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Mike Miller Rejoins Firm as Principal and BD Director for Technology and MEQ

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Mike Miller has rejoined the firm as a Principal/Business Development Director for Technology and Medical Equipment Planning. He will be responsible for strategically pursuing new clients for SSR’s technology and equipment planning service lines. […]

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Entering its 56th year of business focused on innovation, growth, and exceptional client interaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce its 2024/25 board of directors. The expertise of these internal and independent directors will support SSR in achieving its near-term goals and enriching the sustainability of the firm for years to come.  […]

SSR Announces 2023 Q4 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in November, December, and January: James Aker, GIS Specialist II, Nashville Jerrye Barriger, CEI Technician, Crestview William Bethea, Mechanical Engineer, Sarasota Kimberlee Boyd, Billing Specialist, Nashville Noel Bulanadi, […]

SSR Announces Board Changes

Jeff Tolnar Joins, Marty Dickens Retires from Board  Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Tolnar to the SSR Board of Directors as an independent director. His experience with Fortune 100 companies and multiple acquisitions will be an […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions and New Roles

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in design, consulting, and planning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: Heath Bennett, Senior Technology Consultant II, Houston Tanner Clark , Sustainability Consultant, Nashville Zak Davenport, Senior Plumbing Designer I, Houston Lauren Dean, […]

Greg Swafford Joins Firm as Principal in Dallas

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Greg Swafford has joined the firm as a Principal in the Dallas office. He will provide client and project leadership for a variety of sports & entertainment projects.  “We are excited to add Greg […]

Joren Dunnavant Joins Firm as Senior Transportation / Urban Planner

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Joren Dunnavant has joined the firm as a Senior Transportation / Urban Planner for the firm’s transportation group. He will be focused on guiding our strategic growth and successful project execution for urban and […]

Josh Kelly Joins Firm as Technology Operations Manager

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Josh Kelly, RCDD, has joined the firm as a Principal and Operations Manager for the firm’s technology group. He will be focused on guiding our strategic growth and successful project execution for our technology […]

SSR Announces 2023 Q3 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in August, September, and October: Omar Abdel, Commissioning EIT, Nashville Mohammad Ansari, Controls EIT II, Nashville Yaser Berem, Project Manager, Houston Christopher Barr, Project Manager II, Oakdale Donna […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions and New Roles

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: Eric Broome, CEI Regional Manager, Crestview Mark Haldeman, Client Relationship Manager II, Nashville Patrick Harrington, CEI Regional Manager, Nashville Steven Kleinschmidt, Plumbing […]

Alicia Dauw Joins Firm as Industrial Operations Director

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Alicia Dauw, PE, has joined the firm as a Principal and Operations Director for the firm’s industrial market. She will be focused on guiding our strategic growth and successful project execution for our industrial […]

SSR Announces CEO Transition

Susan Osterberg Ascends to CEO; Former CEO Steve Lane to Remain Board Chair Nashville, TN – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and consulting firm headquartered in Nashville, TN, has successfully transitioned Chief Executive Officers, effective today. Susan Osterberg, the firm’s former Chief Operating Officer, has assumed the role of CEO, replacing longstanding […]

SSR Promotes Three to Regional CEI Manager

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is excited to announce the promotions of Eric Broome, Patrick Harrington, and Nick Taylor to the role of Regional Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI) Manager within our Transportation business unit. In their new roles, Broome, Harrington, and Taylor will lead a group of experienced CEI technicians working on roadway projects […]

SSR Announces 2023 Q2 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in May, June, and July: Ellis Abbott, Building Enclosure EIT, Nashville Martin Benitez, Structural EIT, Memphis Smiley Brown, Electrical Engineer II, Charlotte Jody Byrd, Plumbing Senior Designer II, […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions and New Roles

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: April Blalock, Director of Operations Accounting, Nashville Austin Burgess, Industrial EIT II, Memphis Elliott Clay, Mechanical Senior Designer, Home Max Connor, Project […]

Kyle Cranston Promoted to Principal

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce Kyle Cranston, PE, HFDP has been promoted to Principal in the firm’s Houston office. He will continue to provide client and project leadership to the healthcare market. “Kyle’s strong mechanical engineering and project management skill […]

Welcome 2023 Summer Interns!

SSR believes in investing in the future generation of engineers. We are excited to announce our class of 2023 summer interns. During their time at SSR, they will expand their knowledge, build relationships, and have the opportunity to contribute to some great projects! Raymond Baker, Nashville, IT Intern, University of Southern Mississippi Kyle Beishir, Houston, […]

SSR Announces 2023 Q1 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in February, March, and April: Donald Birmingham, Senior Construction Administration, Dallas Brian Boles, CEI Technician, Nashville Juwan Buckner, Plumbing EIT, Atlanta Adam Butauski, Electrical Senior Designer, Cleveland Christopher […]

SSR ANNOUNCES RECENT PROMOTIONS AND NEW ROLES

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: Jeremy Aho, Technology DRM, Denver Amanda Ballenger, CADD Op/ Drafter I, Nashville Mike Burton, Senior Mechanical Engineer – Mechanical Technical Leader, Nashville […]

2023-2024 Board of Directors

Entering its 55th year of operations focused on innovation, growth, enhanced collaboration with industry partners, and exceptional customer interaction and satisfaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce its 2023/24 board of directors. The expertise of these internal and independent directors will support SSR in achieving its near-term goals and enriching the sustainability […]

Harry King to lead MEP Operations in Denver

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Harry King has joined the firm as a Principal and Operations Director in the firm’s Denver office. He will be focused on guiding our strategic growth and successful project execution for our clients in […]

SSR Announces Q4 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in November, December, and January: Martin Benitez, Structural EIT, Memphis Corey Birch, Project Manager, Houston Molly Cooke, Structural EIT, Nashville Joe Griffey, Technical Leader – Civil, Nashville Calvin […]

Joe Griffey Returns as Technical Leader for Civil/Water Team

In our 55th year of operations focused on innovation, growth, enhanced collaboration with industry partners, and exceptional customer interaction and satisfaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce that Joe Griffey, PE, has rejoined the firm as a Technical Leader for the Civil / Water team in Nashville. “We are excited to welcome […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions and New Roles

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: Amanda Ackerman, Mechanical EIT II, Houston Tyler Boone, Transportation Engineer II, Memphis Pam Borsos, Regional Business Development Manager, Houston Andy Brophy, Building […]

SSR Announces Q3 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in August, September, and October: Jacob Adcock, Mechanical Engineer, Texas Saif Alsaeed, Building Performance Engineer, Dallas Andrew Cheek, Retro Cx Project Manager, Austin Tanner Clark, Sustainability Analyst, Nashville […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions and New Roles

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: John Furr, Project Manager, Nashville Kaushik Gudimetla, BIM Support Specialist, Fort Worth Jeff Otto to Principal, Oakdale Konstantinos Stergiou to BIM Support […]

SSR Announces Q2 Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in May, June, and July: Amanda Ackerman, Mechanical EIT, Houston Yaser Basem, Project Manager, Houston Darrell Bryson, CEI Technician, Nashville Cody Choate, CEI Technician, Nashville Justin Covington, Medical […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions and New Roles

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted or are taking on new roles: April Buchholz, Plumbing CADD Drafter, Denver Tyler Ferguson, Project Manager, Nashville Kyle Gibson, Civil Engineer – Water / Wastewater, Nashville Debbie Gregory, […]

Dr. Debbie Gregory Promoted to Principal of Healthcare Innovation Consulting

In our 54th year of operations focused on innovation, growth, enhanced collaboration with industry partners, and exceptional customer interaction and satisfaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce that Dr. Debbie Gregory has been promoted to Principal with a focus on healthcare innovation consulting. With nearly 40 years as a nurse and an […]

Welcome Summer Interns!

SSR believes in investing in the future generation of engineers. We are excited to announce our class of 2022 summer  interns. During their time at SSR, they will expand their knowledge, build relationships, and have the opportunity to contribute to some great projects! William (Billy) Fredrick, Plumbing Intern, Nashville Alicia Grey, Electrical Intern, Houston Eli […]

John Hunt Expands SSR’s Offerings in Florida

In our 54th year of operations focused on innovation, growth, enhanced collaboration with industry partners, and exceptional customer interaction and satisfaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce that John Hunt has joined the firm as a Building Enclosure Regional Manager in the firm’s Tampa office. With 25 years leading building enclosure-related projects, […]

SSR Announces Q1 Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in February, March, and April: Justin Abramson, Plumbing Designer, Nashville Mike Borgelt, Building Enclosure Regional Manager, Denver Tom Boyce, Mechanical Senior Designer, Denver Robert Boyd, Medical Equipment Planner, […]

Mike Borgelt Expands SSR’s Offerings in Denver

In our 54th year of operations focused on innovation, growth, enhanced collaboration with industry partners, and exceptional customer interaction and satisfaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce that Michael “Mike” Borgelt has joined the firm as a Building Enclosure Regional Manager in the firm’s Denver office. With nearly 50 years leading all […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: Lindsay Bryant, Programs Operations Coordinator, Nashville Randall Dean, Commissioning EIT Supervisor, Nashville Patrick Hague, Mechanical Engineer, Nashville Kristen Haltom, Project Manager, Memphis Dan Horst, Commissioning Discipline Manager, Nashville […]

SSR’s 2022/2023 Board of Directors

Entering its 54th year of operations focused on innovation, growth, enhanced collaboration with industry partners, and exceptional customer interaction and satisfaction, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce its 2022/23 board of directors. The expertise of these internal and independent directors will support SSR in achieving its near-term goals and enriching the sustainability […]

Hannah Mey Joins SSR as Technology Principal

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Hannah Mey, RN, has joined the firm as a Principal. She will focus on developing relationships and opportunities with new clients, maintaining existing client relationships, and leading technology design projects for healthcare clients. Hannah […]

SSR Announces Q4 Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in November, December, and January: Karen Atilano, MEQ Project Coordinator, Houston Hyung Choi, Electrical Project Manager, Dallas Stephen Estep, Electrical Engineer, Atlanta David ‘Lee’ Fergus, CEI Technician, Nashville […]

SSR Offices Achieve WELL Health-Safety Rating

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that we have achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management on seven of our offices by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The prestigious distinction was awarded through IWBI’s WELL Building Standard […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: Michael Bedell, BIM Project Coordinator, Memphis Paolo Fonda, Principal, Nashville Brent Fowler, Principal, Nashville

The ITIC Curve for Power Quality

In the July November/December issue of ASHE’s Health Facilities Management, David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, writes about a reference created by the Information Technology Industry Council that can help prevent power quality issues in IT systems for hospitals.

Ensuring Facility Power Quality

In the November/December 2021 issue of ASHE’s Health Facilities Management, David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, writes about problems and solutions with ensuring power quality for today’s high-tech hospitals.

Adapting and Creating Healing Environments: Lessons Nurses Have Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic

In a recent article for Nurse Leader, Debbie Gregory, DNP, RN, and others discuss how nurse leaders influenced facility design decisions, quickly evaluated the outcomes, and rapidly adapted the environment based on their own observations, assessments, changing regulatory requirements, and the needs of patients, nurses, and the caring workforce. Nurses must validate their clinical voice […]

The Evolution of NFPA 110

In a recent article for Consulting Specifying Engineer, David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, outlines the evolution of NFPA 110 over the years in an effort to help electrical engineers understand the nuances. The article includes information on the evolution of major NFPA 110 changes over time, the major impacts to NFPA 110-2022 from the […]

SSR Announces Q3 Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in August, September, and October: Rami Al-Twal, Commissioning Project Manager, Dallas Joseph Carpenter, CEI Technician, Memphis Debbie Costanza, Senior Medical Equipment Procurement Manager, Home Based Lauren Cresap, Plumbing […]

How to use UVGI to mitigate airborne pathogens

Concerns about safety within the workplace have arisen because of the coronavirus outbreak. Questions such as “What methods can owners take to keep a workplace safe?” and “Can heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems help reduce or eliminate the airborne spread of the virus throughout the building?” have been asked of the HVAC design industry. […]

SSR Announces New Discipline Resource Managers

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals have recently been promoted to Discipline Resource Manager / Principal. These positions will enable SSR’s MEP team to more efficiently optimize resources across geographic locations. Matt Clark, Plumbing, Nashville Mike Elliott, […]

How Cool are Cool Roofs?

