Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), in Nashville, Tennessee, has hired SSR to provide engineering design and consulting services on the largest expansion project to date on their main campus adult hospital, Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH). The new LINK building is a 15-story, 460,000 SF tower that will house patient beds, surgical support, imaging transplant and […]
SSR recently entered a unique partnership with Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC), a non-profit higher education university consortium based in Austin, Texas. Contracted by TEIC, SSR is engaged to serve on the main steering committee for a new, world-class teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. Colleagues Debbie Gregory and Zac Hillyard are the chair and co-chair […]
In February of 2022, Atrium Health opened their new greenfield hospital, Union West Hospital, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Just days before opening, the project’s design and construction team had an immediate sense of urgency to get the project open. The 40-bed, 150,000 SF facility was having difficulty getting positive pressure at the exterior […]
Most facilities are designed to operate at a certain level of performance. Over time, a facility’s performance may diminish due to age, improper maintenance, or worn-out equipment. Existing building commissioning (EBCx) provides an owner with a means to improve performance of existing buildings by finding ways to optimize existing systems and even replace older equipment […]
Like commissioning a ship, commissioning a building ensures a facility’s systems operate as they should, and the building is set to perform at peak efficiency. A building can be commissioned as part of the construction process (new building commissioning) or after the facility is occupied, which is known as existing building commissioning (EBCx). A common […]
In May, work concluded on a renovation project at Shell Energy Stadium (formally PNC Stadium), home to MLS team Houston Dynamo. The project included four renovated areas aimed at enhancing gameday and event experiences for patrons. Renovation work included a new 9,000 SF private club seating option on the East Sideline, an expansion of the […]
Vandy United, the $300 million master planning effort focused on reimagining athletics at Vanderbilt University is well underway. Ongoing Work The first project to enter construction, the Basketball Operations Center and North End Zone, is progressing nicely with work also beginning on the South End Zone. The new building will feature a 130,000 SF building […]
Clark Coleman, PE, joined the firm in early May as a Civil Project Manager. Prior to joining SSR, he worked for a contractor and for an industrial water team working on projects for a variety of clients including chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, and municipal water/wastewater. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech. […]
This year’s Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (KY/TN WPC) will take place July 30 – August 2 at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. SSR is thrilled to see many of our clients, friends, and industry partners at this event. Hosted by the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee (CWP-KT) and the Kentucky/Tennessee […]
With the growth of Warren County and the aging plant’s reliability, Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU) proactively searched for options for long-term resiliency and reliability for their existing water treatment plant (WTP). SSR worked hand in hand with BGMU over the past several years to guide them through design of an expansion to the water […]
The 2023 Green Sports Alliance Summit took place from June 26th to June 28th, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. This event, hosted with Oak View Group, aimed to raise awareness about the impact of sports on our culture and the environment. As the leading global event for sustainability in sports, the conference attracted a […]
Franklin Road is a major thoroughfare connecting Davidson and Williamson Counties in middle Tennessee. While much of the roadway has been widened to four or five lanes over the years, a section in Williamson County was still two lanes. As a road that sees increased traffic during rush-hour, especially when there is congestion on parallel […]
National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 17-21) is an annual week focused on encouraging safe driving through highway work zones. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones. Work zone safety needs your attention every time you get behind the wheel. Did you know that most people killed in work […]
On March 14, 2023, the USEPA proposed a National Drinking Water Regulation to establish legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water. EPA projects that regulation will be finalized in 2024. If finalized as planned, this rule will require drinking water utilities to comply within 3 years. SSR has been actively monitoring these developments […]
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new 7-page Categorical Waiver – Health Care Microgrid Systems (HCMSs) [Ref: QSO-23-11-LSC] on March 31, 2023. Although CMS continues to invoke the 2012 editions of NFPA 99 (Health Care Facilities Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), this new Categorical Waiver also invokes specific […]
SSR’s commissioning group likes to work on facilities that have complex mechanical and electrical systems – typically hospitals, stadiums, and labs. Sometimes a facility type will be outside our usual markets but still meet those criteria of having complex systems or unique challenges. In recent years, we’ve provided new building commissioning services to a private […]
In preparation for its 2023 All Star weekend, the NBA reached out to SSR to provide a structural peer review of a temporary structured cable bridge carrying television and audio cables into Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, UT. The bridge crossed a major, six-lane road that ran alongside the arena. The NBA sent our […]
In today’s fast paced world, sporting venues are being replaced at an increased frequency to provide a better experience for fans and athletes, incorporate the latest trends and technology, and keep up with the competition. What does that mean for the current home venue while the shiny new stadium or arena is in design and […]
On February 8, Vanderbilt University broke ground on the first Vandy United construction project. The event, for the new basketball operations center and north end zone project, was followed by a thrilling last second basketball victory by the Commodores over the University of Tennessee at Memorial Gym that reinforced the excitement for the future of […]
The soft opening for F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, TN occurred earlier this month and plans are being finalized for a grand opening later this summer. The community ice center is starting to host events and will open to the public in May and Austin Peay’s men’s and women’s basketball programs are enjoying their new […]
The healthcare field and others have been advised by the US government that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end on May 11, 2023. CMS has recently issued guidance (see the links below) for addressing the changes related to this process and its results. Many healthcare providers (hospitals and many others indicated in the […]
This project was the ACEC Tennessee Engineering Excellence Awards Grand Award, Structural Systems, Small Projects winner in 2022. Nestled underground, adjacent to the Memphis Light Gas Water (MLGW) administration building, sits a concrete parking structure. Originally constructed in the late 1960s, the garage is a cast-in-place, two-way concrete slab. In February of 2021, a significant […]
In Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, rock is at a high elevation underground and may be used to the benefit of the construction project. A popular solution to support heavy loading in the region is the use of micropiles. Read on for an introduction to micropiles. What is a micropile? A micropile is a small-diameter […]
During the second half of 2022, SSR intentionally restructured our horizontal services into three distinct business units: civil, structural, and transportation. This organizational move was done with both our colleagues and clients in mind. From an internal perspective, these distinct business units will leverage unique expertise and relationships to grow efficiently, provide more opportunities for […]
When most individuals hop in their and travel long or short distances on any given interstate, I would venture to say that many do not know much about the roads they’re on. Here are some fun facts about the interstate system. History In 1956, President Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense […]
The City of Bartlett, Tennessee, is widening a two-mile section of Old Brownsville Road in an area of town that has seen growth over the past decade. The existing two-lane urban facility overburdened with traffic and congestion is a vital link connecting two major north/south corridors on either end. The route is scattered with neighborhoods, […]
