Sunday, August 5, 2012

Life Performance of Truncated Dome Warning Devices on Curb Ramps

by Scott Sider, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA



They are almost ubiquitous on sidewalk curb ramps. They warn people with vision impairments that they are about to cross with a vehicle path, usually a roadway. They are mandated by the Accessibility Guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They reflect the budgets and design criteria established for the places where they are used. Many materials are used for the truncated domes: Cast plastic sheets, cast concrete, molded bricks, precast concrete pavers, quarry tile, and carved stone. Have you ever wondered how they weather over time?
 

Cast plastic tactile warning pad, cast into concrete base

A typical curb ramp having precast concrete pavers for the
tactile warning
Precast concrete pavers
Truncated domes on these bricks provide tactile warning for people
with visual disabilities
The question occurred to me a few months ago while walking around a neighborhood in Downtown Baltimore and I noticed that the truncated domes had appeared to have worn off several curb ramps which had beige colored brick. Most, but not all, of the curb ramps had the same condition. The domes were worn off the base brick. It made me wonder, is there was a defect in these beige colored brick?
Now how did that brick in the middle of the field loose all of its
domes while the surrounding brick are mostly intact?
Notice how many of the truncated domes are worn down or missing
with the only thing left being the circule from where they were located.
Red-brown pavers with all domes intact

Further excursions around Downtown Baltimore and Downtown Washington seemed to reinforce the idea that the beige colored brick seemed to have an inherent wear defect. A cast plastic sheet across the street from the beige bricks seemed fine. Two shades of red
and brown brick used commonly elsewhere in Downtown Baltimore were mostly fine; only missing an occasional dome. Precast pavers of different colors used in Downtown Baltimore and Downtown Washington seemed unworn. The granite stone in the federal area around the White House and around several Class A buildings in DC's "Golden Triangle" weren't showing any signs of wear.

Red brick pavers, with some of the truncted domes worn
Red-brown brick pavers, with some worn truncated domes
Precase concrete pavers
Granite paver
Then I walked in front of the DC Convention Center and saw a clue. The precast pavers in one of the curb ramps had a distinct pattern of missing domes which looked like they had been shaved off, possible by a snow plow blade. Had the beige colored bricks been shaved of their domes? Maybe. This brought several questions:


It looks like something slid in from the roadway
(to the left) and sliced off the dome in these
precase concrete pavers

• Who is responsible to maintaining the domes in functioning condition? Probably the adjoining property owner, since they usually have responsibility for the maintenance of the sidewalk in front of their property.

• Should property maintenance personnel be trained in how to remove snow and ice from truncated dome pavements? This seems like a reasonable probability, since different flooring materials require different cleaning techniques. If you have ever cleaned smooth vinyl or rubber flooring and then cleaned seamless aggregate surface flooring, you know that cleaning the seamless aggregate surface flooring needs brushes rather than a sponge or cloth mop used for smooth vinyl or rubber flooring.

• When does the truncated dome paver lose its effectiveness as a tactile warning surface? If one dome is missing on a paver, does that render the paver in violation of the ADA? At what percentage of lost domes does the paver need to be replaced? Sounds like questions for the Department of Justice responding to a civil rights complaint.

• Should a test method be developed to determine the resistance of the dome against shear?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

If I Hadn't Joined CSI

by Marvin Kemp, CSI, CDT, AIA


  • I might not recognize there are three ways to do something: the right way, the wrong way and the CSI Way.

  • Every day at work, I would not know that each person brings something different to the table and that's okay.
  • And I would not know how to use what each person brings to the table to solve problems. 
  • I wouldn't have these 6 cool initials behind my name.
  • I wouldn't have seen Vegas, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Chicago.
  • I wouldn't have seen Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Richmond, Raleigh or Bear Creek.
  • I wouldn't have seen Centerpoint, the Hilton or Healthcare for the Homeless before those buildings opened.
  • I might not have helped fix up an elderly person's home and looked into their eyes while they shook my hand and then hugged me, but couldn't say "thank you" because of the tears in their eyes and lump in their throat.
  • And I wouldn't have needed the "thank you" at all.
  • I would not have that pewter shield to wear on my lapel.
  • And the hard earned gavel chained to it.
  • I would not have met my best friends Scott, Liz, Steve and Sarah.
  • And I would not have met Lynn, Jonnie, Billy and Anne Marie.
  • I would not have worked side by side with Nina, Leslie, Mike, Mitch and Sal.
  • I probably would not have mentored as many fine leaders as I have.
  • And I would not have wept when we lost two great leaders, Bill and Rob.
  • I would not have walked up to a booth last year in Chicago and gotten the answer to my question, immediately, on the spot, and known it was the right answer.
  • And that wouldn't have happened in Philadelphia the year before, or Indianapolis the year before that or Vegas the year before that.
  • I might not have the fat list of contacts that I have which I can also use to get the answers I need, when I need them.
  • I would not know more than any architect should about intumescent paint, polished concrete, fire prevention, insurance, the perils and excitement of bid day or any of the other roughly 120 presentations I've seen at monthly membership meetings across the last 12 years.
  • And I wouldn't know the thrill of planning one of those programs, promoting it, seeing a big crowd at the event and hearing the applause when the program was a success.
  • I wouldn't know what it means to be elected to office to serve a chapter of 200 members.
  • I wouldn't have stood in front of a room filled with 2,000 people and welcomed you to Baltimore.
  • I would not have had the opportunity to impart the knowledge I've gained to others in my profession on cold winters nights for the past 8 winters.
  • And then learn that many of them passed the CDT exam!
  • I wouldn't know what it was like to stand up in front of a room full of strangers and tell them what I think and have them even ask me the hardest questions I ever had to answer, but have them tell me later that they liked what I said and enjoyed my presentation.
  • And I might not know what it's like to be a trusted resource to the younger architects in our office.

