Designing fire protection into a building is complex; it requires effective coverage, an economical installation, and compliance with many regulations. (Author)

Offers advice in making sense of what building codes say about low-sloped commercial roofing systems. (EV)

Facility management today is the management of increasingly complex processes with an increasing number of team members. Facility managers must become leaders. (MLF)

This checklist serves as a guide during various stages of a library design process to help ensure that all needed spaces and functions are included, to help enable the evaluation of existing library spaces as part of a library's needs assessment process, and to help provide data and support to the library in presentations that might be made to…

Modern principles of color applied to schools will greatly improve the scholastic performance of students. (Author/MLF)

Discusses five steps to address in preplanning for public support and effective management of a multiyear school building program: examine board policies and procedures, engage all appropriate stakeholders, update educational specifications, review technical specifications, and evaluate industry-imposed challenges. (EV)

The middle school and senior high school of the Pojoaque Valley (New Mexico) School District share many facilities and services. Because of the need for expansion of facilities, some construction projects are budgeted that include remodeling the vocational building, building the music building, and adding built-in equipment to all remodeled and…

The present Pojoaque Valley (New Mexico) Elementary School consists of two pod buildings. Although a small amount of remodeling will take place in the buildings, the major portion of the project described here is the construction of one or more new buildings. Because the school district has no preconceived shape or location for new structures, the…

The writers offer a list of questions every new principal should ask about the school building. Knowing the answers will help to ensure that the building is maintained properly. (Author/MD)

Describes the array of contractual features between the project owner and the main contractor that can lead individually or in permutations to expediting the construction process and reducing the financial risks and expenditures of the project owner. (MLF)

This manual presents guidance to engineers, architects, building officials, and prospective shelter owners concerning the design and construction of community shelters that will provide protection during tornado and hurricane events. The manual covers two types of community shelters: stand-alone shelters designed to withstand high winds and the…

Outlines the budgeting problems involved in renovating the interiors of older college buildings and claims a comprehensive space planning program supported by structured funding is essential to preserve the usable life of existing facilities. (MLF)

Large school districts or campuses need a full-time energy coordinator. A staff member may be assigned this work in smaller organizations. The elements of an effective energy program are outlined. (Author/MLF)

An educational specification identifies educational objectives and suggests general facility needs. The questions of why, who, what, when, where, and how in regard to a proposed building need to be answered. (Author/MLF)

Defines the five major roofing systems. Summarizes a survey of flat roofing systems and their reported performance. (MLF)