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MARCH 2010
VOL. 31 • NO. 2 • $4.00 ®
IN THIS ISSUE:
“VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY”
EXCAVATION/ SITE WORK Digging Deep at Van Buren Township’s New Equalization Basin
MECHANICAL New Eco-Friendly Piping System Eliminates Solder & Adhesives
GETTING INTO
HOT WATER
Aquathermal Systems and Hot Water Boilers
Plus: LEARNING FROM THE PAST – University Preparatory Elementary School II
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Our Work Stands Out
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Rob Walters • CAM Administrative Services Ph: 248.233.2114 • Fax: 248.827.2112 Email: rwalters@camads.com
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26 Greenprint for the Future GreenPipe Pumps an Environmentally Friendly System Into the U.S. Pipeline
EXCAVATION/SITE WORK “VOIC E OF TH E CONSTR UCTION I N DUSTRY”
®
FEATURES
28 A Balancing Act Below Grade Excavation at Van Buren Township’s New Equalization Basin
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT 14 On the Jobsite A Fresh Angle on the Traditional City Hall
MECHANICAL
34 Learning From the Past University Preparatory Elementary School II Mark Murray Campus
18 Getting Their Feet Wet New Aquathermal System at Saginaw Valley State University
22 Cruise Control for Hot Water Boilers M2G Microprocessor Streamlines Boiler Usage
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DEPARTMENTS 8 10 40 43 45 46 46
Industry News Safety Tool Kit Product Showcase People in Construction CAM Welcomes New Members Construction Calendar Advertisers Index
“Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Expanded Opportunities The members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 (IUOE) are proud to have built many of the showcase facilities throughout Michigan, equally they are just as proud to have been a part of building the schools, roads, sewers, waterlines and power generation plants that serve our community. Local 324 has expanded its role and now represents educated and highly skilled members that operate and maintain these facilities. Contact us today to understand why we spend $4 million annually at our cutting edge Training and Education Center and how partnering with IUOE Local 324 will enhance your operating efficiencies.
WE BUILD, WE OPERATE, WE MAINTAIN OPERATING ENGINEER’S VALUE PROPOSITION
Operating Engineers Local 324 500 Hulet Drive Bloomfield Twp., MI 48302 248.451.0324 www.iuoe324.org
John M. Hamilton General Vice President & Business Manager
Journeyman and Apprentice Training Fund, Inc. 275 East Highland Road Howell, MI 48843 517.546.9610 www.oe324jatf.org
Operating Engineers Local 324 Labor-Management Education Committee 500 Hulet Drive Bloomfield Twp., MI 48302 248.836.2731 www.324lmec.org
Members will provide a fair day’s work, bringing unsurpassed Unity, Pride and Productivity to the job-site while performing safely.
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PUBLISHER EDITOR
Kevin N. Koehler Amanda M. Tackett
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Mary E. Kremposky David R. Miller
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGN DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Matthew J. Austermann Marci L. Christian Gregg A. Montowski Cathy A. Jones
DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman
R. Andrew Martin, FH Martin Constructors
Vice Chairman
Brian D. Kiley, Edgewood Electric, Inc.
Vice Chairman
John O’Neil, Sr., W.J. O’Neil Company
Treasurer
James C. Capo,
President
Kevin N. Koehler
DeMattia Group
DIRECTORS
Gregory Andrzejewski, PPG Industries
Stephen J. Auger, Stephen Auger + Associates Architects
M. James Brennan, Broadcast Design & Construction, Inc.
Kevin French, Poncraft Door Company
Frank G. Nehr, Jr.,
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The Communicator International Print Media Competition Overall Association Magazine Magazine Writing
CAM Magazine (ISSN08837880) is published monthly by the Construction Association of Michigan, 43636 Woodward Ave., P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204 (248) 972-1000. $24.00 of annual membership dues is allocated to a subscription to CAM Magazine. Additional subscriptions $40.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at Bloomfield Hills, MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: CAM MAGAZINE, 43636 WOODWARD AVE., BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302-3204. For editorial comment or more information: magazine@cam-online.com. For reprints or to sell CAM Magazine: 248-972-1000. Copyright © 2008 Construction Association of Michigan. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. CAM Magazine is a registered trademark of the Construction Association of Michigan.
“Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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INDUSTRY
NEWS
Barton Malow Announces a New President and Three Executive-Level Promotions Barton Malow Company, a national building firm, recently announced the promotion of Lester (Les) Snyder III from Chief Operating Officer to President. He takes over from long-time President Ben Maibach III, who is continuing as Chairman of the Board and CEO. In addition, three Vice Presidents have become Senior Vice Presidents. They are Sheryl Maibach, FSMPS, Chief Marketing Officer; Douglas Maibach, PE, Corporate Affairs; and Geoffrey Murken, Energy & Environmental. As President and a Barton Malow Board Member, Les Snyder has overall responsibility for corporate operations and administration, including regional offices. He joined the company as Senior Vice President for the Central Region in November 2004, with promotions to Executive Vice President in 2006 and to COO in 2007. A third-generation builder, he has construction experience in the corporate, industrial, power, education, healthcare, federal, and entertainment markets throughout the United States and the Caribbean. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Les has a long association with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, having served as a past Chairman of the Building Division and as an Executive Committee member. He has attained the status of Life Director on the AGC board and currently serves as Co-Chairman of the national American Institute of Architects – AGC Joint Committee. Sheryl Maibach, FSMPS, serves on the Barton Malow Board of Directors and as Chief Marketing Officer, with responsibility for corporate marketing, sales, branding and media relations. With Barton Malow over 30 years, she has been instrumental in the firm’s national expansion. Sheryl is a fellow of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), and recipient of the SMPS 2009 Marketing Achievement Award for lifetime achievement. She has served on seven professional association boards, published over 50 articles and monographs, and frequently speaks on marketingrelated topics nationwide. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn with triple majors in Business, Communications, and History. Douglas Maibach, PE, will maintain responsibility for corporate affairs, and assumes direction of Human Resources, Legal, Safety, and Risk Management. Doug is a specialist in industry and labor relations, and serves as Project Executive on select contracts. He is a Barton Malow Board Member with 25 years company experience. Doug is a registered professional engineer, holds a Civil Engineering degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Detroit-Mercy. Among his many professional activities, he is Chair of Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America’s Project Delivery Committee, Co-chair of AGC of Michigan’s Labor Relations Committee, and an advisory board member of the Construction Industry Institute. He is also active with the Construction Users Roundtable and the American Concrete Institute. Geoff Murken has been a builder in the power and industrial markets for more than 30 years, specializing in construction of nuclear, coal, gas, and waste-fuel fired projects nationwide. He joined the company as Vice President of Energy and Process in 2006, and in 2007 was promoted to Vice President of the combined Energy & Environmental Group. Under Geoff’s direction, Barton Malow’s power market volume has grown and a strong group of power market specialists established. Geoff holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Penn State.
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Two SME Projects Earn National Brownfield Renewal Awards At the recent Brownfields 2009 Conference in New Orleans, two SME projects garnered national Brownfield Renewal Awards. The Mason Run “New Urbanism” Residential Neighborhood and River Raisin National Battlefield Park, both located in Monroe, Michigan, were co-winners in the Social Impact Category. Judges selected just four projects out of dozens submitted to receive awards that honor the gold standard of redevelopment projects. MASON RUN “NEW URBANISM” NEIGHBORHOOD Todd Davis, CEO of Hemisphere Development headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and Brownfield Renewal judge stated, “Mason Run represents a continuing trend across the nation for well-conceived residential development on Brownfield properties. The team’s sheer determination, exhibited through the nearly 10 years necessary to bring the project to fruition, highlights that combining creativity with the tools available through state voluntary cleanup programs will yield tremendous returns on the sustainable development scale across the United States. This project, conducted in phases on a smaller site, is an excellent template for other Brownfield redevelopments across the country.” For over nine years, the City of Monroe, Crosswinds Communities, SME and others have worked together to transform a 50-acre abandoned paper mill site into a thriving 500-home community. The development is one of the largest New Urbanism projects constructed on an urban Brownfield site and a national model for residential sustainable development. The team developed a creative funding program using multiple, leveraged Brownfield redevelopment financing mechanisms to mitigate environmental and site preparation costs, and acquired and managed $7.4 million in Brownfield financing through federal, state and local grants and loans. The complex financing package was structured to correspond to the five remediation/construction phases of the project. The team designed an alternate solution to swap 150,000 cubic yards of “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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cinder/ash fill for clean soil from beneath roads and parks in the development. This resource-conserving approach successfully remediated the future home sites, safely encapsulated the impacted material, and provided replacement clean fill. This approach saved over $2.5 million in response costs and made the project economically viable. RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK Colleen Kokas, Brownfield manager within the Office of Brownfield Reuse at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Brownfield Renewal judge stated, “While recognizing and returning the rich cultural history of our country is important in brownfield redevelopment, it is often overlooked for more traditional end uses, such as retail, commercial and residential. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved while still preserving a culture’s history.” The southern portion of the former Union Camp/Jefferson Smurfit East Mill (paper mill) property is the site of a famous War of 1812 battle, the Battle of the River Raisin. In March
2009, the U.S. Congress declared the site a national battlefield park, making it the first reclaimed Brownfield site ever to be included in the National Park System. SME, the City of Monroe and the previous owner, Homrich Incorporated, have worked together for over a decade to effect transfer of the historic portion of the site to a nonprofit historical preservation organization. The successful transfer was complicated by the fact that the site is subject to RCRA Correct Action, a federal liability that follows property ownership. Efforts to preserve this historic site have included preparation of briefing papers, plus conducting presentations and briefings for numerous entities, including state and federal regulatory agencies, state legislators, state historical and archeological departments and professionals, news media and the general public. These efforts were designed to promote the project and secure support and financing for resolving environmental issues and demolishing remaining mill structures. Environmental and archaeological issues associated with site preservation were resolved through seven years of negotiations among and between the following
INSURANCE
diverse groups: City of Monroe; Monroe Port Authority; four divisions of the MDEQ, MDNR, and the U.S. EPA Region 5 Headquarters; U.S. Department of Justice; the former Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries; Heidelberg College Department of Archaeology; Michigan House of Representatives; Monroe County Historical Society; County of Monroe; multiple legal counsels; and the property owner. At last, on April 8, 2009, the site became the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, the first Brownfield ever to become part of the National Parks System. The new park will be used for education, historic tourism and recreation. For more information, visit www.sme-usa.com.
Older Gradall Excavator Literature Now Available on Website A new website feature, launched by Gradall Industries, Inc., makes specification and operating range literature available for models dating back over 60 years. The literature archive section was launched in response to the many requests Gradall regularly receives from people who still own an older model, are thinking of acquiring a
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MARCH 2010
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INDUSTRY
NEWS
pre-owned model, are making arrangements for shipping excavators, or from people who wish to recall certain machines they once operated. Gradall is the only major excavator brand that has always been designed and built only in the United States. The literature library covers Gradall excavators dating back to the M-2460 models – the world’s first telescopic boom hydraulic excavators that helped launch the Gradall legend in the 1940s. The library also includes the G-1000 machines that were critical in building the nation’s interstate highway system in the 1950s, launching the Gradall brand into the industry spotlight for the first time. The site includes construction machines as well as models developed for mining, metal mill maintenance, rail system maintenance and even the new Series III models. All of the literature is in pdf files that can be downloaded and printed, reflecting the original graphic designs. To access the library, visit the Gradall primary website at www.gradall.com. Follow the link to the literature archive library and use a simple pull-down menu to select the model that interests you. The website will provide a list of all literature available for that specific model, which can be easily downloaded. There is no charge for the literature download. For information about Gradall excavators or product support, call the Gradall factory at (330) 339-2211, or visit www.gradall.com. Owned by the Alamo Group, Gradall excavators are designed, manufactured and supported by Gradall Industries, Inc. with processes that meet ISO 9001 standards.
