Really slow news week but I look at it as the “calm before
the storm” because next few weeks promise to have a lot of interesting action.
So to fill the hole I am continuing with my blog interview series as this post
I catch up with a tremendous and classy businessman in Jeff Razwick of
TGP. The first of two parts is
below. Thank you all for the feedback
too- I have several more lined up and it’s a thrill to get to chat with so many
industry people that I respect and share their insights with everyone who reads
this.
Before the interview… some other items…
-- I did get the answers to my questions last week on the
“greenest office building” job. The
glass was manufactured by PPG, fabricated by Northwestern Industries (NWI) and
metal system was from Schuco. Goldfinch
Brothers installed it and Architectural Glass & Aluminum (AGA) did some of
the initial design assist. Great work
guys… and thank you to my sources that came through quick!!
-- I know other bloggers join me in complaining about gas
prices (today 4.29 in Detroit) but curious why no major media outlets cover
this? Big Oil own them too?
-- I did get picked on in both San Antonio and Miami for not
making a pick for the NBA Finals. The
reason? I have good friends in both cities and me making a pick and thus
jinxing a team would be very bad.
Now to the interview… I was thrilled to land this chance to
talk with Jeff Razwick. In my opinion,
he and his company boast some of the best qualities in our industry. In part 1 I hit him up on codes (the protective
variety) and BIM, while next week we talk architectural trends and industry
talent and recruitment.
Codes of all
varieties have been prominent in the industry news lately. I know you and your company follow along very
closely, especially on the protective side.
What is your take on how this latest cycle went and what if anything are
the codes missing out on?
Razwick: Overall, the
latest code cycle was positive. In recent years, much of the emphasis has been
on the importance of active fire protection devices like automatic sprinkler
systems. This caused the pendulum to swing away from passive fire protection.
We're finally starting to see the codes even out and address the importance of
both active and passive fire protection. Amendments to section 703.4 in the
2012 IBC underscore this point by prohibiting the use of sprinklers or
automatic suppression systems when testing for the fire-resistance of
construction materials.
One disappointing issue during the 2012/2013 code review was the
disapproval of proposal E121-12. That proposal sought to reverse the trade-off
that allows schools to have exit corridors with no fire rating when sprinklers
are in place. Despite the fact that school structure fires have significantly
higher numbers of injuries than other non-residential occupancies, and NFPA
data continue to report that sprinklers fail approximately 10 percent of the
time, the committee concluded that adding fire-rated exit corridors would lead
to a significant increase in cost without “sufficient justification.”
Considering our kids and the educational professionals in these facilities, it
is time to put aside code trade-offs and ensure schools are adequately
protected from fire.
A few years ago
BIM (Building Information Modeling) was all the rage. But it’s my perception (and probably wrong)
that BIM has hit some roadblocks and is not being utilized as much. What are you seeing and do you think it’s
going to ever be something that everyone will offer?
Razwick: There's still a
lot of interest in BIM, particularly for modeling and rendering. Completed
schematic designs and building models provide decision makers with a holistic
view of the desired building components, and a good idea of project
modifications.
One of the chief challenges with BIM is system adoption among all
project members. Since computer-aided design requires a fundamental shift in
technology and training, it's not realistic to assume BIM has been implemented
into the workplace of all project design and construction members. Without full
project integration, it's not possible to fully realize the quality, cost and
time-saving benefits of BIM across design and construction.
Companies will increasingly adopt BIM for its ability to make
construction more collaborative, innovative and efficient.
LINKS of the WEEK
Great story about a classic senior class prank done well and
with a good humored Principal.
If the goofy gas prices won’t depress you this story on
world economics will.
The housing growth is causing issues on finding
employees. This will be an issue
(actually already is) on the glazing side.
VIDEO of the WEEK
Jimmy Kimmel with a fun bit on asking fans how the Lakers
will do in the NBA Finals. The rub? Lakers lost in the playoffs a long time ago….
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