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Owners Beware: Building Modifications Can Void a Component’s Fire Rating

Owners Beware Building Modifications Can Void a Component’s Fire Rating

Building owners usually want to enhance and maintain their investments through modifications and renovations. While these can add value and functionality to a property, building alterations can compromise the fire resistance of fire-rated assemblies.

Drilling walls, adding new electrical systems, or replacing fire-rated doors with non-rated ones may disrupt the property’s fire protection system. It can also impact the building’s overall safety and code compliance. Residential and commercial property owners must exercise caution when planning any improvements.

Fire ratings are a standardized way to measure the performance of different building elements in the event of a fire. It determines how long a building component can resist heat and smoke while maintaining its structural integrity. Fire-rated assemblies create compartmentalization in a structure, which lessens the risk of spreading fire and allows safe passage for occupants to escape.

The ratings are assigned to fire-proof walls, doors, ceilings, and windows after controlled laboratory tests and certification processes. The test exposes the components to standardized fire conditions to assess how they endure under fire exposure. Installation and maintenance of fire-rated components must follow factory guidelines. 

Breaching a fire-rated ceiling to install fire alarm cables is one of the modifications that can affect the fire rating of building components. While installing fire alarm cables can be an excellent addition to a structure’s fire protection system, improper alteration to the carefully planned fire-proof assembly can compromise the building’s fire protection. 

Openings created in fire-rated walls or ceilings without repair and sealing are another building modification that can void the component’s fire rating. Replacing fire-rated ceilings with non-fire-rated suspended ceiling tiles can also lead to inadequate compartments and allow the spread of smoke and fire through the roof space.

Owners can hire a commercial building engineer NJ to prioritize fire stopping on modifications or alterations involving structural penetrations. Building owners can also leverage the expertise and knowledge of a commercial building inspector NJ to identify the locations of fire-rated components in a building and avoid improper modifications in these areas. Their involvement in planning can help maintain the building’s safety and integrity.

To learn more about how building modifications can void a fire component’s fire rating, here is an infographic by Lockatong Engineering.

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Construction

5 Benefits of Modular Housing (Location – New South Wales)

The modular residence is a fast, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to build new homes. It offers the benefits of traditional building methods but without the associated time delays, costs and disruption. This article will discuss some of the main benefits of modular housing (Location – New South Wales).

Here is the list for you:

Faster building time:

Modular homes are built in a factory and transported to your site. It means that they can be constructed much faster than conventional building methods, which is a major advantage for many people.

The modular housing industry has been working hard to reduce the time it takes to build these houses and some companies have managed to get their modular houses built in as little as six weeks! It is great news if you’re looking for an affordable option that still offers high-quality standards of construction and finishings.

The reduced construction period also means there will be less disruption on site while your home is being built, which means less noise pollution for neighbours living nearby.

Reduce construction cost:

Modular housing is a great way to reduce the cost of building. It is because modular houses are built in factories, which means they are constructed using efficient machinery and equipment.

Modular home has been proven to be a more cost-effective method of building than traditional methods because it reduces onsite waste and improves efficiency throughout each step in the process. For example, the design process for modular homes is streamlined and efficient, which means you get a better bang for your buck.

End-to-end quality control:

End-to-end quality control is an important part of the process. Quality control can be built into the design process, delivery process, construction process, and more.

Modular home has been proven to be a more cost-effective method of building than traditional methods because it reduces onsite waste and improves efficiency throughout each step in the process.

Flexibility to design, construct and deliver your project at a fixed price:

When you buy a modular home, you can design and construct your own home to suit your needs. Modular homes are custom-made to fit into any location with ease, meaning you have the freedom to choose where you want your new home built.

You can also decide how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and other features will be included in your modular house before construction begins. It gives homeowners peace of mind that they’re getting exactly what they want from their modular dwelling, without having to worry about paying extra for extra rooms or amenities later on.

Once built by our team of skilled craftsmen at our factory in New South Wales, we’ll deliver each unit directly to its new location ready for immediate occupation by its proud owner!

