring the safety of the property’s inhabitants, and, most importantly, scheduling preventative maintenance and inspection.

Aside from installing security access doors, regular maintenance also adds a layer of security by addressing building issues that can cause injury or turn into a health hazard. A well-maintained facility also retains residents and attracts potential occupants for commercial real estate.

However, scheduling maintenance is sometimes not enough as it would also help if owners knew what goes on and what to check during an inspection. 

Here are some expert tips to keep in mind during commercial building services:

ENERGY AUDIT

Running an energy consumption audit of your commercial property is beneficial in identifying the areas that generate high energy consumption. Every business owner knows that energy usage is an avoidable monthly cost. While hiring an energy expert seems like an added expense, it is ideal for determining which components need repair or replacement.

Here are some energy-saving ideas for commercial properties:

• Replace outdated lightbulbs with efficient lighting technologies such as LED bulbs.
• Check the insulation of doors and windows and look for signs of air leaks.
• Replace roof insulation if necessary.
• If the budget permits, install more oversized windows to allow more light inside to reduce the use of artificial lights during the day.

An energy performance audit is an excellent way of determining the most suitable sustainable options and how you can maximize the use of natural resources on your property.

SAFETY AUDIT

Having a safety inspector assess the overall safety of your commercial building can be worrying since they will point out all the areas in your property that need improvement or repair. While being under the microscope is daunting, inspections are critical for building safety, accessibility, and compliance. They are simply part of the business, and the best way to handle them is with knowledge and awareness.

A safety inspection is generally a process to determine whether an establishment is compliant with local codes and regulations. Inspectors check safety equipment and fixtures, emergency devices, fire-rated security access doors, fire and smoke alarms, among others. 

In addition to ensuring safety and compliance, inspections also reflect potential risks and hazards in your building. The report will help you create an effective risk control plan to prepare you in times of emergencies and weather-related calamities.

IDENTIFY NECESSARY REPAIRS

It might be tempting to delay and ignore minor repairs, but these types of damage can quickly turn into either a safety hazard or a costly service. Scheduling repairs as soon as possible after seeing something break or not work correctly. Some standard maintenance in commercial facilities include:

• Water leaks and blockage in plumbing pipes
• Uneven air distribution on the HVAC system
• Faulty fixtures and valves
• Structural repair
• Roof damages
• Electrical wiring and sockets

A well-maintained facility directly reflects the management’s commitment to creating a safe and clean environment. Swiftly expediting building repairs is an excellent way to keep the tenants satisfied and improve property value.

PEST CONTROL

Regardless of the type of business that you have, having an active pest management system in your facility prevents pestilence from growing in your facility. Not only are unwanted pests a direct threat to your tenant’s health, but they can also be highly destructive and problematic.

Pests in a commercial setting can be devastating to the business, especially for the health and food industry. Disregarding the potential hazards of insects and rodents can also lead to business closure due to non-compliance and negligence. 

Here are the signs of commercial pest infestation:

• Animal droppings
• Nesting materials
• Insect bites or skin reactions
• Property damage (wires or furniture)
• Running or scratching noises in the ceiling or inside the wall
• Damaged plants
• Grease marks and tracks

It may seem complicated, but early prevention is essential for commercial pests. Immediately after seeing signs of physical signs of an infestation, do not hesitate to call a professional on the scene to address the issue quickly.

HVAC MAINTENANCE

When running a business or leasing office spaces or housing units, the least property issue you want to deal with is problems with commercial HVAC systems. 

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units ensure air distribution. They create comfort by controlling the temperature, moderate humidity, and most importantly, maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ). 

In addition to keeping your business safe and ventilated, a well-maintained HVAC system offers many benefits, including:

• Reduce energy consumption
• Avoid unexpected breakdowns and repairs
• Extend the operational life of the system
• Maintain warranty
• Improve air quality

Your mechanical air conditioning system is a significant investment — and it can help your business in so many ways. Operations tend to stop, and complaints may arise when the unit suddenly stops functioning. So while it is tempting to delay routine maintenance, you are just subjecting yourself to an inconvenient and expensive path.

