Christening, Launching, and Commissioning in the 21st Century

"Christening, launching, and commissioning are bench marks of abiding importance in the history of a United States Navy ship. One sees in these closely related events a striking parallel to the human experience of those Americans, young and not so young, who man the ships for our nation’s defense on the oceans of the world. If launching may be likened to birth, and christening the endowment of individuality, then at commissioning the ship is at the threshold of a productive and rewarding maturity."
- E.B. Hooper, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret), Director of Naval History


"Christening and launching are the inseparable elements which endow a ship hull with her identity. Yet, just as many developmental milestones must be passed before one takes his place in society, so too must the newly-launched vessel pass such milestones before she is completed and considered ready to be designated a commissioned ship of the United States Navy. The engineering plant, weapon and electronic systems, galley, and multitudinous other equipment required to transform the new hull into an operating and habitable warship are installed and tested. The prospective commanding officer, ship's officers, the petty officers, and seamen who will form the crew report for training and intensive familiarization with their new ship. Crew and ship must function in total unison if full potential and maximum effectiveness are to be realized. The most modern naval vessel embodying every advantage of advanced technology is only as good as those who man her."
 - John C. Reilly Jr., Head, Ships History Branch


Oftentimes, some of mankind’s oldest ideas turn out to be some of his newest and brightest ideas. These two delightful quotations – regarding the commissioning of ships – are taken from a publication of the History Division of the United States Department of the Navy. They speak to the long and storied tradition of ship commissioning that can be traced all the way back to some of our earliest civilizations and societies.

Rethink: What Are Buildings For Anyway?

We have private companies building spacecraft, sexy little electric cars, computers smaller than your favorite book…and yet building control has remained fairly stagnant.  However, current technology inherently has tremendous growth potential for building controls to conserve energy.

Imagine something as simple as an app that tells you when a building is generating more energy than it is using and turns on your EV charger, or other energy using systems.  Now take it to the next step and utilize trend data to predict the energy projection and use for a given day along with estimated energy costs.  That is where we’re heading – integrated project teams leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM) throughout design and construction phases have helped move the industry towards net zero energy use.

Energy modeling tools and capabilities are bringing us towards efficient performance and proper system designs.  To maximize implementation, water management and ongoing financial incentives are hopefully around the corner.  Rethinking how the end user occupies a building and the role buildings play in each of our lives goes beyond design and gets to the heart of owner and end-user requirements.

Having a true understanding of the end-use allows a design team to maximize the efficiency of the space and energy using components.

The Farnsworth Group team is utilizing the learned skills and latest technologies to create and implement net zero energy goals at Fort Carson, Colorado.  Find out more about the team, goals, and technologies used by visiting our Energy Portfolio.

Working at Pipeline Sites with SPCC Regulations

By Erica Sykut, PE, LEED AP BD+C

Pipeline site related projects often pose unique environment permitting issues.  Aside from the typical land disturbance, endangered species, archeological and discharge permits that impact most construction projects, pipeline sites may be subject to Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations.  These regulations can be tricky to navigate through, especially since the SPCC regulations have only been fully in effect since 2010. 

Any site that has above ground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons or has had an oil spill in the past three years should have a written Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan.  This plan outlines how the facility will operate to prevent oil spills, the measures that are in place to control a spill and the steps that will be taken to clean up a spill.  While an SPCC plan deals directly with oil containers on a site, it also has an impact on the overall site’s layout and should be taken into consideration anytime work is proposed at a regulated site. 

Impacts to a site’s SPCC can be particularly tricky for projects that do not impact oil storage.   Any project that involves below grade work of any kind could impact the site’s plan for managing spills.  Secondary containment measures are the most common site feature to impact SPCCs.  All diked areas within a facility around oil storage containers (including large electrical transformers) should be designed to contain a specific volume.  It is important that any berms or dikes disturbed by a project be fully restored to their original condition as soon as possible within a project’s timeline.  Collection of additional topographic survey data may be prudent to ensure the site is properly restored, especially if a section of a dike wall had to be disturbed for the installation of improvements, or if something is constructed within a diked area.  Contractors and facility operators should also be cautioned when ‘dressing up’ diked areas with gravel or spreading excess fill to avoid transporting soil off site.  This additional material can cause secondary containment to become undersized.

Also as part of the SPCC, site drainage is considered.  In the event of a spill, oil will pool anywhere stormwater does.  If a project involves changing the site’s drainage patterns, the SPCC may need to be revised/updated.  Even if no alterations are planned, it is important that the contractor understand the importance of returning sites to their original grade/condition.   Often contractors bring in extra gravel or spread excess excavated material on site and ‘make it look pretty’ without any consideration to the site’s drainage patterns.  After years of various projects/improves, it is not uncommon for sites to end up with significant extra fill material in some areas and drainage plans that no longer properly function as a result. 

Working at pipeline sites often involves many special considerations.   Because of the nature of work and potential hazards found at these sites, extra consideration to project details is not only warranted but essential to keeping a client in compliance with regulatory agencies.  For further information on SPCC regulations visit: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/spcc/index.htm or 40 CFR 112 for full SPCC plan guidance.

What I Did Not Know About Recycling

Most of us know to separate our paper, plastic, glass and aluminum from the regular trash. Some of us even know how to dispose of electronics, CFL bulbs, paint and batteries. As our landfills continue to grow, it is important to continue searching for new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.

 

Wine Corks

Although cork is a renewable resource, it is not often recycled after use. The ReCORK program collects used wine corks, turning them into flooring tiles, insulation, craft materials and sports equipment. Over 39 million wine corks have been collected since the inception of the program. In addition, ReCORK sponsors the planting of thousands of cork trees each year to offset the carbon footprint of recycling.  

