The International Residential Code (IRC), section 310 specifies requirements for basement egress and rescue openings. (IRC) 310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room… Read More »
A charette is an intense period of planning or design effort. Don’t let the obscure vocabulary scare you off. It really just means a collaborative design process. A group brainstorming… Read More »
Due to its cost-effectiveness, material-use efficiency, sustainability, and availability of labor and materials, wood light-frame construction is the go-to framing choice for single-family or multifamily homes and commercial buildings. Multi-story… Read More »
Steel beams, columns, and braces are needed in residential construction when wood members cannot support high loads and/or constraining geometry. For example, steel beams are often required to achieve a… Read More »
Most people have heard of fireproofing, but what about firestopping, and what is the difference between the two? Fireproofing commonly focuses on protecting the structural components of a building that… Read More »
A flitch beam is a composite beam made of steel plate(s), sandwiched between multiple plies of wood members, and then bolted together to create a single beam. Flitch beams are… Read More »
It’s so much fun to provide Architectural Engineering services and watching the industry gradually adopt new materials and methods. Continuous Insulation has been one of my favorites for the past… Read More »
Have you ever considered making living space in your unfinished basement? It’s a possibility if the ceiling height is high enough. The International Residential Code requires a minimum 7 ft.… Read More »
Team Engineering was recently hired to assess the condition and functionality of a complex VAV system in a large commercial building. This inspired us to brush up on this special… Read More »
The idea of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) dates back from after World War II when blocks of treated wood fibers mixed with cement were used in Switzerland. At about 14… Read More »