BUILDING FACILITIES AND UTILITIES

Staying on track with the overall functionality of your commercial property is paramount to ensure its day-to-day operations. Therefore, it is critical to have effective facility management to oversee the building’s cleanliness, safety, and maintain its components. 

Routine facility management costs significantly less than the possible high expenses of a significant engine or utility breakdown. Building owners can be in charge of the project, but you can always hire a facility manager if you want a thorough and professional way of handling the maintenance.

You probably already have enough on your plate as a commercial building owner, so hiring a facility manager makes good business sense. Facility managers can expertly assess the condition of building facilities and organize proper waste disposal. Essentially, they are responsible for the overall care of the building.

Takeaway

A proper building evaluation is crucial in maintaining the stability of your property and gaining profit as well. Building maintenance also offers other substantial benefits, such as enhancing curb appeal and cutting unnecessary costs. It is imperative in every commercial facility, and delaying its importance can significantly affect your business.

Scheduling building maintenance is essential and ensuring that you have proper access to building components. When providing superior access panels, you can rely on Best Access Doors. With several panel options and features to choose from, you will indeed find what you need. Talk to our expert team by calling (800) 483-0823 to learn more.

People now are more conscious about the impact they have on the environment. Innovators across sectors are now finding ways to make things more sustainable, focusing more on functionality and using materials that don’t cause damage to the surroundings either through their manufacturing process or utilization.

One such material to mention as an example is glass fiber reinforced cement. GFRC qualifies as sustainable because it utilizes less cement than traditional concrete. Not only that, it often uses a significant amount of recycled materials as a pozzolan. GFRC benefits are excellent but quite expensive.

Importance of Sustainability

The onset of interrelated trends, including the depletion of our planet’s natural resources, steadily increasing demand for transparency, and rising consumer expectations. Implementing sustainable practices is not only a good opportunity for restaurants, but it will be critical for the industry’s long-term health and success.

Slow growth, high operating costs, personnel recruitment and retention, and the desire to target a younger demographic client are just a few of the restaurant sector’s issues. A restaurant business’s corporate commitment to sustainability appears to be a no-brainer, as it immediately addresses each of these challenges.

Sustainable restaurant methods will boost a company’s bottom line by lowering operating costs. Reducing a company’s environmental effect entails reducing waste, and reducing waste entails saving money.

Waste Reduction

Many restaurants see reducing solid waste, particularly food waste, as critical to saving money while improving public views and community ties. According to the World Resources Institute, almost a third of all food produced for human consumption worldwide is lost or wasted, contributing to money loss and contributing further to the growing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Restaurants can reduce waste by adopting waste reduction and reuse programs, composting food waste, implementing extensive recycling programs, eliminating the use of styrofoam or plastic, and developing a zero-waste management plan. Installing duct access doors helps facilitate the cleaning and helps the business efficiently eliminate most of its waste.

Impacts on Logistics

The consequences across their entire value chain, and the sorts of food products they purchase and serve to clients, are another critical sustainability concern for restaurants. Businesses may lessen their social and environmental consequences while simultaneously engaging a new population of people, becoming increasingly aware of their food choices by procuring more organic, local, and nutritious products.

A sustainability engagement program for your logistics can effectively tackle supply chain challenges by gathering information on the company’s significant suppliers’ current practices and then collaborating with them to assist them in executing more responsible strategies and appreciating the importance. These programs can help develop ties with key suppliers and lessen the effects of the restaurant’s total footprint.

Reducing Energy Waste

Numerous restaurants may save much money by upgrading their energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy. Creating a detailed energy management plan that includes using an Energy Management System (EMS) to enable real-time surveillance and managing electricity use across facilities is critical.

Motion sensors, HVAC upgrades, energy-efficient appliance upgrades, LED lighting retrofits, and behavior change are all examples of efficiency options in the restaurant business. Many regions offer subsidies for companies that install energy-efficient technology, making the financial return for restaurants highly appealing.