In recent years, SSR has retrofitted tube settler installations with plate settlers and designed new plate settlers for several local municipalities in the region. Utilities’ recent increase in interest of plates over tubes has primarily been charged to the need to increase settled water production without significant infrastructure changes. Compared to traditional settling and tubes, […]
The annual Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (WPC) is one of my favorite weeks of the year. The conference is always event packed and a great opportunity to see clients and connect with industry friends. The SSR water team is often well represented with colleagues serving on various boards and planning committees as well as […]
There are many reasons why a community may find itself without potable water. Natural disasters, such as ice storms, heavy rains, flooding, drought, and other occurrences can temporarily cause issues with water distribution. Many water departments plan for these events and, while sometimes devastating and unavoidable, the water contamination or shortage is brief. Infrastructure issues […]
On September 3, 2022, Snapdragon Stadium, the new home to San Diego State University’s (SDSU) football team, as well as the San Diego Wave FC, opened with much fanfare. The SDSU Aztecs hosted the Arizona Wildcats as a crowd of 35,000 kicked off the season and marked the beginning of a new era of growth […]
SSR is working on an expansion to Rain Rock Casino, a destination resort owned by the Karuk Tribe in Yreka, California. The expansion, designed to elevate Rain Rock to a must-see destination, includes a 43,000 SF hotel and 4,000 SF events center. The hotel will comprise 80 rooms, an additional eight cottages scattered across the […]
Project Highlights Designed an approximately 2,800 ton replacement chilled water plant for a 19,000-seat NHL Arena Employed a prefabricated modular chiller plant model to accommodate the tight construction window Completed in September 2022, ahead of the NHL season start, without interruption to building occupancy SSR has had the privilege of working at Amalie Arena, […]
How Temperature Influences Humidity and How Existing HVAC Systems Can Limit Operating Conditions Humidity control is one of the top mechanical issues our healthcare clients face. Working with approximately $2 billion in healthcare construction and renovation projects each year, we can attest to the prevalence of humidity issues among a range of healthcare facilities including […]
Understanding The Future of Facility Lighting Systems Imagine lights being used for more than simply illumination—used to track orders in a warehouse, send coupon codes to passersby, or automatically change to match a guest’s favorite color when they enter a room. With the evolution of lighting controls, these concepts are becoming realities. Smart lighting is […]
The Joint Commission’s (TJC’s) July 1, 2022 Hospital Emergency Management (EM) Chapter changes added some interesting new content regarding utility equipment emergency management. The current utility requirements can now be found in new Standard EM.12.02.11. The following summary does not include the full TJC language – readers should review the new requirements closely. After the […]
The Mississippi River has always been integral to the City of Memphis. Founders of the city once dedicated the riverfront to the public “now and forever,” cementing the relationship between its people and the water. The Memphis riverfront landing was originally paved in cobblestones in the mid-19th century and has figured into shipping avenues, public […]
SSR is helping the City of Brentwood achieve its commitment to sanitary infrastructure rehabilitation and improvements through the construction of the Brentwood/Metro Nashville Equalization Pump Station and Storage Facility. By reducing sanitary sewer collection system overflows, this project will improve the management of wet weather peak flows and the quality of Tennessee’s natural waterways. During […]
This year’s Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (KY/TN WPC) will take place July 17-20 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky. After attending last year’s event in Chattanooga, SSR is thrilled to once again see many of our clients, friends, and industry partners. Hosted by the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee (CWP-KT) […]
The precision and accuracy when pouring concrete for an ice floor must be perfect in order to achieve a joint-free slab. Check out this time-lapse video of the concrete pour for the ice floor that took place in mid-June for F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee. Learn more about SSR’s role on the F&M Bank […]
Nashville is a city known for music, entertainment, and sports. From professional sports teams —like the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators—to college athletics—like the Vanderbilt Commodores—sports drive the camaraderie Nashvillians have shared across the city for decades. Located in the heart of the city, Vanderbilt University is undertaking one of its biggest investments in athletics […]
Earlier this year, SSR released a blog post centered on design considerations for venues looking to host high profile sporting events. This post is a continuation, focused on existing facilities. What began as an emergency response to a loss of cooling caused by a breaker failure in the electrical systems during Game 1 of the […]
The intersections of Winchester Road with Plough Blvd and Airways Blvd, just west of the Memphis International Airport (MEM), is an inefficient stretch of road that sees nearly 35,000 cars daily. A vital intersection to MEM, FedEx, and the larger Memphis community, the Plough/Airways/Winchester intersection has long been identified as an area in need of […]
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, […]
If you’re in the water industry, you’ve likely heard that A LOT of money is about to be up for grabs over the next few years due to legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funding opportunities are exciting… but the hundreds of pages of legislative […]
This year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), observed April 11-15, was themed “Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down”. NWZAW is an annual campaign held at the start of construction season that encourages safe driving through highway work zones. The public awareness campaign was launched 22 years ago to encourage drivers to use extra caution […]
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles and the demand for charging stations is affecting many of the markets and projects that SSR serves. Eric Sheffer, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, ISSP-SA, Sustainability Principal, provided insight to how owners, developers, and industry leaders are embracing electric vehicles and charging stations. Widespread Adoption Interest in electric vehicle charging […]
In Part 2 of the series, Design Considerations for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, we explored key considerations for a potential electric vehicle charging project. Now, after the green light to include EV charging on a project, we will dive into the main infrastructure design components necessary for a successful installation. At this point in a […]
In the sporting world, many different events can be classified as “big events,” but there is none larger than the NFL’s Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is typically the world’s most watched annual sporting event. But what does it take to be Super Bowl or big event ready? In addition to the Super Bowl, […]
As a consultant to the NHL, SSR is often asked to perform assessments of venues ahead of their special events, including outdoor games, playoffs, and Stanley Cup Finals. This past fall and winter, SSR was engaged to perform an assessment at all three venues hosting outdoor NHL games: Target Field in Minneapolis: Hosted the 2022 […]
In January of this year, F&M Bank Arena, located in downtown Clarksville, TN, celebrated its topping out ceremony. The multi-purpose event center, owned by Montgomery County and operated by Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment (a division of the Nashville Predators), is working towards an opening in the first half of 2023. The multi-tenant venue will feature […]
Work. Play. Sleep. Repeat. That was how I recently spent a busy 48 hours in Las Vegas with two of SSR’s clients: the NHL and Las Vegas Raiders. The NHL was hosting All-Star Weekend at T-Mobile Arena as the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Prior to the festivities, SSR […]
As progress continues at San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Snapdragon Stadium, the SSR team has continued to make regular site visits, with the most recent trip taking place in late January. Permanent power was brought online in November and our team has been on site assessing the electrical systems being installed, performing field verifications, and […]
Over the past 18 months, the SSR team has been engaged in numerous high-profile pursuits for the sports and entertainment market. Time after time, when an owner was asked what they valued most or what they really wanted the new venue to speak to, we consistently heard these areas of focus: fan experience, fan comfort, […]
In Part 1 of our series on electric vehicle charging stations, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations 101, I set the foundation for the demand of electric vehicle charging stations. In this segment, I’ll explore five design considerations an owner or property manager should consider when installing charging stations on their site. These considerations apply to both […]
