To meet the demand of a growing community and deliver state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment, the Mayo Clinic is doubling the size of its Phoenix area campus with a $648 million expansion. The multifaceted renovation and...
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in isolation, illness and even death for residents and staff at senior living communities, but it’s still a viable option. For a while, the age-in-place paradigm suggesting older adults are...
The Climate Pledge Arena, also known as the Seattle Center, is a 74-acre multipurpose entertainment complex originally developed for the 1962 World’s Fair and subsequently purchased by the city to serve as an entertainment...
There were cabinet installers and electricians working at the site of a major kitchen renovation project. The cabinet crew had their power miter saw set up on the deck outside the family room adjacent to the kitchen. Every...
Twentieth-century libraries were stereotypically silent, predictable caverns with bookcases, study desks and a librarian shushing patrons. That’s not the model for libraries today or tomorrow, whether they are community...
Jim Dollard has an extensive background in codes and standards. Send questions about the National Electrical Code (NEC) to Jim at codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2020 NEC. Circus tent wiring—portable or temporary...
Many of you have had experiences working on old or even antique buildings. You uncover abandoned lines, knob-and-tube wiring, fuse boxes (maybe even with a penny replacing a fuse) and questionable splices. Your job may be...
“Common Electrical Problems in Commercial Buildings,” a report by San Luis Obispo, Calif., electrical contractor Electricraft Inc., details issues that can exist within older buildings and offers suggestions to consider when...
According to a report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Washington, D.C., based on a survey conducted by the organization, the demand from homeowners for remodeling work is increasing significantly. While...
By the age of 60, you’ve spent 54 years of your life inside buildings. Some of your fondest memories may be of great times outdoors. Nonetheless, researchers tell us that you’ve spent 90% of your life between four walls...
Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross, consecrated in 1875, is the oldest and largest church in New England and has hosted historic gatherings. In 1964, John F. Kennedy’s family members and dignitaries gathered there for a...
The renovation of three active Chicago Transit Authority subway stations showcases Aldridge Electric’s innovation in transportation infrastructure construction and demonstrates the types of one-of-a-kind solutions Aldridge...
During extraordinary times, some contractor teams take on extraordinary challenges. That’s what happened when Adams Electric Inc., Pueblo, Colo.; its subcontractors; and the entire team led by Mortenson Construction, Denver...
This year, the Salinas High School in Salinas, Calif., celebrated its 100th anniversary, and the bells in the school’s bell tower, which haven’t worked for the last 30 years, rung out to mark the occasion. “They had become...
“Make Do and mend” is the title of a British booklet published during World War II; it encouraged people to repair their clothing so the military could use the country’s fabric for uniforms. Making such an effort may sound...
Demolition and renovation work present unique hazards that, unfortunately, often are overlooked and result in job-related injuries and fatalities. These dangers can be controlled and eliminated with the appropriate planning...
In new construction, creating a smart building can be straightforward if planned correctly and collaboratively. But the path to make an older building smart isn’t always straight. Electrical contractors can succeed by reading...
Employing reconditioned electrical equipment instead of buying new has many advantages, though the rules around which kinds of products can be reconditioned are set to get stiffer. “The concept of refurbishing...
When contractors receive calls to bid on renovation work during busy times, they can choose to do one of two things: bid the project extremely high or decline the request. Many contractors seem to believe new construction...
It’s no secret that lighting and electrical technology changes faster than the flip of a switch. New building construction incorporates this new technology, but existing buildings miss out. A new report released in April by...