Water Waste Reduction

Businesses would be well to establish efficient processes that limit the risk of future water issues and create a long resiliency within their systems as our world continues to grapple with the severe problem of water shortage and security. However, it’s critical to recognize the multiple financial advantages of reducing water usage in restaurants.

Decreasing water consumption saves money on the water bill and the electricity used to pump water, the utilized energy to heat it, and the costs of transporting the water for treatment. Restaurants must produce complete water management plans that measure the company’s overall water usage and expense, set reduction objectives, and devise methods to minimize overtime, much as they must develop extensive energy management plans.

Low-flow nozzles and fixtures, waterless urinals, water recapture and recycling dishwasher systems, and behavioral change are examples of restaurants’ water efficiency options.

Emission Control

The usage of propane, electricity, and natural gas in restaurant operations and the fuel used in employee travel and embedded energy in supply chain activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding a company’s current carbon footprint or the overall greenhouse gas emissions connected with its actions is the first step in lowering GHG emissions.

Restaurants can reduce GHG emissions by upgrading to more efficient equipment, improving recycling rates, implementing employee carpool programs, and adopting hybrid or electric transport. Companies with serious intentions about becoming climate leaders and enhancing their image and reputation can purchase carbon credits to balance their GHG emissions and become certified carbon neutral.

Takeaway

It is not easy to accomplish an effective and consistent sustainability strategy in a large organization. Adjusting to a new norm driven by the need to secure a better and sustainable future is a challenge because it is uncharted water for most people. Only a licensed professional will help you receive the proper guidance to proceed confidently.

For high-quality access doors for your projects, Best Access Doors has your back. Visit our site at https://www.bestaccessdoors.com/ for a more convenient categorized browsing experience of various products from trusted manufacturers. Call us at (800) 483-0823 right now!

Winter is just around the corner! People are preparing their huge sweaters, mitts, boots, and hot cocoas. Everyone is preparing for the cold temperature, so you should also get your HVAC checked to prevent mishaps on your commercial building’s indoor temperature. You don’t want to be freezing while working full-time in an office. But before you get your HVACs checked, here are some vital pointers you need to check out; 

1. Swap Out Old Filters

Air filters clean the air supplied by the HVAC unit by trapping pesky dust and other airborne particles before it spreads to the whole area of your establishment. An initial rule is to change your air filter every 90 days to keep your HVAC efficient. It’s essential to know the advantages of HVAC systems so that you will never forget to keep them healthy and functioning. 

Suppose you don’t change your air filter. In that case, the accumulated debris on the surface of the filter will block the airflow, resulting in your HVAC unit working harder, thus using more energy to achieve your desired temperature. It will increase your power bills and can even lead your HVAC unit to develop accelerated wear and tear. In addition, it can also disintegrate, causing the accumulated dust and other debris to be let loose. The indoor air quality of a structure can reduce and can lead to allergic flare-ups to residents. 

2. Check Your Thermostat

With the winter season coming around, you might want to look at your thermostat, which allows you to regulate your indoor temperature. Different thermostats may have other functions and settings, but they can all malfunction over time. If you have a malfunctioning thermostat, this can give you an inaccurate temperature reading. 

In some instances, it could unexpectedly stop running or may not power up the HVAC unit at all. Don’t know how to check your thermostats? Don’t be afraid to ask for help from professionals. They have the proper tools and training to ensure that your thermostat works well while having the appropriate calibration to provide you with the right temperature you need for the cold weather.

3. Check Your Building’s Insulation 

Insulation is a critical element in keeping your HVAC systems up and running. Without proper insulation, 35% of the heat will leak through the walls, 25% will go out through the roof, and the rest will escape through your floor, doors, and windows. Make sure your establishment has regular checkups and install the insulation materials of your liking. It will keep your HVAC systems efficient, so you will lessen your maintenance costs and decrease your energy bills. 

4. Have Your HVAC Units Checked

After finishing up all the previous tasks, it is now time to get your HVAC units checked. Hire an HVAC repair specialist to perform the preventive maintenance procedures on your unit. It can be the most crucial part of preparing for the winter because this ensures that you will have continuous heat during the cold weather. 