Cool roofs are an integral part of high-performance buildings and mitigating urban heat islands and climate change. High-performance buildings are those that have significantly lower energy consumption when compared with buildings that meet minimum code requirements, create a comfortable environment for occupants and are cost effective to operate. Many factors can be attributed to higher […]

Diagnosing Persistent Leaks

As a building enclosure specialist with a background in roofing, I often am called to investigate persistent leak issues that end up having less to do with the roof than the rest of the building envelope. Although roofing contractors usually are the first to be blamed for leaks, roofing contractors aren’t always able to properly […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: Richard Chappell, Principal, Nashville Taylor Craft, CADD Operator/ Drafter, Nashville Tyler Ferguson, Electrical Engineer, Nashville Paul Gammons, Senior Project Manager, Sarasota Patrik Harden, Electrical Engineer, Houston Liz Henson, […]

Engineering with Automated Fault Detection and Diagnostics

Large commercial buildings are equipped with dozens of air handling units and hundreds of terminal boxes that maintain acceptable indoor air quality and occupant thermal comfort. Building operators are typically buried in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system data, and mostly react to occupant complaints, equipment/component failure or various levels of building automation system alarms. Automated fault detection and diagnostics, or AFDD, serves as a promising […]

SSR Announces Board Changes

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) is pleased to announce changes to its Board of Directors. CEO and President Steve Lane, PE, BCEE, FACEC, was elected Chair of the Board upon the retirement of Rob Barrick, PE, LEED AP, CEM, GBE, who has been elected to the honorary role of Chair Emeritus. In addition, David Gaboury, […]

Mike Darden Brings MEQ Leadership to Texas

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Mike Darden has joined the firm as a Principal in the firm’s Houston office. He will serve as the Operations Director for the firm’s growing Medical Equipment Planning (MEQ) service line. “I am excited […]

Power, Electrical Equipment for Hospitals

When designing backup, standby, and emergency power systems for hospitals, there are several considerations beyond NFPA 70: National Electrical Code and other building code requirements that must be addressed. Engineers need to be mindful of the construction process, and ensure equipment replacement is coordinated, temporary power strategies are identified, and phasing concepts are developed. This […]

Backup, Standby and Emergency Power for Hospitals

When designing backup, standby and emergency power systems for hospitals, there are several considerations beyond NFPA 70: National Electrical Code and other building code requirements that must be addressed. Electrical engineers must understand the specific owner project requirements for the building’s power systems and ensure that the generator specification and system topologies meet all those […]

WELL Success Stories

In a recent article for Consulting-Specifying Engineer, Hannah Walter, PE, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP, details many of the drivers for the market shift to WELL building certification.

Designing Healthy Buildings with WELL

Now, more than ever, the industry and consumers are realizing that where we live and work has a significant impact on our health and wellness. But how does a building project know what to do to make their building “better”? The WELL Building Standard from the International WELL Building Institute was created to bridge that gap and guide teams to […]

Commissioning Emergency Power Systems

The commissioning of complex emergency power systems requires the commissioning provider (CxP) to possess technical knowledge of applicable regulations, standards and codes in addition to considerable real-world experience with emergency power systems and integrated systems testing. When discussing emergency power systems, it is important to understand a few key distinctions in equipment and system terms. […]

SSR Announces Q2 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in May, June, and July: Mohammad Abumuhaimid, Electrical Engineer, Houston Dani Ahern, Electrical EIT, Dallas Parker Alperin, Commissioning EIT, Nashville Palmer Bell, Technology Associate, Nashville Kwan Brown, Mechanical […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: Susan Osterberg, Chief Operations Officer, Nashville Mike Rogers, Nashville, Chief Growth Officer, Nashville Max Connor, Project Manager, Nashville Emma Gray, Mechanical Engineer, Denver Matthew Howsmon, Building Performance Engineer, […]

Welcome Summer Interns!

SSR believes in investing in the future generation of engineers. We are excited to announce our 2021 summer  interns. During their time at SSR, they will expand their knowledge and have the opportunity to contribute to some great projects! Austin Chaffin, Mechanical Intern, Nashville Taylor Craft, Electrical Drafter Intern, Nashville Matthew Grunzweig, Mechanical Intern, Nashville […]

How to Choose and Use Modeling Software

The scope and complexity of building design projects is broad, and there are many modeling software tools that a project team must choose from as they perform analysis and calculations, collaborate across disciplines and trades, produce construction documents and ultimately aid in the management of a building. However, it’s critical to define project team members’ […]

SSR Announces Q1 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in February, March, and April: Garrett Galyen, Electrical Engineer, Dallas Bryan Harvey, Industrial Construction Manager, Oakdale  Jacob Johnston, Electrical Engineer, Nashville Jason Perez, Senior Construction Administrator, Houston Jimmy […]

SSR Announces Change in Executive Leadership

Nashville based engineering and consulting firm Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) has announced changes to its executive leadership structure. CEO and President, Steve Lane, PE, BCEE, FACEC, announced that the SSR Board of Directors promoted Susan Osterberg to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Mike Rogers, PE, LEED AP, to Chief Growth Officer (CGO). Lane stated […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: Jim DeLand, Operations Manager, Dallas Karley Fant, Business Development Specialist, Sarasota Kristen Haltom, Structural Engineer, Memphis Linda Sadler, Operations Manager, Nashville Matt Short, Principal, Houston

SSR Announces 2021/2022 Board of Directors

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce the 2021/2022 SSR board of directors. “Our board includes four independent directors with diverse leadership backgrounds and experience as well as five of our senior leaders,” said Rob Barrick, Chairman. “We have found that independent […]

Underground Asset Management: It’s not 9 to 5, It’s 24/7

The City of Memphis Traffic Signal Maintenance (TSM) division has partnered with SSR to manage over 120 miles of traffic signal fiber optic infrastructure as required by the TN811 utility locate notification system. Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) created a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platform which serves as the backbone for maintaining the City’s fiber […]

Taking Virtual Technology Up a Notch

Jesse Felter, Commissioning Discipline Manager, and Cody Swayze, EI, Electrical, contributed to the CE&M article, “Taking Technology Up a Notch.” In today’s construction climate, electrical contractors and engineers must still wrap up projects on time and within budget — even in the midst of skilled labor shortages, material delays, and the global pandemic. To stay […]

SSR Announces Q4 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in November, December, and January. Beverly Estes, MEQ Project Coordinator, Dallas Erica Kerr, Project Manager, Denver Shola Mogaji, Medical Equipment Designer, Atlanta Wyatt Oberg, MEQ Project Coordinator, Houston […]

Effective COVID-19 Mitigation for HVAC Systems

With a flood of information about heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technologies to combat the spread of airborne viruses such as COVID-19, the consulting engineer might ask, “How do I select systems and equipment to best meet the owner’s requirements and specific project goals?” The following list of variables should be considered: Permanent vs temporary. […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: David Booth, Risk Manager, Nashville Jacob Swenson, PE, Commissioning Registered Engineer, Houston Matthew Lee, Industrial Project Manager, Memphis

Be the Change – 2020 Holiday Giving

During the holidays, our thoughts often turn to giving back to our clients and the communities where we live and work. This year, we have focused our efforts to give a helping hand where it’s needed most by supporting 10 non-profits that align with our core markets. Together, we will make a positive difference. “Now, […]

Pat Priest Joins Board as Independent Director

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pat Priest to the SSR Board of Directors. Her previous Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry exposure and Dallas-area connections will be an asset to SSR, in addition to the knowledge and experience she will […]

Communicating the Water Professional’s Value

Kate MacIndoe, PE, Civil Engineer- Water/Wastewater, contributed to the Journal AWWA article, “Communicating the Water Professional’s Value.” Finally, the day of the big event has arrived. After nearly a year of planning and preparing, the annual community outreach event is here. You grin with anticipation while looking over your simple water treatment coagulation experiment. You […]

SSR Announces Q3 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in August, September, and October. Dani Ahern, Electrical Intern, Dallas Joshua Bruce, Civil EIT, Johnson City Jeremy Dixon, Senior Controls Engineer, Memphis Andy Harlan, Cx Project Manager, Nashville […]

Will Telehealth Impact Facilities Work?

Telehealth is having a major impact on the delivery of health care. But in the long run, it could also have a major effect on health care facilities, too, by reducing patient traffic. “I think this would make an interesting conversation for facilities managers, because they’re focused on the nuts and bolts and having their […]

Application of VFDs to Multiple Pump Sizes in HVAC Systems

Jiajun Liao, PhD, CEM, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Retro Commissioning Project Manager, contributed to the ASHRAE technical paper, “Application of VFDs to Multiple Pump Sizes in HVAC Systems.” Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) have been widely applied to chilled-water pumps and heating hot-water pumps to meet variable loads in building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. […]

SSR Announces Recent Promotions

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals were recently promoted: Joe Freeman, Senior Project Manager, Memphis Leigh DeGroot, PE, LEED AP, Project Manager, Denver Christopher Maurice, BECxP, CxA+BE, BECx Project Manager, Nashville Katie Cox, Senior Operations Accounting Analyst, […]

Commissioning Guideline Sneak Peak: Building Enclosure

The ACG’s Building Commissioning Guidelines is being reimaged to present best practices to the industry. Now focused on insights and strategies from experienced professionals, the guidelines are designed to help providers complete commissioning in the real world — effectively and efficiently — while overcoming common challenges. The October issue of Consulting-Specifying Engineer featured a “sneak […]

Skip Powe Expands SSR’s Transportation Group to Alabama

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Skip Powe, PE, has joined the firm as a Principal. He will operate out of a presence office in Montgomery, AL. With over 28 years’ experience in construction, contract administration, and management for the […]

Bart Tate Expands SSR’s Offerings in Houston

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Bart Tate, RRO, has joined the firm as a Building Enclosure Regional Manager in the firm’s Houston office. With over 15 years leading all phases of building enclosure related projects, Tate will be a […]

Seth Spangler Grows SSR’s Presence in Atlanta

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Seth Spangler, PE, BEMP, LEED AP BD+C, has joined the firm as a Principal and senior Mechanical Engineer in the firm’s growing Atlanta office. With over 15 years leading mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology […]

Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Offers a Fresh Take on the Fan Experience

Home to the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, the former Quicken Loans Arena opened its 2019–20 season last autumn with a name change and new front door. After an extensive renovation by Gensler—which included bringing the 26-year-old venue to state-of-the-art standards as well as adding a glazed lobby—the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse today welcomes guests and passersby […]

SSR Announces Q2 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in May, June, and July: Dinora Adame, Plumbing EIT, Houston Erin Anders, MEQ Project Coordinator, Atlanta Sabrina Battle, Plumbing Senior Designer, Nashville Nick Clouser, Industrial Senior Construction Manager, […]

Methods for Facility Risk Assessment

In “A review of common hospital utility risks,” a recent article for Health Facilities Management, Dave Stymiest PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE FASHE, addressed how proactive assessment of hospital utilities can help to minimize risks and ensure safe and efficient operations. In a second article, he expanded on the importance of performing facility risks assessment for […]

A Review of Common Hospital Utility Risks

Health care facilities are served by numerous utility infrastructure systems and their related equipment. Among these are the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems; plumbing systems (including water, waste and piped gases); and the electrical systems (both normal power and the essential electrical system). This includes the building automation and control systems, information […]

Roger Perkins Joins SSR as Principal in Sarasota

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Roger Perkins has joined as a Principal in the firm’s Sarasota office. He will provide client and project leadership for a wide-range of project types and markets. “We are excited to welcome Roger to […]

SSR Joins International WELL Building Institute as Cornerstone Member

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce we are a Cornerstone member of the International WELL Building InstituteTM (IWBITM).  SSR joins like-minded companies who are leading the movement to advance human health in buildings and communities around the world. The intention of […]

SSR Expands MEQ Team into Texas

In late 2018, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, acquired an Atlanta-based medical equipment planning (MEQ) firm. The acquisition was to better serve the needs of our healthcare clients across the country. In the nearly two years since, and as a response to the demands […]

How to Apply NFPA 99 in the Design of Health Care Facilities

The design of a health care facility requires engineers to “place the public welfare above all other considerations,” as defined by the engineer’s creed. While this is equally important in the design of every project, health care facilities are unique in that patients and medical staff with a wide variety of age, health, and physical […]

Excelling, Leading, and Innovating

In addition to providing direct care to patients, nurses around the country are using their professional expertise to lead, support, and innovate around the response of healthcare systems and communities to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent article for American Nurse, Debbie Gregory, DNP, RN, discusses how she helped in the preparation to transform Nashville’s […]