Increased personal comfort:

Modular housing is designed to improve your quality of life. It’s quieter, better for air quality and temperature control, and gives you access to daylight.

Modular homes have reduced noise due to the use of sound-deadening materials in construction. It helps make your home more enjoyable as well as reduces stress-related health problems like sleeplessness or headaches caused by excessive noise levels outside your home (e.g., traffic).

The modular housing industry has adopted standards that ensure minimal dust during construction so you won’t have to worry about dust accumulation on surfaces such as windowsills or tabletops–or even inside drawers!

Modular buildings are also designed with air filtration systems that keep out airborne particles that could cause allergies or asthma attacks in residents with these conditions (and anyone else who suffers from poor indoor air quality).

Conclusion

Modular housing (Location – New South Wales) offers so much more than just faster build times. By building a modular home, you can save time and money while ensuring your new home is built to the highest quality. You’ll also benefit from increased personal comfort and better health with less stress on the environment. If you are considering building a new house then we encourage you to contact a professional today!

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Construction

Top 6 Reasons To Use Fall Protection Harnesses

Fall safety harnesses are the best way to ensure that your employees stay safe. They are designed to prevent workers from falling off high places and getting injured. They come in many different styles, colours, and designs so that you can find one that suits your needs. This blog post will cover seven of the best reasons to use fall protection harnesses.

Here are seven reasons why you should use fall protection harnesses:

It can minimize injuries:

It can minimize injuries by acting as a shock absorber during a fall, which means that you will be less likely to suffer from severe injuries like broken bones or head trauma. It is especially important if you’re working at heights or in areas where there are dangerous materials on the ground below, such as rocks or debris that could cause serious damage if you fell on them and landed poorly.

It also helps to prevent injuries by allowing workers who need extra support when working at heights to go about their jobs safely and easily.

They’re required by law:

In many countries, including the United States and Canada, ladders are required by law. It means that if you’re working in a construction environment or doing any type of work that requires using a ladder, you’ll need to make sure that it is properly inspected before you use it.

They can make your employees more productive:

Fall protection harnesses are designed to be more comfortable for your employees, which means that they can work longer and harder without feeling as if they’ve been in a car crash. They’re also easier to put on and take off than traditional fall arrest systems, so you’ll see fewer instances of workers changing out their equipment or not using it at all because it’s too much hassle.

In addition, when you provide your employees with the best fall protection harnesses on the market (like ours), they’ll feel safer while performing their jobs—and that can lead to better results overall!

They’re easier to inspect and maintain:

When it comes to fall safety harnesses, one of the most important factors is the ease of inspection. Not only does it make it easier for you and your workers to spot any wear and tear so that you can replace them before a serious accident occurs, but it also allows you to inspect each component for damage. It helps prevent dangerous situations from happening in the first place!

When it comes down to it, three key areas need constant maintenance:

  • The harness itself; including straps, buckles, and other parts attached directly to the body
  • Moving parts such as retractors (the part that pulls back on automatic locking devices) or cam locks (which keep carabiners locked)
  • Lubrication points

They’re comfortable to wear:

Harnesses are designed to be as comfortable as possible, which is especially important if you’ll be wearing them for long periods. If you’re going on an excursion that will take a few hours or more, it’s crucial to find a harness that doesn’t rub against your skin or leave marks when you take it off.

A good fall suppression system also shouldn’t be too heavy—it should weigh no more than two pounds per person attached to it if possible (or less). Heavy gear will fatigue workers faster and make them less likely to use proper safety procedures on site because they’ll have trouble moving around freely due to fatigue from carrying extra weight around all day long!

Can be stored in a small space:

Fall protection harnesses are lightweight and compact, so they can be stored in a small space. It makes them easy to transport and store. It is great for people who work in construction and don’t have a lot of room to store their gear. If you’re working on a project that requires fall protection, you must have access to the right safety equipment!

Conclusion

In conclusion, fall protection harnesses are a great option for anyone who needs to wear a harness. They are lightweight, easy to store and transport, and can be worn for many hours at a time without causing fatigue. If you work in construction or have an industrial job that requires you to wear fall protection equipment, you must have access to the right safety gear!

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