West Michigan Firm Provides “Green” Expertise to European Counterpart Many may know West Michigan is on the forefront of sustainable design, but they may be surprised to learn the expertise of a local West Michigan firm is being exported. Europe does not often come to the United States for help in sustainable building techniques, but this local firm has opened that border. Roughly 290 miles from Perugia, Italy (the Sister City of Grand Rapids), Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTC&H) is providing their sustainable design knowledge to clients in Italy’s Trentino Province. FTC&H’s professional relationship with Michigan State University’s School of Planning, Design, and Construction led to work on green building projects in Italy with the University of Trento and Distretto Tecnologico Trentino (DTTN). DTTN is a consortium committed to developing construction applications and innovations in the arena of low energy consumption, renewable energy, and intelligent land use. FTC&H was originally hired as a systems commissioning authority for a new primary school being constructed in the Village of Arco. Relationships formed over the course of the project led to more work for the Michigan-based firm, including systems commissioning, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) administration, and energy modeling services for multiple DTTN projects. One DTTN project, the ITC Floriani, Riva del Garda (a trade school addition) was recently awarded LEED Gold and was the first LEED-Schools certification in Italy.
SAFETY TOOL KIT New Safety Requirements – Good For Us All By Joe Forgue hose of you who work, or hope to work, for the University of Michigan (U of M) have noticed that many of their safety requirements changed at the beginning of the year 2010, with additional changes to take place May 1st. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to some of the folks who helped develop those requirements and with the people who will be enforcing them. However, the reason I wanted to write about this is much more “global” in scope. What U of M is doing is just good, proactive safety; what professionals refer to as “Best Practices.” One of U of M’s major requirements revolves around what I have been touting for a while as your most effective tool against unsafe conditions: pre-task plans. The real purpose of the plan is to identify job/task specific hazards, apply appropriate controls, and avoid an incident. They don’t have to be extensive, exhaustive documents. They’re actually pretty simple when it comes right Joseph M. Forgue
Director of Education & Safety Services
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down to it. Of course, our main method of control is to eliminate as many of the hazards as possible. When that’s not possible we turn to protecting our workers by eliminating exposure to that hazard, i.e. barricading drop areas on a demo job. Lastly, we protect the employee with personal protective equipment; always last because they are influenced most by human interaction, and safety glasses only work when they are worn properly. Although there are several names for this process - pre-task planning, job hazard analysis, pretask analysis, etc., - the outcome should be the same. Hazards are identified and addressed to prevent accidents. As a bonus, this process has been shown to greatly improve production and quality, as well. Remember: CAMSAFETY is offering free, on-site and hands-on safety training under our Grant from MIOSHA. To find out more about this opportunity, or if you have any questions or comments, contact me at 248-972-1141 or at forgue@cam-online.com.
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Based on its current European efforts, FTC&H is also exploring potential projects that could take them to such locations as Turkey, Spain, and Costa Rica. For further information, visit www.ftch.com.
Duro-Last® Selected as Corp! Magazine “Going Green” Honoree
Clarification: The 2010 CAM Buyers Guide features a new section entitled, “LEED Certified Companies.” CAM would like to clarify that the section should have been entitled, “Companies with LEED Accredited Professionals.” The invitation to list that was originally sent to the CAM Membership did contain this correct verbiage. This heading will be corrected in the online version of the 2010 CAM Buyers Guide, and in future printed editions of the CAM Buyers Guide. CAM regrets any confusion this may have caused.
Duro-Last® Roofing, Inc. has been selected as one of Corp! Magazine’s “Going Green” honorees. Corp! Magazine provides features, news and profiles with a Michigan emphasis to inform, intrigue and entertain business owners and top-level executives. Because environmental issues are so prevalent today, Corp! began recognizing companies through its Going Green program. A breakfast program and panel discussion celebrating the winners was held in late January at the Michigan State University Management Education Center in Troy. The Going Green Awards honor companies and individuals for their exemplary efforts in a variety of eco-friendly initiatives, including air quality, green building/business practices, and environmental stewardship. As a significant supporter of sustainable building objectives, Duro-Last has been the industry leader in reflective roofing systems for over 30 years. Duro-Last’s white roofing membrane has proven effective in reducing energy consumption in all climate types throughout North America. In addition, DuroLast’s tightly controlled manufacturing process recycles scrap back into roofing membrane and other products. Plus, after its useful life on a rooftop, the membrane itself is recyclable. With a corporate headquarters and a manufacturing facility in Saginaw, Duro-Last also maintains facilities in Grants Pass, Oregon; Jackson, Mississippi; and Sigourney, Iowa. Duro-Last is the manufacturer of the “World’s Best Roof”®. Since 1978, Duro-Last has produced a custom-fabricated, thermoplastic single-ply roofing system that is ideal for any flat or low-sloped commercial or industrial building. Energy-efficient and extremely durable, the Duro-Last roofing system is also leak-proof, virtually maintenance-free and resistant to chemicals, fire, punctures, and high winds. In addition to the Duro-Last roofing system, the company’s brands include the Duro-Last Cool Zone®, the Duro-Shield metal retrofit, and the Duro-Last Designer Series roofing systems. For more information, contact Fred Sitter at (800) 248-0280 or visit http://durolast.proptout.com/Url.aspx?52016 7x23893x-85417. Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
CAM MAGAZINE
MARCH 2010
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INDUSTRY
NEWS
AIA and TOTO USA Announce Strategic Partnership In an effort to provide members with greater access to cutting-edge decisionmaking tools for their practice, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently announced an agreement with TOTO USA, Inc., as part of the Strategic Partnership Program. This initiative will be limited to eight companies that closely align with the Institute’s strategic initiatives and mission. These select companies will be able to demonstrate how their products and services can better support the more than 86,000 AIA members.
The Strategic Partner Program is designed to provide unique collaborative opportunities and promotional rights with the AIA to a select group of industry leaders. The AIA and TOTO USA have agreed to partner in the areas of thought leadership that are demonstrated strengths of TOTO globally: innovation, technology, sustainable practices, and socially sustainable design defined as the confluence of green and universal designs. In addition to the turnkey benefits of the program, AIA staff will work with TOTO USA to develop new knowledge resources, education, and cutting-edge industry programs that will benefit AIA members.
“In terms of Strategic Partners, we are looking for industry leaders who exhibit the principles of triple bottom line thinking as a core business value,” said AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee. “TOTO USA’s dedication to innovation, quality, value, ecology and design is the reason we were interested in creating this relationship.” Added Lenora Campos, Ph.D., TOTO spokesperson, “TOTO looks forward to this unique opportunity to collaborate closely with the leaders in the architectural community. Passionately committed to innovation as a company, our goal always is to advance thought to generate improvement and progress. For example, our partnership with AIA will enable TOTO to offer insights and education gained from the concentrated research and testing conducted at our Universal Design Research Center in Japan, the only one of its kind.” United by common principles, the AIA and TOTO USA have a unique opportunity to position social sustainability and high design as an industry standard for 21st-century architectural design. Through the AIA’s educational and promotional channels, TOTO USA will be able to educate architects and others in the building community about scientific breakthroughs the company offers in the US market. For example, HYDROTECT, a revolution in the field of photocatalysts, is one such breakthrough. The superhydrophilic photocatalysis of these coatings offers three primary benefits for both interior and exterior surfaces. They clean the air by removing pollutants from the atmosphere, and they create surfaces that are both selfcleaning and anti-microbial. EPA certification is in progress for these anti-fungal and antialgae coating.
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PHOTO BY MARCI CHRISTIAN
A Fresh Angle on the Traditional City Hall By Mary E. Kremposky, Associate Editor he City of Farmington Hills’ current City Hall revitalization offers a fresh angle on municipal buildings. A triangular spine slicing through a rectangle, both placed on opposing diagonals, creates a building of fresh and varied angles. A series of steeply sloping roofs add to the layered effect. Obviously, the building’s irregular geometry is far more challenging to construct than your basic square box. Contracting Resources, Inc., Brighton, is more than equal to the task of turning the design of Lindhout Associates Architects, PC, also of Brighton, into a signature structure of steel, glass and brick.
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David Richardson, LEED AP, Lindhout director, explains the firm’s design concept: “The geometry creates a form which both opens the space up to the daylight and the city government up to the public. The addition is rotated in order to harvest more daylight; the existing part of the building will have new skylights and windows. As the building is like a plant reaching toward the sun, the ground source wells form the roots of the heat pump system, which both heats and cools the building. “The angled spine houses an atrium, extending toward the intersection of 11 Mile and Orchard Lake Roads to form a stronger “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
GOING FOR THE GOLD The project is a study in the “green” technologies sprouting on jobsites across the country. The vertical geothermal system has 40 wells containing over 5.5 miles of 2-inch pipe that coil through the ground below the entire north parking lot. The system will supply all of the building’s heating and cooling, erasing the facility’s need for natural gas, said Bradley E. Barnard, superintendent for Contracting Resources. In an ideal world, a perfectly clean energy source would be a geothermal system combined with a renewable energy source to power the heat pumps. A discounted electrical rate for heat pump operation and federal stimulus dollars for the ground source system made the geothermal system affordable. According to the website www.StimulusWatch.org, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) released approximately $791,300 to the City of Farmington Hills in the form of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. “It was a great use of ARRA money that was put directly into the hands of local contractors,” said Richardson. Seeking alternative approaches to common systems is all part of a “search and rescue operation” for the globe. For water quality, a pervious pavement system blankets a swath of the city hall’s new brick paver-blanketed parking lot. According to Barnard, stormwater penetrates porous gaps between the rows and percolates through three layers of different-sized aggregate placed in a four-feet deep cut. “In addition to the gaps between the bricks, a small diamond shape area near the corners creates more area to accept the stormwater,” said Barnard. “The stormwater slowly trickles rather than gushes into the storm lines as a way to prevent flooding downstream.” Plus, two rain gardens will slow the rush of stormwater and grace the site with more greenery. The city hall revitalization will also feature a series of “green” roofs and will be wrapped in an efficient cloak of insulation. “Roof planters from LiveRoof LLC, Spring Lake, will cover most of the addition,” said Richardson. “The product will help slow stormwater runoff, extend the life of the roof membrane, and minimize heat gain in the summer.” DOW’s Thermax wall system, a highly efficient insulation system that provides a continuous barrier across the metal studs, is the insulation of choice for this
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B & A Steel Co., Inc., Chesterfield, erected the structural steel for this angular building’s hybrid block and steel frame structure.
municipal expansion. As the exterior metal stud subcontractor, Brinker Team Construction, Detroit, “was very happy with this system’s installation as well,” added Richardson. Exploring new systems is paired with conserving existing materials in this LEED-registered project. With its system of separate dumpsters, Contract Resources had diverted about 93 percent of materials from a landfill by late December 2009. “Site demolition generated a great deal of concrete debris that was shipped to a crushing plant in the initial phases of the job,” said Barnard. “We also diverted masonry debris from the brick veneer installation.” As the job progresses, one recycling constraint is the region’s undeveloped recycling infrastructure, said Barnard. Nearby recycling opportunities shrink as the debris stream switches to general waste, such as drywall. “There isn’t any place close to take some of these items, such as the plastic irrigation piping we uncovered during demolition,” said Barnard.