Introduced more than 100 years ago, electric vehicles have seen a rise in popularity today for many of the same reasons they were first popular. Whether it’s a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric, the demand for electric drive vehicles has continued to climb as prices drop and consumers look for ways to save money at […]
We made it! Seven of SSR’s offices achieved WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). We achieved the minimum of 15 points required for certification for each of the project locations. Now, what did we learn? Don’t Recreate the Wheel Once the project(s) are registered in […]
Two stories that dominated the news cycle during the 2021 summer months were the Surfside condominium collapse and the crack discovered in the Hernando de Soto Bridge. Each of these events confirms the value and importance of structural assessments. A structural assessment is performed to ensure that a building or bridge meets all applicable codes […]
Geographic Information Science (GIS), or spatial data science, is the scientific discipline of using location intelligence to explore spatial patterns and relationships, answer questions, and solve problems relating to a variety of different topics. At SSR, we help our colleagues and clients harness the power of location intelligence to make better decisions using geographic information […]
PFAS are an emerging contaminant in the water industry, but there is still much debate on the severity of their presence and how to handle them. These chemicals come in thousands of forms but are all characterized by a highly durable fluoroalkyl chain. Some, such as PFAS, are dubbed “forever chemicals” for their longevity in the natural environment. The obvious culprits of PFAS water pollution are Teflon and firefighting foams, […]
Technology continues to impact how we live, work, and perform our jobs. Over the years, sustained advancements in technologies have dramatically increased efficiency and productivity in our daily lives. In the AEC industry specifically, these developments have resulted in additional demands on building projects by increasing the pressure to expedite and accelerate project timelines. One […]
A recently published comprehensive ASHE Health Facilities Management article “Ensuring facility power quality – Problems and solutions for today’s high-tech hospitals” addresses the causes and results of healthcare facility infrastructure issues related to power quality, along with recommendations for mitigating power quality problems. The most common types of power quality problems are voltage deviations such […]
In October, several SSR colleagues attended a breakfast panel hosted by Turner Construction Company, The Nashville Sports Council, and ACEC Tennessee about “The Future of Sports Facilities.” This event was hosted in First Horizon Ballpark (an SSR-designed facility) and was a great forum to listen and discuss the trends shaping the future of our industry. […]
After the tragic Surfside condominium collapse outside of Miami earlier this year, SSR was engaged by the ownership team of FTX Arena to provide a structural assessment of the building with a major focus on the parking garage. Home to the NBA’s Miami Heat, the arena was required by local authorities to have an outside […]
It’s no secret that professional athletics is a booming business. The average worth of the 50 most valuable teams is $3.4 billion (as of May 2021). The top three teams — the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, and New York Nicks — are each valued at more than $5 billion! As the value of professional […]
Work on San Diego State University (SDSU) Snapdragon Stadium is progressing nicely and on track to host the 2022 season opener on September 3rd against the Arizona Wildcats. Recently in July, the stadium construction team reached a major milestone with the topping out ceremony with the last steel beam installed. Since then, the stadium has […]
Grand Hotel is often referred to as “America’s Summer Place.” Located on Northern Michigan’s Mackinac Island, the historic hotel is truly one-of-a-kind, and not because it has received the AAA Four Diamond Rating for 26 consecutive years. What sets Grand Hotel apart is the quaintness that comes with being located on an island that is […]
We are in the home stretch! Projects can achieve up to three points total in the Innovation category to help round out their score under any of the following options: Option 1: Innovation Proposal A project can submit an innovation proposal that describes a feature that positively impacts project occupants by relating to acute […]
With great respect, honor, and gratitude, SSR would like to honor and thank all those that have served. Thank you, Veterans. Mark Arcenell, Medical Equipment Planner, Nashville Jerrye Barriger, CEI Technician, Crestview Jim Bice, Project Manager, Nashville Joshua Brown, CEI Technician, Nashville Rick Cook, CHFM, CxA, Commissioning Business Development Partner, Washington, DC William Deaton, CEI […]
The Summer/Fall issue of Straight from the Tap highlighted two SSR colleagues for their outstanding achievements. I’m proud of the contributions that our team makes to the water/wastewater profession and it’s important to recognize their commitment to the industry. Luke Williams, PE, was recognized as the 2021 Water for People Kenneth J. Miller Award […]
While very few states have regulatory requirements around electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS), they are not ignoring the rise in popularity and the impact that fewer gas-powered cars on the road will have on transportation budgets. David Donoho, PE, Transportation Principal, provided insight to the future impact of electric vehicles on transportation planning and DOTs. […]
Communities (cities, utilities, authorities, etc.) across the US consistently utilize hydrant flushing methods to clear sediments from their water distribution system. Water system flushing has long been considered an effective method to remove unwanted tastes, odors, or discolorations of the water, and to improve chlorine residuals. When a community considers implementing a flushing plan into […]
As mentioned in several previous posts, the key to a successful WELL Health-Safety project is communication with building occupants. One of the main drivers for projects to pursue the rating is to prioritize and promote the health and safety of their buildings and spaces. The following category for Stakeholder Engagement and Communication awards projects for […]
What would a day be like without water? Thursday, October 21st was the seventh annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a national education campaign that highlights how essential water is. SSR celebrated the week by highlighting the lesser known impact of water on projects across our many markets and service lines. SPORTS VENUES AND […]
While modern plumbing systems are comparatively advanced in design, the pipes and equipment that make up water infrastructure were not meant to last forever. Richard Chappell, PE, BCEE is an environmental and civil engineer in SSR’s Infrastructure Program. He says many of the pipes that carry water and wastewater have been in the ground for […]
As engineers, architects, and designers consider how to manage water usage for building development, there are several industry-wide rating systems in place that encourage water conservation. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is one rating system that places a high priority on water use reduction and conservation. Hannah Walter, […]
In addition to the obvious usage of water in the food manufacturing industry — as an ingredient, cleanser, etc. — water serves as a fundamental tool to transport and protect products throughout the manufacturing process. SSR has a longstanding relationship with a global food processing client which includes the recent design of a new processing […]
While all buildings require water for consumption, heating, cooling, and plumbing, access to clean water is arguably most critical in healthcare settings. Facilities such as the William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital at UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX have unique needs to be met in order to safely provide for patients and hospital staff. Lee […]
The Joint Commission’s 2021 updates to the Hospital Accreditation (and some other) Emergency Management Chapter Standards include numerous cases where documentation (indicated by the new “D” icon) is now required whereas those icons were not indicated prior to the 2021 changes. The Emergency Management Elements of Performance with new “D” (documentation required) icons are: EM020101 […]
A sports and entertainment venue requires an abundance of resources to maintain and operate – especially one that hosts a top NBA team. Fortunately, the Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors, has several systems in place that efficiently and creatively minimize its environmental impact. SSR’s design consulting services within mechanical, […]
As a supplement to a recent Consulting Specifying Engineer article, our team of experts also produced a case study that showed the results of a test to the feasibility and effectiveness of a duct-mounted ultraviolet system.