Susan Kramer Joins SSR as Principal in Houston

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Susan Kramer, PE, LEED AP, has joined the firm as a Principal in the firm’s Houston office. She will provide client and project leadership for existing institutional initiatives. “We are extremely excited to have […]

Kevin Rettich Joins SSR as Director of Technical Leadership

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that Kevin Rettich, PE, LC, LEED AP, has joined the firm as the Director of Technical Leadership. He will be responsible for the overall people, structure, systems, and processes for technical effectiveness of the firms […]

SSR Announces Q1 New Hires

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce that the following individuals joined the firm in February, March, and April. While the past two months have forced all colleagues to work from home, these individuals have made an immediate impact on helping SSR […]

Seven Factors to Monitor in Power System Operations

A few decades ago, the health facilities professional’s main activity with regard to facility power systems was running the unloaded generator weekly or monthly, and then shutting it down to take some readings. Sometimes, facilities professionals also turned circuit breakers off to relocate or fix the equipment they powered. Now, they must consider designing for […]

Cleveland Clinic Health Education Campus Transitions to COVID Patient Surge Overflow Facility

In preparation for an anticipated surge in a COVID-driven patient population, Cleveland Clinic made the decision to convert the recently completed Health Education Campus into a 1,000-bed surge facility. Having served as Engineer of Record for the original project, SSR teamed with other design professionals and the contracting team to collaborate on identifying the best […]

Roof Inspections and Extended Performance Life

For most building occupants, the roof of their building is out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. They take for granted that a roof is serving its intended function — until it fails and a leak occurs. In a recent Facility Maintenance Decisions article, Mike Spach explains why a comprehensive inspection program can benefit departments, […]

Boilers and Water Heaters: Energy-Efficiency Strategies

Boilers and water heaters are complex systems to operate and can be just as complex to maintain. Because of the potentially high costs related to each of these functions, maintenance and engineering managers are under mounting pressure to ensure the efficiency of both the maintenance and the operation of these systems. In a recent Facility Maintenance […]

Vanderbilt University Delivers Successful HVAC Upgrades

Replacing a chiller or air handler with a more efficient unit is a complex process with many moving parts. But such projects are essential for institutional and commercial facilities looking to improve energy efficiency, control utility costs, and operate more sustainably. In a recent Facility Maintenance Decisions article, Casey Hester explores some of the challenges […]

Time for a Power System Reliability Check

Emergency equipment receives much attention, but normal power infrastructure requires scrutiny, too The reliability of a hospital’s normal power system depends upon many factors, including the system’s physical equipment and their arrangement, and facility professionals’ knowledge, training and informational tools. In hospital and other health care facility electrical power systems, much of the operational focus […]

SSR Acquires Medical Equipment Planning Firm SHR

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Strategic Hospital Resources (SHR), an Atlanta-based medical equipment planning firm. SSR will immediately combine operations with SHR, a global FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) planning and clinical consulting firm incorporated in the […]

Roof Inspections: 3 Key Questions

In the November/December issue of Facility Maintenance Decisions, Mike Spach, RRC, RRO, CITL 1, overview how a comprehensive roof inspection program can help building managers hold down repair costs and extend long-term performance.

SSR’s Commitment to Making a Difference

In 2018, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. is celebrating the firm’s 50th anniversary, focusing on making a difference to their clients, colleagues, and communities. As part of this commitment, SSR focused on improving the communities we serve throughout the year with two programs — Day of Making a Difference and Granting Change. On August 17 and […]

How Accreditation Groups Address AEM Requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-issued Survey & Certification (S&C) Letter S&C:14-07-Hospital (titled “Hospital Equipment Maintenance Requirements”) dated Dec. 12, 2013, includes requirements and state agency survey guidelines. Most of the accrediting organizations copy the CMS S&C letter AEM inclusion-risk assessments verbatim within their physical environment standards. These requirements appear to apply only […]

Hospital’s Journey to LEED Gold Guided by Integrated Project Delivery

Projects like the 208,700 SF Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Olive Branch (Miss.) Hospital sometimes receive their most attention when the ribbon is cut. The anticipated LEED Gold for Healthcare certification, the exceptional attention to sustainability, and the use of integrated project delivery (IPD) to meet a strict budget and construction timeline are all aspects that […]

How to think like a Compliance Surveyor

What do compliance surveyors see during a building tour? Pretty much everything. Surveyors who review physical environments are sophisticated in spotting existing problem areas within health care facilities both because they know where to look and because their “fresh eyes” have never seen those areas before. While many health care facility professionals maintain eagle-eyed surveillance […]

Plumbing Renovations That Enhance Performance

Renovations and retrofits of restrooms and plumbing systems present maintenance and engineering managers with a set of difficult challenges. These areas of institutional and commercial facilities must use water efficiently, operate reliably, avoid hygiene concerns and generally provide a positive user experience. To help organizations achieve these goals, maintenance and engineering managers need to understand […]

More Than Just an Enormous Exhibit Floor

In the Winter 2017 issue of Streamlines magazine, SSR colleague Lindsay Bryant details her experience at the WEFTEC 2017 conference which was held in Alexandria, VA. Bryant details her involvement in  community service projects, experiences in technical sessions and committee members, and networking on the exhibit floor. See pages 20-21 for the full article.

Six Steps for Planning Low-Voltage Systems

With advanced technology being utilized in every corner of the hospital, early planning and end-user input continues to gain importance with regard to its integration during construction. Due to its complexity and the interdependence of dozens of systems and components, technology integration requires a thoughtfully developed and carefully executed strategy.  Technology planning that is too late […]

Tennessee’s Volunteers Establish Emergency Water Treatment Plant in Under Three Weeks

The 2016 drought in Tennessee garnered most attention for its relevance to the catastrophic wildfires that destroyed parts of Gatlinburg and the Great Smokey Mountains in late November. Lesser known is the impact that the drought had on water systems in southeast Tennessee. Although subsequent rains wiped out the worst of the drought conditions, they […]

Hospital Hot Water

In the July issue of Plumbing Engineer, SSR senior plumbing designer Larry Rains, CPD, explains a new plumbing design nicknamed Jump Routing. Jump Routing allows the hot water to be routed from one fixture to the next with right angles, avoiding routing down corridors to match the cold-water standard installation. This technique allows for hot […]

Planning for Hospital Utility Failures and Recovery

Healthcare organizations are expected to provide safe and reliable health care to their patients. Planning appropriate response and recovery activities for a failure of the facility’s utility systems is essential to satisfy this expectation. These systems constitute the operational infrastructure that permits safe patient care to be performed. Some of the most important utilities include […]

Using Building Energy Modeling to Devise an HVAC Plan

Healthcare HVAC systems serve many functions and are highly regulated by agencies such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). These functions and requirements lead mechanical systems to being among the largest portions of most healthcare facilities’ construction budgets. Many facility owners are also looking for high-performance HVAC systems that keep energy cost and […]

SSR to Sponsor and Speak at this Year’s CxEnergy Conference

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. is proud to yet again be a Silver Sponsor of CxEnergy 2017 Conference & Expo, the premier event in building commissioning and energy management. This year’s event will take place April 24-27  in Orlando, FL. SSR’s Steve Harrell, CxA, along with Director Facilities Management East Region of BayCare Health System Tom Davis, […]

How to Apply NFPA 110-2016

Consulting engineers who specify emergency power equipment understand that installations for mission critical facilities, such as hospitals and data centers, are required to comply with NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems in conjunction with NFPA 70: National Electrical Codes. The article by Tom Divine, PE, LEED AP, “How to Apply NFPA 110-2016”, […]

Practicing the Art of Good Research

Engineers, by nature, are inquisitive folks. They like to look for things, fix things, and learn things. The advent of the personal computer, digital-information storage, and the Internet, with its easy and constant access, has changed the way information is made available. Online search engines encourage typing in keywords, and thousands of results are instantly […]

Connect with Us: November

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of November. DBIA’s Design-Build Conference & Expo, which will be held in Las Vegas, NV, from November 2-4, attracts industry professionals spanning the entire A/E/C […]

Commissioning Lighting Control Systems

Requirements for lighting controls become more complex with each edition of the energy-conservation codes. Codes and standards include ASHRAE Standard 90.1: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and California Title 24. With each level of increased complexity, the benefits of formally commissioning lighting control systems increase. Tom Divine, […]

Connect with Us: October

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of October. This year’s Alabama Society for Healthcare Engineering (AlaSHE) Fall Conference will take place October 5-7 in Orange Beach, AL. The conference is […]

Connect with Us: September

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of September. Colleagues from SSR’s Texas offices will be in attendance at the Construction Owners Association of America’s Texas Fall Workshop conference taking place […]

Alternative Utility Equipment Maintenance Requirements

By David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE Given the interest and news surrounding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) adoption of the 2012 editions of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) Life Safety Code (LSC) and Health Care Facilities Code, it is easy to lose track of some other recent regulatory changes. Among these […]

From Construction to Operations

By Rusty Ross, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CxA, EMP and Clay Seckman, PE, HFDP A health care organization constructs a world-class medical facility, taking all the right steps, setting all the right goals and allocating all the right resources. The project is designed and built, systems and components are started up and their performance validated, and […]

Connect with Us: August

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of August. SSR is proud to sponsor Vanderbilt University’s 10th Annual Healthcare Design and Construction Symposium taking place August 3–4, Nashville, TN. This year’s […]

Connect with Us: July

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of July. This year’s ASHE Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition, scheduled for July 10–13 in Denver, CO, promises to be a great conference filled […]

Putting COPS into Context

In the Summer 2016 issue of Pure Power, SSR’s Tom Divine, PE, LEED AP, writes about NFPA 70: National Electric Code Article 708: Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS). Article 208 introduced electrical standards for facilities that support critical functions in response to vulnerabilities from natural and human-initiated disasters. Tom’s article, “Putting COPS into Context” informs the […]

Connect with Us: June

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of June. On June 3rd, David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, will speak at the Louisiana Society for Healthcare Facilities Management (LASHFM) 2nd Quarter […]

Connect with Us: May

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of May. Join Clay Seckman, PE, Rusty Ross, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CxA, Darren Harvey, PE, LEED AP, and Kevin Wolfford, CPD, at this […]

LED Codes and Standards

In the April issue of Consulting-Specifying Engineer, SSR’s Tom Divine, PE, LEED AP, authors a piece on LED Codes & Standards. In the article, he addresses the codes and standards that dictate designing with LEDs (light-emitting diode), the benefits and drawbacks to LEDs, and evaluates the use of lighting controls. The article appears on page 18 […]

Connect with Us: April

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of April. The Texas Association of Healthcare Facilities Management’s (TAHFM) annual Interlink conference will take place April 3-6 in Dallas. The conference provides ongoing […]

Relationship of Hospital Architecture to Nursing Staff Caring for Self, Caring for Patients, and Job Satisfaction

Historically, the fields of architecture (design) and nursing (health) have been separate disciplines without much intersection. In recent years, the healthcare building boom has created a specialty practice for architects, focusing on healthcare design. With this new focus and specialty within architecture, the science of evidence-based design and the collaboration with clinical care staff have […]

Connect with Us: March

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of March. This year’s Georgia Society for Healthcare Engineers annual meeting will take place in Cordele, GA, March 9-11. SSR is excited to be […]

Connect with Us: February

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of February. Debbie Gregory, RN, BSN, will be speaking at the ACE Business Summit and Reverse Expo in Atlanta, GA, February 1 – 3. […]

Connect with Us: January

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of January. SSR will be exhibiting at the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents’ Winter Conference, taking place in Jackson, MS, January 24-27. The conference […]

Infrastructures to Improve Patient Safety

Technology and engineering systems help to boost environment of care In a recent article for Health Facilities Management, author Mike Hrickiewicz explores the different ways in which technology and engineering infrastructures are contributing to improved patient safety practices in healthcare facilities. Covering systems ranging from mechanical to nurse call, plumbing to security, Hrickiewicz calls on three SSR consultants (Debbie […]

Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems and Code Compliance

J. Patrick Banse, PE, Senior Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer, recently wrote an article, “Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems and Code Compliance” for Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine. The article addresses dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) that deliver dehumidified air to buildings to improve the indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Included in the article is an explanation […]

Ramping Up

Daniel Sours, PE, SE, along with former SSR employees Andy Kizzee and Lee Schultz,  wrote an article, Ramping UP, for Modern Steel Construction’s November issue. The article explores structural elements at the new Beale Street Landing (Memphis, TN), a port for riverboat traffic as well as a high-profile public park. The structures include a floating dock accessed by a […]

Making Room For Isolation Patients

Healthcare Design magazine recently published an article online about the new Ebola treatment center at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) West Campus. TCH, along with Page Architects, designed the $16 million, eight-bed isolation unit to care for “normal” isolation patients with the ability to convert to “special” isolation mode for highly contagious infectious diseases. SSR provided […]

Connect with Us: November

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of November. SSRCx will be exhibiting at the annual Design Build Institute of America’s (DBIA) Conference and Expo in Denver, CO, November 2-4. Join […]

Airport Authority to Construct $10.4M Geothermal Cooling System

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority recently broke ground on a $10.4 million geothermal cooling system which is expected to be completed next summer. The new cooling system, one of the largest geothermal lake plate cooling systems in North America, is expected to save the Airport Authority more than $430,000 in utility payments annually. Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. […]

Deferred Maintenance: Survey Says Managers Confident About Overcoming Backlog

Facility Maintenance Decisions recently surveyed more than 550 in-house engineers and maintenance managers about deferred maintenance in their facilities. Darren Harvey, PE, LEED AP, Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer for SSR, was interviewed by Facilities Net for his opinions on the findings of the survey. The survey included a range of questions covering topics such as specific […]

Connect with Us: October

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of October. SSR is proud, once again, to be an exhibitor and sponsor at the Tennessee Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting. This year’s conference, “Mission […]

Roundtable: Regulatory Compliance

David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, Senior Consultant, recently participated in a roundtable discussion for FacilitiesNet.com on regulatory compliance. Stymiest, along with two others, weighed in on compliance challenges and the trends and developments they foresee. Follow to link below to read about strategies on how to keep up.