PHOTO BY MARCI CHRISTIAN
connection with the community. At the prow of the atrium is a community display area that will feature work by local artists and students, and have a flat panel display showing what is happening in the auditorium.” Clearly, community and sustainability are pivotal in this City Hall revitalization that is breaking new ground as a municipal building going for LEED Gold. With a set of solar panels and a live roof over City Council chambers, the local government of Farmington Hills may be inspired to think “green” in all its decisions. Sustainable building systems will envelop residents and visitors from the moment of arrival in the parking lot to their entrance into municipal offices. Pulling into the north parking area, visitors will drive over a geothermal or geo-exchange heating and cooling system reaching 285 feet below grade and then park atop a pervious pavement system. Once inside, the view through expansive glass curtain walls will reveal pockets of large Oak and Beech trees carefully protected during construction. Exterior light shelves on clear glass curtain wall will deflect more natural light into the interior of the City Hall expansion.
PHOTO BY MARCI CHRISTIAN
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The 29,000-square-foot addition is an intricate puzzle of a building composed of six different sections marked by strong angles and varied heights.
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Another constraint is the ingrained habit of simply tossing debris into a dumpster. “We make sure that debris is diverted properly and placed in the right dumpster,” said Barnard. Beyond jobsite monitoring, LEED and its requirement for proper debris segregation is a contractual obligation for all subcontractors. “Obtaining LEED certification is a team effort,” said Barnard. “Everyone’s goal is to get the gold.”
Michigan-based products in the project include SunGuard Low E glass from Guardian. “It lets in visible daylight to help reduce electric light needs, while at the same time blocking out heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter,” Richardson added. Resources Contracting launched this complex project in early July 2009. The construction manager and its subcontracting team had poured spread footings, erected the hybrid block and steel-framed structure, laid brick veneer, and had curtain wall installation well underway by the beginning of January 2010 for this approximately $8 million dollar building. Subcontractors included masonry, D’Alosio Masonry & Construction, Inc., Farmington Hills; glass and glazing, Peterson Glass Co., Ferndale; exterior metal studs, Brinker Team Construction Co., Detroit; interior metal studs, SHS Incorporated, Novi; structural steel, B& A Steel Co., Inc.; electrical, MAS Electrical Services, Livonia; and roofing, Christen Detroit, Detroit.
PHOTO BY RALPH SPENCER, AC, LEED, AP
AN EXERCISE IN ADVANCED GEOMETRY The 29,000-square-foot addition is an intricate puzzle of a building composed of six different sections marked by strong angles and varied heights. Piecing together this ensemble of angular sections was an exercise in advanced geometry. “With so many angles, it is more challenging to visualize how a detail is actually going to come together, and it is more challenging to hold everything plumb,” said Barnard. “Everything in the Preserving a stand of mature trees added to the challenge of working City Council chambers has an on an already tight site, but will offer occupants a grand view and will irregular angle. Fortunately, symbolize the sustainable goals of this LEED-registered building WORKING ON A TIGHT SITE every angle is either 45 going for LEED Gold. Contracting Resources and its degrees or 22.5 degrees, team grappled with the which helps to somewhat constraints of a tight site throughout the project. The small site is simplify the process.” sandwiched between the existing City Hall, the small parking area This layered structure steps down in a series of tiers, some for the police headquarters, the close proximity of 11 Mile Road, capped by steeply sloping roofs in a building designed with three and a protected grove of trees surrounded by a snow fence. “We different roofing systems. The building’s spine – the highest don’t have much room between the building and the tree line to portion of the structure - will be capped by a standing seam metal work,” said Barnard. “We also have limited room for lay down of roof and will be wrapped in translucent panels. The two main materials.” sections descend and stretch northeast and southwest of the spine. In early April, municipal workers will vacate the existing building A rubber membrane roof will cover the northeast wing, while a live and move into the new addition. Contracting Resources will begin or “green” roof will blanket the larger southwest wing – the future completing gutting and renovating the interior of the existing City home of the City Council chambers and various city offices. Soon to Hall. A new roof, complete with one set of solar panels, will be be clad in clear glass curtain wall, both wings cantilever on the installed as well. In addition, the mansard roofing will be north over the lowest building tier via four-post column piers, said demolished, the old asbestos shingles will be abated, removed and Barnard. In the lower tier, small live roofs will sprout on a brick safely disposed, and a new veneer of soldier course brick installed section, called the patio, as well as on the roof linking the addition to match the addition’s veneer. to existing city offices. The shift from the old asbestos shingles to a contemporary live As far as exterior cladding, “the majority of the building will be roof clearly demonstrates how building materials and systems have either translucent panels or a glass curtain wall system, he added. evolved over the decades. The future is certain to hold the prospect Brick will compose the remainder of the building skin, much of it of even more advances in building technology and more changes clustered on the lower tier of the building. According to Richardson, on the jobsite to promote sustainability. The efforts of the City of “burnished block from Fendt Builder Supply, Inc., Farmington, forms Farmington Hills, Lindhout Associates, and Contracting Resources, the base of the hybrid block and steel frame structure, and at the Inc. will soon bear fruit with the grand unveiling of this signature, same time is the finish for the new City Council chamber. They also sustainable project slated for the end of September 2010. provided the pervious pavers for the new parking spaces. Other
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MECHANICAL
Among other benefits, the aquathermal system at Saginaw Valley State University provided Michigan contractors with valuable experience in emerging technologies.
Getting Their Feet Wet By David R. Miller, Associate Editor reen technology is changing the industry so quickly that contractors are now being asked to reinvent the building process on almost every job. Geothermal systems, for example, are new enough that most contractors still have no experience with them, but an innovative technique using the same principles has already emerged as a more appropriate solution for some projects. Instead of using thermal energy in the ground, aquathermal systems utilize water from a pond or other geographic feature. This type of system provides an attractive combination of benefits for facility owners, so contractors who want to be competitive in the future need to get their feet wet now. Many area contractors were introduced to this technology when Michigan’s largest aquathermal system was recently installed in conjunction with the new College of Health and Human Services building on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), built by construction manager Spence Brothers, Saginaw, and architecturally designed by TMP Associates, Inc., Bloomfield Hills. Mechanical and electrical engineer Peter Basso Associates, Inc., Troy,
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Photos courtesy of Spence Brothers and aquathermal consultant and equipment supplier Loop Group, Fort Wayne, IN, played key roles in developing the aquathermal system. There was also a strong effort to include Michigan contractors on this complex installation, with mechanical contractors S & J Heating and Insulation, Dewitt, and Remer Plumbing and Heating, Inc., Saginaw, gaining valuable experience on this emerging technology. UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM Geothermal systems that draw energy out of the soil have been well publicized in recent years, but water can be an attractive alternative under the right circumstances. Conditions at SVSU were ideal for an aquathermal installation. “We had 12 acres of ponds to work with on the site,” explained Wayne Kerbelis, principal for Peter Basso Associates. “That was a huge advantage for us because sinking coils into a pond – rather than drilling vertical wells or stripping back the land and putting in a horizontal system – is the cheapest way to provide a geoexchange system. We had a really good resource that was already in place, and “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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that helped with our cost estimates and our expected payback.” Another advantage associated with aquathermal systems is easy access to the coils. Excavation is required for buried systems, while air can be added to the submerged coils at SVSU to bring them to the surface of the pond. Placing the coils in the thriving ecosystem of the pond required additional care, but they are filled with 10,000 gallons of DOWFROST SR1 that was donated by the Dow Chemical Company. This propylene glycol product is generally regarded as safe for use around people and wildlife. Water towards the bottom of the pond holds a consistent seasonal temperature of around 45º F in the winter and 65º F in the summer, making the glycol in the coils roughly the same temperature. Heat pumps are used to boost the temperature of the water into a suitable heating range during the winter, while the cool water in the pond acts as a heat sink in the summer. The glycol is transported from the pond to an underground vault through a series of twoinch pipelines, and then to the building through a 10-inch underground supply and return piping system. Unlike most heat pumps, which are waterto-air systems, the heat pumps at SVSU are water-to-water systems. Typically water-toair systems require a separate heat pump and thermostat for each room, but water-to-water heat pump systems essentially operate like central boiler and chiller systems, which lets one air handling unit serve multiple rooms. Older water-to-water heat pumps would have only been able to boost the glycol’s temperature to around 100º F, according to Kerbelis, but the high-tech units installed at SVSU achieve a temperature of 130º F with a pond temperature as low as 40º F. This temperature allowed for a central heat pump system rather than a less efficient arrangement of heat pumps scattered throughout the building. The heat pump hot water output is considerably cooler than the 180-200º F typically found in a traditional boiler system, but there are advantages to this. “You wouldn’t want to push 160º of 180º fluid through a snowmelt system because the expansion and contraction would be too much of an issue,” said Kerbelis. The 130º F hot water produced by the heat pump system at SVSU can be used in a variety of applications. The College of Health and Human Services building will use the central heat pump output of hot water and chilled Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
Water towards the bottom of the pond holds a constant seasonal temperature of around 45º F in the winter and 65º F in the summer, making the glycol in the coils roughly the same temperature.
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MECHANICAL
WSR 18-A Reciprocating Saw
Glycol is transported to this concrete vault, which was buried after this photo was taken, through a series of two-inch pipelines. The vault is connected to the College of Health and Human Services building by a 10-inch underground supply and return piping system.
water to provide underfloor heating, air side heating and cooling, building entryway snow melt, and domestic hot water heating. In addition, the SVSU water-to-water heat pump system can produce chilled water and hot water simultaneously year round. The SVSU project provided an opportunity for many Michigan contractors to gain valuable experience on many cutting-edge systems.
