Tag:Easterday Construction
Metal Buildings and “Green” Construction
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMB’s) are one of the most environmentally friendly forms of construction for large scale projects. Almost by definition, the PEMB is optimized to provide the required building function with the minimum of waste. Couple that with the fact that steel is a recyclable material and this adds to the green aspect of PEMB construction.
We recently received a letter from Butler Manufacturing Company (BMC) talking about the new EcoCalculator and how it applies to PEMB construction. The letter included the following quote: “Our type of construction customarily instills a level of predictability in terms of cost, erection time and quality,” said David E. Evers, PE, vice president of research and development for Butler Manufacturing and chairman of the Energy Committee for the Metal Building Manufacturers Association. “The growing interest in applying metal building structural, roof and wall assemblies to ‘green’ buildings has led to their inclusion in the development and acceptance of a tool known as the EcoCalculator for Assemblies developed by The Athena Institute, in association with the University of Minnesota and Morrison Hershfield Consulting Engineers (http://www.athenasmi.org/tools/ecoCalculator/indec/html). This remarkable software provides architects, engineers, contractors and others instant access to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for hundreds of common building sections, including a number of typical metal building assemblies.”
Metal Building construction is one of the “green” ideas that makes sense. Easterday Construction Co., Inc. has been a Butler Builder for over 30 years and has always been pleased by the quality of the BMC product. This is one of the construction ideas that was “green” long before green grew to its current popularity!
Safety Inspection
Last week we were working on a reroof project on the east shore of Lake Maxinkuckee for one of our good clients. Superintendent Bob Cooper noticed a car parked in front of the site, observing our work. He went out to check on it and found one of our competitors in the car with a Safety Consultant he had hired. Apparently our competitor had just had a visit from OSHA resulting in fines. He had hired the consultant to assist with the OSHA compliance on the current issues as well as to prevent future problems.
Upon some further discussion it was determined that the consultant was a former OSHA inspector. They were touring around looking at projects and discussing the safety violations they saw. Why were they spending so much time in front our our site? Because he was using us as an example of how to do it right! Our fall protection was in place. Our housekeeping was good. When he heard about our safety program, tool box talks, etc. he suggested that our competitor talk to us. “Sounds like this company does it right!”
We strive to do the right thing on our projects. We don’t want to see anyone get hurt. I cringe when I go by some job sites and see poor safety measures employed. I am pleased when our efforts are recognized by our clients and our peers. Earlier this year we achieved Silver Status in the ABC S.T.E.P. program. <certificate> We will strive to maintain that level or move up next year.
Happy Anniversary!
Becky and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Will and Kathy Pearson this past Sunday. Both have been employees of Easterday Construction Co., Inc. for many years. Congratulations to Will and Kathy and best wishes for many more.
Antiquarian Entrance
Culver Antiquarian and Historical Society Museum Entrance
We’ve been working on a couple of projects for The Antiquarian & Historical Society of Culver. This is a continuation of the Museum room renovation we completed for them in the basement of the Culver Union Township Public Library. We’ve been working with their Museum Designer, Ted Swigon of Chicago Scenic Studios, Inc., as he creates the displays for the museum build-out. The first project is a simulation of the train station shelters in the hall leading to the museum entrance. Mr. Swigon had us recreate one of the posts from the west pavilion at the Town Park. The Park pavilions were formerly attached to the train station and served as shelters for loading passengers. The pavilions were later relocated to other areas in the park. We also created a simulation of the dentils at the top edge on a slightly smaller scale. We reduced them in size and eliminated some of the details. Mr. Swigon wanted the feel of the station but didn’t want the details to be overwhelming. The “CULVER” sign is a scaled recreation of the sign found shown in pictures of the station when it was in operation. A vintage picture of a train at the station will be blown up and adhered to the doors beneath the display. This not only will draw visitors to the museum entrance, but helps disguise the existing mechanical room doors at the end of the hall.
A Garden Court for Culver
I was asked to write an article for the Culver Citizen explaining a little about Garden Court and the positive reasons for bringing one to Culver as well as the obstacles preventing the project. It was printed in the paper last week along with a sidebar I wrote giving a little description of the umbrella group that is Garden Court. I have copied the article and sidebar below:
Our Customers Say…
Ronald W Liechty - President, Garden Court, Inc.