CDA Updates December 2020
Changing our calendars from 2020 to 2021 will not magically make the COVID-19 pandemic disappear, but we know it will end eventually. Past pandemics have taught us this. There will be a time when new cases decline to small numbers and we will be able to once again teach in a classroom packed with students or share a meal as a group without the fear of spreading a deadly virus. While we can’t begin to predict a specific date when these activities might be possible, we can find strength in knowing that things will change eventually.
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CDA Updates November 2020
Creating a Healthy Workplace in the COVID-19 Era Making Strides Towards Safety Each day, it seems, we are learning something new about the COVID-19 virus. Whether it is about transmission, treatment, or increasing numbers; information is key in the ongoing fight against the virus. This month, we will touch on Indoor Air Quality concerns and the challenges that COVID-19 presents as it relates to ventilation. We have seen hotels, indoor dining, and formal gathering sites re-open throughout the country with extensive assurances of sanitization, but have we seen any venue reopen declaring they have improved or increased ventilation? According to the current writings on the CDC website, “Engineering controls are favored over administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE) for controlling existing worker exposures in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker.” High-touch surface sanitization is largely accepted as a way in which facilities can protect against the virus in common areas. The larger concern however, especially with the weather growing colder and fears of increasing outbreaks, is aerosolized COVID-19. Aerosolized COVID-19 can be diffused within a space. However, the concern increases related to repeated exhalations of infected persons within a space, especially when asymptomatic persons are unaware they are doing so. Stagnant air and recirculated air within offices or other indoor spaces increases the possibility of inhaling the smaller airborne virus droplets. Although HVAC systems can spread aerosolized particles, they can also provide fresh air that dilutes their concentration. We are still researching several potential solutions for neutralizing the virus through HVAC within indoor areas, such as particle filtration, Bipolar ionization, and far-UVC light. CDA is a leader in this technology, working with forward-thinking vendors and our clients who are planning to stay ahead of the curve. We are operating with advanced planning, such as retrofitting with MERV 15 filters, adding UV light to HVAC system drain pans, exploring UV lighting, sizing of supply fans to increase air circulation. At a time when there is so much uncertainty, we can work with you to evaluate possibilities to design a line of defense. Engineering controls are favored over administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE) for controlling existing worker exposures in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker. CDC To Revit or Not to Revit Revit is great for its powerful modeling capabilities and real-time editing features, which help both individual users who are tackling a big project by themselves and teams who are sharing the workload. Revit also gives you a better sense of how your design will interact in the real world, and you’ll be able to instantly incorporate that into your design. –All3DP Fortunately, our clients do not have to choose — CDA staff is fully trained in the latest Revit designs, and have been using AutoCAD for over 20 years. Whichever program your project needs, or a combination of both, we’ve got your design! MEET CHEWIEYou may have heard him in the background when calling our office, (sorry about that) or been graced by his presence at a prior office visit. This is Chewie, an almost 2-year old Brussels […]
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CDA Supplying Survey, Geothermal Design Services for Verizon Wireless
Two Verizon Wireless central office locations in Rhode Island will be installing geothermal heating and cooling upgrades after a detailed survey and geothermal designs by Collective Design Associates. In the first location in South Kingston, three direct expansion AC units will be replaced by three computer room air conditioning (CRAC) cooling units. New piping will connect to a geothermal well to provide efficient power to the new equipment. In the second store, located in Cumberland, existing chiller and conventional AC units will be replaced with air-cooled condenser units. CDA will also design the power supply for the new devices and provide general protection, fire stopping and fire detection design.
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Providence Downtown Marriott, Providence, RI
CDA has moved to the third and final phase of a complete restoration of this busy hotel complex located in downtown Providence. The extensive, multi-year renovation by building is proceeding on schedule. CDA has provided MEP design to change out all guest rooms from PTAC to VRF systems, replaced all boilers, and designed new gas service, makeup air service and domestic hot water heaters. CDA has also worked with the owner to obtain a PACE loan for the project.
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