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BUILDING MICHIGAN CONTRACTORS Finding contractors with the necessary skills to perform the job emerged as a key project challenge, especially given the size of the system and a strong desire to provide opportunities for Michigan contractors. “Nothing of this size has even been built in Michigan before,” said Brian Keeler, LEED AP, project manager for Spence Brothers. “All areas of the pond that were deep enough for a grid received one. We needed to have the grids sunk in the proper locations, so we needed a contractor who had experience sinking grids and controlling them as they submerged underwater to the exact location required.” The project team went to extraordinary lengths to include Michigan contractors, even though no bidders had an ideal blend of skills and experience. Representatives from Spence Brothers met with several contractors to encourage them to submit a bid. “We didn’t limit the bids to Michigan, but we made sure that Michigan contractors knew that they were wanted on the project,” said Keeler. “Hiring an out-of- state contractor
would have been easy for us, and I am sure they would have done a fine job, but we saw the value of giving this experience to a Michigan contractor. This is something that Michigan contractors will need to know how to do.” The opportunity to learn was not limited to the firms that performed on the project. The project team hosted an “Aquathermal Day” on September 30, 2009 to provide a close-up look at the system for anyone who was interested. Attendees were able to see the vault that houses the connections between the pond’s coil pipes and the building supply lines, examine one of the 28 heat exchanger grids that were lowered into the pond, and even see a demonstration of the fusion welding process that was used to join the high-density polyethylene pipe. Remer Plumbing and Heating made the most of the learning opportunity that the project represented. Although this is the firm’s first pond installation, Remer Plumbing and Heating performed well on a large underground loop installation with 80 miles of horizontal piping at another location. Consulting expertise from the Loop Group and the installation of the system from subcontractor S & J Heating and Insulation also played a key role in the completion of the SVSU project. Everyone involved in this groundbreaking project gained valuable experience for the future. “You feel a little more comfortable doing a job like this after you get one under your belt,” said Mark J. Katz, vice president of Remer Plumbing and Heating. “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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REMER Commercial
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Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., has been in business since 1957. We have many divisions, such as Commercial, Industrial, Residential Service, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Parts Department and a Retail Showroom with all the up-to-date kitchen and bath needs. All of our employees working on construction or service are licensed mechanics, whether it is Mechanical, Plumbing, Boiler, Medical Gas or Back-Flow work. Our company is currently working on projects all over the State of Michigan, from the Ohio border north, to the Upper Peninsula. Projects include: hospitals, schools, prisons, medical care facilities and other multi-use buildings. Remer Plumbing is a member of the Bay Area Association of Northern Lower Michigan, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 85 of Saginaw, and local unions throughout Michigan. We are also members of the Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association (MPMCA), Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Saginaw Township Business Association, Plumbing, Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), National Mechanical Contractors Association (MCAA) and the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM).
SVSU Health Science building and geothermal pond.
SVSU Health Science piping from the building to the pond for heating and cooling.
SVSU Health Science heating & cooling grids for the building to be submerged into the pond.
5565 State Street l Saginaw, MI 48603 Ph: 989.792.8378 l Fx: 989.793.7312 www.remerplumbing.com
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We are a locally-owned, equal opportunity employer, serving the Tri-Cities and State of Michigan since 1957!
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MECHANICAL
Cruise Control for Hot Water Boilers By David R. Miller, Associate Editor Photos courtesy of Greffen Systems ot water boilers have been a comfort heat mainstay for years. Simplicity is a big factor in their appeal. Water is heated and the heat is transferred to other media to warm the air in a building. There are few opportunities for inefficiencies to creep into such a simple system – that is until you factor in the environmental complexities that are inherent inside any occupied facility. Water needs to be kept hot in order for the system to work. Water inside the boiler will gradually cool, but a number of factors including colder ambient temperatures or simply turning up a thermostat will hasten this process. An increased number of warm bodies inside or thermal gains from bright afternoon sunshine can have the opposite effect as the day wears on. Boilers need to be set to meet peak demand on the coldest conceivable day to reliably provide warmth, so most boilers are set to cycle anytime the water temperature falls below a certain number. Many of these cycles are
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unnecessary, merely resulting from a predictable drop in temperature rather than an actual need for more heat. Every cycle burns costly fuel, emits CO2, and allows valuable heat to escape out the flue during a one or two minute purge cycle that allows cold air to blow across the heat exchanger. Greffen Systems recently acquired United States distribution rights for the M2G, a British microprocessor product that reduces the number of times that hot water boilers cycle. PACE Mechanical Services, an Emcor company located in Madison Heights, is the exclusive Michigan installer for this unique device that applies proven algorithms to allow the temperature to drop below typical set points only at times when this can be done without impacting the system’s ability to deliver necessary heat inside the building. The M2G essentially acts as a cruise control, replacing the stops and starts that plague most hot water boilers with more efficient cycling that is analogous to steady highway driving. “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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HOW IT WORKS Temperatures inside a boiler drop for two reasons: real calls (heavy load) and false calls (also called light load or standing loss). If heat is drawn away from the boiler because of an actual demand for heat inside the building, the result is a real call. False calls occur when temperatures drop simply because the outside air is cooler. A mechanism that fires the boiler when the water drops to a preset temperature will react to these temperature drops, even though there is no real demand for additional heat. “Basically, the M2G is a microprocessor that uses algorithms developed by boiler people in Europe,” said Len Zera, regional
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sales director for Greffen Systems. “It reduces the number of times that a boiler cycles by learning its thermodynamics, so it can differentiate between real and false calls.” Boiler control mechanisms that only monitor temperatures inside the boiler create a very limited picture of what may be causing temperature changes. In addition to inside temperature, the M2G measures water temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the boiler. It also tracks another vital variable that aids in its understanding of the building’s thermodynamics. “The two sensors don’t only measure temperature, they measure temperature over time,” said Don Lawson, service manager for PACE Mechanical. “Instead of providing a photograph to work with, they give the M2G a movie.” If a picture is worth 1,000 words, a moving picture must be worth infinitely more, as the real world applications of the M2G clearly demonstrate. REAL RESULTS Over 4,000 M2G units have been sold in Europe, but the product is relatively new in Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
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MECHANICAL
Bennett Holland & Associates, Inc. Manufacturers Representatives
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the United States. Still, there have been several Michigan applications, including Sysco Foods in Canton, the Nisbet Building at Michigan State University (MSU), and Mound Correctional Facility in Detroit. These early forays into Michigan’s demanding climate have gone well, with Sysco Foods experiencing a 17 percent savings leading to return on investment within 10 months. MSU is poised to have a similar experience, as the M2G controlled boiler is providing heat for the Nisbet Building and being tasked with the demanding work of melting snow and ice on walkways. Even though the M2G has performed well in these applications, there are undoubtedly some skeptics. When a real call results in a quick temperature decline, boilers equipped with the M2G, or with standard control equipment, will cycle. If the drop is more gradual, the result of a false call, the M2G may wait a few minutes before firing at the same preset temperature, or it may even let the temperature fall several degrees lower. M2G essentially widens the variance in temperatures that are considered
acceptable inside the boiler, but this could be a concern for experienced boiler operators. “When you widen the variance, two things can happen,” admitted Zera. “If it gets too hot, you have a lot of extra heat loss from overheating the water. If you let the temperature get too low, you won’t deliver enough heat to the building.” Overheating the water is not a factor with the M2G because the system cycles 30-50 percent less frequently, but the unit also keeps the water from getting too cold by developing an understanding of the thermodynamics of the building. It only lets the water temperature drop below 160º F when this action will not result in an inability to meet the heating requirements of the building. Once the M2G is installed, it needs no maintenance to operate; it simply learns when it can let the boiler cool down without sacrificing performance. “You install it, walk away, check your bills and save money,” said Zera. That kind of cruise control makes for a smooth ride that any facility owner can live with.
“Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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GreenPipe Pumps an Environmentally Friendly System Into the U.S. Pipeline By Mary E. Kremposky, Associate Editor he Great Recession didn’t slow the growth of a “green” piping system manufactured by Aquatherm. In fact, GreenPipe Industries, LLC, a regional Aquatherm distributor for Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, grew by about 10 percent in 2009, according to Jim R. Brock, sales engineer for the Mentor, OH-based firm. This buried treasure of a piping system is a 100 percent recyclable, pure polypropylene pipe with a high R-value and solid performance and energy-efficiency characteristics. Aquatherm has even earned a food grade rating from the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF), because the inert piping system doesn’t react with any of the fluids flowing within its three layers of extruded material. According to Brock, Aquatherm performance characteristics can aid the cause of energy efficiency and the quest for LEED certification. The system’s low friction coefficient – meaning fluids flow very easily through the pipe – permits a reduction in pump sizes. “Because the friction factor is very low, you may be able to reduce your pump sizes and still obtain the same flow,” said Brock. This ability can be part of a project’s LEED strategy, for a smaller pump requires less energy. As another performance advantage, hard water deposits do not accumulate within the Aquatherm piping system. “It is corrosion and scale resistant to prevent the clogging of the pipe and valves,” said Brock. “Without the buildup of deposits, Aquatherm always maintains the same diameter over time, saving the pump from working harder to get the same amount of fluid through the pipe.” Because the pump will always labor at the same level, the system will never consume
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more energy than the original installation. Aquatherm publishes a LEED Reference Guide on its website (www.gpi-usa.com). The document is a practical guide for applying Aquatherm piping system to the LEED certification program. The current edition focuses on major strategies that address several credits at once, earning a number of points by implementing one large innovation.
Unique fusion process creates a joint of solid polypropylene without the need for solders or adhesives.
A TASTE-NEUTRAL PIPING SYSTEM Manufactured in Germany, the Aquatherm piping system is 97 percent pure polypropylene with an additive share below 3 percent. Technically, the piping system uses an environmentally friendly raw material called fusiolen® PP-R 80. With connections assembled with fusion technology and pipes connected by fusion welding, the use of glues, solvents, solders, cements and adhesives are eliminated, further reducing the presence of deleterious substances. “Our unique fusion process creates a joint of solid polypropylene without the need for cleaners, solders or adhesives,” said Brock. Aquatherm’s composition renders the
piping system inert and non-reactive. This stability means the system does not leach, release or remove any substance from fluids flowing through the pipeline. “NSF has conducted water purity tests,” said Brock. “If you put clean water in, you get clean water out. “This product is just a small contribution to cleaning up the environment, but it is a contribution,” said Brock.“It doesn’t add or take away from anything piped through it. You don’t get a metallic or plastic taste. It is smell and taste neutral.” Aquatherm piping systems have two other vital properties. First, the opaque piping system doesn’t support microbial growth. Secondly, in the event of a fire, the burning pipe will only emit water vapor and carbon dioxide, said Brock. Redpipe Industries distributes a sister Aquatherm product called Firestop, a fire protection pipe that is currently being reviewed by Factory Mutual and Underwriters Laboratory for approval. The complete Aquatherm family of pipes includes the Fusiotherm system, suitable for all types of potable water systems; the Climatherm system, pipes for chilled and hot water systems, also made of fusiolen that have the general advantages of the PP-R pipe but offer higher volumetric current values due to smaller wall thickness; and RedPipe, the fire protection pipe. At the end of its product cycle, Aquatherm piping systems can be “ground, melted and reutilized for various applications, such as motor-protections, wheel linings, laundry baskets and other kinds of transport boxes,” according to the manufacturer’s literature. “There are no polluting substances with PP-R (80), either in its processing or in its disposal.” “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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THE AQUATHERM MARKETPLACE Globally, Aquatherm has been used in commercial, industrial, residential and medical applications for over 30 years, including supplying systems to major cruise lines and at least 20 hospitals in Australia. Aquatherm products have been used in shopping malls in Iceland and even beneath the playing fields in the new, world-class soccer complex built for Real Madrid. The piping system has only been code approved in the United States since 2005, said Brock. As a distributor in business for three years, GreenPipe has supplied compressed air and cold water supply for a thermal or steam plant in Cleveland, a compressed air system for a commercial laundromat, and a glycol line for a major food supplier’s ice melt system, as well as many other applications. GreenPipe is currently supplying systems for a private, upscale residence in northern Oakland County. The home is one of the first residences in the country seeking registration for LEED Platinum.“GreenPipe pretty much ties all the systems in the house together, including the solar hot water heating system
Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
and the partial geothermal system,” said Brock. “Many of our projects are commercial,” added Brock. “We are currently quoting a job for a wastewater treatment plant.” Brock’s future plans for GreenPipe include breaking into the medical, food handling, and education markets. AN EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION NETWORK Available in diameters ranging from 3/8ths to 12 inches, this tried-and-true piping system offers other benefits, including heat and sound insulating characteristics. “With a high R value of 1 btuh per square foot per degree F, Aquatherm maintains the temperature over a longer run,” said Brock. “This means one can reduce the amount of required insulation, which is a huge savings.” Aquatherm’s insulating ability is derived from its own three-layer extruded system. “There is an outer and inner layer of pure polypropylene,” said Brock. “The middle layer is polypro with fiberglass reinforcement to increase the pipe’s thermal resistance to expansion and contraction. This layer also adds some of the R-value, which also makes
the pipe very quiet. You don’t hear water running through or other mechanical noises, which is important in a school for the students’ concentration.” Aquatherm is expanding its distribution network. According to Brock, shipping originates from near Cleveland or Port Huron, allowing southeastern Michigan projects to take advantage of the LEED credit for using materials within 500 miles of the jobsite. Brock lists other features and benefits of the Aquatherm piping system: the system has a 10-year warranty on materials, labor and incidental damage; a 50-year rating on pipes and fittings; and a $6 million insurance policy per incident. “It is resistant to chemicals, has leak-proof connections, seamless joints stronger than pipe, and is lightweight for easy handling,” he continued. “Plus, it is able to pressurize and run fluid within one hour.” Aquatherm pipe is currently certified to NSF 51 and 61 for use with food, beverages and drinking water, ICC ESR-1613, ASTM F2389, 2023 and D 635. Please visit www.gpi-us.com for more information.