HVAC in Focus

Panstadia & Arena Management recently ran an article exploring the challenges associated with designing HVAC systems for arenas and stadiums. Multiple architects and engineers were interviewed and provided key insights on the design of these complex systems, including SSR’s Senior Principal Mike Rogers, PE, LEED AP. Follow the link below to read the article in full.

Connect with Us: September

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of September. Members of the Building Solutions and Commissioning programs will be attending the Rocky Mountain APPA Annual Meeting taking place September 9-11 in […]

SSR Ranked in BD+C’s 2015 Giants 300 Report

Building Design + Construction recently unveiled their 2015 Giants 300 listing and report. The report, based on AEC industry consultant PSMJ Resources’  2015 PSMJ A/E Financial Performance Benchmark Survey Report and BD+C’s annual Giants 300 report, highlights a return to optimism across the industry thanks to a rise in profits and revenue over the past […]

Connect with Us: August

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of August. SSR is a proud Platinum sponsor of this year’s SASHTO conference, taking place in our hometown of Nashville, TN. The conference, which […]

Belmont University’s Wedgewood Academic Center achieves LEED Platinum certification

Ten months after a successful opening, the Wedgewood Academic Center was recently awarded prestigious LEED Platinum® certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making Belmont the first University in Tennessee and the first LEED for New Construction project in Nashville to achieve that level, the highest in the LEED ratings system. SSR provided commissioning and […]

Connect with Us: July

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of July. Both SSR and SSRCx will be attending at this year’s ASHE Annual Conference in Boston, MA, July 12-15.  Join us and 3,000 […]

Inspecting Hospital Building Envelopes

Rick Ziegler, PE, RRO, and Greg Isaacs, PE, recently had an article, “Inspecting Hospital Building Envelopes,” published by Health Facilities Management. The article discusses the importance of building envelope maintenance, conducting envelope inspections, and when to utilize consultants. Follow the link below to read the article in its entirety.

Screw Centrifugal Pumps & YP Perspective

Smith Seckman Reid’s Civil and Environmental engineers recently had two articles published in the 2015 edition of Water Professionals Connector, the annual joint publication from the Kentucky/Tennessee Section of AWWA and Kentucky-Tennessee  Water Environment Association. Mike Bernard, PE, Joe Griffey, PE, and Lindsay Bryant, PE, from SSR, along with John Strickland and Darren Gore of […]

Connect with Us: June

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of June. Members of SSR’s Civil and Environmental Program, as well as Horizontal Program, will be exhibiting at the Tennessee Municipal League 2015 Annual […]

RichEllen Park Nearing Completion

RichEllen Park, nearly three years in the making, is weeks away from a public roll-out to the surrounding community. The largest park in Montgomery County Parks & Recreation Department’s inventory is planning a July opening date. SSR is providing civil site design for the 52 acre park, home to ball fields, walking trails, playgrounds, and more. […]

Connect with Us: May

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce our conference and tradeshow schedule around the country during the month of May. Chad Miller, PE, LEED AP, will be attending and exhibiting at the South Carolina Society for Hospital Engineers Spring conference, taking place […]

SSR Named to Nashville’s Mayor’s Workplace Challenge Hall of Fame

Firm also earns three seals of distinction Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects, is honored to be inducted into the Mayor’s Workplace Challenge Hall of Fame. As a participant in the challenge since it started in 2012, SSR has emphasized a collective commitment to making […]

The Key to Clinical Space Design

Debbie Gregory, RN, BSN, was recently interviewed by Hospitals & Health Networks about new trends in designing clinical spaces to be both patient and technology friendly. In the article, Gregory explores the role of interprofessional collaboration to ensure quality and safety in healthcare facilities and how it has become a necessity in bridging the gap between […]

Reducing Disinfection Byproducts (DBP)

Stones River Water Treatment Plant and Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. conducted a study of the water treatment plant and distribution system aimed at reducing disinfection byproducts. This was necessary to maintain compliance with the federal Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule (DPBR). After examining the results of the data, it was determined that Stones River had […]

Emergency Power Code Revisions

Healthcare facilities are anticipating a substantial change in codes regarding emergency power systems management. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to adopt the 2012 editions of the National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99) within the next year or so. The Joint Commission is  expect […]

Optimizing Genset Sizing

Tom Divine was recently authored the cover story article for Pure Power magazine on designing generator systems. The article addresses requirements for different types of loads described in codes, their impact in various types of facilities, and ways to avoid testing difficulties. Follow the link below to read the article in its entirety.

Connect with Us: April

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce that several SSR team members will be representing the firm at various conferences around the country during the month of April. SSR is proud to sponsor the Memphis Chapter of CSI’s Products Display Show, Build […]

Two SSR Projects Recognized by MS ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards

Methodist Olive Branch Hospital receives Grand Conceptor Award; Hernando Lagoon Reclamation project receives Owner Award Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce that two projects were recently recognized by the Mississippi ACEC chapter’s 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards. Methodist Olive Branch Hospital was […]

HVAC Systems for Off Site Care

Off-site healthcare facilities have become a growing trend across the healthcare market. These smaller facilities don’t require the same amount of demand that larger facilities do. Manufacturers have developed options to meet the decreased HVAC needs of these smaller facilities. In a recent article by Health Facilities Management,  Clay Seckman, PE, Senior Principal, explained the difference between packaged and split […]

Preventing Wet Stacking

Tom Divine, PE, LEED AP, recently authored an article for Consulting-Specifying Engineer exploring the cause of wet stacking, a phenomenon that affects diesel engines, and some ways to prevent or treat the buildup. Follow the link below to view the article in it’s entirety.

Connect with Us: March

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce that several SSR team members will be representing the firm at various conferences around the country during the month of March. Laura Ludwig, PE, QCxP and Steve Harrell, CEM, CxA will be presenting at the ASHRAE […]

How to Plan for Water Outages

SSR’s Senior Consultant, David Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, discusses how healthcare facilities can prepare for water supply disruptions in the latest issue of Health Facilities Management (HFM) magazine. In the article, Stymiest discusses different potential causes of water disruption and the impact that it can have on all aspects of a healthcare facilities operations. Beyond […]

Connect with Us: February

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is pleased to announce that several SSR team members will be representing the firm at various conferences around the country during the month of February. Kevin Wolfford, CPD, Regional Operations Director will be attending the COAA Winter Workshop, taking […]

Speeding Up Hospital Construction

Medical Construction & Design recently featured an article on the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s (UT Southwestern) recently completed work on a $800 million expansion facility, located in Dallas, TX.  The UT Southwestern William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital was necessary to meet the growing needs of patient demands. The new facility consists of 12 floors and […]

Designing Clinical Spaces Through Collaboration

Debbie Gregory, RN, BSN, recently sat down with Health Facilities Management to discuss what is required to create safe, efficient clinical spaces. In the interview she explores new technologies and the challenges presented in regards to integration and infrastructure, keys to improving patient safety and outcomes while optimizing workflow, how to ensure adequate clinical representation […]

Using the Environment for Healing Today and Forever

Partners HealthCare’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, MA, was recently featured by Walls and Ceilings magazine for the use of innovative sustainable elements to aid in patient recovery. SSR was the low voltage consultant for the project. Follow the link below for the article.

Holy Cross Germantown Hospital: Photo Tour

The first new hospital built in Montgomery County, Maryland, in 35 years, Holy Cross Germantown is also the first hospital constructed on a community college campus. This partnership between Montgomery College and the Trinity Health/Holy Cross system will expand training opportunities for healthcare workers while bringing healthcare to residents who had previously traveled 20 miles […]

Resolute Health awarded LEED Silver certification

It’s not always easy being green — but Resolute Health is being recognized for achieving just that. Resolute Health hospital has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The certification is given to organizations whose buildings are proven to be environmentally-conscious. The designation makes Resolute […]

Citizens have questions for Murfreesboro

The City of Murfreesboro plans to present the first chapter of Murfreesboro 2035, a comprehensive plan designed to help the growing city prepare for the future.  Chapter 1, Planning Context, will be presented to the community on December 9th, at 5:30 p.m., at Oakland Middle School Auditorium. Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. is focused on utilities infrastructure capacities […]

Smarter Integration of Building Controls

Automation system innovations lead to advanced applications The capabilities of building automation systems (BASs) have expanded significantly over the past several years. New systems are more complex and smarter than ever. BASs are being used to monitor and control HVAC equipment, lighting and occupancy in hospitals. Energy management also is a big focus today and […]

Two SSR Health Care Projects Recognized by ENR as Regional Best Projects

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System’s East Tower and Methodist Olive Branch Hospital received Award of Merit recognition  Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is proud to announce that two of its projects have been recognized by Engineering News-Record’s Regional Best Projects 2014, a program that honors […]

Cox Health Reveals New Project

Cox Health Branson reveals new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit In early September 2014, Cox Medical Center Branson in Branson, MO hosted a tour and a ribbon cutting ceremony, revealing the new, three-story, $30 million Emergency Department and expanded Critical Care Unit (CCU). CoxHealth recently opened a state-of-the-art addition to their hospital in Branson, […]

Two SSR Projects Recognized by Modern Healthcare

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital receives Award of Excellence; Owensboro Health Regional Hospital takes home Honorable Mention Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects is proud to announce that two of its projects have been recognized by Modern Healthcare’s 2014 Design Awards, a program that recognizes excellence in […]

Connect with SSR at Events in October

With fall in full swing, the month October is packed full of conferences, tradeshows, and symposiums that we would like to connect with you at. SSR and SSRCx will be traveling across the country with thought leaders and personnel speaking and exhibiting from Washington D.C. to San Francisco. September 29th – October 1st Clay Seckman […]

Business Energy Magazine Features SSRCx Engineers on Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency in Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities are thinking outside the box when looking for ways to cut costs and improve energy efficiency. In the latest issue of Business Energy magazine, SSRCx’s Rick Ziegler, PE, and Clark Denson, PE, CEM, BEMP, LEED AP BD+C, discuss new opportunities available to facility directors that go beyond the traditional lighting and HVAC systems. […]

The Mississippi River Finally Meets Beale Street

A floating dock and helical ramp will help revitalize Memphis’s waterfront. “We’re a river city,” says Benny Lendermon, the president of Memphis’s Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC), a nonprofit organization that the city has tasked with overseeing the development of the waterfront with an eye toward reconnecting the city with its river. “You can see the […]

Maintaining Power Systems

Electrical equipment upkeep as a compliance issue Most hospital facilities professionals realize that power system maintenance is an important reliability issue and the impact of robust inspection, testing and maintenance programs cannot be underestimated. But, behind these best practices are a set of regulatory issues and industry guidelines of which health facilities professionals also must […]

Tennessee Air National Guard Building Cited for LEED Green Design

The Tennessee Air National Guard’s civil engineering building at Memphis International Airport has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold certification for environmentally friendly design. The $7.3 million building, dedicated in December 2012, was the final piece of a $245 million, multiyear project to relocate the base within airport property and free up space […]