Remember to get your HVAC repairs before the cold season so you won’t have to endure the cold weather while waiting for a heating repair. For easy access to your HVAC systems, you can also install HVAC access doors and panels so that repair won’t be such a hassle the next time around. 

For more blogs about construction and the importance of HVAC maintenance, be sure to visit Best Access Doors, where we provide excellent quality access doors for swift access to your HVAC systems. You can contact us at 1-800-483-0823 for more details on our products. 

Humans are known to be very innovative and prolific builders in nature. With new advancements and technologies every day, a new construction trend will undoubtedly arise. The construction industry is vast, and it is known to account for about 13 trillion dollars in the global economy by 2022. 

This decade has been a series of a blur, with the world dealing with a worldwide pandemic to series of unwanted climate changes. The actual question is, how will the construction business adapt to these circumstances, and will this arise in a new construction trend to help keep the safety of the occupants and the sustainability of an establishment? Let’s take a closer look at the list of recent construction trends in 2022 and find out. 

1. 3D Printing

In recent times, 3D printing has been an enormous contribution to the construction industry, from creating architectural models to actual walls, floors, and other necessities needed in construction. Now, 3D printing is for practical use like low-income and emergency houses. The current value of an entirely 3D-printed home is around 10,000 dollars, and there’s a possibility that manufacturers will reduce the price even further up to 4,000 dollars. 3D Printing in construction industry provides benefits such as less waste production and the easy mass printing of custom designs without changing any machinery. 

2. Environmentally-Friendly Construction 

In 2018, The global efficient building design market made about $23.61 billion. At the same time, the worldwide efficient building envelope industry had an income of about 28.96 billion dollars within the same year. The energy-efficient movement has grown out over the years, and people are adapting to more environmentally-friendly alternatives for construction. 

In fact, in 2019, there were 69,066 total registrations for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, with commercial buildings being the most significant percentage of the registrations. With this, it is safe to say that greener construction will surely continue for 2022, and new advancements for a more energy-efficient one are yet to come. 

3. Modular Construction 

Modular construction is more efficient than traditional on-site construction since the building is completed faster, for about 20% to 50%. It can also save you some construction costs for up to 20%. In addition, 65% of building professionals reduced the costs of a project with modular materials, while 40% of them announced doing so by 6% or more. And since the construction is outside the area, the waste is lesser, and you can recycle the remaining materials. By going modular, this construction process will halve the construction and demolition waste due to the optimized fabrication. 

4. Development of New Construction Materials 

When it comes to commercial construction, here are a few things that an entrepreneur must incorporate to achieve a more sustainable and cost-efficient establishment. They can also help reduce building material costs and source cost-effective, sustainable materials. They led to new building materials, which are currently trending in construction use.

• Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC)– This is also known as “bendable concrete.” This material contains tiny, polymer-derived fibers that make it much more durable and crack-resistant than traditional concrete, which results in the ECC utilizing lesser cement and having a smaller carbon footprint. 
• Engineered Timber– This material is manufactured by bonding several types of softwood. This lumber is strong enough to replace steel or even concrete. With this material, you can have fewer emissions and less waste than steel and concrete. 
• Recycled Materials– The practice of using recycled materials has been developing for the past few years, but it doesn’t mean that it will end soon. Building structures now utilize recycled materials entirely.

5. Autonomous Machines

Many construction companies are already adapting to fully autonomous machines on construction sites. These high-tech machines provide more efficiency, reduced emissions, and the enhanced comfort and safety for the operators. Companies working on construction equipment are having more success. The world may certainly see construction machines on sites for the following years to come. 

6. Use of Renewable Biofuels

Diesel is slowly phasing out of the construction machines. People are slowly turning towards renewable biofuels for power. This trend is most common now in California, as the state subsidizes the move. This advancement can help reduce the building’s carbon footprint and promote a more environmentally friendly construction. 