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E XC AVAT I O N / SITE WORK
By Mary E. Kremposky Associate Editor light dusting of snow blankets the staircase of earth forming the sides of a 50-foot-deep mass excavation. Merlyn Contractors, Inc., Novi, sculpted a series of stepped tiers over the course of an unpredictable Michigan winter, managing the excavation of Van Buren Township’s new equalization basin with the same precision as the cut terrace of clay and sand chiseled into the site near Hannan and Wabash Roads. As excavation and site utilities subcontractor, Merlyn and its convoy of excavators cleaved the earth to plant the seeds of an award-winning wet weather project created to block flooding and
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Photos Courtesy of Wade Trim protect waterways through the prevention of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). The unofficial motto of this cost and environmentally conscious undertaking could have been Reduce, Reuse and Replant. Taylor-based Wade Trim’s cost-effective design of this sanitary sewer equalization system reduced the size of the new basin, in part, by making use of existing sewer lines. “The project even reused components of an old wastewater treatment plant abandoned on the site nearly 40 years ago,” said Greg Svabik, project manager for Walbridge, Detroit, the general contractor for the second of two project contracts. The project
reused an 110,000-gallon tank from the former plant for the storage of on-site stormwater, ultimately using the water to flush the new basin and to help the entire site achieve zero stormwater discharge. Capping off the project, the planting of native prairie grass and wetland mitigation turned this former nuisance site into a pleasant expanse, easily blending with the leafy vista of the nearby Lower Huron Metropark. Clearly, this installation required expert navigation around an array of site constraints, ranging from carving a deep excavation on a small site to excavating in “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
close proximity to the reused tank. “One of many constraints was excavating below and next to the retained portion of the old wastewater treatment plant structure,” said Robert Solway, president of this experienced earthwork firm established in 1990. Merlyn’s lengthy roster of accomplished LEED projects includes the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan parking structure in downtown Detroit, a corporate expansion and pond remediation for Delta Dental in Okemos, and the conversion of a former power plant into the Accident Fund Headquarters in Lansing. The firm’s accomplishments also include the excavation and site utilities contract for the upgrade and expansion of a waste treatment facility for the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority. Walbridge steered the project around another series of obstacles, including rerouting an existing drainage ditch near the basin excavation. The soil of the site also yielded several unexpected discoveries, ranging from an abandoned fuel tank to a threatened wildflower. “The abandoned fuel tank had to be properly abated and surrounding soil monitored for any possible remaining fuel,” said Svabik. Of the rare wild plant, David Nummer, PE, Wade Trim project engineer, added, “Although the Goldenseal, a threatened wildflower, was not in the active construction site, fencing was installed to protect the plant.” This demanding project contained innumerable challenges wrapped into two separate contracts. Executed by Six S, Inc., Waterford, Contract 1 consisted of three miles of 16-inch force main and a 3,000 gpm pump station, said Nummer in a written statement. Managed by Walbridge, Contract 2 focused on construction of the 1.3 million gallon equalization basin and two forced mains. The entire $11.3 million project earned an American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan Engineering Honorable Conceptor Award and an American Public Works AssociationMichigan Chapter Project of the Year Award in the Environment category for projects ranging from $10 million to $100 million.
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A SYSTEM OUT OF BALANCE The project’s mission was to expand the capacities of Van Buren Township’s sanitary sewer system, for when Old Man Winter melted or heavy rains fell, the aging system did not have the capacity to handle the influx. Any overflow carried the potential for overburdening the subterranean web of wastewater infrastructure connecting a Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
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New design criteria, based on expected future performance of SSO control rather than a hypothetical 25-year design storm, was developed with MDEQ to determine the equalization basin’s storage volume, resulting in a cost-effective solution that meets regulatory objectives.
A three-mile force main constructed through urban and environmentally sensitive areas, connects the North Huron Valley/Rouge Valley system to the Downriver system and basin, providing more in-system storage capacity for wet weather flows.
number of communities across Southeast Michigan. According to Nummer, the Van Buren Township system is located upstream of three separate wastewater transport and treatment systems: the North Huron Valley/Rouge Valley System, the South Huron Valley Utility Authority, and the Downriver Interceptor System. Because of its pivotal location, the township’s aging sewers left residents, downstream communities, and regional waterways vulnerable to sanitary sewer overflows. Wade Trim’s design offered a cost-effective solution that accommodated the township’s flows while meeting their contract capacities for discharging into these three regional wastewater systems. Basically, fixing the problem upstream prevents potential problems downstream. In this cost-effective design, the basin, force main and pump station work in concert with existing sewer infrastructure to keep waterways clean and basements dry. “Wade Trim engineers developed a hydraulic model to determine how much storage capacity was needed during wet weather and how sewage flows could be routed through existing sewer pipes to use available capacity in each transport system,” said Nummer. “…A series of diversions were installed in existing sanitary sewers to distribute high wet weather flows among the three systems’ available capacity, bringing the overall system into balance and ultimately sending above contract capacity flows to the equalization basin for temporary storage. “This project demonstrates that wet weather transport and
treatment constraints can be addressed by optimizing existing collection system capacity and providing additional capacity with flexible, small storage facilities instead of building new, large facilities,” Nummer added.
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A BACKYARD FOR BACKFILL Merlyn was on site for the duration of the yearlong project, first razing the site and leaving a blank expanse of earth for the mass excavation of the 90-foot-wide by 200-foot-long basin. Two excavators worked in tandem, the one placed in the very depths of the mass excavation transferring its load to another positioned at a higher point to more easily transfer the spoils to a waiting convoy of trucks from John D. Osborne Trucking. For safety, Merlyn carved the deep excavation with stepped tiers and a suitable angle of repose stretching back almost 50 feet from the actual basin footprint. The angle of repose, coupled with other significant site constraints, left little room for stockpiling the 20,000 cubic yards of backfill and topsoil that needed to be reserved from “the big dig” of over 40,000 cubic yards of western Wayne County dirt. A local property owner opened his nearby field for temporary soil storage, offering a sound alternative to hauling and storing the soils at a distant location. “We stockpiled the topsoil to be reused on site and a portion of the backfill on an adjoining rented piece of land,” said Solway. This accommodating neighbor eased some of the strain of winter “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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construction, a season often impacted by state requirements for reduced load limits on trucking during freeze-thaw periods. “We can only haul half loads during those periods, which decreases efficiency,” said Solway. But winter excavation was a benefit to the residents living across the road. “All major basin excavation and concrete pours were performed in the winter months to help alleviate residents’ concerns about construction impacts, such as dust,” said Nummer. TAMING A RIVER OF STORMWATER As a whole, “tight site constraints on the basin site posed by the former wastewater treatment plant infrastructure and by an existing drainage ditch initially limited the work area to about half of the 5-acre site,” said Nummer. In fact, the existing drainage ditch ran straight through the center of the active jobsite. “Stormwater from Hannan and Wabash Roads was sent to the Huron River via an existing drainage ditch at the center of the new building area,” said Svabik. Walbridge worked with Wade Trim and Wayne County in the early planning stages to discuss options and resolve concerns imposed by this river of stormwater. “In the contractors’ planning sessions, the proximity of the existing drainage ditch to the proposed limits of excavation was the first issue to address,” said Nummer. “Maintaining an open ditch along the top of a 50-foot-deep excavation was not practical or safe. Also, to maintain the open ditch during construction would require the crawler crane for the concrete work to be positioned much further south, which would require larger equipment and further reduce available space on site.” As a solution, “the contractors proposed installation of a temporary, 12-inch corrugated conduit to divert the flow during construction,” said Svabik. Nummer adds further details to the plan: “Routing the drain into the corrugated metal pipe further south on the site allowed excavation to proceed without pumping stormwater. The crawler crane that supported the concrete work was then positioned above the pipe for better access to the work area.” Although fully enclosed during the construction phase, the final ditch combined open and closed portions, Nummer added.
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DIRECTING THE FLOW Diverting the drainage ditch during construction was not the only stream subject to control. “Walbridge constructed Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
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Because of the basin’s 50-foot-depth, two excavators worked in tandem to more easily transfer the spoils to the trucks, provided by John D. Osborne Trucking.
two new forced mains designed to pump water from the new basin back into the sewer system once the flow levels return to normal within the sanitary sewer system,” said Svabik. Merlyn aided the effort to divert flow into the basin during high flow conditions from the Downriver interceptor sewer connection. Renting a crane and taking care to avoid a web of overhead electric lines, as well as shoring a pole, Merlyn hoisted, lowered, and set a 10-footdiameter diversion chamber around an existing 42-inch sewer pipe located almost
40 feet below grade. “We had to use a crane, because the structure was too heavy for a typical excavator,” said Solway. “The chamber or manhole was constructed around the sewer line and new 36-inch reinforced concrete pipe was installed from the chamber to the basin,” said Svabik. “The chamber has a hydraulic gate that can open and close to allow material into the basin. Sensors read the elevation and flow rate of material within the sewer pipe to signal when to open the gate and allow sewage into the basin.”