Caterpillar Financial Center Awarded LEED Gold Recertification

First LEED for Existing Buildings Project in Tennessee to Achieve Recertification Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects announced that Caterpillar Financial Center has achieved LEED Gold® recertification. Caterpillar Financial Center is an 11-story, 324,000 SF Class A office building in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. In March […]

Energy Recovery Systems: Airside and Waterside

Energy recovery is an option for organizations using a direct exchange system that’s increasingly being written into building codes and ASHRAE standards. There are two basic types: airside and waterside. According to Ron Holdaway, an engineer at Smith Seckman Reid, airside energy recovery is the process of using the building’s exhaust air to pre-condition the […]

Energy Recovery Systems Can Cut Energy Use Significantly

Energy recovery in buildings today is a true paradigm shift from traditional practice of 20-30 years ago, because the technology to accomplish it didn’t exist. ‘”It is now commonplace to expect some type of energy recovery incorporated into the building’s HVAC system,” says Ron Holdaway, an engineer at Smith Seckman Reid. “Rather than throwing away […]

Chance Of A Lifetime

By Ted J. Rulseh Ken Reynolds welcomed a challenge and led his team through a transition from an aging conventional plant to a sophisticated membrane facility. On one hand it wasn’t easy switching from an old, familiar conventional water treatment plant to brand-new technology. On the other hand, it was an opportunity that comes along perhaps […]

Smith Seckman Reid Founding Member of Energy Management Association

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects has become a founding member of the Energy Management Association (EMA) and has one of the first Energy Management Professionals. EMA is dedicated to advancing the quality of energy management products and services for the benefit of building owners. […]

Know the Intent, Changes of NFPA 99-2012

NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code was completely overhauled and rewritten from the 2005 edition to the 2012 edition and was changed from a “standard” to a ”code.” J. Patrick Banse, PE, Smith Seckman Reid Inc., Houston Health care delivery and administration has changed over the years and continues to evolve, not just for reimbursement […]

Career Profile: Informatics in Design/Architecture

by Debbie Gregory, RN, BSN, Senior Clinical Consultant, Technology Planning Group at Smith Seckman Reid How did you get started in informatics? I began working for the Technology Planning Group at Smith Seckman Reid in 2010 as the Senior Clinical Consultant. We plan the technology infrastructure and systems for new healthcare construction and renovations. It […]

Broadway Street Depot Plans 90 Percent Complete

By Lindsey Shelton NATCHEZ – Plans for the renovation of the downtown railroad depot could be ready for review by the Mississippi Department of Transportation next month. Natchez Community Development Director James Johnson said Smith Seckman Reid, the company with which the city has contracted, is approximately 90 percent finished with plans and specifications for […]

Methodist Olive Branch Hospital first to earn new LEED certification

Rob Robertson Staff writer- Memphis Business Journal Methodist Olive Branch Hospital is leading the way in building green. The hospital is the first in-patient health care facility in the United States to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Healthcare Gold Certification. Methodist Olive Branch is also one of six LEED for […]

Bold Leadership, Smart Design

Designed and built a the height of the recession, the 90-bed satellite hospital opened its doors Dec. 18, 2013 – on schedule, despite 63 rain days during construction, and several million dollars under budget, The medical center’s entire design and construction team, led jointly by Martin Health System, HKS Inc. and Balfour Beatty Construction, was […]

Methodist Olive Branch Hospital achieves LEED for Healthcare Gold certification

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) announces that Methodist Olive Branch Hospital (MOBH) is LEED® Gold certified, making it the first LEED for Healthcare Gold certified inpatient facility in the world.  The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, […]

Franklin’s Harpeth River treatment plant likely staying

FRANKLIN – After years of debate, Franklin leaders seem ready to keep the city’s longtime connection to the Harpeth River and upgrade its 62-year-old water treatment plant. But how much Franklin leaders spend on improving the Lewisburg Pike plant and, in turn, how much the city’s 17,000 water customers eventually pay in higher water rates […]

Urban Land Institute Nashville picks top projects

The Urban Land Institute Nashville District Council awarded six middle Tennessee development projects with Excellence in Development Thursday during a ceremony at the Omni Nashville Hotel. ULI Nashville’s Excellence in Development Awards celebrate design, creativity and vision in land use and real estate development, and commitment to the middle Tennessee community. “Together, the 16 submitted […]

2014 CSE 40 Under 40: Eric A. Sheffer, LEED AP

Congratulations to Eric Sheffer, LEED AP BD+C, on being named one of the recipients of Consulting Specifying Engineer’s 2014 40 Under 40 award. The award is given to 40 building industry professionals age 40 and younger who stand out in all aspects of their lives. To read a profile of each winner, visit www.csemag.com/40under40.

Jackie Robinson Seeking to Bring NBA Franchise to All Net Arena

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– In December, businessman and former UNLV and NBA player Jackie Robinson, Chairman, All Net Arena, LLC, announced plans to develop a $1.3 billion privately-funded resort and arena located on the Las Vegas Strip and scheduled to break ground late this summer. The massive project boasts a powerful team including China Construction America […]

Memorial Hermann to kick off $650M project in the Texas Medical Center

Memorial Hermann Health System — Houston’s largest health care system — will soon begin a $650 million expansion and renovation of its Texas Medical Center campus. Construction on the Memorial Hermann-TMC Master Plan project is scheduled to begin this summer and conclude in 2018. Houston-based WHR Architects Inc. is the architect of record for the project. […]

Project Leadership Gold Award Winner: Methodist Olive Branch Hospital

DeSoto County, Mississippi, has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades. To ensure the county’s burgeoning population has access to high-quality healthcare services, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH) built a 100-bed, full-service, faith-based hospital in the city of Olive Branch. The 208,000 square-foot facility includes four operating rooms, 18 emergency department exam rooms, an […]

SSR Ranked on ENR’s List of Top 500 Design Firms

The design profession has been hit hard over the past six years. By some estimates, as many as 40% of architects were unemployed during the height of the recession, in 2009. Engineers fared better but not by much. Everybody did more with less. Now, after several fits and starts over the past few years, the […]

Guthrie Corning Hospital Counts Down Days To Opening

Guthrie Corning Hospital is counting down the days until its patients are moved into a new facility in East Corning, N.Y. Patients will be transferred into the new hospital on July 12. The new hospital features 65 private rooms and five large suites in the maternity unit–each named after the Finger Lakes. The upper floor, […]

2014 Grand Award Winners

Wolf River Boulevard Connector The final segment of Wolf River Boulevard consists of approximately two miles of four lane roadway with shoulders and bike lanes, two bridges with protected pedestrian crossings, five oversized box culverts, one pedestrian underpass, and two new traffic signals. Wolf River Boulevard is enrolled in Audubon International’s Silver Signature Sanctuary green […]

Pyramid, Wolf River road connector receive engineering awards

The Pyramid project, completed by Geotechnology Inc., has been honored with a Grand Award in the special projects category at the Tennessee Engineering Excellence Awards competition, sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee. The Wolf River Boulevard Connector project, completed by Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., has also been recognized with a Grand […]

Announcing the 2014 Capstone Award winners

Twenty-eight of Kansas City’s most significant development projects were honored Friday, March 7th, at the Kansas City Business Journal Capstone Awards luncheon. Teams of engineering, architecture, construction and development firms and others gathered at the Sheraton Overland Park to be recognized for outstanding projects, for reasons ranging from the architectural design to green building practices to community […]

Engineers…Quietly Making a Difference

By David Bradford,  Memphis Business Journal They are the little-known heroes. When buildings are christened, bridges are celebrated and intersections are made more efficient, these men and women are content to sit quietly on the sidelines and savor the accomplishment of a job well done. They are engineers and their hands touch every part of […]

Designing Laboratory Ventilation Systems

By J. Patrick Banse, PE, and Chris St. Cyr, in the January / February 2014 issue of Consulting Specifying Engineer. Proper ventilation of laboratory settings is required to promote and maintain laboratory safety and protection to life and property. Items such as fume containment, worker safety, proper cleanliness through pressure  relationships, filtration, air changes per […]

Smart Money: Making the case for hospital infrastructure funding

Many health facilities managers would like to be more successful in obtaining depreciation dollars to fund maintenance and infrastructure capital renewal adequately. Gaining access to depreciation funding often involves being more successful at selling the maintenance mission and requires a multifaceted approach. The rules of engagement include such disparate approaches as communicating with budget committees […]

First Look: Golisano Children’s Hospital Of Southwest Florida

The new Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida expands Lee Memorial Health System’s pediatric care. The new building will be located on the existing HealthPark Medical Center Campus in Fort Myers, Fla., and will follow these guiding principles: Embody a regional brand that provides Tier 1 services and is easily recognizable to the region and […]

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital: Best Project of 2013

NASHVILLE, TN – November 25, 2013 – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc (SSR), a Nashville based engineering design and facilities consulting firm is excited to announce that Owensboro Health Regional Hospital has been awarded top honors in the Health Care category in ENR Midwest’s Best Projects of 2013 competition. Owensboro Health opened their new replacement facility […]

Back To Life At Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is in the business of improving the quality of life for patients with disabilities and their families, through its patient care, teaching, and research programs. For 42 years, the organization, which is part of the not-for-profitPartners HealthCare (Boston), operated a facility on Nashua Street in Boston. But its small double-occupancy rooms, inaccessible bathrooms, and […]

Best Health Care Project: Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

To coordinate the myriad components of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, a facility with 477 beds, 16 operating room suites and an expanded neonatal intensive-care unit, project team members made extensive use of building information modeling, lean construction principals and integrated project delivery throughout all phases of design and construction. Among other benefits, IPD promoted early […]

COAA Announces Winners of 2013 Project Leadership Awards

Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) announced the winners of the 2013 Project Leadership Awards during the COAA Fall Owners Leadership Conference Awards Luncheon, October 31, 2013. The Gold Award was awarded to Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare for the Methodist Olive Branch project. October 2013.

Raising The Bar At Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Limited by the inefficiencies of its existing facility, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in Owensboro, Ky., came to a conclusion about its future: Delivering a higher quality of care meant starting over and rebuilding. On June 1, Owensboro Health, along with its project team of HGA Architects and Engineers (Milwaukee); KLMK Group Inc. (Richmond, Va. ); Smith Seckman Reid Inc. (SSR) (Nashville); and Turner Construction (Nashville), unveiled […]

Energy Recovery Is Becoming Common Way To Save On HVAC Costs

Energy recovery is an option to save on HVAC costs for organizations using a direct exchange system that’s increasingly being written into building codes and ASHRAE standards. Like VRF, there are two basic types: airside and waterside. According to Ron Holdaway, an engineer at Smith Seckman Reid, airside energy recovery is the process of using […]

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

As I look at our profession, I see a void in leadership. I am not referring to your boss, executives, or directors. There are great leaders within all of our various organizations. But when I look out across the landscape of our state, engineers in leadership positions are absent. We have long advocated that being […]

Compliance News Volume XIII, Issue IV

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a categorical Life Safety Code waiver permitting new and existing ventilation systems supplying hospital and critical access hospital (CAH) anesthetizing locations to operate with a relative humidity (RH) of ≥20%, instead of ≥35%. CMS is also recommending that RH not exceed 60% in these locations. CMS […]

Work begins on Richellen Park

When folks gather Tuesday, July 30, for groundbreaking ceremonies at Richellen Park, it will signal the beginning of the last major county park project following a series of upgrades at existing parks that date back to 2008. Developing the 52-acre park located on Highway 149 between the Cumberland Heights and Palmyra areas will by far […]

Buildings Shall Be Capable Of…

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.2 OWNERS OFTEN ASK that engineers specify what a “building automation system shall be capable of” in terms of operations or performance. But just because a building’s automation system is capable of doing something, doesn’t necessarily ensure that a particular operation will actually be properly utilized (if utilized at all) once […]

Where Technology And Design Meet In Future Care Delivery

When I recently asked a panel of healthcare technology gurus what their ideal environment of care looks like, it wasn’t a “homelike” space that they described. Rather, it was very literally “home.” I had the pleasure of moderating the panel “Design Considerations for Technological Innovation in Healthcare Delivery,” a DuPont event held in conjunction with Healthcare Design at the DuPont […]

Contemporary and Alternative Existing-Building Commissioning

The Great Recession, as the last five-plus years have come to be known, has been tough on building owners and operations-and-maintenance (O&M) staffs. As they face mounting pressure to maximize net operating income, they increasingly are turning to existing-building commissioning (EBCx) to keep maintenance and utility costs down. This article will define contemporary EBCx, describe the […]

Tupelo Council delays first step toward railroad ‘quiet zone’

Northeast Mississippi News Daily Journal article about Tupelo’s City Council delaying the vote to explore implementing “quiet zones” along railroad tracks in the city. If passed, SSR would complete necessary first steps of engineering and other technical work required for a quiet zone application. TUPELO – Wanting more time to ask questions about an effort […]

Tupelo Council to vote on railroad ‘quiet zone’ study

TUPELO – Loud train whistles throughout Tupelo could turn into memories, starting with a City Council vote today to explore “quiet zones.”City Council members will likely vote to authorize work on a $138,000 “analysis and diagnostics” study that could lead to quiet zones along railroad tracks in the city.The study would be a necessary first […]

Design project reimagines hospital rooms

Two Nashville companies are at the heart of a national effort to design a hospital room that will transform patient care. Dubbed “Patient Room 2020,” the latest version of the project is set to be unveiled later this month at the DuPont Corian Design Studio in New York City. Designed in collaboration by architects, engineers […]

Heart of Texas

The Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital on the Trinity Mother Frances campus in Tyler, Texas is the cover story for the May/June issue of Medical Construction and Design. SSR provided MEP engineering services to the new, 154,000 SF facility.

