The Power of Niagara

I picked Niagara Falls to talk about this week for three reasons. I was just there and have pictures of my own to post, I think it is interesting, and lastly, I’ll was there again on Saturday. There is a ton to write about, but what I think is the most alluring, other than its obvious natural beauty, is its history of hydro electricity. Niagara Falls is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and was formed from the glaciers of The Last Ice Age. One thing that will be clearly absent from this blog is the idiotic stories of people going over the falls in a barrel. Dumb!

Today, there are power plants on either side of the continental border of Canada and the “US and A” (as Borat would say). These stations produce ¼ of the world’s hydro electric power. Hydro Electricity is created when energy is extracted from water by generators and turbines, returns the water with the same chemical make up. It is a renewable resource, and creates very little waste.

Even before the very beginnings of the use of electricity, Niagara Falls was a focus for generating power. In 1759, Daniel Joncairs dug a ditch to his nearby sawmill to power a water wheel from the Niagara River. Later on, Augustus and Peter Porter, brothers, purchased the rights to the Eastern rapids with plans to trench a hydraulic canal and reroute a portion of the water to a reservoir above. The water would then flow downward to the gorge and with the help of turbines, would power industrial machinery above.

In 1853, Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Co. was chartered. In following years, they successfully powered up the nearby city of Niagara Falls.
At that time, there was no way to run power a long distance because everything was run on direct current.

In the late 19th Century, The Niagara Power Co. offered a prize of $100,000 if someone could figure out how to get power to run longer distances. “Currently” it was running only about 2 miles. Enter Nikola Tesla. He won the contest with the principle of alternating current. He came up against a lot of resistance from Thomas Edison, his former teacher. Thomas Edison had previously developed alternating current, but it had a lot of 'bugs' and didn't work efficiently. He paid Tesla, while under his wing, a lot of money to further develop it. Shortly after, Nikola Tesla left Edison and introduced his latest development of alternating current. For the rest of his life, Edison discredited Tesla. The drama was “shocking”!

Today, we have alternating current/direct current or AC/DC. This means that now electricity can be run extremely long distances AND we would later have a late night bar anthem of drunk moms everywhere– “You Shook Me”. bleh!

Rumor has it that Mr. Tesla’s entry included this statement to Niagara Power:


“I’m the one that wants to be with you.
Deep inside I hope you feel it too. “

photo of Tesla from www.myweb.cableone.net

(It’s not true…but…. I couldn’t resist!)


At this point in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s, power plants were being built on both sides of the border. This area did not escape tragedy, however. In 1895, the Schoelkopf Power Plant had a wall collapse from water seeping behind the rock face wall. In the morning, the workers noticed the wall leaking and attempted to slow it with sandbags. Too late! One worker died, but the others were luckily unhurt. I mention this to demonstrate that there was indeed struggle and failure when it came to the harnessing of the Falls. It was a long hard road full of shortages and not free of controversy. Another reason that I mention this is because THIS is MY WORST NIGHTMARE. If I believed in past lives, I would swear I was there to witness this. I am terrified of leaking and/or dripping water! Terrified!

Old power plant on the Canadian side.

There have been many people and companies involved in the development of the power usage of Niagara Falls, and I can’t possibly cover it all. Today’s result is the United States operating the two major power plants with an output of 2,700,000 KW of power and Canada outputting 2,338,000 KW out of 5 different plants. It is also been said that the actual force of The Falls has been backed off because of the nearby power plants. Figures as much as 50% less water flow currently as opposed to its natural flow. Don’t worry, it’s still wicked!

One other note that I’d like to point out is that my parents were witness to when the Falls were turned off completely in 1969. They say they have pictures, but I would bet that the film is still in the camera, in the toy box, in the sewing room and that is pretty safe to say.

The Dynamic Tower, Dubai UAE

Today’s topic is Green Design in Dubai, specifically, The Dynamic Tower, an 80 story, envoironmentally friendly building that is currently under construction. If you scroll through this blog’s archive, you can see my first touch on Dubai. My friend suggested that I write on the Eco-friendly side of this marvelous city. Okay, I will. He should consider this a wedding present, since he is getting married this weekend.