WADE TRIM AND SIX S TACKLE FIRST PHASE OF VAN BUREN SSO PROJECT onstruction of Van Buren Township’s wet weather project was divided into two contracts both funded through the State Revolving Fund. Wade Trim, Taylor, designed and Six S, Inc., Waterford, built the first contract consisting of three miles of 16inch force main and a 3,000 gpm pump station. David Nummer PE, Wade Trim project engineer, describes the work involved: “The force main was constructed along Haggerty Road using open-cut methods supplemented with directional drilling and jack and bore at crossings. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe was used with directional drilling, since it was the only type of pipe suitable for this construction method. The force main depth was relatively shallow with only six feet of cover. “The route follows Haggerty Road for two miles and then crosses under I-94. Directional drilling was used for the freeway
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crossing. Permits were obtained from the Wayne County Road Commission as well as the Michigan Department of Transportation. For about half the length of Haggerty, the force main was placed underneath the drainage ditch. The final mile of the force main crosses under railroad tracks and Belleville Lake before discharging into the Downriver Interceptor. Directional drilling was used for these crossings. “Constructing the force main connection into the North Huron Valley System was particularly challenging. This developed area is congested with numerous utilities, including a 36-inch gas main, three other gas mains, two water mains, one sanitary sewer, and a telephone fiber optic line. Careful review of existing drawings from a previous project as part of advance construction planning enabled construction through this area without any problems.” “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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Added Nummer, “The basis of design for the basin was very complex, involving inflow from three systems and maintaining outflow to contractual limits. Flow was maintained in all three systems during the entire construction period.� “GREEN� STORMWATER PRACTICES This commendable project also serves as a role model for “green� stormwater management. The basin site has achieved zero discharge of stormwater through the use of bioswales and the reuse and modification of the former wastewater treatment plant tank. Nummer explains the overall strategy: “Bioswales were designed to collect stormwater on the surface, filter it through drain tiles, and direct it into the tank below. After the equalization basin is dewatered, stormwater collected in the tank is used to clean and flush the equalization basin.� The basin itself sports a lush crop of native grasses. “The earth-covered basin is an extension of the natural landscape, affording Metropark users a view of a grass-covered hill,� said Nummer. The low-maintenance, no-mow native prairie grass covers the site, promoting ground water infiltration, decreasing the amount of stormwater runoff, and reducing maintenance costs. In other botanical additions, “construction activities on the basin site and force main required wetland mitigation, which included planting native species for re-establishment of wetland plants,� said Nummer. The project team has certainly created a visually pleasing project acceptable to the residences lining the nearby roadway. “Native plantings and woodland species screen the facility from adjacent residential properties,� said Nummer. “Concerns about odor and noise were addressed by isolating equipment in an earth-sheltered, reinforced concrete structure. In addition, the visible portion of the control building has an architectural concrete stonewall finish that is pleasing and that minimizes maintenance needs. “Residents also benefited from improvements to a county drain that had longstanding flooding problems that were undertaken in conjunction with force main construction,� added Nummer. “Restoration work included regrading the drain to improve its operation during heavy rain.� Merlyn was a part of a project team who delivered a complex and diverse job under budget thanks to monthly progress meetings and close coordination throughout Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
the job. Other subcontractors on the project included R.L Shekell, Inc., Wayne, the concrete contractor responsible for the placement of over 5,000 cubic yards of concrete for the basin; mechanical, J.F. Cavanaugh Company, Farmington Hills; and electric, Doublejack Electric Co., Inc., Royal Oak. Storm drains, sanitary sewers, pump stations, and forced mains are the hidden
and decidedly unglamorous part of the built environment, but without this grid below grade, rivers would be dirtier and basements would flood far more frequently. Clean water and dry communities are the blessings gained by the efforts of the expert team of Wade Trim, Walbridge, Six S, Inc. and Merlyn Contractors.
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CONSTRUCTION
HIGHLIGHT
By David R. Miller, Associate Editor
ost of America’s big cities are struggling with the slow pace of economic recovery, but Detroit faces a unique set of challenges. It is easy to forget that the automotive industry, which now receives much of the blame for the city’s woes, was once heralded for a unique blend of ingenuity and determination that still exists today. Detroit is and always will be the Motor City, and the early days of the industry that defined the city can provide valuable insights on how to turn it around. The educational opportunities that the Thompson Educational Foundation is providing for Detroit students bear striking similarities to the early years of the domestic
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automotive industry. The foundation has developed a successful programming model with GunnLevine Architects, Detroit, for a three-story school building and has replicated this model throughout the city with the sure precision of an assembly line – yet each facility has its own personality and character. By adapting existing structures to fit this model, the foundation is exhibiting the practicality that marked the earliest days of the automotive industry. The recently completed University Preparatory Elementary School II – Mark Murray Campus, might best reflect the early automotive genius that permeates the foundation’s efforts, as the structure itself is a transformed parking garage. GunnLevine
Photos by Justen Dippel, Gunn Levine Architects Architects and The Monahan Co., Eastpointe, led the process by which the existing facility was transformed to fit the new educational model. ENVISIONING THE MODEL The parking garage that was transformed by the project team was originally designed by Albert Kahn and was used by General Motors until recent years. The New Center location near the Lodge Freeway and I-94 was ideal, and the three-level design was well suited to an elementary school model that accommodates kindergarten through fifth grade by putting two grades on each floor. Each floor is designed as a self-sustaining village with its “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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own food service and common spaces. An adjacent alley and parking lot were removed to create space for a student drop off/pick up area, playground, and a gymnasium addition that brought the total square footage of the facility up to 60,000 square feet. Though the existing structure had many points in its favor, including an orientation that allowed for ample daylighting and a solid concrete structure that would accommodate almost any conceivable interior floorplan, there were also some issues that needed to be addressed. “The challenge and the opportunity was in taking a parking structure and converting it into a school,” said Francis Resendes, director of design and project principal for GunnLevine Architects. “We not only had to work with column spacing and density, but also with the car ramps that led from one level to the next. Ultimately, we were able to utilize a lot of that area for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.” The ramps provided room for building infrastructure, but they could not simply be left as is. A couple of large concrete ramps on the west side of the building needed to be removed to accommodate egress stairs. Since the ramps took up about 20 percent of the
The existing structure had many points in its favor, including an orientation that allowed for ample daylighting, and a solid concrete structure that would accommodate almost any conceivable floorplan.
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CO N ST R U C T I O N H I G H L I G H T floor area, traversed all three floors, and were 10 ½ inches thick, this was a sizable undertaking that needed to take place within a finite time window. “We had to integrate that into our schedule, because you can’t change the end date on a school,” said Dan Monahan, project director for the Monahan Co. “We built in other areas of the building until the drawings for that section were done and approved. We were painting in one portion of the building while putting up structural steel in the other, but everything came together in time for school in the end. I don’t know how we did it, but we did.” The building was ready for the start of the school year in September, even though the building permit was not issued until April of that same year, yet the hurried schedule is never reflected in the quality of the design or workmanship. The bright, spacious interior celebrates the industrial history of the building with distinctive columns that are exposed instead of buried. Cleaning these architectural gems up to display standards is one of many challenges that the team met in bringing this project to fruition. BUILDING THE MODEL Building in an urban area like Detroit often entails having limited room in which to work. Renovating a parking deck provided a few advantages that are rarely experienced inside the city limits. “Since it was a parking garage, there was a lot of empty space in the building where we could bring materials in,” said Monahan. “The building has large common areas in the middle with classrooms along the outside walls, so we were always able to stage materials in those center floor areas and work outwards. We were also able to use the gymnasium as a large staging room.” Space was abundant above ground, but a little harder to come by below grade. In addition to a wide range of infrastructure that was currently in use, the project team also regularly encountered obstacles that no longer served a purpose, including abandoned railroad tracks, trolley tracks, and foundations. Much of the debris was removed, but the task of threading foundations through what remained was further complicated by unstable clay soils with limited bearing capacity. “Abandoning the alley and building over it was one of the biggest challenges from a construction and design standpoint,” said Resendes. “We had AT&T fiber optics, water mains, and storm and sanitary sewers running through the alley – you name it and we had it, and that’s where all the foundations for the new elevator and addition had to go. Multiple solutions were needed to figure out what we “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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CONSTRUCTION
HIGHLIGHT
could do with the space.” Micropiles were a key part of the overall strategy. They have a narrower profile than the caissons that were originally considered, which gave the project team sufficient room to thread them through the many underground obstacles, but they provide the same resistance because of their deeper depth. The micropiles are deeply rooted in the fabric of Detroit, much like the building they support. Both are
steeped in the innovative spirit that defined the industry and people of the Motor City – and both can play a role in its rebirth. THE FOLLOWING SUBCONTRACTORS AND PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS CONTRIBUTED THEIR SKILLS TO THE PROJECT: • Abatement – Environmental Maintenance Engineers, Inkster
• Acoustic Wall Panels – Integrated Interiors, Warren • Asphalt Paving – Jeffrey Company, Trenton • Automatic Doors – Besam Entrance Solutions, Livonia • Caissons – Spartan Specialties, Sterling Heights • Civil Engineer – George Jerome & Co., Roseville • Concrete Foundations – PWB Construction, Troy • Composite Metal Wall Panels – Exterior Metals, Burton • Demolition, EIFS and Carpentry – Dearborn Interior Construction, Dearborn • Doors, Frames, Hollow Metal, Hardware, Toilet Partitions and Accessories – Rayhaven, Southfield • Electrical – R & J Electrical, Clinton Township • Elevator – Kone Elevator, Livonia • Fences and Gates – Harris Fence, Lincoln Park • Glass and Glazing – Harris Glass, Redford • Gym Equipment and Scoreboards – Bareman & Assoc., Jenison • HVAC and Fire Protection – C & L Schoen, Troy • Interior Architectural Woodwork – Rice and Werthmann, Detroit • Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer – Systems Solution Consultants, Ann Arbor • Operable Panel Partitions – AFC, Inc., Grand Rapids • Owner’s Representative – Taktix Solutions, Detroit • Painting, Special Coatings and High Performance Coating – Continental Contracting, Clinton Township • Plumbing – First Rate Plumbing, Metamora • Precast Concrete – Kerkstra Precast, Grandville • Resilient Tile and Carpet – Vocheck Flooring, Sterling Heights • Roofing and Sheet Metal – Schena Roofing, Chesterfield • Signage and Exterior Signage – Embree Sign Company, Grosse Pointe Park • Sitework – Blaze Contracting, Detroit • Stage Curtains – North Coast Curtains, Clinton Township • Structural Engineer – Structural Design, Inc., Ann Arbor • Structural Steel – Kehrig Steel, Ira Township • Tile – Berardino Tile, Eastpointe Subcontractors and professional consultants listed in this feature are identified by the general contractor, architect or owner.
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PRODUCT
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General Equipment’s Pro Polish System Delivers Excellent Concrete Polishing Performance Mower Attachment Can Increase Gradall Excavator Utilization Users can capitalize on the designed-in versatility of the Gradall Series III hydraulic excavator with a mower attachment. Designed for quick, efficient work, Gradall's wheeled and railway maintenance excavator models can use mower attachments to clear away brush, long grass and weeds and other vegetation along highway boundaries and railway tracks. Often replacing the need for extra maintenance equipment, the Gradall excavator's telescoping, tilting boom can be used to position a mower at a 90-degree angle to control vegetation along fence rows, buildings and other structures. Or, the boom can be raised and tilted to correctly position the mower to cut back overgrown tree limbs that can obstruct traffic on roads. Attaching a mower to the Gradall excavator boom can be accomplished quickly thanks to a special Gradall mounting bracket that easily interfaces with mower attachments manufactured by both Alamo and Tiger. Also, a hydraulic motor on the mowers eliminates the requirement for a case drain so there's no need to modify standard Gradall auxiliary hydraulic hoses in the Gradall boom. Mowers are available in a range of styles and sizes including 50- and 60-inch rotary and 48-inch flail. For information, contact an authorized distributor or call Gradall at 330339-2211. An interactive Gradall distributor locator map is also available at www.gradall.com.