2013 Top 40 Electrical Design Firms

SSR ranked on of nation’s top electrical engineering firms by Electrical Construction & Maintenance. The nation’s top U.S. electrical design firms weathered the storm during the economic slowdown with slim margins, fierce competition, and drastically reduced opportunities. By diversifying their services and expanding into new areas, however, the companies are now reporting a brighter outlook […]

Children’s Mercy see healthy growth in projects

Children’s Mercy Hospital was recently singled out for Special Judges’ Recognition in the Kansas City Business Journal’s Capstone Awards. The Capstone Awards program honors outstanding real estate and development projects — and the companies, organizations and individuals behind them. SSR provided engineering services for Hall Tower on the Children’s Mercy campus.

Memphis link to the ‘Mighty Mississippi’

Located in Memphis, Tenn.,on the Mississippi River, the new Beale Street Landing consists of a public park, passenger boat docking facility, and terminal building. A modern, world-class docking facility was needed to better accommodate passenger boat traffic up and down America’s most used interior waterway. A secondary goal of the design was to create a […]

Mighty Mississippi

Located in Memphis, Tenn., on the Mississippi River, the new Beale Street Landing consists of a public park, passenger boat docking facility, and terminal building. A modern, world-class docking facility was needed to better accommodate passenger boat traffic up and down America’s most used interior waterway. A secondary goal of the design was to create a […]

Clinical Coaching for Healthcare App and Device Developers

The convergence of technology and the healthcare industry is proving to be a valuable and exciting partnership. The effect of technological innovation on disease management has been changing patients’ lives … providing greater quantity and quality of life. Being able to monitor their own blood pressure, glucose, calories, air quality for asthma, and many other […]

Chiller up: Technology advances drive major efficiency gains for hospitals

Chillers don’t seem to get the respect they deserve when it comes to their abilities to help drive greater efficiency and reduce energy consumption. With some recent tweaks to these systems, however, many engineers and plant operations leaders are taking a fresh look at how to harness their potential. The latest chiller technology features variable-speed […]

Compliance News Volume XIII, Issue I

The Joint Commission (TJC) discussed the use of a sample hazardous material and waste management environment of care (EOC) tracer in its March 2013 issue of EC News. The article provided specific examples for conducting the tracer to explore issues related to orientation and training, physical environment, and quality improvement priority focus areas. EC News […]

Integrated Project Delivery at Owensboro Medical Health System

The Owensboro Medical Health System (OMHS) in Owensboro, Ky., USA, is building a replacement facility consisting of a nine-story, 780,000 square foot hospital and a threestory diagnostic and treatment building on a 160-acre site. Scheduled for completion in 2013, the project has utilized the integrated project delivery (IPD) method. While IPD can be benefi cial […]

LEED Improving on Bridging the Design to Operations Gap

The LEED program in general has become more about existing buildings than new construction as evidenced by the certified square footage of existing buildings recently surpassing certified square footage of new construction projects.  The enhanced commissioning (Cx) and measurement and verification (M&V) credits are examples of good opportunities that tie design and construction to operations […]

Designing for Health Care Technology

In response to smaller reimbursements, greater operational costs and more demanding record-keeping requirements, the delivery of health care is becoming increasingly tied to technology. Because technology is now setting the pace in a large number of new construction and renovation projects, facility owners are finding themselves having conversations with architects and designers about technology much […]

St. Mary’s Medical Center shines as a federal Energy Star

St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, Mo., is now the only hospital in the Kansas City area to receive an energy efficient certification from the federal government. A release says the Environmental Protection Agency gave St. Mary’s its Energy Star certification, which puts the hospital in the top 25 percent of similar facilities for its nationwide energy efficiency […]

Assessing alternatives to alleviate suburban flooding

The town of Collierville, Tenn., recently began construction on a regional detention basin designed to reduce flooding. Collierville is a suburb of the Memphis metropolitan area and has a population of approximately 44,000 residents. The town has experienced several major storm events in the last few years, and several homes within the Lateral J basin […]

Water conscious: Plumbing fixtures that promote safety and efficiency

Vendors are paying special attention to water containment to prevent the spread of bacteria. A number of vendors offer hand-washing sinks for hospital staff — and the public — with features to keep the water contained. And they have good reason to make the effort. Jeremy Cressman, vice president, commercial trade, American Standard Brands, Piscataway, […]

Building for the Cure

Completed just more than a year ago, the new SECU Cancer Center at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, was awarded LEED Gold certification in April 2012, making it the third Gold-certified cancer center in the United States and the largest certified facility of its kind in the state. Construction on the $38 million, 120,000-square-foot center was […]

Geothermal Systems for Commercial Facilities

When I started my career 17 years ago, only a few geothermal-unit configurations were available, and those met most industry needs. With the inception of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green-building rating program and stricter ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1, Ventilation for […]

What Can We Expect from 2013?

January is a time of reflection for most – a time to ask what was great about the previous year (and maybe what was not so much). Many also ask themselves, “What will I do to effect positive change in the coming year?” When we look back on the last several years in the green […]

Bridge The Gap From Construction To Efficient Operations

Between the end of a facility’s construction and the beginning of its operations, there’s a substantial transition period where most, if not all, of the professionals who designed, installed and verified the initial conditions of the building cease to be involved. A new team of people begins to run the building, taking on the phase […]

Tie Design and Construction Teams to Building Performance

Most buildings that will be in existence in 2030 are already here today. So an average 22 percent savings across around 75 billion square feet in the United States ends up being a lot of cost, energy and emissions avoidance. No doubt the biggest opportunity is in existing buildings. But what about the new buildings […]

Building for tomorrow: Decentralized care provides model for hospital planning, design and construction

As health care grapples with lower reimbursements, an influx of newly insured patients and a value-based delivery system that is so far more theory than reality, designers, facilities managers, engineers and industry experts of all stripes are attempting to define what these changes will mean for facilities over the next five years. “Health care organizations […]

Compliance News Volume X, Issue VI

The ECRI Institute recently published a 25-page special report entitled “ECRI Institute 2013 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards” – available at www.ecri.org/2013hazards. In its introduction, ECRI encourages facilities to use the list of generic hazards as a “starting point for patient safety discussions and for setting their health technology safety priorities.” This report is comprehensive […]

Existing-Building Energy Modeling

An energy model is a computer-generated representation of a building used to estimate the impact of proposed changes to the building on energy use. It is a comparative tool most commonly used: New construction • To evaluate the impact of different design options (e.g., a chilled-beam system as opposed to a conventional overhead single-duct variable-air-volume […]

Emerging Technologies in Health Care Delivery

Managing one’s health in the future will involve an app, a “smart” device or a patient portal. The explosion of the mobile technology industry is fast and furious, and health systems are scrambling to keep up. These changes create both opportunities and risks; but by far the positives outweigh the negatives. The impact of this […]

Energy-Efficient Dehumidification In Health Care Facilities

With a wide spectrum of specialized spaces and particular outside air requirements, a hospital’s en-ergy-efficiency efforts start when arranging which areas go where. From there, the author leaves no technology unturned — chilled beams, geothermal, DOAS, VRF, etc. — in evaluating which ap-proaches might best contribute proper ventilation and humidity in which environments, with an […]

Goodbye Growing Season, Hello Knowing Season

While fall is a time of demise in the natural world and an edging toward a period of dormancy, for me it never fails to awaken my senses and rejuvenate my creative spirit. With Greenbuild just around the corner, my personal reawakening coincides with the world’s largest green building conference, which is visiting San Francisco […]

Memphis Area Transit Authority center earns Silver LEED certification

The Memphis Area Transit Authority’s Airways Transit Center, 3033 Airways Blvd., has gained high marks for its environmentally-friendly design. The U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, has given the 30,000-square-foot project a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification. This makes it the first newly constructed, publicly funded building to gain this […]

New Era of Efficiency: Net-Zero Buildings

From multitenant office buildings to mixed-use developments, new net-zero energy buildings — buildings that produce at least as much energy as they use on an annual basis — are popping up coast to coast. Though they are still a small percentage of new construction, several factors are converging to move net-zero energy buildings from myth […]

Stadium Design Is Changing

It may no longer be called “Mean Green Stadium,” but the University of North Texas’s Apogee Stadium retains the distinguished honor of being the only LEED Platinum structure of its kind in the country.

Compliance News Volume X, Issue V

The 2013 edition of NFPA 110 was recently released by the NFPA Standards Council. Chief among the changes in this edition were several changes, including informational Annex recommendations, intended to improve emergency power supply system (EPSS) reliability through better fuel oil management processes. The excerpts below are only partial excerpts, and readers should review the […]

Hernando has parks plan, intends to run with it

The reality may be many laps away — ballparks at Renasant Park and soccer fields at the old North Lagoon acreage — and funding a frequent hurdle, but the vision of a wide-ranging, inclusive parks and recreation system for Hernando is here, thanks to a master plan months in the making with eager citizen input. […]

Geothermal Heating and Cooling Options

After reviewing basic design options, the next steps for potential geothermal designers are to challenge the common concerns and myths, study how different choices have different cost impacts, and be aware of the ways a good design can yield bad performance if the installation isn’t done well. Add the habit of turning a retrofit’s circumstances […]

The 2030 Challenge and commitment for plumbing engineers

Reducing fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions are important goals for our industry; however, they are difficult to achieve and measure. Designers, contractors, owners and operators start with good intentions, but many new buildings ultimately have minimal energy-efficiency improvements over the buildings they replaced. Buildings are major consumers of energy. To decrease greenhouse gas […]

All systems go: New resource provides commissioning support for health facility managers

The specialized and especially demanding needs of health care facilities make them a prime environment for commissioning to net the greatest value. However, with no unilateral health care-specific standard, facility managers often were left to cobble together a number of commissioning guides to arrive at a less-than-ideal commissioning process and lingering doubt regarding the adequacy […]

Risk + Reward: Assessing the need for electrical system shutdown

Citing concerns for worker safety, tighter insurance requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement actions, most electrical contractors and electrical service companies now do their work in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. They are no longer willing to maintain or to modify “hot,” […]

In engineering, what really matters?

 sometimes wonder if the specifications we create are really any different than the bricks I’ve seen used as doorstops from time to time. I also sometimes wonder what is relevant, what is related, and whose job is it, and would (should) we, as engineers, do things the same way and with the same passion and […]

Steve Lane named Fellow of American Council of Engineering Companies

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – July 16, 2012 – Stephen Lane, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., has been inducted into the College of Fellows for the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). The honor recognizes an ACEC member who through their career has elevated the standards of the engineering profession. […]

Smith Seckman Reid’s Houston office earns LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors

HOUSTON – July 10, 2012 – The Houston office of Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.(SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, achieved LEED® Platinum for Commercial Interiors, making it only the second space in Houston to achieve this designation, the highest possible certification level from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Building […]

Regulatory trends in water efficiency

The plumbing industry is slow to change. This can be a good thing, because our health and safety depend on plumbing, but it can also be frustrating when trends need to change. For example: A growing concern is that plumbing professionals design systems only for the health and safety of people at the expense of […]

Compliance News Volume X, Issue IV

In In his recent ASHE Annual Conference presentation, George Mills of TJC reminded attendees about the requirements for current LS plans. Much of this information is in a related February 2012 EC News article and is summarized below. TJC Standard LS.01.01.01, EP 2, requires an organization to have a current Statement of Conditions™ (SOC™). EP2 […]

