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Considerations for Different Building Types

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Large General Contractors (GCs) undertake a wide range of building projects, spanning multiple industries and serving various purposes. While construction drying is a critical activity throughout all projects, there are notable differences in managing environmental conditions between them. Here is a sample of major building types and what to anticipate for climate, water risk, and other factors:

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Commercial Buildings

Office buildings, High-rise towers, Retail spaces, Hotels, Resorts, Casinos, and Convention Centers

  • Space may be limited in major metro areas for climate equipment
  • Tradeoffs between using temporary or permanent HVAC for heating (wear and tear, impact on air quality for future occupants)
  • High-rises can be climatized in stages or by floors, minimizing overall costs
  • Leak detection and valve controls can reduce water damage risk
  • Hotels are much denser than large retail space. With many small rooms, moisture can more easily get trapped so a drying strategy is critical
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Residential Buildings

Multi-family housing, Luxury residences, Mixed-use developments

  • Mass timber and other special materials require a thoughtful moisture mitigation plan to protect the investment and ensure acclimation
  • Luxury spaces have high-end finishes, case work, and millwork that are susceptible to environmental factors; manage carefully
  • Leaks or water issues during construction can lead to mold, mildew, or IAQ issues that can impact future occupants and building conditions
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Industrial and Hi-Tech Facilities

Warehouses and Distribution Centers, Manufacturing Plants, Data Centers, Biotechnology Labs, Semiconductor Plants

  • Warehouses built to store sensitive equipment, materials, or ingredients might not have the specialized equipment necessary to become fully operational. Temporary equipment can help avoid a delayed start date.
  • Data centers, semiconductor, and other mission-critical facilities need extremely well-managed IAQ before, during, and after sensitive equipment is installed, or risk failure.
  • Bio tech labs are sometimes built with special coatings and floorings that require a tight humidity spec
    Temporary storage facilities or containments that hold special equipment in ahead of installation or during a building upgrade might require climate control.
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Institutional Buildings

Hospitals, Clinics, Research facilities, Assisted living centers, Universities, Dormitories, Laboratories, Courthouses, Libraries, Municipal offices, Military bases

  • Hospitals or health care facilities undergoing upgrades need to manage the pressure differential between spaces to protect occupants from construction activities.
  • Many government buildings need moisture control and leak protection to protect public documents and archives. They often have wood finishes and high-end millwork, which need tight conditions.
  • Schools and universities might have special considerations like monitoring and controlling noise levels for on-campus learning or measuring and reducing the energy consumption of equipment to control budget.
  • During routine operations or construction, the indoor air quality (IAQ) may need to be controlled for the health and well-being of occupants or patients
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Cultural and Recreational Facilities

Museums and cultural centers, Art galleries, Performing arts centers, Theaters, Sports stadiums, and Complexes

  • Museums and cultural centers often feature unique building designs and materials that require special considerations for climate control.
  • Renovations in one part of the building can impact operations in another, requiring temporary climate control, vibration monitoring, or dust control to protect precious works of art and history.
  • Theatres and luxury boxes at sports venues boast high-end wood and finishes that need careful installation under proper conditions.
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Transportation and Infrastructure

Airports, parking structures, bridges, and tunnels

  • Airports often pose challenges with equipment placement and logistics. Look for flexible equipment options and knowledgeable technicians to support changing variables.
  • Infrastructure projects might benefit from monitoring concrete moisture or controlling conditions for surface prep and coating activities

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