I have been a proud member of the Baltimore Chapter of The Construction Specifications Institute since August 2000 and I could not be happier with the investment I've made: no amount of money, time or effort can make up for what CSI has given me.

I went to my first meeting sometime in the winter of 2001 at the invitation of a local product rep who had stopped by the office. She introduced me to several folks about my age during the happy hour and on my own I met some of the smartest people I've ever met, including a past Institute President! The program was good, the Q and A was great and I've missed only a small handful of meetings in the 11 years since then.

Since that first meeting, I earned my CDT, worked with Rebuilding Together, Baltimore and taught in our chapter's CDT prep Winter Seminars. As a chapter leader, I've served as Technical Committee Chair, Awards Committee Chair, Webmaster, Secretary, 2nd Vice-president and Chapter President. I've served as a Region Committee Chair, on an Institute Task Team and on an Institute Committee.

In the past 12 years, I've learned more about construction technology and building science than some architects learn in a life time. I've met and worked with some of the nicest, funniest, most hard working and smartest people in the world. I've become an advocate for doing things the right way in our office and become a resource to the next generation of architects. My bosses have noticed, and have moved me up the ladder into a position of leadership in our firm. All of this thanks to a decision I made long ago to join CSI.

You can make the same decision, too! Join CSI online between Wednesday, June 13, and Wednesday, June 20, and pay only $192 -- a 20% savings -- for your membership. Use promo code “12spring20” when you join at www.csinet.org/joincsi. This promotion is only available to new members joining at the professional level. Chapter dues are not included in this promotion.

To join:
Visit www.csinet.org/join
Select "Join Now", and then click "Sign Up as a New Member"
Enter Promotion Code 12spring20 when prompted
Click the "Add Discount" button

If you like what you read above, join CSI and learn and grow in your career. If you have any questions, please ask me! I can be reached at mkemp@designcollective.com

Even though chapter dues are not included, I strongly encourage you to join your local chapter, even if it isn't the Baltimore Chapter! Our chapters need your help and support. We have been a grass roots organization from the start, so designate a home chapter and get involved!

Follow our Chapter on Twitter! @BaltoCSI
#JoinCSI

Thursday, March 1, 2012

I'm involved in a project where our firm is not the architect-of-record. The lead firm is a small shop filled with less sophisticated architects than I am used to working with. They are disorganized, frequently show up late and unprepared to meetings and are incapable of efficiently and effectively moving the project forward. In essence, they are the type of architects being described below.

I recently read two separate pieces on similar themes of where we are headed as an architecture profession and how we see our role in the larger building team. Those of us who spend a lot of time and energy thinking about the practice of architecture, the construction process or even just the management of our offices have encountered some if not all of thoughts contained in this blog posting. I could not have put these thoughts into a better or more cohesive argument than these two colleagues, so I asked permission to link their recent blogs.

Liz O'Sullivan, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB is an architect and specifications consultant in Denver, CO. Her firm, Liz O'Sullivan Architecture, LLC offers specification services o architects and her blog, "Comments From A Spec Writer," is a must read. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT is a Senior Architect for Specifications with Hixson in Cincinnati, OH. His weekly newsletter, Per-SPEC-tives, is available via email and on 4specs.com. It is welcomed in my Inbox each Wednesday and is full of insights into our industry. Enjoy the work these colleagues and I hope to spark some thought and further discussion into these important issues.

To read "Comments From A Spec Writer," click here. The posting I'm interested in is from February 6, 2012 and is titled "Architects, Take Back The Reins."