MSA Thermatek® Kit for 100% Tie-Off During Welding Applications The Thermatek Kit, a full-body harness kit for high-heat or welding applications, offers the following features and benefits: Kevlar®/Nomex®-blend webbing, which is resistant to chemicals, weld splatter and other high-heat exposures; Kevlar stitching in contrasting colors to enable easier product inspection; a shock absorber that features a Tuffweld® protective cover to increase
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lanyard longevity and incorporates a Kevlar back-up strap for additional protection. more information, visit For www.msanorthamerica.com.
FiberTEK FDX Modules Transform IDEAL LanTEK II Certifiers into Cost-Effective Alternatives to Standard OTDRs IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has introduced its new FiberTEK® FDX Fiber Optic Modules designed to extend the capabilities of the company's LanTEK® II LAN Cable Certifiers from certifying copper cabling links to the certification of multi-mode and single-mode fiber optic cabling to Tier 1 standards. Fitting into the unit's adapter bay, the optional modules transform the LanTEK II into a costeffective alternative to traditional OTDRs for certifying or troubleshooting fiber backbones and fiber links. Field changeable SC, ST and FC adapters eliminate the need for hybrid launch cables. Three FiberTEK® FDX modules are available: a multi-mode LED for certification of conventional multi-mode fiber optic cabling at 850 and 1300 nm (no mandrels required); a multi-mode VSCEL/laser modules for certification of laser optimized multi-mode fiber at 850 and 1300 nm; and a single mode version with laser sources for certification at 1310 and 1550 nm. The unique full duplex capability of FiberTEK® FDX modules make fiber certification fast, accurate and easy. A single strand of fiber connected between handsets is tested at two wavelengths and in both directions simultaneously, while the length of the fiber is accurately measured. IDEAL FiberTEK® FDX modules come with a hard-sided carrying case. For pricing and specifications, contact IDEAL
Designed for use with popular models of single and dual-head, low-speed surface grinders, General Equipment Company’s Pro Polish floor polishing system efficiently produces high-quality polished surfaces without the need for expensive and complex equipment. Typical applications include concrete, marble and any other surface that can be polished. The Pro Polish system utilizes a series of seven 10-inch diameter diamond-polishing pads. These pads are easily secured to the appropriate surface grinder using Velcro. The chemistry of the diamond pads is specially formulated to operate at the lower rotational speeds commonly found in surface grinding equipment, including General Equipment’s SG12 and SG24 Series surface grinders. Polishing pads range in composition from 50 to 3,000 grit and are color-coded to simplify the progression from one pad to the next. Users need only to follow the pad color sequence until the desired results are obtained. Hardeners can be combined with pads, usually 400 grit and higher, to help intensify the brilliance of the floor shine. The simplicity of the Pro Polish system makes it well suited for anyone from a seasoned contractor to do-it-yourself homeowner. When properly used to maximize service life, the system will polish up to 15,000 square feet of concrete.
For more information, contact General Equipment Co., 620 Alexander Drive S.W., Owatonna, MN 55060; call 507-451-5510 or 800-533-0524; fax 507-451-5511 or 877-3444375(DIGGER5); or visit the website at www.generalequip.com. “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
Mar 40-48_Mar-2010 2/17/10 12:29 PM Page 41
Fypon® Enhances Shutter Offerings Builders and remodelers now have more options than ever before for adding lowmaintenance, long-lasting decorative shutters to homes. Fypon recently tripled its durable urethane shutter offerings and added a new category of shutter accessories that allows installers to customize their projects with quarter round, elliptical and transom accent pieces. The comprehensive line of Fypon shutters comes in both smooth white and woodgrain sets. The solid shutters will not bow or fade over time and are very resilient. All Fypon shutters can be painted any color or stained, and will not chip or peal, since Fypon materials cannot absorb water. Raised double panel and raised triple panel shutters have been added to the white shutter line options which also include louvered shutters and louvered shutters with center rails. New louvered quarter round, solid quarter round and raised panel (in elliptical, quarter round and transom styles) accessory options are now available to extend the height and decorative appeal of vertical shutters. New two, three and four-panel arch top board shutters are available in the woodgrain product line along with new three and fiveboard shutters. The realistic cedar woodgrain texture in these shutters complements the southwest style popular in homes from Texas to California. Fypcon shutters are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The urethane shutters do not bow over time like some polypropylene shutters and are simple to install. With the expansion of the shutter product line, Fypon now offers 123 different sizes of their insect-resistant, all-weather urethane shutters and accessories. An additional 18 raised panel solid white window panels are also available that can be installed vertically for use as shutters. All Fypon shutters are sold in sets, are easy-to-install on the jobsite and provide long-term value to a home with minimal maintenance. For additional information, call 1-800-4463040 or visit the company’s website www.fypon.com.
HCSS Launches Equipment360 Equipment Maintenance Software Program The new Equipment360™ Equipment Maintenance Software program from HCSS enables construction companies to manage their entire maintenance operation, thus lowering costs and increasing utilization of each piece of equipment. Equipment360 tracks equipment Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
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YOUR DIRT IS OUR OBSESSION
GEOTECHNICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
All of us at G2 share a single-minded obsession with unearthing every obstacle and opportunity on your site – from topsoil to bedrock. So leave the dirty work to us. It’s what we live for. Troy, MI: 248.680.0400 Brighton, MI: 810.224.4330 Chicago, IL: 847.353.8740 www.g2consultinggroup.com
UNEARTHING POSSIBILITIES CAM MAGAZINE
MARCH 2010
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE schedules for trucks, maintenance bulldozers, scrapers and other company equipment. That helps the company perform timely maintenance that reduces downtime, lowers fuel consumption, avoids costly jobsite repairs and enhances equipment resale value. Performance metrics in Equipment360 identify unreliable equipment that should be sold. The product provides an itemized cost history for each piece of equipment and a work order management system that provides a framework for capturing labor and parts costs. It stores that information in an easy-to-find format. Mechanics enter their time directly into the system, thus avoiding errors and double entry; mechanic timecards can be reviewed and approved before they’re exported electronically to the company’s accounting system, thus saving time and money. Equipment360 is covered by the HCSS money-back guarantee that applies to all of its software products. The guarantee has one simple condition: the customer must take the recommended amount of training. If the customer decides to return the product for any reason within 12 months after the purchase and subsequent training, the cost of the software will be refunded in full. The training cost is non-refundable. For information about Equipment360, contact HCSS at www.hcss.com, info@hcss.com, or 800-683-3196.
Ergonomic Spray Can Handle
Micropiles, MDOT Riverside Drive - Battle Creek, MI
MICROPILES ANCHORS GROUTING AUGERCAST PILES SOIL NAIL WALLS Dan Thome, District Manager Midwest District 4124 Douglas Avenue - Kalamazoo, MI 49004 Phone: 269-353-8421 Fax: 269-353-8435 www.nicholsonconstruction.com
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SOIL MIXING DIAPHRAGM WALLS VIBRO TECHNOLOGIES
CAN-GUN®1 is a patented new pistol grip spray can tool that easily snaps on to standard aerosol spray cans transforming them into professional-style spray guns with unprecedented control, for hours of effortless, pain-free spraying. CAN-GUN1’s exclusive FullGrip™ trigger effectively eliminates finger fatigue and numbness, wrist & forearm strain, hand cramping and the chemical contact normally associated with spray cans during the application of paints, coatings, adhesives, lubricants, cleaners, and more. Made in the USA from 80% recycled plastic, the reusable CAN-GUN®1 features five customizable logo areas. CAN-GUN®1 may also be private labeled and/or cobranded as well as custom colored to suit a company's specific marketing needs. Its onesize-fits-all FutureLock™ attachment ring is guaranteed to fit 100% of all standard spray cans. For technical specifications and other information, visit CANGUN1.com http://cangun1.com/ or call SafeWorld at 1-541-512-2500. “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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PEOPLE
IN
CONSTRUCTION
O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates, Inc. (OCBA) has announced that after more than 50 years of practice as a landscape architect, Robert L. O’Boyle retired at the end O’Boyle of 2009. O’Boyle was instrumental in the development of many well-known projects throughout Michigan. His contributions to the landscape architecture profession earned him election as Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1983. OCBA was founded by O’Boyle 1964, and continues to provide landscape architecture, urban design, waterfront planning, land planning, and site design services from its offices in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Phil Rudolph Jr., Rudolph/Libbe Companies vice president of business development, has been appointed to serve on Toledo Mayor-Elect Michael Bell’s full transition team, which will offer suggestions and strategies for implementing the mayor-elect’s platform. Rudolph’s background includes more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and economic development in the Toledo area. G2 Consulting Group, a Troy-based fullservice geotechnical, environmental and construction services engineering firm, recently hired Ken Schaub and Alan Scott as staff engineers in G2’s construction engineering services groups. An environmental attorney for more than 20 years, Saulius K. Mikalonis recently joined Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest law firms, as a senior environmental and energy law attorney in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office.
The SE Michigan Chapter of the Facility Management International Association is pleased to announce its Officers and Board of Directors for 2010: President: Margaret St. Andre, MCR, RPA Senior Manager - Auto Club Group – Real Estate Services; Past President: Jason Wells, Vice President Computerized Facility Integration (CFI); Vice President: Vicky Lorkowski, CFM, LEED AP Project Manager CB Richard Ellis; Treasurer: Paul Gagel, Construction Manager, Real Estate Management, Charter One Bank; Secretary: Bill Orlowski, CFM; Membership Chair: Chris Mancus, RD Weis Company; Professional Affairs Co-Chairs: Robert Beuter, Global Manager, HAYWORTH, Inc. & Angelo Torcolacci, AIA, Senior Project Manager, NSAArchitects, Engineers, Planners; Awards, By-Laws, Government Affairs, Communications Chair: Henry Werner, PE, LEED AP, CFM Program Manager Walbridge Facility Management; Education & Professional Development Chair: Terry White, Facility Manager, Fanuc Robotics, North America, Inc.; Public Relations Chair: Cheryl Carey, Sales Manager DocuStore Archives; Website Coordinator: Kim Ross, Facilities Coordinator, Mitsubishi Motors; Programs Chair: Daniel Hayes, Business Developer, Computerized Facility Integrations (CFI). Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI), an international construction consulting firm, announced that Donald J. Webb, PE has joined its Troy office as managing consultant. Webb Webb brings many years of experience in the Metro Detroit construction market to NCI and will be working with construction profes-
sionals on project planning, monitoring and disputes. Kraemer Design Group (KDG), Detroit, is proud to announce that in 2009 Ashley Latinen, interior designer, earned her (NCIDQ) Certificate. More than 25,000 individuals Latinen around the world have earned the prestigious National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Certificate, the Mark of a Professional® for interior designers. Jason Smith, AICP, a community planner and community development professional in Wade Trim’s Detroit office, recently earned his American Institute of Smith Certified Planners certification by passing the Comprehensive Planning Examination and completing more than four years of planning work experience. Midlink Business Park, Kalamazoo, welcomes Robert D. Britigan III, CPM of Signature Associates, as vice president of operations. In this role, Britigan will serve as the primary operations manager for the 340-acre business park which includes 1.6 million square feet of industrial space. Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. Engineers ● Scientists ● Architects ● Constructors, is pleased to announce that Cynthia C. Irving, PE, Brianne N. Rootes, PE, LEED AP,Andrew T. Peters, PE; and Brian Phillips, PE, LEED AP have all received their Professional Engineer licenses in Michigan.