This post is a continuation of our discussion on improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and water quality for projects pursuing the WELL Health-Safety Rating. The last post highlighted Features that required some technical expertise. The remaining Features in the Air and Water Quality Management category require regular maintenance or monitoring throughout the year if pursued. […]
Improving indoor air quality is a significant driver for improved occupant health outcomes. This was known prior to COVID but has become more apparent since. The WELL Health-Safety Rating has put significant weight on improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) of buildings as part of achieving and maintaining the rating. The following Features are related […]
We are ready for some football! And basketball! And hockey! Real, in-person sports! After a 2020 fall that saw capped attendance at sporting events across the country, we are thrilled to see stadiums and arenas safely return to full capacity. As we approach every project, delivering a memorable fan experience is often a top goal […]
SSR has been providing engineering and consulting services to the sports and entertainment market for nearly three decades. Throughout that time, we’ve been privileged to work with dozens of owners with various degrees of experience with a major construction project. From these experiences, we’ve compiled our TOP 5 List of Design Considerations for an owner […]
Be sure to check out Part 1: Considerations for Masonry Exteriors. Testing Methods The testing methods used to evaluate moisture intrusion are beyond the scope of this article and are even harder to explain to a client that is fed up with failed attempts and long-winded explanations. They just want to be told that the […]
Introduction to Masonry and Moisture Contrary to popular belief, masonry leaks. This includes brick, CMUs (concrete masonry units aka cinder blocks), and all forms of veneer. Often, it’s the mortar that is to blame and more specifically, its current state of absorption or consistency. In this two-part article, I will cover what happens when you […]
As the Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs celebrates their first anniversary, we wanted to share some photos of the second phase of the project. At the conclusion of the 25,000 SF gaming hall addition, Kentucky Downs converted much of the old space into restaurants and other amenities for patrons to enjoy. SSR took great […]
Mike Rogers and Scott Terry recently attended the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) annual conference, VenueConnect 2021, in Atlanta. Representing public assembly venues (arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, fairgrounds, performing arts centers, stadiums, universities, etc.) from around the world, the conference is an opportunity to bring all types of industry partners together for education, advocacy […]
Predictive Maintenance (PdM) or Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) technologies have been in use for some time to help facility professionals assess equipment condition. This article will use PdM to reflect both approaches as discussed in an earlier companion article. This article discusses using real-time acoustic and ultrasonic monitoring for detecting air-borne or structure-borne sound waves associated […]
Predictive Maintenance (PdM) or Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) can help facility professionals solve problems they don’t even know about yet. Many health care facilities currently have ongoing Preventive Maintenance (PM) programs that consist of lists of activities to be performed at calendar-based intervals. Sometimes those PMs are based upon past practices, and sometimes they are based […]
Today (August 4th) is Professional Engineers Day. The purpose of the day is to celebrate licensed professional engineers by raising awareness about what it means to be a PE, recognizing licensed PEs, and showing appreciation for the work they do every day. At SSR, we’d be nowhere without our engineers. To recognize the day, we […]
The Mississippi River floods in April and May 2011 were among the largest and most damaging recorded along the U.S. waterway in the past century. The City of Dyersburg, TN, located 79 miles northeast of Memphis, was hit particularly hard with most of the flooding occurring in the community of South Town, one of the […]
In early May, a mechanical fracture was discovered during a routine inspection of the Interstate 40 bridge (Hernando DeSoto Bridge) over the Mississippi River. The bridge was closed to all traffic while the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) worked together evaluate the damage and determine the best solution for […]
This year’s Kentucky Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (KY/TN WPC) will take place August 15-18 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. After skipping the 2020 event, SSR is thrilled to once again see many of our clients, friends, and industry partners. Hosted by the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee (CWP-KT) and the Kentucky/Tennessee Section of […]
Hi! I’m Kate MacIndoe, PE, Civil Engineer – Water/Wastewater, and this year’s Kentucky/Tennessee Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Young Professionals (YP) Chair. Part of my responsibilities as KY/TN AWWA YP Chair are to help coordinate the Water for Life event that takes place Sunday afternoon of the Water Professionals Conference. I am […]
Healthcare systems may be struggling to comply with the fact that the physical environments of their business occupancies are surveyable. In many accredited healthcare systems, the quantity of business occupancies that are part of that entity’s CMS Certification Number is substantial. Although the potential for surveys of business occupancy physical environments has been there for […]
Reducing occupancy loads, adjusting seating assignments and circulation paths, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE! These are all protocols and procedures that facilities began analyzing and implementing in early 2020 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The WELL Health-Safety Rating has multiple features related to keeping people safe while keeping business going to guide […]
SSR has been working on the whiskey bar at Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant. The project is the reimagining of a former coffee shop into The Reserve, a new whiskey lounge and bar, as part of the resort’s capital improvement projects. SSR provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design for the new power, mechanical, lighting, and plumbing […]
This blog originally appeared on the Women in Healthcare blog. You can learn more about the organization here. Women in Healthcare, as an organization, is “committed to providing women in the healthcare industry with the community and tools needed to prosper and to allow them to have a seat at the table they want to […]
Sports and entertainment facilities need some of the most versatile controls when considering integration and operation of a building. Whether we’re talking about a stadium, arena, gaming space, or event space, controllability of lighting systems has many considerations when designing a new system or integrating into an existing one. Today, energy codes provide a […]
When COVID hit, the first thing that we all started thinking about was how to best clean and sanitize spaces and surfaces to reduce the potential spread of viruses. This involved not only the type of cleaning products used but also a deeper look at the amount of “high-touch” surfaces a person can encounter during […]
In 2018, SSR began working with a utility district in Middle Tennessee on the addition of a new force main at one of their largest pump stations for increased flexibility during wet weather events. The goal was to install a new 24” ductile iron force main approximately three miles in length along very difficult terrain […]
A hydraulic water model is a powerful tool that can aid in development impact assessment, master planning, fire flow analysis, and emergency response occurrences. Through the help of specialized software, such as InfoWater Pro, a community’s distribution system can be modeled as a network that includes many attributes such as diameter and length of pipes, […]
This year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), observed April 26-30, is themed “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.” NWZAW is an annual campaign held at the start of construction season that encourages safe driving through highway work zones. The public awareness campaign was launched 21 years ago to encourage drivers to use extra caution […]
My engineering professors at Vanderbilt always told us that there’s only so much you can learn in the classroom and that we would have to be prepared to learn on the job after graduation. I knew they were right—the real world is a lot more complicated and unpredictable than carefully crafted homework problems—but I underestimated […]
Now that you know how much the WELL Health-Safety Rating can cost, the next question is “how much effort and from who does it take to make this happen?” Our resident WELL Accredited Professional, Hannah Walter, will break it down for you based on SSR’s own pursuit of the WELL Health-Safety Rating on our offices. […]
One of the first questions which comes up when trying to get the conversation started about green building certification is “How much is this gonna cost?” Our resident WELL Accredited Professional, Hannah Walter, will break it down for you based on SSR’s own pursuit of the WELL Health-Safety Rating on our offices. How much […]
In late 2020, league officials from both the NBA and NHL were looking at ways to protect both the players and fans in their arenas. Ahead of their respective seasons, each league published return to play protocols that included recommended and required measures. These guidelines prioritized measures intended to reduce the risk of transmission of […]
When the San Diego State University (SDSU) Aztec’s kick-off their 2022 season, they’ll be doing so in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. The 35,000-seat stadium will be the first completed component of the redevelopment of the old Qualcomm Stadium, the former 135-acre home of the San Diego Chargers. Bashor Field at Aztec Stadium Located on […]