8. Drones For Better Visibility

The construction industry now utilizes drones for more visibility in surveying and inspection. With this, professionals can spot issues and mishaps from above and more efficiently. Drones with downward-facing sensors, such as RGB, multispectral and thermal, can swiftly capture aerial data in a short amount of time.

9. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is rampant nowadays from our mobile devices, personal computers, and even coffee machines, so it is not surprising that professionals will soon utilize it for construction purposes. In theory, it will become more popular in the following years due to reducing construction costs. AI can also develop forecast models, allowing project managers and team members to ascertain whether their time frame is applicable. Furthermore, experts also test AI as a powerful tool to minimize construction site-related injuries and deaths, which adds to the business and human costs of the industry.

These innovations are very efficient, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There is still more to discover and anticipate. For more blogs about the current trends in construction, be sure to visit Best Access Doors, where you can find general-purpose heavy-duty access panels for your next commercial building project. You can contact us at 1-800-483-0823 for more details about our products. 

Whether you’re planning to build your commercial building, business office, or even small renovation projects, hiring the right commercial construction company is a crucial decision every entrepreneur goes through. With so many great construction companies to choose from, it may be hard to find a construction firm that you can easily trust to create your ideal projects into reality. Not every contractor is knowledgeable about the construction business, especially when it comes to commercial construction. In this article, we will shed light on your decision-making. Here are some tips you can follow in choosing the right construction company:

Tip #1 Ask for Referrals

Before hiring a contractor, you must first do thorough research on the company’s previous projects. An honest construction firm will give you a list of their earlier works with contacts. You can ask each reference to tell you about their experience with the contractor. With this, you can easily find out if their company is living up to their client’s expectations or otherwise. Word of mouth will always be a compelling marketing scheme.

Tip #2 Check Their License

Will you trust a taxi cab driver even though he does not own a driver’s license? Of course not. This circumstance is the same when it comes to the construction industry. It is crucial that you check their license at your state’s construction licensing department or online. Furthermore, your construction company should have an insurance policy and bond. Always remember to ask for their license proof or a copy of their insurance certificate to confirm their legitimacy. 

Tip #3 Ask for Estimated Cost 

An experienced commercial contractor can easily lay out a detailed proposal and estimate the cost of your dream project. Make sure to briefly explain how you want your commercial building to be and the significant structures it needs to emphasize. Examples of these structures are plumbing, electrical wiring, the interior, and exterior design. Also, mention if you’re going to install custom-size access doors to your building. They will directly know what your project needs and give you a highly accurate estimate for your timeline.

Tip #4 Never be Afraid to Ask Questions

When interviewing a potential construction company, don’t be afraid to ask multiple questions. Make sure to include questions such as how they work, how many projects they take in a year, and their areas of expertise. A knowledgeable and trustworthy contractor will answer your questions regarding their previous and recent projects smoothly and confidently. This step will help gradually in your decision-making. 

Tip #5 Assess their Communication Skills 

 Effective communication is an essential key to the success of a project. It relies both on the client and the contractor. Compare at least three contractors you think are certified to get the job done. Make sure you settle on someone who has a long list of experience and has the skills fit for the job. To do this, you need to communicate with your contractor. Whether you want the communication to be daily or weekly, you should hire a contractor willing to adjust to your communication style.

Doing your research before hiring a potential construction company for your project is always necessary. It would be best to choose someone you can easily trust and have the skills and talent to execute your dream commercial building. Always think wise, and start early to make sure you make the right decision. 

Make the right decision now, visit Best Access Doors, and find the perfect quality product you need for your next commercial construction journey! Visit us at https://www.bestaccessdoors.com/, or you can contact us at 1-800-483-0823 for more details.

The construction industry is fiercely competitive, with numerous risks that can wreak havoc on overall profitability. Employee productivity is one of the essential aspects that affect the bottom line and one that you, as a project manager or owner, have the most direct control over. 