Mikalonis
Jerry Brand has been named vice president of Lansing-based Granger Construction Company, where he has served as senior project manager and project director for Brand numerous Michigan educational and correctional facility projects since joining the firm in 1989. Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
SPEAK UP! The Editors of CAM Magazine invite comments from our readers. Email us at editor@cam-online.com Or send your remarks to: CAM Magazine 43636 Woodward Ave. P.O. Box 3204 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204
www.cammagazineonline.com CAM MAGAZINE
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COR POR ATE C
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Stephen Auger + Associates Architects Inc. (SA+A), a leading mid-sized architectural firm in Oakland County, is pleased to announce and congratulate The Lake Orion United Methodist Church Community on the completion of their historic church expansion. The expansion includes a new 2- story, 14,000square-foot Educational Wing and Fellowship Hall roof redesign and renovation. Ann Arbor architectural firm Hobbs+Black, was recently published by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health in their annual Academy Journal, Vokume 12, October 2009. The article, A Shared Vision: Patients, Providers and Economics Beyond Evidence Based Design, looks at “collaborative approach” healthcare methods used by the founding fathers of the Mayo Clinic and Henry Ford Health System and how they should be applied today. The content specifically examines the design and construction process of Clarkston Medical Center, a comprehensive medical building that serves the Clarkston community. Also, Hobbs + Black has been selected by Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC) to design a proposed expansion to the MMCC Doan Center. Recognizing the growing need for skilled healthcare professionals, MMCC opened the original Herbert D. Doan Center for Science and Health Technologies in the spring of 2008.
In addition to selling certain assets of Wolverine Tractor & Equipment Company, Volvo CE has appointed Alta as its authorized dealer in the State of Michigan, effective January 1st, 2010. Alta’s impressive service and distribution capabilities will ensure that customers continue to receive high standards of product support and service while presenting considerable opportunities for Volvo CE North America to strengthen its overall position in Michigan. Gould Engineering, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of a branch office within the City of Flint where Gould was established in 1916 and maintained its offices relocating to Grand Blanc Township in 1967. The firm will be leasing space in the historic Stockton Center. This building is next to the Spring Grove Restoration project in the Grand Traverse District Neighborhood, which was historically part of the Eleven Sections along the Grand Traverse of the Flint River Indian Reservation. Waste Management of Michigan, operator of Eagle Valley landfill in Orion, is celebrating the commissioning of a new landfill gas-to-liquefied natural gas (LFG-to-LNG) facility at the company’s Altamont Landfill near Livermore, CA. The facility, built in a partnership with Linde North America, is now producing renewable fuel for several of Waste Management’s fleet of LNG collection vehicles, reducing emissions and
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“Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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providing a new way to recover the value of landfill gas. Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corporation was recently recognized with the “Vendor of the Year” award from the Bath & Kitchen Buying Group (BKBG) at its annual conference in Dallas, TX. Hilti’s newly renovated Hilti Online website features a fresh, user-friendly design, bringing modern, faster, and easier online shopping to construction professionals. Following nearly two years of development, with input from 20,000 customers worldwide, the new Hilti Online went live for the Hilti U.S. (www.us.hilti.com) and Canada (www.ca.hilti.com) markets in December 2009. Hilti Fastening Systems, Inc. is locally based in Livonia, Flint, and Grand Rapids. Contracting Resources, Inc., a Brighton-based design-build and construction services company, is
W E L C O M E
providing general contracting services for the Botsford Hospital Cafeteria Renovations project. The 5,475-squarefoot renovations involve the existing kitchen serving area and adjacent dining space. The project is scheduled for completion in March 2010. The project architect is Stucky + Vitale, Royal Oak. Rochester Hills civil engineering and firm Giffels-Webster surveying Engineers, has announced that it has won a contract to serve as Washington Township’s engineering consultant. In this relationship, Giffels-Webster Engineers will provide municipal engineering services such as review of site plans and engineering documents for private developments; inspection of private construction projects; master planning for utilities, roads, pathways and flood plains; design, administration and inspection of all capital improvement projects such as trunk-line water mains and sanitary sewers; and strategic counsel at board and planning commission meetings.
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BETH SINGER PHOTOGRAPHER, INC., FRANKLIN
M E M B E R S
J & R TOOL, INC., AUBURN J K TRANSPORT, INC., HOWELL
COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING TECHNOLOGIES LLC, WATERFORD
METRO FABRICATING, BAY CITY
CONCRETE SERVICES/BLACKTOP SERVICES, INC., BIRMINGHAM
MICHIGAN SWITCHGEAR SERVICES, INC., AUBURN
CYBERTECH, INC., PLYMOUTH
MSC BLINDS & SHADES, BRONSON
DMC CONSULTANTS, INC., DBA DMC CONSTRUCTION, INC., DETROIT
SOLE' CONSTRUCTION, INC., WESTLAND
ENRIGHT CONSTRUCTION, TROY FINANCIAL PARTNERS, COMMERCE TWP. FOCO INCORPORATED, BAY CITY HUBBARD SUPPLY CO., FLINT
TIMELESS COATINGS DBA RHINO SHIELD OF MI., BRIGHTON VANGUARD FIRE & SUPPLY CO., INC., GRAND RAPIDS WATERTRAP, INC., SOUTH LYON WIRT STONE DOCK, BAY CITY
IMPERIAL LANDSCAPING, INC., LIVONIA ISCO INDUSTRIES, MACOMB Visit us online at www.cammagazineonline.com
CAM MAGAZINE
MARCH 2010
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CONSTRUCTION
Mar
CALENDAR
CONSTRUCTION CALENDAR
Please submit all calendar items no less than six weeks prior to the event to: Calendar Editor, CAM Magazine, P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204.
Mar. 10-Sep. 16 – ASCC Events – The American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) has announced the following events: Mar.10-11 – ASCC Regional Meeting – Embassy Suites – North, Columbus, OH Jul. 29-Aug. 1 – ASCC CEO Forum – Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Ojai, CA Sep. 16-19 – ASCC Annual Conference – Little America, Salt Lake City, UT More information is available by calling 866-788ASCC (2722) or at www.ascconline.org. Mar. 11-May 13 – The Metal Initiative (TMI) Webinars TMI is sponsoring three complimentary informational webinars during the months of March, April and May: Mar. 11 – Metal Roofs and Walls: From (A)luminum to (Z)inc Apr. 15 – Retrofit Roofs and Walls May 13 – Building Green For more information, or to sign up for a webinar, please call 847-375-4718, or visit www.themetalinitiative.com. Mar. 15-18 – Annual International Sheet Metal Competition – More than 325 sheet metal apprentices and their families will come to Las Vegas, NV for this event, hosted by the International Training Institute (ITI), which allows sheet metal apprentices from throughout the United States and Canada to demonstrate their skills. Competitors will compete in five sheet metal disciplines including HVAC, industrial/ welding, service, architectural and TAB. For more information, please visit us at www.sheetmetal-iti.org or call 703-739-7200. Mar. 30 – SMACNA Chicago Trade Show – The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) of Chicago will hold its 2010 trade show at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. For more information on SMACNA Chicago or
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Ace Cutting Equipment & Supply ................24 Aluminum Supply Company /Marshall Sales..................................................6 Aoun & Company, P.C. ......................................32 Bennett Holland & Associates ......................24 CAM Administrative Services ..........................3 CAM Affinity Programs ..................................IBC
Industry Events Mar. 3 – ESD Alternative Energy Conference – The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) Alternative Energy Conference is an all-day conference at the Doubletree Dearborn Hotel. It will bring together policy makers, business leaders and entrepreneurs who will focus on ways to achieve palpable results in this emerging field. For more information or to register, visit www.esd.org.
ADVERTISERS INDEX
the 2010 Trade Show, call 708-544-7007. Apr. 5-8 – INSTALL Leadership Conference – INSTALL will host a floor covering leadership conference at the Carpenters International Training Center (CITC) in Las Vegas, NV. Contractors, partnering mills and manufacturers will join INSTALL representatives and local leaders at the event, which will include six educational workshops and guest speakers who will address issues crucial to the flooring industry. For more information, contact John McGrath at 215-582-4108 or INSTALL@carpenters.org. Apr. 28-30 – SMPS Hartland Regional Conference – SMPS chapters from a total of seven states will meet in Indianapolis, IN, for this event hosted by the SMPS Indiana Chapter. Once there, they will join with a stellar collection of clients, national speakers and peers for a three-day excursion filled with skills development, market awareness and networking events. Educational programs will focus on client relationships, communication and leadership skills, and differentiation planning. For more information, please visit http://www.smpsheartland.org.
CAM ECPN ............................................................39 CAM Magazine Online ....................................44 CAM Newsroom ................................................37 C.F.C.U. ..................................................................17 Cochrane Supply & Engineering ..................22 Connelly Crane Rental Corp. ..........................31 Curran Crane, J J ................................................29 Deppmann, R.L. ..................................................27 Detroit Terrazzo Contractors Association ......................................................19 Doeren Mayhew ................................................42 Efficiency Production ......................................33 Facca Richter & Pregler, R.C. ..........................41 G2 Consulting Group........................................41 Gwyer Reprographics ......................................32 Hartland Insurance Group, Inc.......................38 Hilti, Inc. ................................................................20 Kem-Tec Professional Engineers and Surveyors ............................23
Training Calendar
Limbach................................................................BC
CAMTEC, the training & education center of the Construction Association of Michigan, has announced its 2010 class schedule. To register, obtain a class listing, or for more class information, please visit www.cam-online.com. Date Class Mar. 2 – AIA Contracts Mar. 2 – AIA Contracts + Contracts and Subcontracts Mar. 2 – Construction Contracts and Subcontracts Mar. 9 – Techniques for Delayed Projects Mar. 10 – Construction Industry Technician (C.I.T.) Mar. 10 – First Aid, CPR, AED Combined Mar. 11 – Excavations the Grave Danger Mar. 23 – Accounts Receivable Mgmt. and Collections Mar. 23 – Lien Law/Payment Bonds Mar. 24 – Estimating I/Basic Apr. 13 – Blueprint Reading II/Intermediate Apr. 14 – Construction Safety Workshop Apr. 27 – OSHA 10-Hr. Apr. 29 – Scheduling and Planning
MasonPro, Inc. ....................................................13 Merlyn Contractors ..........................................29 National Construction Rentals, Inc...............36 Navigant Consulting ........................................36 Nicholson Construction Company ..............42 North American Dismantling Corp. ..........IFC Oakland Companies ............................................9 Operating Engineers Local 324- JATF............5 Plante & Moran, PLLC........................................11 Plumbing Professors ........................................25 Plunkett Cooney ................................................12 Propane Services ..............................................23 Remer Plumbing ................................................21 SANI-VAC Services, Inc. ....................................31 SMRCA ..................................................................25 TEMP-AIR, Inc. ....................................................25 Trend Group ........................................................35 Valenti Trobec Chandler Inc. ............................7 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®
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More More tthan han 113,000 3,000 ccopies opies ooff tthis his ccomprehensive omprehensive cconstruction onstruction iindustry ndustry ddirectory irectory aare re ddistributed. istributed. M Marketing arketing oopportunity pportunity tthrough hrough special special classified classified ssection. ection. OOffered ffered oonline nline aand nd iinn pprint. rint.
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WE ARE THE SOLUTION
Pontiac, MI (248) 335-4181 www.limbachinc.com