Dubai does have a green initiative and does follow “green building” standards as of January 2008. Come to find out, the United Arab Emirates has the largest Ecological footprint in the world, not America. Whoa! They are taking serious steps to reduce water consumption from 550 gallons per head/day to 250 gallons per day over a period of years.

An Arab company called Cyber Gear has also launched a website called Go-Green, a tool for everyday green living ideas and advice.

http://www.go-green.ae/

Leave it to Dubai, they will also have the one of the World’s first moving skyscraper, if not the first planned. It also happens to be Eco Friendly, as stated above. The Dynamic Tower is a building in which each floor rotates to take advantage of wind power; all 80 stories. It is also Solar powered with photovoltaic solar panels. Since each floor is CONSTANTLY in motion, 20% of the “roofs” are exposed to the sun at all times. This will create more solar energy than what the building will actually use. A full rotation takes about 3 hours. This $700 million project was the brainchild of Italian Architect, David Fisher. There is another one planned for Moscow in the near future. The completion date for the Dynamic Tower in Dubai is 2010.

picture from:

http://www.artnowmag.com/Magazine/Reports/2008/jun/Reports_Jun08.php

Each floor is fabricated off site, cutting down on cost by 10% and increases construction efficiency by 30%. That makes me smile. When I read most articles on green design, they mostly fail to mention that to get the structures in place to crank out eco friendly cars, build wind turbines etc., they clear cut land and trees, leaving a scar on the ecosystem surrounding it. Ugh.

http://www.dynamicarchitecture.net/_GREEN.html

The Dynamic Tower was named one of TIME Magazine’s best inventions of 2008.

As a last aside on what….umm….. Architects(?) have planned in Dubai, Brad Pitt has an Eco Friendly Hotel in the works. Yep, I’ll let that sink in for a moment........

I think it is great that he is spreading the word on green design, kudos Mr. Jolie. But after researching The Dynamic Tower, I come across this little nugget, I can't help to snicker. (insert and LOL here)
Now, before all of you ‘Legends of the Fall’ fans go ape on me, I commend Brad for being named Green Design consultant for this project. He will be working with an Architectural firm and according to sources, using his architectural chops. He must know his stuff. He must have passed the LEED exam like Sarah R. O’Keeffe did, but unlike some others I know. You know who you are, and you are nothing like Brad Pitt.

Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

Okay, I lied. I was going to write about 'change of use' for buildings this week, but I decided, after watching the news tonight to post Lou Gehrig's farewell speech. Today, July 2, is the anniversary of this speech. On June 2, 1941, Lou Gehrig died of ALS, a disease also known now as Lou Gehrig's disease. In front of more than 62,000 fans, an emotional Lou Gehrig delivered his speech at Yankee Stadium. That day, he not only left a lasting legacy with one of the most moving speeches in sports history, he also didn't leave a dry eye in the house.

Picture AND more information about ALS can be found at: http://www.als.ca/lou_gehrig.aspx?print=1&

So for this week, I leave you with a message of hope. Not the usual Independence Day rally for America, (which we need about now with a 9.5% unemployment rate in the US), but it is just as fitting. How much more American is baseball anyway? Now, go get a slice of Apple Pie and enjoy!

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. "Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky.

"When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body - it's a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know. So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." - Lou Gehrig


http://www.lougehrig.com/about/speech.htm

Go Celebrate! Celebrate Independence, celebrate friends, family and loved ones. Celebrate you! You deserve it!

Lou Gehrig (1903-1941)

picture from: www.findgrave.com

Fire Areas in Non Sprinkled Industrial Buildings

There is always a question whether a sprinkler is required to be added in a building after the shell has been built without one. I will go over how we determine this, some examples and some alternatives that are accepted under the code.

When I get an un-sprinklered building to upfit, I first look at how big the entire building is. If it LESS THAN 12,000 sf, that is usually good. Both the building code and fire code address the “fire areas.” (Chapter 9 for both building and fire code)

Fire area – The aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers exterior walls or fire resistance rated horizontal assemblies.