Construction is a crucial profession in terms of precision. Clients, on the other hand, frequently want their structures and projects completed as soon as feasible. That’s why it’s critical to emphasize productivity to your construction crew. Here are some of the best methods to increase your worker’s productivity:

#1. Hire the Right People

One of the best practical strategies to boost site productivity is to hire good management. Your team will respond if you have supervisors who are respectful but challenging in their leadership. Managers assist in keeping employees focused on achieving their objectives. Managers can serve as a liaison between laborers and senior management, relaying issues. 

Hiring the right people is comparable to looking into the best access doors reviews online. You have to make sure that the worth of the person coincides with the information presented. It’s sad to say, but when hiring, companies and owners are methodological and see people as products with their skillsets as their selling value. 

It is critical to do background checks to protect the interest of the entire endeavor. Never believe every piece of information presented online or even on paper. Maintain a level of healthy caution because the wrong person might affect the whole team and even cause devastating and costly disruptions. 

#2. Define the Ultimate Objective

Reminding folks about what they’re striving for always helps them keep on track. Post images of the finished product around the job site to remind everyone why they’re there. Perhaps they’re constructing a hospital for the ill or a school for the children. Construction work is crucial because it helps build communities and safe places for people to live and flourish. 

Remind your employees of the end consequence of their efforts. Demonstrate how much of an impact they will have on their communities.

#3. Provide Regular Incentives

Construction work is frequently challenging and exhausting. Hour after hour, your employees are putting in manual labor. Offer incentives in the form of awards to boost productivity. Treat your team to pizza and drink at a neighborhood eatery whenever they achieve a goal. It will make your workers feel treasured and motivated to perform harder.

#4. Schedule Regular Time Offs

People are all aware that construction is a challenging and exhausting job. It necessitates a great deal of manual labor, which puts a strain on the body. It is critical to provide appropriate time off to your employees to enhance production. Give them a long weekend to recover if you’ve been working them hard for a few weeks in a row. 

It will show that you care and value your employees, and they will be happier as a result. Once they return to work, they’ll be ready to get back to work on the project now that they’ve had some time to recover.

#5. Pay Attention

Being an effective manager, you must pay attention to those you supervise. It’s not enough to interact with others if you’re not willing to listen to what they have to say. Your employees will have personal knowledge of what works and what doesn’t on the job. They may approach you and tell you that a goal is unrealistic or that they require new tools. Don’t dismiss these concerns. Instead, think about them and try to come up with a solution for your team.

#6. Keep an Eye on Your Supplies

It is frustrating to believe and think that you have sufficient building materials to complete a project just to run out at the last minute. To avoid this, you should check inventories frequently. Make sure you have enough supplies to finish at minimum one week’s worth of work. 

If you don’t, you’ll need to order replacement materials far ahead of time to ensure they arrive on time. You might not want your project to come to a standstill because you did not have time to inventory your materials properly. Also, ensure to recheck your heavy equipment list if you have any.

#7. Set Achievable Objectives

The Romans did not construct their empire in a day, and neither will your new structure. Because construction takes time, it’s critical to set reasonable targets. Ensure everyone on the team understands the goal for each day, week, month, and even year. People must have daily objectives for it to give them purpose. Establishing modest goals helps a large undertaking appear more manageable.

#8. Clear Communication Is Essential

In any work, communication is the most vital productivity booster. Nobody will perform an excellent job if they don’t know what’s going on. It’s critical to convey your objectives to your team before beginning a new venture and keep them informed throughout the process. If any adjustments may affect your employees, communicate out frequent emails and memos. Always be mindful of your staff and never keep them in the dark.

#9. Provide Essential Training

Lack of training is one factor that can swiftly stifle production. You must train your personnel if you desire a productive work environment. Before you start a project, make sure they’re all trained. Yes, this will almost always cost you more money, but it will be well worth it. Training also lowers the number of problems on the job, resulting in higher production.

#10. Plan With a Goal in Mind

Once you begin a construction process, ensure you have a thorough strategy in place for how you will complete it. It includes personnel scheduling, materials required, and a slew of additional difficulties. The more carefully you plan ahead of time, the better your job will turn out. You should also maintain this plan and continue to reflect on how the project is progressing.

