Flashing needs to be installed at this Skylight

Rusted part of a flue in need of replacement

Installation of roof felt

A closer view of the roof shingles

Recently completed roof shingles work

A new window

Work in progress on a privacy wall

A facade with and without scaffolding

Weather cover and scaffolding on a building going through renovation

Downspout work in progress

Egress requirements in the Building Code

Egress requirements in the Building Code

Provide a minimum of two exits from each floor separated by a travel distance equal to not less than 1/2 of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the floor to be served.

What does it mean?

Let's understand the intent of the code.

If the code would only ask the architect to provide two exits without saying anything about how far apart the two exists need to be, the designer can--theoretically--provide two exits, side by side, on just one elevation of the building, and meet the code.  So, there was a need to say that the two exits need to be very far apart so that in case of an emergency people can run in either direction.  But then how far is 'very far'?  Enter the diagonal.  Measure the diagonal and then take half of that measurement.  Your two exits need to be equal to or more than that number.  Say, the diagonal is 100 feet.  Then the exits should be anywhere between 50 and 100 ft--two exits only 49 ft. apart will not work.

What is a ‘draw’ in construction?

What is a ‘draw’ in construction?

Online dictionaries seem to be far behind in including terminologies specific to the construction industry.  This post is being written to help the person looking for the meaning of ‘Draw’ or ‘Draw Meeting’.

Draw

Refers to the amount a contractor is asking for payment from the allocated budget of a construction project—think of it as money being drawn out of a pool.

Draw can also be associated with a cardinal number in a series of payments to the contractor e.g., ‘first draw’, ‘second draw’.

Draw meeting

Refers to a meeting of the contractor and other parties (mostly the architect and an owner’s representative) to compare the ‘Draw amount’ or the ‘work completed’ amount with the actual construction progress on site.

Documents

Draw documents include:

1.    Application and Certificate for Payment. AIA G702, and

2.    Description of work completed to date. AIA G703

Renovated office entrance

An overview of the plaza

Newly finished fence

Finished flatwork near pool

Deckwork over metal lath

Painted structural bracing at soft story

Fence post work in progress

Flatwork preparation

Finished paint job and street paving work

Seismic upgrade at a soft story

ADA ramp at a multi-family residence in San Jose