Before I proceed, I have a disclaimer......
This information is accurate, but not absolute. The slightest change in program could throw other elements into the mix and require or exempt sprinklers. Please consult your favorite interior designer to confirm your specific needs. Tell her I said hello.

Wade Garret... I mean Sam Elliot from www.flixster.com

He said, "I don't want to be known as a sex symbol. There's a great stigma that goes with that tag. I want to be a Sam Elliott"

Some Examples:
A few years ago, I worked on an upfit for a printing company. The facility was changing use from a storage facility to a manufacturing facility. Having said that, the space was larger than 12,000 sf. 20,000 sf warehouse and a 5,000 sf office with no sprinklers (25,000 total with an already rated demising wall). The office area was existing to remain. Because we were changing use, we had to bring everything “up” to the current code regulations.

With no sprinkler, we had to create a rated area in the back of the warehouse, rated doors and all. We also had to separate the office area from the warehouse. Since the suite was 25,000 sf, there were 2 areas of 12,000 sf or less that we needed to create. Luckily, we worked with the office/warehouse wall that already went to deck and was relatively easy to fire rate.

Fire areas are different from the allowed sizes for a building. For instance, chapter 5 of the 2009 NCSBC says I can have a building with:

Business – 23,000 sf (12,000 sf per fire area)
S-1 – 17,500 sf (12,000 sf per fire area)
S-2 - 26,000 sf (12,000 sf per fire area)
F-1 – 15,500 (12,000 sf per fire area unless there is woodworking. That is 2,500 per fire area)
F-2 – 26,000 (12,000 per fire area)

If you have a building of the sizes above, you would still need fire areas within it. The only exception to a fire area is a sprinkler system.

Be warned, if you have educational or A-2 (restaurant occupancy) the fire areas are different. Educational is 20,000 sf (woot woot!) and A-2 is 5,000 sf. Point is, the GENERAL rule of thumb is 12,000, but there is never a “be all end all” in the stinking code.


Speaking of sprinkler systems…….
If you have a building that has an office with a sprinkler system, but the warehouse does not., then what?
I can hear you now…..
“When would I EVER run into this sh*!?

Answer: Off Graham St. in Charlotte.

OR

Some (most) people I know would ask…..
“Now when the hell would I ever run into this effing Sh*!”?

Answer: Off Graham St. in Charlotte.

Plan review looks at this condition as a non sprinkled building when it comes to fire areas IF the building is larger than 12,000 sf (typically). I just had to separate a warehouse with a fire barrier because the building was 15,500 sf, and we changed the use from a storage facility to a primarily Mercantile occupancy. The sprinkled office was 1,800 sf and a portion of the warehouse was also sprinkled. The office didn’t have a rated wall between it and the warehouse. In this case the tenant used one side of the fire area as storage, and the other side for their showroom.

Note: I keep mentioning “change of use”. This term is a huge proponent of the fire area in a non sprinkled building. It is kind of a lapse in the code from when these warehouses were had different requirements for building, and obviously were, at one time, were much more relaxed and code allowed larger fire areas. If you keep the occupancy the same in a building and move in another tenant that would be considered the same occupancy, you DO NOT need to change bring ”up” the building to the current code, so no fire walls.

In addition, there are a TON of single story I-2 buildings just off I-77 (you know who you are) with no sprinklers. *sigh* A majority of these buildings are less than 12,000 sf , so in this case, would not require a sprinkler or fire areas since typically those buildings have Business or storage within them.

An interesting pic of Burt Reynolds from www.mentalfloss.com
He said "I can sing as well as Fred Astaire can act."



Lastly, (and having nothing to do with industrial space or Burt Reynolds) think about McMullen Creek Shopping Center off 51. That baby is a monster, (283,271 sf) and guess what? Not Sprinkled. How? Fire walls. Fire walls are spaced throughout the shopping center and penetrate the roof line. That was designed almost like separate buildings within a building. Essentially, they create fire areas at the time of building shell construction. These are great, and usually effective “plan ahead” elements that make an upfit much easier, and the difference is that they penetrate the roof and are a structural member of the building and cannot be eliminated from the shell footprint. That is usually how shopping centers roll, even today.