SSR employees dominate young achievers distinction

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – June 12, 2012 – Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is pleased to announce that four members of its staff have been recognized as exceptional young engineers in recent months by three different organizations. Theodore (Ted) Foster, PE, PSP, CxA, was recognized […]

Designing the Learning Space of the Future

The students have changed, and the way spaces get used is changing as well. How do we need think about educational environments to foster better thinking inside them? Architects and engineers are constantly challenged in the higher education market with the same goal from clients over and over again. “We want the learning space of […]

Water efficiency changes for LEED 2012

The USGBC LEED rating system is a guideline for building teams wanting to design, build and operate sustainable buildings that reduce energy and water consumption when compared to “average” buildings through the use of sustainable site, materials and resources practices. The LEED rating system offers a checklist of sustainable elements, called credits, which can be […]

SSRCx Exhibits at SAME JETC in St. Louis May 22-25, 2012

SSRCx is dedicated entirely to providing building performance consulting services. SSRCx continues to assist the DoD and Federal Agencies with meeting their requirements for Executive Orders 13423 and 13514, and EISA through the services we offer: Whole Building Commissioning LEED Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning Measurement and Verification (M&V) Energy and Water Audits Energy Modeling Net […]

Baptist and Vanguard Health Strike Gold in Texas

As the first LEED Gold certified hospital in the state of Texas,Mission Trail Baptist Hospital is set to save $150,000 in annual energy costs and $1.1 million gallons of potable water per year. Giving the project a jump start toward LEED certification was the selection of the previously developed Brooks Air Force Base site in San […]

Lighting It Up: LED fixture manufacturers target health care facilities

Light-emitting diode (LED) technology offers hospitals many advantages over traditional lighting, such as energy savings, longer life, lower heat output and design flexibility. Little wonder that it can be found everywhere from parking lots to surgical suites. During the past decade, most health care facil­ities upgraded their lighting to energy-efficient fluorescent technology, industry experts say. […]

2012 White Paper: High-Performance Reconstructed Buildings: The 99% Solution

Reconstruction in its many forms—tenant improvements, retail fitouts, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, gut rehab, and so on—is keeping many design and construction firms solvent. The collapse of the U.S. housing market in 2007-2008 precipitated a nearly commensurate downturn in new nonresidential construction in the United States. Filling the gap, at least to some extent, has […]

Making the Most of It (feature on Stones River Water Treatment Plant in Murfreesboro, TN)

When superintendent Alan Cranford looks out at his upgraded 20 mgd Stones River Water Treatment Plant in Murfreesboro, Tenn., he may be viewing the facility of the future. Membranes. Granular activated carbon filters. High-tech lime system. On-site sodium hypochlorite generation. Sophisticated SCADA system, including portable data tablets. But he knows it takes more than state-of-the-art […]

Energy-efficient plumbing technologies of the future

Some energy-efficient technologies are the holy grail of the plumbing industry. These technologies would allow a building to be a comfortable, safe place to live or work while using only the energy it generates, with no connections to the utility grid. Like the Holy Grail of history, however, these desirable technologies are just out of […]

Compliance News Volume X, Issue III

In its March 20, 2012 press release and conference call, OSHA announced revisions to its Hazard Communication Standard to align it with the United Nations’ global chemical labeling system, known as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. OSHA stated that this change is intended to improve understanding and “will improve […]

Mind the Gap Between Construction and Occupancy to Preserve Efficiency

In the pursuit of a high-performance building, LEED certification or net-zero design, there is no guarantee that the resulting performance will persist for more than a short period of time. Something happens between the end of a facility’s construction and the beginning of its operations. Even if the teams have miraculously bundled forward-thinking mechanical and […]

The Top 500 Design Firms Start to Rise Above Economic Woes

After four years, it appears the U.S. construction market has bottomed out and is beginning the slow climb out of recession. For many large U.S. design firms, this development is cause for both relief and celebration. But for other design firms, particularly in the public infrastructure markets, uncertainty about the future remains a constant. The […]

Firm says being first is key to adding new service

It often pays to get in on something early. Today engineering firms are all about building commissioning — a rapidly growing process that ensures electrical, mechanical and heating/ air conditioning systems are working the way they should. But 12 years ago, when Nashville-based Smith Seckman Reid first started offering the service, the company had to […]

Sustainability is a Journey, Not a Destination

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 6.1 Companies that get serious about improving sustainability soon discover there is always something else to do to achieve greater efficiencies. They quickly learn that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Spectrum Properties | Emery has taken this message to heart, leading the charge in the Southeast for ongoing sustainable […]

40 Under 40, the Class of 2012

The 40 young AEC professionals featured here represent the Class of 2012 in Building Design+Construction’s “40 UNDER 40” competition. They were chosen from among 223 applicants to join the 240 previous recipients of this honor, dating to 2006. They range in age from 27 to 39 (as of December 31, 2011, the contest deadline), with a median […]

Retrofitting plumbing fixtures in existing buildings for water efficiency

As reported by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) last December, for the first time “LEED-certified existing buildings are outpacing their newly built counterparts … square footage of LEED-certified existing buildings surpassed LEED-certified new construction by 15 million square feet on a cumulative basis.” Water efficiency is an important part of upgrading existing buildings. The […]

Improvements in HVAC Technology Boost Indoor Air Quality

Air control, filtration and ventilation technologies can improve the health care environment and help facility managers meet the special performance considerations inherent in hospitals. Hospital facility managers must deal with rigorous performance requirements when it comes to improving indoor air quality (IAQ). What’s more, these design considerations are regulated by organizations that write codes and […]

Compliance News Volume X, Issue II

Many hospitals are installing new or replacement emergency power systems. NFPA 110 requires a special testing sequence before the system may be used. Although the NFPA 110-2005 edition is referenced by the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Healthcare Facilities, readers should review the updated and considerably improved Installation Acceptance Test in Section […]

Classrooms that Work

For most of us, a conversation about school brings back memories of our earliest and oldest friends, a childhood crush, going to lunch and recess, learning about government, having “fun” with algebra, or pretending to play this week’s gym class game in front of huge crowds on television. The thought that may not surface while […]

Four from Smith Seckman Reid to speak at ASHE PDC Summit

NASHVILLE, TN – February 13, 2012 – Nashville based engineering design and facility consulting firm Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) will have four employees speaking during three sessions at the upcoming American Society for Healthcare Engineer’s (ASHE) Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) Summit in Phoenix, Ariz. Clay Seckman, SSR Executive Vice President, will lead a […]

Understanding What an Energy Model Can and Can’t Do

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.4  WITH FUEL PRICES RISING, ENERGY EFFICIENCY HAS BEEN TOP-OF-MIND FOR FACILITY MANAGERS. And, state and nationwide energy-saving programs, mandates and incentives have increased dramatically. These include increasingly stringent energy codes and standards, green building rating systems, federal tax deductions, numerous state-or utility-specific rebates and incentives, building labeling programs, and more. All […]

In Case of Fire

In a February 2009 report, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) identified that during 2003-2006, municipal fire departments responded to an estimated 3,750 structure fires in medical, mental health, and substance abuse facilities, annually. These fires resulted in one civilian death, 57 civilian injuries, and $26.9 million in direct property damage. While no amount of […]

Mission Trail Baptist Hospital is First LEED Gold Acute-Care Hospital in Texas, First LEED Certified Hospital in San Antonio

NASHVILLE, TN – February 13, 2012 – Nashville based engineering design and facility consulting firm Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) will have four employees speaking during three sessions at the upcoming American Society for Healthcare Engineer’s (ASHE) Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) Summit in Phoenix, Ariz. Clay Seckman, SSR Executive Vice President, will lead a […]

Smooth Start: Ensuring Emergency Power System Performance

Like all other mission-critical systems, emergency power systems should be commissioned to attain the necessary operational reliability. Emergency power system commissioning (Cx) can be considered a documented quality assurance program that finds and resolves potential emergency power system-related problems before patients are admitted and procedures are performed. Emergency power system Cx is not the same […]

Using On-site Systems to Help Offset Combined Sewer Overflows

More than 770 communities across the country are implementing long-term control plans to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement to reduce the number of combined sewer overflows (CSO). Most communities with CSOs are located in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions and the Pacific Northwest (see Figure 1), affecting approximately 40 million people. The […]

Compliance News Volume X, Issue I

Health care organizations should already be familiar with the current code-based requirements of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® and The Joint Commission (TJC) regarding the placement of Alcohol-Based Hand-Rub (ABHR) Dispensers. TJC is now allowing ABHR dispensers to be placed according to the requirements of the 2009 and 2012 editions of NFPA 101®,Life Safety Code®. […]

Helping buildings operate at their peak

Most people don’t hear the word “conditioning” and immediately think of buildings and construction. But just as a trainer can help athletes reach their potential, James Qualk helps buildings operate at peak efficiency. “The firm was founded in 1968 and originally was performing mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services,” says Qualk, vice president of LEED […]

San Antonio’s newest hospital also the “greenest”

SAN ANTONIO — It’s a first for Texas. A San Antonio hospital has been awarded the highest certification as a “green” building. San Antonio’s newest hospital is also officially its greenest. Mission Trail Baptist Hospital at Brooks City-Base on the southeast side is in the business of treating sick people, delivering babies and saving lives. According […]

Primex Wireless Enters Agreement with Smith Seckman Reid

Primex Wireless, a provider of solutions to automate and maintain healthcare facility compliance, announced that it has reached an agreement with Smith Seckman Reid (SSR), an engineering design and facility consulting firm, to assume responsibility for SSR’s survey and inspection solutions. Under the agreement, Primex Wireless said it will take over all development, support and […]

Plumbing System Efficiency: Repair Or Replace?

The push for water conservation in restrooms in institutional and commercial facilities is creating pressure to address problems related to plumbing components and systems. One key decision maintenance and engineering managers face is whether to repair existing plumbing fixtures in an attempt to address water-conservation demands or to replace plumbing systems to achieve this goal. […]

Smith Seckman Reid opens Chicago office

Nashville-based Smith Seckman Reid Inc. has opened a Chicago office, the company announced late Tuesday. The engineering firm had already been active in the Chicago market, with more than 20 ongoing or recently completed projects in the area. “Based on our growth in the Chicago market, it was only natural that we establish roots to […]

Best Firm: SSR Inc. – Integrity In All They Do

In 1968, Tom Seckman, Andy Reid, Lester Smith and Bobby Smith gathered in a house in Nashville, Tenn., to draft their magna carta for a new company. It was then that the foundation was set for success and Smith, Seckman, Reid, Inc., was born. And, in the 40-plus years since their start, while almost everything, […]

Hospital to Have $1 Billion Impact

OLIVE BRANCH — Olive Branch Mayor Sam Rikard said Wednesday the 14-year effort to site and build a 100-bed hospital in Olive Branch will have a $1 billion impact to the fastest growing city in America.“It’s a big day for Olive Branch,” Rikard said during groundbreaking ceremonies Wednesday at the hospital site near the intersection […]

Texas Children’s Hospital Adds a Pavilion for Women to the Facility Family

Texas Children’s Hospital and its family of medical facilities at Houston’s Texas Medical Center are welcoming a new addition. The Pavilion for Women is a $575-million facility that will bring maternity and neonatal care capabilities to the hospital. Taking the pavilion from conception to birth is the most ambitious construction project in the hospital’s history and […]

Benefits of a Whole-Building Design Approach

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.3 WORKING AS A TEAM EARLIER IN THE DESIGN PROCESS FOSTERS CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING Buildings are tremendously complex. Even the simplest facilities require a highly trained team of professionals for their design, construction, and eventually, operation. It is amazing that many buildings are ever built, considering the necessary financing, land acquisition, code […]

Taking Control: Building automation applications continue to expand

Today’s building automation systems have advanced far beyond their HVAC-centric past to handle additional functions such as lighting, security and more, providing key oppor­tunities to save operational and maintenance dollars. Integration and interoperability are key trends in building automation systems (BASs), creating new opportunities for hospitals to save money. At the same time, new wireless […]

A Clean Bill of Health

Promoting healing and health isn’t just the job of doctors and nurses at Rockingham Memorial Hospital – the building itself plays a key role in patient recovery through environmental stewardship. The first hospital in Virginia to achieve LEED Gold certification, Rockingham Memorial Hospital (RMH) infuses sustainability into every corner of the 630,000-square-foot building. The facility’s […]

From Splashy to Subtle

While new construction has slowed, the interest in all things green among property owners, tenants, environmental activists and government departments continues to drive technological advances. Indeed, the latest green technologies offer new and in some cases cheaper options. Emerging green-building technologies range from the splashy to the subtle. For instance, green-building technology companies are now […]

Carbon – The Broad-Spectrum Treatment Method

Improvements in analytical testing methods and concerns over micro-constituents and emerging contaminants are continuing to drive changes in federal drinking water standards. As this happens, the use of broad-spectrum treatment techniques, like activated carbon, will continue to grow. The use of activated carbon in treating potable water is not new. In fact, historical evidence indicates […]

2011 Best Multi-Discipline A/E Services Firms to Work For

Superior workplace practices, employee benefits, employee retention rates, and other incentives make the following this year’s Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firms To Work For. Ranging from 15 to more than 1,200 full-time employees, the sixth annual Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firms To Work For ranking saw participation from 24 firms, with huge variations in services offered. […]

Methodist Selects OB Hospital Build Team

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has announced it has selected the design and construction team to build its new $137 million hospital in Olive Branch, and that the team is expected to break ground on the project Oct. 19. Methodist, which already has six hospitals in the Memphis metro area, won approval in July from the […]

Methodist to Begin Building Olive Branch Hospital Oct. 19

The health care system announced late Wednesday the design and construction team for the $137 million, 100-bed hospital. Architecture firm Gresham Smith and Partners, with offices in Memphis as well as a dozen other cities, was selected to design the hospital. Nashville-based Smith Seckman and Reid Inc. was chosen to handle the engineering design, and New York […]

Smart hospital engineering

To operate properly, hospitals need smart engineering, from the HVAC systems to the fire/life safety and electrical equipment. Here, some expert engineers offer advice on smart hospital engineering.