Here is Ralph's newsletter from February 22, 2012:

PLAYING "LET’S PRETEND"
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Cincinnati, OH

Playing "Let’s Pretend", of course, is really ignoring the facts [or not knowing them] or substituting your view of things despite reality [although you are fully aware]. It’s a sham, suitable and understandable only for youngsters who make their own world. But our world is quite different. Some people have a pretend mindset that they are the best; the prettiest; the strongest; the most ingenious;, the fastest;, the doer of the perfect crime [even billionaires do this]; the smartest…………etc. Sorry! Pretend is not going to get you there.

Today far too many architects are playing "Let’s Pretend". You immediately recognize them when you see a bunch of architectural hind-ends up in the air [heads beneath the sand]

It wasn’t always like this! In times past, but still within a reasonable career, architects were the Captains of the teams. Usually first hired, back then, the architect was allowed to create the design team, by hiring appropriate consultants as deemed necessary. Mainly, the consultants were those used most often-- even to exclusivity—so there was a level of confidence immediately installed in the team and its ability.

Some projects were complex as well as extensive, but today's projects seem to be overly complex. This appears to be a function of several things-- client needs, client indecision, new and complex technology, increased security, excessive scrutiny, unreasonable time frames, often inadequate budgets, etc. Now that is not to say that these items are insurmountable, but to overcome them takes ingenuity-- and often added time and money. Truly a Catch-22 by definition.

But, over the years, architects have gotten to the place where they are continually made to play defense! In lieu of team leadership, they quite often are reduced to necessary evils, or perceived as idealistic dreamers. Many see them as inadequate of creating budget abiding design concepts, reasonable accurate estimates, proper constructability in the work, and contract documents that are correct, reasonable, informative and enforceable. They are made to defend what they do, in good faith, as their service to their client.

Owners particularly dismayed by the problems with estimates and schedules have moved to other delivery systems. Here the owner can come by almost absolute control to a level that satisfies them-- highly accurate estimates; can-do schedules; and single-point responsibility. The tendency all too often is to regard architects as necessary to a point, but baggage afterward-- they can create decent solutions, but just can’t seem to "pull them off".

In the traditional delivery systems, the architect is "odd-man out" since the second construction contract [Owner-Contractor] has been elevated to primary position. The Contractor can easily gain the owner’s ear, make good estimates based on documented unit prices, knows construction methods and materials better than anyone else, and can run rough-shod [push and shove sub-contracts, and material orders, etc] to meet schedules-- adding work force, working overtime, etc. The architect does not have the same variety of "ammunition" available and has only a small supply in a few of these areas; they can and do work overtime. So the architect plays defense-- and practices to prevent things from happening! This leads to caution, conservatism, mild-manner actions, high ethics and professionalism, but not the semblances of "offense"-- the "let’s-go-get-‘em" drive.

After decades of challenges, reduction of status, replacement by other professions, architects of more recent times have taken to more aggressive tactics. They have become even better at what they do best and have improved their other ancillary skills. But the ground that was lost in the past-- i.e., the close, confident, "agency" relationship with owners has not been fully repaired. Too often still, the contractors persist in a doom-sayer profile, "dissing" the design professionals, and whispering conflicting information in owner ears.

To play better "offense", architects, in particular, need to establish better understanding and fully open discussions and communications with owners, up-front and early on. This is NOT an effort at combative competition with the contractor but rather setting distinct limits on who does what, and what the owner can expect from each party. There needs to be a reinforcement that teams play BOTH defense and offense, and in so doing, with equal vigor, common intent, mutual support and complete confidence in each other, projects can be better produced.

Oh, by the way, this includes recognizing that architectural education is a mess and in dire need of betterment—and soon. BIM is fine, but not the cure-all and has diluted and diverted the thinking of far too many practitioners. BUT despite what it contains, it DOES NOT generate or select construction information, or adaptations. The need remains to get necessary information and knowledge into the students.

Let’s quite pretending we are an elite group of talented and well trained professionals, when in reality we have a hollow [of knowledge] that needs filling. Shamefully, that is all basic, fundamental and requisite information for quality construction the owner desires-- and pays for!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