Even as the author, I even trailed off during this composition so I apologize. I thought I’d share with you what I was thinking about. My next blog will be “change of use” It should be short, but very, very powerful, much like Mr. Miyagi. Wax on, wax off.

No caption required!

He said (as Mr. Miyagi) "Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything"

http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/images/2007/11/15/miyagi.jpg

FIRE ACCESS DOORS – I am good at this subject, and this will be (sort of) short and (not so) sweet. Here we go!

Fire access door = a personnel door (minimum 3’-0” x 6’-8”) that is used to access an area of a building with high pile storage, typically in showrooms, warehouses or mercantile spaces.

High pile combustible storage = any low hazard or moderate hazard commodity over 12’-0”. (This essay excludes the consideration of Haz mat commodities, which are sometimes lower in both height and quantity)

image from:

http://www.army.gc.ca/1combat_engineers/PHOTO_GALLERY.htm


A fire access door:
1. Isn’t necessarily an exit or means of egress FROM INSIDE the space, and doesn’t need to be ADA compliant.


2. Cannot be accessed by a ladder.


3. If doors are required, they need to be min. of 100’-0” on the exterior shell wall where there is a fire apparatus road. In other words, where there is paved lot, there needs to be a door.


4. Does not “excuse” the warehouse from exit doors. You need both. A fire access door can double as a means of egress but would have to be ADA compliant in this condition.


5. Generally required in areas over 12,000 sf if the aisle way between racks is 96” or greater.


6. Must have a knox box somewhere on the building for the fire department to get a key.
Here is a little aside…#6 is required, but I just chuckle at the imagery of a fire truck tearing ass into a parking lot to an industrial building, men pouring out of it in their fire suits grabbing axes and hoses. One guy gets out, calmly jogs to the knox box, types in the code and holds the key high over his head as he runs toward the closest access door and everyone files in.
NO WAY!
( I have only heard) 9 out of 10 times it is a scene from a John Wayne movie where the doors get kicked in left and right or someone opts to” axe” a glass storefront. You have to love it.

http://www.wikihow.com/Kick-Down-a-Door
(in case you ever wanted to know the procedure to kick in a door)


The fire access doors only have to be in the occupancy in which there is high pile storage. If you have a warehouse with racking and an office (business occupancy) in the same suite, the office doesn’t need to have doors every 100’-0”.

I hope this helps shed some light on fire doors. I have confidence that you will sleep better because of this blog entry. Either, you were so concerned with what the guidelines actually were, you can now “sleep easy”, or you decided to read through this all the way. Result: deep sleep. Have a wonderful day!

Today, I’d like to start my BLOG by thanking you for tuning in, whether it be just for today or if you have been losing sleep the past month because you just can wait to read what is in store at BJW. Quite honestly, I am not sure I totally understand what blogging is and why people want to do this. I mean, do I really think you care enough to read about what is going on with me on a weekly basis? No, I don’t. In the past month I have been called “lame” and a “square”, so it isn’t just me that thinks I am boring. That is why I try to focus on topics that are of interest to you!

As I was mulling over what to write about today, I came across a design award program out of Dubai. Then I thought, “what is the deal with all the innovative building in Dubai?”, so I looked it up. Dubai is a part of the United Arab Emirates, East of Saudi Arabia and across the Arabian Gulf from Iran Come to find out, Dubai currently has 20-25% of the worlds Cranes because of the incredible amount of construction there.. Take a look at these comparisons that I got from http://www.dubai-architecture.com/

Why is this? Why not Tunisia or Iceland or Oman? Several reasons; mainly:

Geographic location
Electricity
Oil!
Creation of the Jebel Free zone


Geography – Dubai is the gateway where “the East meets the West” and has employed many laborers from nearby countries for many decades. In the 1930’s Dubai was known for its pearl trade, but was on shaky ground because of World War I and The Great Depression.
Electricity – In 1950 electricity and phone was installed here and businesses began relocating from neighboring Emirates.
Oil – Oil was also discovered that same year. (jackpot)
Jebel Ali Free Zone – It is a program that offers tax and business incentives to corporations. This made it an International city.