The Gradual Conversion to Class A Office Complexes into LEED Silver and LEED Gold

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Spectrum Properties | Emery has taken this message to heart, leading the charge for ongoing sustainable retrofits and operations in the Southeast. Though the North Carolina-based real estate company has been implementing best practices and pursuing LEED® certification on new construction projects for several years, the sustainability journey […]

Panel to discuss property acquisition

CROSSVILLE — The Crossville City Council will consider how to move forward to acquire property for the first phase of the Northwest Connector when it meets tonight.City Attorney Kenneth Chadwell was tasked at a June 27 special-called meeting with continuing negotiations with property owners of the remaining two parcels needed for the highway. The city […]

SSRCx: LEEDing the Team to Gold

Gibbens Drake Scott and Systems Integration “Successful relationships equal successful projects.” The tag-line of Gibbens Drake Scott, Inc. (GDS) could also describe the necessity of good working relationships among all the players on the National Security Campus project team. GDS has an important role in maintaining the success of those relationships. GDS is the Mechanical […]

Understanding laboratory ventilation codes

Clinical laboratories are often on-site and associated with hospitals, but many times these facilities are independent and located away from the source of patient care and treatment. Regardless of the lab location, published rules and regulations apply to the design, layout, finishes, equipment, ventilation, and operation of the facility. While this article identifies many of the […]

Continuous Commissioning

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 5.1 Continuous Commissioning® can generate additional energy savings for a building, even after a full Retro-commissioning process. The LEED-EB Gold certified Caterpillar Financial Center in Nashville, Tenn. underwent both the Retro-commissioning and Continuous Commissioning® processes, and is now on track for a payback of less than two years for cost versus […]

Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit Brings Industry Leaders Together in Houston

Industry leaders fielded questions and provided valuable insights about the use of mobile technologies in Healthcare at the Houston Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit held on May 5, 2011 in Houston. The event was presented by Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. at the University of Houston Alumni Center. Other local sponsors of the event included HIMSS South Central […]

Benefits of a Whole-Building Design Approach

Working as a team earlier in the design process fosters creative problem-solving Buildings are tremendously complex. Even the simplest facilities require a highly trained team of professionals for their design, construction, and, eventually, operation. Actually, it is amazing that many buildings are ever built, considering the necessary financing, land acquisition, code and jurisdictional requirements, extremely […]

Smith Seckman Reid to Host Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit in Houston

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), a leading engineering design and facility consulting firm, is hosting a Mobile Healthcare Technology Summit on May 5 in Houston. The event will be held at the University of Houston Alumni Center where a panel of industry experts will explore topics surrounding mobile healthcare technology in the acute care setting. “Our Houston summit […]

People in Business

Rhodes College has been ranked 15th for producing Peace Corps volunteers among among 250 colleges and universities in the southeast region. Rhodes has 91 alumni who have served in the Peace Corps and has 14 currently overseas. Smith Seckman Reid, an engineering design and facility consulting firm, was selected as a winner of the People’s Choice […]

SSR & The Economic Stimulus

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 4.2  “THE INTENT OF THE STIMULUS BILL is to start construction as soon as possible on ‘shovel ready’ projects so that unemployed workers are put back on the job,” said Donoho. So far SSR has been selected to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) oversight for a bridge-replacement project in Carter […]

Does Your Water System Engage in Social Networking?

We all know about the trend in social media such as Facebook and Twitter, and most of us have seen the movie Avatar and know what an avatar is. However, do you know of the new technology that uses avatars for building water systems on social websites? In this new trend, a building has an […]

Best of 2010: Auburn Arena

The new arena is located on the Auburn University campus northwest of the existing Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. The 9,600-capacity arena has over 29,000 sq ft of student -athlete space, a two-court practice facility, men’s and women’s locker room suites with sports medicine facilities, a strength and conditioning center, lounges and meeting rooms, coaches offices, and […]

Demand Response: How to Operate Off the Grid

Most institutional and commercial facilities operate on flat rates from electric utilities. In most cases, utilities base these rates on calculations of the average cost of power delivered to customers. This method has worked for years, but a growing reliance on cooling systems has created a large demand on the electrical grid for reliable power […]

Mechanical engineering: What are we in for?

Current technologies are vastly different than the technologies in place when most mechanical engineers started. When mechanical engineers are in school, few of them know exactly where their degree might take them. I was one of those engineers. Being exposed to many aspects of this fascinating engineering program, I was awed by the range of […]

Greenbuild 2008: A Recap

Cx Monitor Newsletter, Issue 4.1 Based on the growth of Greenbuild, and the number of LEED registrations last year, I think we are beginning to see the long awaited market transformation. We have certainly demonstrated that there is a better way of doing things when it comes to building design, construction and operations. Market transformation […]

Water Treatment Plant Sets State Standard for Use of Filtration, Disinfection Technologies

The system includes two 900-lb-per-day hypochlorite generators, two 40-ton brine silos & three 15,000-gal storage tanks. Murfreesboro, Tenn., is known as one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., with a population that has grown more than 120% since 1990. As a result, Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department commissioned the 20-million-gal-per-day (mgd) Stones River […]

Green Heroes

Growing consumer desire for environmentally friendly business has led many companies to “green” their practices, making them more sustainable. In addition, many entrepreneurs have opened businesses with a green slant in recent years. The result? Green business has evolved into a profitable aspect of the business world for mom-and-pop shops and multinational companies alike.  What […]

Hernando panel a step toward Tree City USA status

Hernando has filled all seven slots on its new tree board, a panel required to gain Tree City USA status. And while the members hold firm to environmental responsibility, don’t dismiss them as tree huggers. “I’m a very practical engineer,” said one of the seven, Tiffany Heard. “But I say, ‘Just leave the trees.’ They’re […]

Health Care Energy Management Benchmarking

This paper includes energy benchmarking uses, metrics, tools, operational differences and efficiencies, early benchmarking pitfalls, fuel cost variances, dashboard reporting, multi-year trending analyses, load profiling, utility rates; weather and campus growth impacts on both energy index and utility index, similar/dissimilar facilities, and the pros and cons of the US-DOE CBECS databases. Also included are load […]

Economic and Design Considerations for Membrane Filtration a Lime Softening Plant

The City of Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department (MWSD) currently operates a 15.6 MGD Lime Softening/Mixed Media Filtration plant to provide drinking water to its approximately 25,000 customers. Although the plant has operated well over the last 40 years, increasing tight regulations coupled with concerns over aging filtration underdrains motivated City personnel to consider alternative […]

House new clinics in old buildings

The Tennessean’s March 30 article “Health reform may spur building boom” discusses a potential need for new healthcare facilities to handle the 32 million uninsured Americans to get health coverage. Clearly the addition of this many people will stress existing facilities and practitioners, creating a need for new clinics. This anticipated building spur in health […]

Green Building: Where Are We Going and How Will We Get There

Last year was the biggest year so far for green building. This is especially true in the commercial sector, where for the first time Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered floor area is expected to exceed the total floor area of new construction starts. 2009 was also the year where the House of […]

Building Green Today For a More Cost-Effective Tomorrow

For the past several years, the U.S. economy has seen a tremendous amount of growth in the adoption of sustainable practices. Organic and natural products now grace the isles of almost every grocer and department store. Consumer awareness has grown as more people try to purchase organic and locally grown produce. Recycling programs are more […]

The team approach to healthcare projects

Selecting design and construction team members and determining the methodology for how they will interact during healthcare construction projects can be a daunting process. The current design and construction trend in the healthcare industry is to accelerate the project schedule to minimize disruption in services on the existing campus. This is often accomplished by the […]

Continuous Commissioning® of a LEED-EB Gold Certified Office Building

A 320,000 square foot Class A high-rise office building in Nashville, TN achieved LEED-EB Gold Certification. LEED-EB version 2.0 was utilized, which requires Retro-Commissioning (RCx) as a prerequisite for certification. SSRCx performed the RCx services during the LEED-EB performance period, and was contracted after building certification to utilize the Continuous Commissioning® (CC®)1 process to seek […]

What About Day 2? Transitioning from Construction to Operations

Construction projects have standard approaches and processes. Facility operations, management and compliance also have standard approaches and processes. Many hospitals lack a solid process of transitioning from a construction project to operations and compliance. This affects the staff’s ability to manage systems and puts the hospital at risk of noncompliance with codes, standards, rules and […]

Taking care of business: How hospital electrical shutdowns can facilitate emergency management

Managing hospital electrical shutdowns is more important than ever in light of increasing concern about the impact electrical power outages can have on hospital operations. Electrical distribution equipment requires regular repair or maintenance, yet often this critical work is deferred because it is too difficult for the hospital facility director to get clinical permission to […]

Greening the Healthcare Industry

Healthcare and the environment are two of the hottest topics for discussion right now, especially with highly contested presidential campaigns this summer. For those of us in the construction industry, the two come together as the healthcare market and represent one of the largest market segments, but one of the slowest to adapt to the […]

Economic & Design Considerations for Membrane Filtration at a Lime Softening Plant

The city of Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department (MWSD) currently operates a 15.6-mgd lime softening–mixed media filtration plant to provide drinking water to approximately 25,000 customers. The plant has operated well over the past 40 years. However, stricter regulations coupled with concerns over aging filtration underdrains motivated city personnel to consider alternative filtration technologies to […]

Planning for Power Failures

Introduction Without power healthcare facilities are extremely vulnerable, especially if it is for an extended period of time. Every healthcare facility needs to have a plan in place and be prepared since there is rarely a warning before loss of power except in cases where a slow-moving hurricane or similar natural disaster is approaching. The […]

Smoke Control In Health Care Facilities – Part 2

To continue with the smoke control theme, more questions arise, such as: How are exits and atriums kept reasonably smoke-free, and how does all of this tie in with the building system? Also, where does this all end? The answers are not all that difficult, but do take some careful thought, planning, and discussion. As […]

Powering Down: An orderly process for switching off hospital electrical equipment

An electrical shutdown is a carefully managed process whereby electrical equipment is switched off for various reasons, including crucial maintenance, training, expansion and repair; and then turned back on again with minimal impact to patients. Electrical shutdowns can be performed safely and hospitals can gain added benefits from their electrical shutdowns if they also use […]

Managing Hospital Emergency Power Programmes

A hospital can have a simple or complex emergency power supply system (EPSS) but ensuring that the system continues contributing to safe and effective patient care with today’s challenges is rarely simple. Complexity is introduced because the EPSS powers other hospital systems such as the clinical, mechanical, vertical transportation and fire management systems. The hospital […]

Managing the Impact and Costs of Emergency Power Testing on Hospital Operations

Introduction Hospitals are required to have an emergency power testing program in place to meet the requirements of NFPA 70, NFPA 99 and NFPA 110, as well as standards established by accreditation organizations such as JCAHO. The goal of the emergency power testing program should be to comply with regulatory requirements without adversely affecting the […]