 

Fishing Line

Monofilament fishing line is non-biodegradable and cannot be recycled by usual means. The lines often end up in our lakes and oceans, creating a potential hazard for wildlife. The Berkley Conservation Institute recycles the fishing lines, creating artificial habitat structures that promote plant growth and appeal to fish. These “Fish-Habs” are made of monofilament lines, spools and other post-consumer products. The Institute has recycled over 9 million miles of fishing line since 1990.

 

Trophies

Have a bowling trophy that has been sitting in your basement for decades? Old trophies are often made of molded plastic, which is sometimes difficult to recycle. Lamb Awards and Engraving in Westminster, Maryland, pioneered trophy recycling by reusing trophy parts or donating complete trophies to charities. They also accept unwanted medals and plaques.

 

Crayons

Over 12 million crayons are made in the United States each day, most of which eventually end up in landfills.  The Minnesota-based Crazy Crayons “upcycles” crayons, transforming unwanted, broken and used crayons into new crayons with fun shapes. Even the wax covered crayon wrappers are bundled and reused as fire starters.

 

Freecycle

Have some furniture, clothing or household items you just are not using anymore? The Freecycle Network is comprised of local groups, moderated by volunteers, with the intent of giving and getting unwanted items for free. Members can post items that they are willing to offer, giving items that would normally be thrown away a new life. This website gives a new meaning to “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Resume Writing Tips from Farnsworth Group

Finding a job that you like can be a lifelong quest for even the most qualified candidates. Once you factor in resume review and interview preparation, the whole process can seem incredibly daunting. In order to help ease the stress of the job search, Farnsworth Group has put together a list of helpful resume writing tips. 

A quick tip before you even begin writing your resume is to identify the position you are seeking and go from there. Ensure your resume highlights the experiences you have acquired that best relates to the desired position, including any internships or co-op opportunities. Don’t get hung up on coming off as a braggart; highlight your accomplishments, i.e. President of the Structural Engineers Club 2007, Cum Laude. Be sure to check your dates. Your resume is your story, and an employer will review your work history and education, putting the pieces of the story together. Be honest. Employers have methods of confirming the information listed on your resume, and it could cost you a position in the end. 

Your objective should be brief, highlighting your desired position, should you choose to have an objective. 

10 Mistakes to Avoid in School Design

By: Scott Burge, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Architect, Farnsworth Group, Inc.

 Examples of natural lighting, acoustic panels and color selections.  

Anyone who has ever participated in a construction project knows there are always things they wished they would have done differently. They may find themselves reflecting: “If only I had done ... ,” or, “I wish I would have spent more effort considering …”

Budgets and / or time constraints might make this unavoidable, but it is vital to ensure these words aren’t uttered about crucial or large-ticket items. To have a successful school construction project, we suggest avoiding these “Tumultuous 10”:

Mistake #1 - Not carefully evaluating the proposed site.
Sites close to busy intersections, railroad crossings or areas with heavy air traffic can amplify noise issues and the complexities of transporting kids to and from school. Negating the impact of heavy traffic and outside noise sources is extremely advantageous.

Utilize the site to take advantage of inherent benefits, such as natural lighting, air movement or wind blocks, views and utility connections. A gently sloping site usually is best; one that is too flat or too hilly will struggle with drainage, and the expense for cut or fill will become a challenge.

If you are building an addition, ensure that ample room remains for future additions, on-site water detention, parking and athletic fields.

Alphabet Soup De-Coded: Making Sense of Credentials

Based on last month’s blog posting about participation in industry specific organizations, we decided to take the discussion a step further and examine professional industry-related credentials. An assumption often made in the A/E/C industry has become that the more letters and acronyms next to your name, the more important and/or qualified that individual appears on paper. The question then becomes “Is it worth it to earn all of those distinctions?”

During a recent address in June of 2012 entitled “Credentials in the 21^st Century Job Market” during the Clinton Global Initiative, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis commented, “It really doesn't matter where you've been or where you want to go, because you're not likely to get far in the current job market without the right training and credentials.”

Many companies, municipalities and federal organizations are now requiring industry designations to qualify individuals and companies.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that over a10-year period from 2008 to 2018, 21 of the 30 fastest growing occupations will require a postsecondary certificate or degree. These numbers indicate a greater need for professionals to earn industry certifications, licenses and registrations.

When deciding which distinctions to pursue, this mix of alphabet soup of credentials can be overwhelming. One way to investigate the relevance amongst the number of credentials available is to examine the organizations that sponsor many of these industry-standard registrations and certifications. These organizations and corresponding distinctions include:

 

In addition to these organizational sponsored certifications, many states offer professional licenses in the A/E/C industry. These licenses add even more acronyms to the mix of alphabet soup including:

• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineering Intern (EI)
• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
• Professional Geologist (PG)
• Professional Landscape Architect (PLA)
• Registered Interior Designer (RID)

Outside of industry-related requirements, organizations and state licensures, professional distinctions offer other benefits. Industry distinctions help to define A/E/C professionals by: 

• Allowing for standardization across the country for quality of workmanship
• Assessing specific industry knowledge
• Providing an avenue for continuing education

In the end, the pursuit of this mix of alphabet soup of credentials should be a decision made based on the individual and the needs of the company. When decoding this mix of alphabet soup, be sure to consider the following:

• Industry related standards – is a license/certification required to perform necessary job tasks?
• Organizational reputation and the amount of organizational involvement
• Amount of work experience required
• Opportunity for training resources and continuing education
• Impacts on career advancement

For more information on professional distinctions, the Department of Labor has sponsored two websites:

1. MySkillsMyFuture.org
2. MyNextMove.org