New and Withdrawn ASTM Standards July 2011 through December 2011

Below is an annotated list of new and withdrawn ASTM Standards related to the built environment. They are derived from weekly ASTM Tracker updates from July to December 2011. For more information on the standards listed, or information on obtaining ASTM International Standards Tracker service, go to www.astm.org.
New Standards
A1066/A1066M - Standard Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel Plate Produced by Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Process (TMCP).
A1072/A1072M - Standard Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum (Hot-Dip) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products.
A1074 - Standard Specification for Hot Tin and Hot Tin/Lead Dip on Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals.
C1675 - Standard Practice for Installation of Precast Reinforced Concrete Monolithic Box Sections for Culverts, Storm Drains, and Sewers.
C1708 - Standard Test Methods for Self-leveling Mortars Containing Hydraulic Cements.
C1709 - Standard Guide for Evaluation of Alternative Supplementary Cementitious Materials (ASCM) for Use in Concrete.
C1719 - Standard Test Method for Installed Precast Concrete Tanks and Accessories by the Negative Air Pressure (Vacuum) Test Prior to Backfill.
C1722 - Standard Guide for Repair and Restoration of Dimension Stone.
C1735 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Time Dependent Modulus of Sealants Using Stress Relaxation.
C1736 - Standard Practice for Non-Destructive Evaluation of Adhesion of Installed Weatherproofing Sealant Joints Using a Rolling Device.
C1745/C1745M - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hydraulic Characteristics of Hydrodynamic Stormwater Separators and Underground Settling Devices.
C1751 - Standard Guide for Sampling Radioactive Tank Waste.
C1756 - Standard Guide for Comparing Sealant Behavior to Reference Photographs.
D7181 - Method for Consolidated Drained Triaxial Compression Test for Soils.
D7588 - Standard Guide for FT-IR Fingerprinting of a Non-Aqueous Liquid Paint as Supplied in the Manufacturer's Container.
D7602 - Standard Practice for Installation of Vulcanized Rubber Linings.
D7636/D7636M - Standard Practice for Sampling and Analysis of Modified Bitumen Roof Systems.
D7701 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Flow Rate of Water and Suspended Solids from a Geotextile Bag.
D7703 - Standard Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Using the Water Lance System.
D7735 - Standard Test Method for Type A Durometer Hardness Testing of Road Marking Thermoplastic at Elevated Temperatures.
D7737 - Standard Test Method for Individual Geogrid Junction Strength.
D7744/D7744M - Standard Test Methods for Tensile Testing of High Performance Polyethylene Tapes.
D7745 - Standard Practice for Testing Pultruded Composites.
D7747 - Standard Test Method for Determining Integrity of Seams Produced Using Thermo- Fusion Methods for Reinforced Geomembranes by the Strip Tensile Method.
E2713 - Standard Guide to Forensic Engineering.
E2751 - Standard Practice for Design and Performance of Supported Glass Walkways.
E2768 - Standard Test Method for Extended Duration Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (30 min Tunnel Test).
E2775 - Standard Practice for Guided Wave Testing of Above Ground Steel Pipework Using Piezoelectric Effect Transduction.
E2792 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Hydrogen in Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by Inert Gas Fusion.
E2812 - Standard Practice for Uniform Data Management in Asset Management Records Systems.
E2814 - Standard Guide for Industrial Woven Wire Filter Cloth.
E2817 - Standard Test Method for Test Fueling Masonry Heaters.
E2818 - Standard Practice for Determination of Quasistatic Fracture Toughness of Welds.
E2831/E2831M - Standard Guide for Deployment of Blast Resistant Trash Receptacles in Crowded Places.
E2837 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Fire Resistance of Continuity Head-of-Wall Joint Systems Installed Between Rated Wall Assemblies and Nonrated Horizontal Assemblies.
E2840 - Standard Practice for Pavement Condition Index Surveys for Interlocking Concrete Roads and Parking Lots.
E2848 - Standard Test Method for Reporting Photovoltaic Non-Concentrator System Performance.
F2863 - Standard Specification for Central Vacuum Hose Inlet Valve Socket Dimensions.
F2896 - Standard Specification for Reinforced Polyethylene Composite Pipe For The Transport Of Oil And Gas And Hazardous Liquids.
F2912 - Standard Specification for Glazing and Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loadings.
F2916 - Standard Practice for Environmental Impact Analysis of Commercial Food Service Equipment.
F2918 - Standard Test Method for Weighing a Bicycle.
Withdrawn Standards
C1631 - Standard Specification for Cellular Polypropylene Thermal Insulation has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
D1523 - Standard Specification for Synthetic Rubber Insulation for Wire and Cable, 90°C Operation has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
D3485 - Standard Specification for Smooth-Wall Coilable Polyethylene (PE) Conduit (Duct) for Preassembled Wire and Cable has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
D6848 - Standard Specification for Aluminum Pigmented Emulsified Asphalt Used as a Protective Coating for Roofing has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
D7712 - Standard Terminology for Sampling and Analysis of Asbestos has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
E1472 - Standard Guide for Documenting Computer Software for Fire Models has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
E1895 - Standard Guide for Determining Uses and Limitations of Deterministic Fire Models has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
E2238 - Standard Guide for Evacuation Route Diagrams has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
E2405 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Fire and Thermal Parameters of Materials Using an Intermediate Scale Test with Vertically Oriented Specimen has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
F1335 - Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Composite Pipe and Fittings for Elevated Temperature Service has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
F2307 - Standard Specification for Series 10 Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Closed Profile Gravity Pipe and Fittings Based on Controlled Inside Diameter has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
F471 - Standard Terminology Relating to Combination Locks has been withdrawn, with no replacement.
F476 - Standard Test Methods for Security of Swinging Door Assemblies has been withdrawn, with no replacement.