We are excited to announce that, as of January 6, 2021, SSR is enrolled to pursue the WELL Health-Safety Rating for a portfolio of our offices through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Office locations included in the Health-Safety Rating submission will cover the majority of our colleagues wherein we have sufficient control of building […]
When is it ok to sacrifice our health for the sake of convenience? This has been a burning question for consumers and regulators as they work to implement a plan to reduce the hormone disrupting and cancer causing PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) – also known as forever chemicals – polluting many of our source […]
One of the most troublesome, yet often overlooked enemies of the water/wastewater industry is corrosion. It is estimated that the direct cost of dealing with corrosion in the United States totals $276 billion annually, $36 billion of which is spent in the water/wastewater (W/WW) industry alone. This estimate comes from a two-year study performed by […]
As cities and communities around the country continue grow, many local water departments and utilities are faced with challenges, particularly as it relates to infrastructure. The challenge of significant growth will be most felt by those that are the sole water provider for an area. Fortunately, technology has continued to advance and water modeling software […]
Recent Joint Commission articles have indicated there will be additions to the LS/EOC Document List and Review Tool starting in early 2021. The Joint Commission has finally released those long-awaited 2021 changes. The updated Life Safety & Environment of Care Document List and Review Tool for 2021 is located on pages 102 through 116 of […]
For the last two decades, SSRCx has been providing commissioning services for different types of buildings and facilities across the United States and around the world. During our 20-plus years of experience, our team of seasoned project managers, engineers, and consultants have encountered systems that are unique to a specific project. Read on to learn […]
Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.’s (SSR) commissioning division, SSRCx, has been providing consulting services to clients across the United States and around the world for over two decades. During that time we’ve had the privilege of commissioning thousands of facilities, from healthcare to higher education, corrections to community facilities. While no two projects are ever alike, […]
As we seek more information on the safest way to re-open our buildings during this pandemic, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched a set of pilot credits under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system. These pilot credits provide sustainable best practices relative to disinfecting and cleaning, HVAC […]
In its October 7, 2020 issue of Joint Commission Online, The Joint Commission requested comments on its proposed new water management program standard, through a field review of the proposed new standard. The Joint Commission field review is accepting comments through November 16, 2020. A Joint Commission speaker at the Virtual ASHE Annual Conference presentation […]
In July, the Chase Center officially achieved LEED Gold certification. It’s no easy feat for sports facilities to achieve certification; across the four major U.S. sports, just 31 venues have achieved a LEED certification and the Chase Center is one of five NBA arenas to be LEED Gold or higher certified. Arenas tend to excessively […]
While ventilation and filtration are the best and most proven means for HVAC systems to positively impact human health in building, air cleaning and treatment can be considered for possible enhancement of indoor air quality. There are several air cleaning and treatment technologies in the market today, and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
As the gates swing open and fans walk through the turnstiles for the first time in several months, arena, stadium, and ballpark owners and operators must find ways to create a safe environment for their guests. Public confidence must be restored in order to get fans back in the seats. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught […]
In early September, the Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs, a 25,000 SF addition, opened to much fanfare. The premier gaming destination features 850 slot machines, a high stakes area, sophisticated central bar, and entertainment stage. SSR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design services for the project. Designing the mechanical system for […]
Since 2007, the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University has hosted their annual Healthcare Design & Construction Symposium. In a typical year, the highly sought-after event is attended by 150 healthcare professionals from across the country. This year, due to restrictions stemming from COVID-19, the symposium went virtual, presenting eight sessions over two days to […]
Iconic but future-proof, innovative with a community-focus. These are some of the expectations of new sports and entertainment venues being built around the world. Ownership teams are looking for jaw-dropping designs that appeal to fans, deliver a competitive advantage to the home team, and often anchor a massive entertainment district intended to revitalize a community. […]
As states, local governments, and companies across the U.S. plan for reopening based on a range of unique situations, facilities are beginning to plan for their employees or tenants to return to offices. Amidst the need to change how building mechanical systems operate to provide safe environment for occupants, opportunities exist to help mitigate potential […]
In August, the doors to Allegiant Stadium will open to the public for the first time, unveiling arguably one of the most exciting entertainment venues in the world. Less than three years after the groundbreaking ceremony, all eyes will be on the new home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. The 65,000-seat, almost $2 billion […]
In 2009, Texas Christian University (TCU) decided to embark on a transformative project for Amon G. Carter Stadium, the historic home to the Horned Frogs football team. Originally built in the early 1930s, the stadium had been gradually expanded over the years, but the athletic department and administration recognized a need for more space, improved […]
During a global pandemic it may be difficult to consider beyond the next change, however facility infrastructure risks still need attention. A July 2020 Healthcare Facility Management (HFM) Magazine article entitled “A review of common hospital utility risks – Proactive assessment of hospital utilities can help to minimize risks and ensure safe and efficient operations” […]
The green building certification industry has taken the initiative to help address concerns for returning to work and building design as it relates to COVID-19. The three most prominent certifications in the U.S. to date are the WELL Health-Safety Rating, the Arc Re-Entry score, and the RESET® Building Standard. All provide guidance to client looking […]
As the United States continues to open up, facilities across the country are beginning to plan for a return to occupancy. Careful consideration for the safety of those occupants, from employees to the general public, must be considered to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. While not inclusive, SSR’s subject matter experts have compiled a list […]
As the United States continues to open up, facilities across the country are beginning to plan for a return to occupancy. Careful consideration for the safety of those occupants, from employees to the general public, must be considered to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. While not inclusive, SSR’s subject matter experts have compiled a list […]
Unfortunately for the players of Super Bowl XLVII, any on-field action is probably the third-most memorable event for the casual viewer. The 2013 game is most known for either Beyoncé’s halftime show or for the lights going out early in the third quarter. Parts of the stadium went dark for over thirty minutes, leaving fans […]
CMS issued some new physical environment blanket waivers on April 29, 2020 permitting certain CMS-mandated inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) activities to be adjusted during the federal emergency declaration. The previous broadly-distributed April 29th version included the ITM blanket waivers on page 23, but additional changes since then included some other CMS physical environment blanket […]
PART 2 – MANUFACTURING FACILITIES Recall that in the Part 1 of this series (Defining and Identifying High Energy Buildings in the U.S.) we reviewed the current state of the U.S. energy use and environmental impact on a global scale and defined and identified high energy building categories. From that review we determined that manufacturing […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a link to the mandatory 1135 Waivers posted on their website for the Emergency Preparedness Rule (originally called the Emergency Preparedness Final Rule or EPFR). The 1135 Waivers link above provides the full 1135 Waivers requirements. However, the purpose of this article is not to discuss the […]
ASHRAE has developed proactive guidance to help address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. The linked webpage below provides easily accessible resources from ASHRAE to building industry professionals. Interim Guidance from the CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Quality Safety & Oversight (OSQ) Memorandum QSO-20-12-All, Suspension of Survey Activities, on March 4, 2020. In the QSO Memorandum background message, CMS stated that “Specifically, CMS is suspending non-emergency inspections across the country, allowing inspectors to turn their focus on the most serious health and safety […]
Integrating occupant wellbeing with resource efficiency In recent years our firm has seen a shift where the green building industry is moving toward “human-centered design”, i.e. integrating occupant health and wellness with energy efficiency in buildings. Rating systems such as WELL™ and FITWEL® focus on improving occupant comfort, health, and productivity through operational and design […]