Final Thoughts

Note that construction employees, like everyone else, want to feel respected as human beings. You must motivate and listen to your employees if you’re going to enhance productivity at work. You’ll be amazed at how proactive the job site becomes after you start interacting well with your construction crew.

If you still need a substantial amount of information and guidance from a mentor you can trust, consider reaching out to a licensed professional for solid advice. Surround yourself with people who are better and wiser than you so that you’ll be able to grow and achieve greater heights.

You can find many commercial buildings utilizing green technology since it positively impacts the environment. One of the many green innovations is green plumbing. It’s slowly making its way into many buildings, as more owners want to go green. Installing steel insulated gasketed access doors to your plumbing system is just one step in the process. Best Access Doors will now take a look at the advantages of green plumbing:

Economical Solution

Do you want to reduce your building costs? Then, you have to go for green plumbing. You’ll want to consider green plumbing an investment because although you spend more on the components, installation, and labor, you can expect reduced electricity and water bills once you have it installed. 

Green plumbing uses low-powered equipment that helps reduce energy consumption. The plumbing innovation is best for commercial buildings that use a ton of water every day. The water pumps will operate when someone uses a plumbing fixture, such as toilets, faucets, or showerheads. 

Earth-Friendly Plumbing Pipes

Most plumbing systems have metal pipes that run underneath the ground. After years of exposure to moisture, they become rusty and contaminate the water and the soil. To prevent this, you can replace metal plumbing pipes with earth-friendly, sustainable products like PVC pipes. 

Water-Saving Bathroom Fixtures

Commercial buildings consume tons of water every day. Building tenants use water to flush toilets or wash their hands. Many building owners are now experiencing an increase in water bills because of the pandemic. 

One way to save water is by installing low-flow faucets and showerheads to reduce water flow. Keep in mind that reduced water flow also reduces electricity consumed by the water heater. 

Solar-Powered Water Heaters

Water heaters consume tons of electricity, especially when you have many people using them. The best way to divert the water heater’s power consumption is by using solar panels. 

The solar panel collects heat from the sun and converts it into energy to heat the water stored in the water heater tanks. You can have multiple solar-powered water heaters installed on top of your roof or anywhere around your property to ensure everyone can use warm or hot water. 

Improve Lifespan of Plumbing Fixtures

As a building owner, look for ways to prevent your building from running into plumbing issues. Fixing them is a nightmare because you have to keep contacting plumbing technicians, and depending on complexity, repairs can be costly.

Recurring plumbing issues will significantly reduce the fixture’s lifespan, forcing you to replace the entire system. However, you can improve the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures when you incorporate green plumbing. You will see minimal instances of costly plumbing repairs or maintenance with green plumbing.

Don’t forget the many benefits of green plumbing mentioned above to achieve a cost-efficient and functional building. You can also install plumbing access panels to ensure technicians can access plumbing components easily. 

You can purchase access panels by contacting Best Access Doors at 1-800-483-0823. Check out our website at bestaccessdoors.com to see our other high-quality products.

In a hot climate and during the summer months, it’s essential to keep your commercial building cool for your tenants and office workers. Whether you choose ducted or ductless, an air conditioning system is a necessary component to have installed. Otherwise, productivity will suffer, and tenants will complain. But how do you decide which system is most suitable? Best Access Doors will explain the differences between ducted and ductless air conditioning systems and the importance of HVAC in buildings. 

What is a Ducted Air Conditioning System?

A ducted air conditioning system uses a series of interconnected ducts to supply cool air within a building. It’s the most effective way of providing cooling through a single air conditioning system, so you don’t have to install multiple systems throughout the building. Most of the time, contractors place the system in the basement or on the roof, keeping it hidden from plain sight. 

What is Ductless Air Conditioning?

A ductless air conditioning unit is the complete opposite of a ducted system because, as the name suggests, it doesn’t use ducts. Ductless air conditioning involves installing several units throughout a building. These are often installed directly in a window and used to cool small spaces—the unit vents to the outside. Small apartment buildings often provide these units to tenants to keep their individual living spaces cool. 