Okay, now that we see where all the money came from, let’s look at what they did with it there. More than 20 years ago, the Palm Jumeirah, was planned and construction began. It is an (obviously) artificial Palm Tree shaped island that Nakeel, a real estate mogul “built”. It was sketched by the ruler of Dubai to solve issue with the lack of shoreline and has 17 fronds. It is now part of a triumvirate of palm shaped island groupings and identified by some as the eighth Wonder of the World. They are home to world class resorts and luxury living.


information and images from:
http://www.thepalm.ae/vision.html









Dubai is also home to the world’s tallest hotel, the Burj-al Arab. Not only that, but it is a work of art and also a luxury domain – 7 Stars. The last time I saw 7 stars was when my brother “accidentally” hit me in the face with a basketball. This hotel is about to be the SECOND highest hotel this year. The tallest will be in …where? Dubai! It is the Burj al Alam or The World Tower.

(image referenced from http://www.gomideast.com/UAE/Dubai/Burj.htm )

This is Not to be confused with the Burj Dubai, the world largest building. Designed by Skidmore, Owens and Merrill (of Sears Tower and John Hancock Building fame), it boasts 140 stories and has the world’s longest elevator shaft, naturally. information and images from: http://www.burjdubai.com/




These, in addition to the indoor ski resort, Dubailand (an amusement park), state of the art monorail system, Dubai has also proposed hydropolis – ( a city on water). There is also a huge Green building movement there as well.
Thirty years ago, people perceived the millennium to be a vision of the future.
Chris Rock said at the 1999 VMA’s “When I was a kid, we thought the year 200 was going to be the future. We thought it was gonna be flying cars, moving sidewalks…we thought it was going to be like the Jetsons. It ain’t even the Jefferson’s right now”. I guess he hadn’t been to Dubai!


For more information about Dubai, check out http://www.boomspeak.com/archive/travel080125.html

Positive Outlook for Business in the Design Community

In the midst of this great….um…recession, (I don’t dare say the D word), I have recently noticed that the media has tried to spin every story into a positive one, or shuffle to the side the negativity and report “feel good stories” like how a dog saves his family from a burning house. When I received my quarterly, and very anticipated copy of Boutique Design, I thumbed through. All the articles are pretty much the same timbre; happy, positive and upbeat. I want to follow suit.

There is an article in this magazine entitled “The Boutique 18 Take Flight” by Rebecca Goldberg which has taken eighteen highly successful people in the design biz and had them answer six questions. One of those six questions is “2009 has been a challenge. What opportunities have developed?”

Alexis Readinger, an Architect at Preen, Inc. in La says,
“ 2009 has brought a fresh commitment to sustainability and a much needed emphasis on integrity. I thank the 60’s movement for what will be our saving”

I agree! Ironically, an economic slump is giving way to a historically expensive type of design. It is about time!


Michelle Aitala From Ralph Gentile Architects says in response to this question,
“ What opportunities do I see - Available storefronts! At some point the economy will turn around, and I think opportunities will emerge from people want to open or re-model restaurants, spas, hotels and casinos. We’ll be here for their interior design needs.”

Nice!! What a great outlook in this dismal path the economy is in!!

Erin Nichols from Wilson Associates says,
“Due to the current state of the economy, jobs are few and far off compared to the past couple of years. I think now is the time to get back to basics and focus on the importance of our relationships and client interaction. Also, maintaining a clear focus on taking design to a new level. Now is our opportunity to dream big!”

Very optimistic!!

I wanted to share those quotes to provide a upward look at design, it’s future and yours. We can all have hope if we want it. Asami Tachikawa-Choe states in her interview, “Detox, conserve and stay optimistic.” Isn’t that all we can do? Oh, one more thing, have a nice day!