A recent Health Facilities Management Magazine article entitled Powering up to meet today’s health technology demands discusses in detail the impacts of burgeoning health care technology on health care facility power systems. The consistently increasing technology changes are likely to ramp up even more throughout all health care facilities, not just in hospitals. Clinical areas […]
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) announced recently that it is postponing the official dates of pending revisions to the following three standards until further notice as a result of pending appeals to provisions on these standards: Revisions to: USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding – Nonsterile Preparations USP <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding – Sterile Preparations New chapter: USP […]
Part 1: Defining and Identifying High Energy Buildings in the US The architectural and engineering community in the U.S. has engaged in designing energy-efficient buildings and helping building owners optimize energy performance in existing buildings since the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) introduced Standard 90.1 – Energy Efficient Design of New […]
CMS issued a February 1, 2019 update (Ref: QSO19-06-ALL) to the State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix Z emergency preparedness interpretive guidance to clarify CMS requirements pertaining to alternate source power and emergency standby systems. The clarifications (in red) are easy to find within the 56-page document. In its Memorandum Summary, CMS stated “We are updating […]
The discussion below is an update to our more comprehensive previous analysis entitled CMS Emergency Preparedness Final Rule Could Require More Equipment on Generators. The Emergency and Standby Power Systems portion of the CMS Emergency Preparedness Final Rule (CMS EPFR) discussed “specific compliance with NFPA 99, NFPA 101 and NFPA 110 for generator design, location, […]
ECRI Institute (ECRI) recently published its 2019 Top 10 list of health technology hazards. Healthcare organizations could consider this latest update of this list as one of many potential sources for identifying new safety risks or guiding due reconsideration of previously-identified safety risks. ECRI determines the content of the annual list, by considering adverse incidents, […]
CMS changed the rules for both inventories and equipment inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) requirements in December 2013. The CMS changes require that, where law and regulations do not stipulate ITM, manufacturer ITM recommendations must be followed unless the organization has a compliant AEM Program and uses a risk-based process to determine how and when […]
TJC recently released its newly updated Life Safety & Environment of Care Document List and Review Tool, marked REVISED: 4/30/2018. The individual pages of the list are each marked with a 3/13/2018 revision date, which correlates to the TJC speaker’s 3/27/2018 PDC Conference general session reference to those revisions. This is the list of documents […]
TJC recently released its newly updated Life Safety & Environment of Care Document List and Review Tool, marked REVISED: 4/30/2018. The individual pages of the list are each marked with a 3/13/2018 revision date, which correlates to the TJC speaker’s 3/27/2018 PDC Conference general session reference to those revisions. This is the list of documents […]
Surveyors often seem to find the violations you did not see before they arrived at your facility. Why is that? It may be because they have never seen your facility before, so they see everything with what professionals in the field call “fresh eyes.” A major contributing factor is also the important fact that surveyors […]
TJC recently updated its Survey Activity Guide (SAG) for 2018. Contained within that updated SAG is an updated Life Safety and Environment of Care Document List and Review Tool, found on SAG pages 101-108. It appears that the new LS/EC Document List and Review Tool included some of the January 2018 changes to TJC’s elements […]
Most hospitals have utility failure procedures for major utility systems or equipment. However, existing utility failure procedures may have room for improvement, particularly in how they deal with common-mode failure potential within their utility systems and equipment. Reliability professionals generally consider that multiple failures, including failures in otherwise redundant equipment, attributable to a common cause […]
TJC recently finalized the January 1, 2018 changes within its online Hospital Accreditation Standards Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) chapters. With a few exceptions, those changes were driven by the CMS September 2016 publication of the NFPA 101-2012 and NFPA 99-2012 K-Tags according to previous TJC announcements. This article discusses the major […]
Perhaps the future of gathering information about projects is in the air. SSR is testing that theory. Drones came into the public consciousness a few years ago, mostly as novelty holiday gifts. The new age alternative to remote-controlled airplanes, drones offered something additional — they could hover and they included ample space to mount a […]
TJC recently published the January 1, 2018 changes to its online Hospital Accreditation Standards Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) chapters. With a few exceptions, those changes were driven by the CMS September 2016 publication of the NFPA 101-2012 and NFPA 99-2012 K-Tags according to previous TJC announcements. This article discusses only the […]
Owners of sports and entertainment venues and design firms have long been focused on innovative design, comfort of their patrons, and facility performance. Over the past several years, the focus has shifted to include sustainability as a primary objective. As high-profile entertainment venues, sports facilities are in a unique position to showcase facility performance and […]
The CMS Emergency Preparedness Final Rule (CMS EPFR) took effect on November 16, 2016, and compliance is expected by CMS starting November 16, 2017. Per the handout for CMS’ April 27, 2017 webinar, the new CMS-required all hazards approach “is an integrated approach to emergency preparedness planning that focuses on capacities and capabilities that are […]
When changing from one event to another, building pressure and air flow can be a major concern for venue operations. Not only can they affect energy efficiency, a major concern for many owners, they can also affect air quality in the building, and, by extension, both patron experience and the event itself. In 2016, SSR […]
The fight against Legionella bacteria within healthcare facilities has been a topic of healthcare industry discussions and concern for more than a decade. CMS substantially raised the bar in June 2017 when it issued a revised Survey & Certification Letter [S&C 17-30-Hospitals/CAHs/NHs REVISED 06.09.2017] PDF entitled “Requirement to Reduce Legionella Risk in Healthcare Facility Water […]
TJC recently published the July 1, 2017 changes to its online Hospital Accreditation Standards Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) chapters. Published changes include some clarifications and corrections to previously-issued changes, such as EC.02.05.01 Element of Performance 6 (EP-6) regarding inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) for non-high-risk utility system components. This change modified […]
Every building owner has to ask themselves that question. It’s inevitable and a long, hard look at the answer can sometimes be what stands between them and significant cost savings. It comes at no surprise that the biggest energy and cost drain is the HVAC system. So, the next question is then, “How much will […]
One important change in NFPA 99-2012 was the addition of Chapter 15, Features of Fire Protection. Within that chapter is a new Section 15.13, entitled Fire Loss Prevention in Operating Rooms. Subsection 15.13.1, Hazard Assessment, requires an evaluation of FIRE hazards that could be encountered during surgical procedures, including “hazards associated with the properties of […]
During his late afternoon March 14th session at the just-completed 2017 ASHE PDC Conference in Orlando, TJC speaker George Mills (Director of TJC’s Department of Engineering) announced upcoming additions and changes that will supplement the newly-released January 7th Elements of Performance (EPs) and the already-pending July 1st EP changes. Mr. Mills stated that the required […]
Every year, when Health Facilities Management and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association release their Hospital Construction Survey results, I am always intrigued about what it will reveal. The 2017 report is out, and I’m happy to see the connection between designing healthcare facilities and the clinical workflow highlighted. Hospitals […]
Building enclosure (or envelope) commissioning (BECx) is a process by which the performance of a facility is evaluated and verified against the specific quality requirements of the owner. The commissioning team in charge of BECx is involved throughout the entire project, from the pre-design phase through the operations and maintenance phase. From the start, the […]
CMS has published the long-awaited K-Tags that reflect the adoption of the 2012 codes (NFPA 101-2012® Life Safety Code® and NFPA 99-2012 Health Care Facilities Code). Note that both of these codes also invoke many other NFPA codes and standards that can be between 10- and 15 years newer than the previously-enforced editions. K-Tags are […]
Many hospitals are still struggling with the AEM inclusion risk assessments required by both the CMS Survey & Certification Letter and Accrediting Organization (AO) requirements. This newsletter revisits and updates a previous discussion of AEM risk assessment requirements. TJC-accredited hospitals, for example, now face an even more important reason for having an effective AEM-inclusion risk […]