Why Choose a Ducted Air Conditioning System?

If you decide on getting one of the two systems and installing them in your building, each of them can provide several benefits that you may consider.

If you choose a ducted air conditioning system, one benefit you can find is that it distributes cool and warm air throughout your building. The ducts transport the air to multiple rooms while only utilizing a single air conditioning system. It’s the most effective system for medium and large commercial buildings since it reduces their energy consumption. Everyone inside the facility will enjoy moderate temperatures – neither too hot nor too cold, because the ducted air conditioning system balances itself according to how the building owner sets the thermostat.

Why Choose Ductless Air Conditioning?

You may have to install ductless air conditioning units if you have a small building or space. It’s the best alternative to cool a single room or area without the need to install an extensive ductwork system. If the ductless air conditioner runs on an as-needed basis, this is one way to reduce your energy consumption since it’s not running constantly.

Another reason you will like the ductless air conditioning system is you don’t have to clean it as much as ducted air conditioning would require. You only need to remember to change the filter from time to time. If you have the ducted type, you need to hire professional duct cleaners because they use specific tools and equipment to clean them. You may also have to install duct access doors and panels to make their jobs more convenient. 

If you still have difficulty choosing which air conditioning system you want to install in your commercial building, talk with your building contractor and ask for advice.

If you opt for a ducted air conditioning system, we can help! Call Best Access Doors at 1-800-483-0823 to find out about our HVAC access doors and other great products!

You may have questioned how flat lands turned into hotels, malls, and condominiums. Planning and creating a place for a new or expanding business is complicated. Breaking down an extensive activity into smaller tasks is one approach to make it more manageable, and architects use a similar strategy in the design and building process.

This article will show you the role of an architect in construction, from planning the project to building it.

The Pre-Design Phase

During the pre-design phase, the architect communicates with the client to learn about the plot of land, existing structures, and goals for the future building. The architect investigates local zoning and land-use constraints before estimating costs as part of their competitive proposal to earn the commission. If the parties agree on the terms and scope of the project, they draft an architectural services contract.

The Schematic Design Phase

Any building systems, such as HVAC and plumbing, should be included in the schematic designs during this phase. The design development phase is where the architect’s original intent becomes a precise plan. If the project necessitates hiring a structural engineer, that individual gets added to the team at this phase. The architect also shows the client external and interior finishes that will cover the underlying structure. Finishes have a significant impact on the entire cost of a building project.

The Construction Papers Phase

The architect creates two sets of comprehensive drawings that detail every aspect of their ultimate design. The construction drawings stay on-site during the construction process. The other set is known as the permit set, and the architect sends it to the local permitting authority, which could be a city or a county. The in-house construction contractor becomes involved at this step in a design-build project.

The Building Permit Phase

The city or county reviews the submittals for structural soundness and conformance to zoning regulations and building codes. Permitting is one of the most time-consuming aspects of the construction process, but it protects architects, builders, and property owners from potentially hazardous construction blunders. Approval for simple construction projects in permissive municipalities could take a few days. If you’re developing something significant or in a historic district, the permitting process can take months.

Bidding and Negotiating Phase

There is no need to get bids from construction contractors if the building is a design-build project developed and completed by the same firm. If no contractor is pre-attached, the customer and architect conduct interviews and obtain competitive bids. Potential contractors meet with the client and architect to review the construction drawing sets and discuss materials and timelines. Contractors look for shovel-ready projects to keep their employees working all year. As a result, if your project is already permitted and ready to go, you will have a higher chance of landing a contractor—and a competitive price.

The Construction Administration Phase

The architect’s function moves from creative design to project management in this final phase. While they do not physically manage the job site, they conduct frequent site inspections. The contractor and their crew take over the project in the same way that a film director takes over a screenwriter’s plot.

Knowing what takes place during these work phases will help you communicate more effectively with your architect. Let Best Access Doors help you out on your construction projects. We provide you high-quality products like exterior access doors and panels. Check out our website to view our other products.