Now that CMS has adopted the 2012 Life Safety Code™ and 2012 Health Care Facilities Code, CMS is surveying for compliance with NFPA 110-2010. NFPA 110-2010 has very specific requirements for the 3-year 4-hour EPSS load test, and many hospitals may not be complying with those requirements. From NFPA 101-2012® Life Safety Code® [referencing NFPA […]
TJC released its long-awaited changes to its Life Safety (LS) and Environment of Care (EC) chapters Elements of Performance (EPs) on October 31, 2016. These documents are entitled “Prepublication Standards – Standards Revisions Related to Life Safety Code Update” and cover six TJC accreditation programs. The 49-page Hospital Prepublication Standards can be downloaded from that […]
The term “commissioning” is more and more frequently heard in every conversation about building construction, whether it’s new building construction or looking at the performance of an existing building. But what exactly is commissioning? The word has naval beginnings. A ship, especially in wartime, had to be commissioned before it was ready for active duty. […]
SSR’s May 2016 Compliance News article entitled CMS Adopts the 2012 Codes provided breaking news along with numerous hyperlinks to assist organizations in assessing the impact of CMS’ adoption of the 2012 codes. SSR’s June 2016 Compliance News article entitled CMS to survey 2012 codes starting November 1, 2016 passed along a few clarifications issued […]
One of the significant changes resulting from CMS’ adoption of the 2012 Life Safety Code® is the impact of the NFPA 101-2012 Building Rehabilitation Chapter 43. Chapter 43 is intended to apply to work that the owner or occupant has elected to perform within an existing building. In its final rule adopting the NFPA 101-2012 […]
Building energy modeling has been used for many years to show compliance with local energy codes and to document energy performance-related points in beyond-code rating systems such as LEED® and Green Globes. When used in this manner, energy modeling is typically seen as a necessary evil – just another box to check at the end […]
The November 2015 Compliance News issue discussed the joint work that both ASHE and TJC had performed to that point in providing assistance on major physical environment compliance problem areas. Last month’s Compliance News issue discussed TJC’s contributions to that initiative through July 2016. This article reviews ASHE’s ongoing contributions to their joint program through […]
I recently had the opportunity to visit Iceland with my Graduate Nursing Program as part of a Global Healthcare class. With my head down working on healthcare design projects across the country, it is easy to get tunnel vision and forget about the bigger picture. But I was reminded when I found this: according to […]
The November 2015 Compliance News issue discussed the joint work that both ASHE and TJC had performed in providing assistance on major physical environment compliance problem areas. The TJC Physical Environment Portal (TJC PE Portal) is still available at TJC’s website under the main TOPICS heading. Interested parties can sign up at that location to […]
SSR’s May 2016 Compliance News article entitled CMS Adopts the 2012 Codes provided breaking news along with numerous hyperlinks to assist organizations in assessing the impact of CMS’ adoption of the 2012 codes. In its June 20, 2016 Survey & Certification Letter S&C 16-29-LSC, CMS advised that CMS will begin surveying to the 2012 Life […]
Many people consider it ironic that a nurse works at an engineering firm. The experience has turned out to be quite serendipitous for me. The growing role of the executive nurse as a true partner in healthcare strategy requires systems thinking and an engineering-based approach. During a keynote address, BYU professor Margaret J. Wheatley Ed. […]
Changes take effect July 5, 2016. CMS has adopted the 2012 codes (NFPA 101®-2012 Life Safety Code® and most of NFPA 99-2012 Health Care Facilities Code.) However, the full consideration of this change also requires taking into account the impact of changes in the referenced documents that will now be 10 to 15 years newer. […]
As of April 8, 2016 all projects registered under the LEED v2009 BD+C for New Construction rating system will be required to achieve a minimum 18% reduction in energy cost over ASHRAE 90.1-2007. This is an 8% increase over the previous minimum requirement of 10%. Additional increased energy thresholds apply to other ratings systems as […]
Changes to EPA regulations will soon prohibit or severely restrict participation in “emergency demand response” programs for owners of standby generators. The change will take effect on May 1, 2016. A number of hospitals with significant investment in standby generation participate in these programs, generating substantial revenue. Most will soon see their participation curtailed. Demand […]
As the landscape in healthcare is continually changing, increasing pressures for hospitals to perform leaner is becoming commonplace. By definition, lean thinking is the concept of finding value and eliminating waste in a process. Waste is anything that does not bring value to your “customer” or the end recipient of your service. Lean comes from […]
The March 2016 issue of Health Facilities Management Magazine discusses “Best practices for hospital power system reliability.” The following highlights some of the topics contained within that detailed article, and we recommend that Compliance News readers review and share the hyperlinked HFM Magazine article within their organizations. Best practices can be undertaken throughout the life […]
There continue to be questions regarding the use of maintenance-free generator starting batteries since they seem to be the preferred starting battery type of most generator set manufacturers. This article discusses the original prohibition and when it was removed from NFPA 110. Within the NFPA 110-1999 edition presently enforced by CMS and its accrediting organizations, […]
The clinical voice is sometimes overshadowed by other “voices” that are slowly making an entry into clinical processes. I was struck recently by the fact that electronic health records dictated the workflow in one recent incident. In another situation a patient education/entertainment system was a driving force in workflow. Creating an organizational structure to accommodate […]
2016 brings a host of ongoing compliance challenges along with a few new ones. The ongoing challenges often revolve managing and mitigating the myriad risks within our facilities: general safety hazards, utility risks, fire safety risks, and life safety risks. Of concern is the accelerating pace of changes combined with increasing complexity of the impact […]
ECRI recently published its 2016 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards list. Healthcare organizations could consider the latest update of this list as one of many potential sources for identifying new safety risks or ensuring due consideration of previously-identified safety risks. Element of Performance # 1 under TJC’s Standard EC.02.01.01 requires identifying safety and security risks […]
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, there have been continuing transformations in hospital financial, technological, and clinical practices. These transformations have in some cases led to the establishment of competing priorities for hospital decision makers. Two of the biggest issues facing hospitals that cross financial, technological, and clinical lines […]
Since ASHE and TJC announced their joint effort to address the most problematic physical environment issues at the July 2015 ASHE Annual Conference in Boston, both organizations have been making good on that promise. The TJC Physical Environment Portal (TJC PE Portal) is available at TJC’s website under the main TOPICS heading. Interested parties can […]
ASHE and five other professional organizations issued an important Joint Interim Guidance statement in late September addressing the ongoing challenges with HVAC systems serving operating rooms and sterile processing departments. The Joint Interim Guidance document was dated September 21, 2015 and issued shortly thereafter as a PDF file by the signatory organizations. The six signatory organizations […]
The healthcare facilities community is expecting CMS adoption of NFPA 101-2012 (Life Safety Code®) and NFPA 99-2012 (Health care Facilities Code) later this year or sometime early next year. While we have been awaiting adoption, may organizations have already made it a point to become familiar with some of the major changes within those two […]
TJC Director of Engineering George Mills announced some July 2015 changes to the Life Safety Surveyor’s portion of hospital triennial surveys during his recent TJC Update session at the ASHE Annual Conference in Boston. Mr. Mills covered many important subjects during this presentation. This SSR Compliance News issue discusses only some changes that directly affect […]
Hospitals are dealing with the issues of utility system equipment technology failures and managing the need for ongoing technology upgrades as equipment designs evolve. Many hospitals have varying generations of utility system digital control technology built into major electrical, mechanical, vertical transportation, etc. operating components that were installed over the past few decades. Examples include […]
In its June 3, 2015 issue of the NFPA TODAY blog, (also in the June 5, 2015 NFPA conference blog post), NFPA stated that 27 standards in the Annual 2015 revision cycle, including the new NFPA 110, were issued by the NFPA Standards Council on May 26, 2015 as Consent Standards. The new NFPA 110 […]
Most hospitals have utility failure procedures for major utility systems or equipment. However many utility failure plans have room for improvement, particularly in how they deal with common-mode failure potential within those utility systems. The HFM Magazine article How to Plan for Water Outages published in early 2015 referenced an excellent document published by the […]
A historical area of compliance challenges, related to hospital construction/renovation projects, may be getting worse. Many organizations have struggled with obtaining timely receipt of details relating to new utility system components as well as manufacturer’s operating and maintenance manuals. The CMS December 2013 Alternate Equipment Management changes (related TJC July 2014 Alternate Equipment Maintenance changes), […]
Many hospitals are struggling with the AEM risk assessments required by both the CMS Survey & Certification Letter and the TJC July 2nd revisions. This newsletter discusses the AEM risk assessment requirements. Compliance News previously discussed the driving CMS 2014 Survey & Certification Letter S&C:14-07-Hospital and its enclosed Appendix A interpretive guidelines generally in our […]
Once a facility is built and fully operational, what assurances does the owner have that the building will perform as intended? Operational energy performance is a priority for building owners, and as the old adage goes, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Without actionable, systems-level data on energy usage for our facilities, performance decay […]
Why does it have to be so hard…integrating devices to give clinicians the information they need to deliver optimum care? How many times do I have to sit in meetings and hear, “We don’t integrate with that company?” Enough is enough! As a nurse, I am beginning to see this impact the delivery of care at […]
An article just published in the February 2015 issue of Healthcare Facilities Management (HFM) Magazine discusses in detail many issues related to planning for hospital water outages. The article is available online at the HFM Magazine website. Water outages are unfortunately a common cause or effect of cascading failures. They can occur as a result […]
Modern building enclosures are designed and constructed using numerous complex systems and materials. Combined with demands for quality, durability, schedule, and energy performance, it’s not surprising that the building enclosure represents the majority of building failures and construction defect claims. Simply defined as a quality-based process implemented to evaluate and verify the owner’s project requirements […]
By now many hospital facility directors have reviewed the Hospital Equipment Maintenance Requirements contained within the current CMS Alternate Equipment Management (AEM) program rules being enforced by CMS and all of its deemed accrediting organizations. We previously discussed the driving CMS 2014 Survey & Certification Letter S&C:14-07-Hospital and its enclosed Appendix A interpretive guidelines generally […]
Facility owners are becoming more in tune with the fact that 90% of a building’s lifetime cost is tied to operating cost, while only about 10% is dedicated to construction. This realization is driving owners and building professional organizations to compile increasingly sophisticated levels of facility operation and maintenance documentation. The amount of documentation required […]
Hospitals are expected to identify risks that can adversely affect the safety of patients and others. As an example, under TJC’s Standard EC.02.01.01, Element of Performance 1 lists examples of both internal and external sources of information on probable risks. The annually updated ECRI list of Top 10 Health Technology Hazards is not listed but […]
ASHE just published a new 80+ page management monograph detailing a comprehensive program for managing hospital emergency power systems. This document addresses recent lessons learned, best practices, and new regulatory issues. Readers who have questions on the content of the monograph are invited to email the author at DStymiest@ssr-inc.com. Entitled Managing Hospital Emergency Power Systems: […]
Resources for information on Ebola Preparedness The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 8, 2014. This extraordinary event has created worldwide awareness and panic of the threat of such an epidemic. Generations of the past have been touched by such epidemics as yellow […]
The design and construction industry has made great strides in the past decade towards creating more sustainable and higher performing buildings. Building owners pursue green buildings for many reasons: operational cost effectiveness, marketing, ethics, occupant health, natural resource conservation, among others. Several industry organizations have formulated standards or rating systems to guide the development of […]
The new AEM program requirements can represent a sea change in hospital utility system management. The new requirements can affect a multitude of existing processes as laid out in a hospital’s current Plans, Policies or Procedures (PPPs). This article briefly discusses a few of those processes. We previously discussed the driving CMS 2014 Survey & […]
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the healthcare industry has evolved and will continue to for the foreseeable future. Hospitals have been tasked with becoming more efficient, with fewer resources, and adapt to the new marketplace. However, buildings are decaying, becoming more inefficient, and costing more to operate year-after-year. When buildings and equipment […]
In a new Clarifications and Expectations article entitled “Revised Equipment Maintenance Standards for Hospitals” published in the September 2014 issues of Environment of Care News and TJC Perspectives, TJC Director of Engineering George Mills provided guidance regarding the enhanced TJC equipment maintenance requirements that took effect on July 2, 2014. We previously discussed the driving […]
In late spring 2012, SSRCx began utilizing a cloud based database, Building Start, to execute the commissioning process for all new construction projects. Building Start is mobile workflow management software that merges a cloud based project management platform with a mobile, offline workflow and audit trail system. This unique combination allows the assignment and sequencing […]
There has been activity without many answers since TJC Director of Engineering George Mills announced a change in TJC’s approach to power strips in patient care areas on June 1, 2014 at the AAMI Conference. Although most facility managers call these devices power strips, both Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and CMS call them relocatable power taps […]
The healthcare landscape is changing so fast that it is difficult to keep up or predict the future. What does the future hold for the delivery of healthcare? How will future practitioners innovate? It is safe to say, however, that the future of healthcare will be more about value than about volume. The healthcare continuum […]
The Joint Commission recently issued numerous changes to its Hospital Accreditation Standards (HAS) Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) chapters. TJC accredited hospitals should closely review all changes within the HAS book itself. TJC’s Prepublication Requirements issued June 20, 2014 identified the below-listed EC chapter changes that took effect July 2, 2014. There […]
The building enclosure (envelope, skin, etc.) represents one of the highest risk elements of construction. Water intrusion, air leakage, and increased energy consumption are common consequences of poorly designed and constructed building enclosure systems. An effective building enclosure commissioning (BECx) and testing program can reduce these risks along with associated long term effects such as […]
Project teams pursuing certification under the LEED® v4 Building Design and Construction rating system should carefully examine their commissioning process and scope, as the updated rating system includes several new requirements and options for building commissioning. Following is a selection of significant changes in commissioning requirements, based on information currently available within the LEED v4 […]
According to a new press release from AAMI, TJC Director of Engineering George Mills announced new restrictions on the use and application of Relocatable Power Taps during his speech at the AAMI 2014 Conference in Philadelphia on June 1, 2014. According to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) relocatable power taps, often also called outlet strips, are listed […]
TJC Director of Engineering George Mills clarified TJC’s requirements for safe storage of medical gas cylinders in the February 2014 editions of both TJC Perspectives and EC News. The TJC articles, both entitled Maintaining Medical Gas Safety and located within the Clarifications and Expectations portion of each periodical, referred to NFPA 99-1999 section 4-3.5.2.2(b). Section […]
CMS recently issued Survey & Certification Letter S&C:14-07-Hospital, which changed the requirements for hospital equipment maintenance. The new requirements apply to utility systems equipment as well as medical equipment. The CMS letter can be found at http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-14-07.pdf, and hospital facility directors should obtain and review a copy of it. That letter also includes as Appendix […]
CMS recently announced its intent to adopt the 2012 editions of the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code® (LSC) and the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code with modifications. This process in now within a 60-day public comment period, and all public comments must be submitted by June 16, 2014. This round of public comments followed, […]
The 2014 TJC Hospital Accreditation Standards include wording changes in Standard EC.02.05.07, EP-4 (generator test intervals) and EP-6 (transfer switch test intervals) that tweak the required test intervals a little. The new 2014 test interval language in both EPs states “At least monthly, the hospital tests ….” This is a change from the 2013 TJC […]
Take a close look at your 2014 schedules for quarterly requirements such as fire safety system testing found in several elements of performance (EPs) under Standard EC.02.03.05. The brand new 2014 TJC definition of QUARTERLY can be found on page EC-3 at the beginning of the EC Chapter in the 2014 Hospital Accreditation Standards. The […]
In its Joint Commission Online article, dated June 26, 2013,(www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/23/jconline_June_26_13.pdf) The Joint Commission announced a new 2014 National Patient Safety Goal NPSG .06.01.01 on clinical alarm safety for both hospitals and critical access hospitals. The July 2013 issue of Joint Commission Perspectives discusses the new NPSG in detail. The NPSG requirements include 4 elements of […]
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 […]
