Commercial Construction Trends in 2017

The wave of technology has instilled a new transformation in almost all the businesses today. The imprint of on-going transformation and its implications even reflects on the robust construction industry. The commercial construction companies in India have also witnessed the gradual shift with preference on adopting new technologies to build green and self-sustained cities.

Here are some of the top trends to watch out for in 2017 –

1. Smart buildings –Leveraging information technology to create a smart building is an overall theme. The entire ‘Smart City’ program was also envisioned keeping in mind the need to create these futuristic cities with next-generation infrastructure to be digitally connected. Use of technology is more prevalent in the commercial building construction even in India. From regular automated processes to using high-tech sensors and gadgets to controlusual building operations like air-conditioning, ventilation, lighting or even security, the technology allows space optimisation, reduce energy requirements thereby minimising the environmental impact.
2. Pre fabrication –Time is a crucial factor in infrastructure projects involving enormous costs. Prefabrication is been used in the commercial construction industry in India for years now to effectively manage on-time delivery of projects. Prefabricated parts like stairs, bridge or even entire homes are constructed off-site in standard plug-in puzzle pieces. The new and emerging trends in information modeling will further enable better collaboration on projects as well as applying prefabrication techniques on complex projects for even faster delivery.
3. Construction robots –Skilled labour shortage is quite often a sore issue for the commercial construction industry and can be hugely detrimental with mounting costs arising out of overdue projects. Today, we already have assisted-machines to handle massive projects and demolition robots to help bring down huge construction sites. With advancing technology and robotics, we can soon have robots performing masonry construction with precision. A mobile fabrication unit proficient in performing construction tasks has already been developed by R-O-B Technologies with the help of Gramazio and Kohler and should be on a definite watch-list.
4. Energy modeling –Commercial buildings consume massive amounts of energy. The energy modeling is crucial to create self-sustained and financially viable constructions. Innovative designs which integrate recycled energy, leverage natural energy resources to power buildings or even uses energy efficient materials to reduce consumption can result in 70 percent more energy efficient buildings than other average commercial ones. Many software tools like Sefaira and Autodesk FormIt now easily allow performing complex energy analysis during the conceptual design stage itself.
5. Building Information Modeling (BIM) –While it has been in trend for years, its growing necessity will now have a considerable impact on commercial construction in India. BIM aids in building virtual models for better analysis. BIM supports creating more versions of virtual models through the design phase for comparative design and efficiency analysis. It can be easily extended to virtual reality for a better sense of scale and space.

The technology is set to be a major game-changer in the commercial construction business in coming years. Staying up-to-date with the latest in construction technology can help in making informed decisionsto increase productivity as well as control costs for delivering new-age construction projects.

5 Top Extremely Durable and Long Lasting Building Materials

In today’s civilized and modernized world, any industrial or commercial building construction projects are like long-term investments. Hence nowadays, most of the industrial or commercial construction companies pay more attention to the quality of various building materials so that the projects can stand for long-term. They are showing more interest to use sturdy materials for the construction of building projects. Here is a list of top 5 strong and long lasting building materials that are used in a wide range in various construction projects.

• Brick – Not only in today’s civilized world, but bricks have been used to construct some of the world famous structures from the bygone era as well. The Pantheon, the Great Wall of China, the Roman aqueducts etc. were made using this material. Wonderfully, all these historic structures are still standing! Hence, it is easily understandable how sturdy and durable this clay made material is. The silt becomes hard when it is dried; heating the bricks makes it durable and strong enough to endure any environmental factor.
• Concrete – This sturdy building material is made of elements such as stone, sand, cement, binders etc. The mixture is so flexible that it can be hardened after pouring it into any kind of shapes. Due to its rebar enforcement, most of the infrastructure companies prefer to use concrete to build walls, beams, frames, slabs etc. Usually, pre-stressed concrete is used to increase the strength and resistance. Pre-cast concrete has the special feature of water repelling. Moreover, it provides good resistance to contraction and expansion.
• Steel – In order to build a strong framework that can hold the entire load of the structures some stronger material is required. Steel is used to serve the purpose. Due to its easy to fabricate and the fast installation features, most of the industrial construction companies prefer to use it. Whether as the foundation or as the concrete, steel can be used to serve both the purposes. Moreover, this material is recyclable!
• Wood – Not only for the decoration purpose, but woods can be used as a long lasting building material as well. In the case of building log cabins, wood is used as a prime construction material. Compared to the stone, this material is of lightweight making it easier for moving and transporting. More interestingly, wood is seasoned so that it can remove moisture. Even though wood can get severely damaged by fire, as a construction material it is extremely durable.
• Stone – If the construction companies have the proper equipment to do the cutting, stones are impressively long durable and tough materials to be used in the construction of projects. This material is natural and can effectively protect any structure from various environmental factors. For giving a unique look to the structures and to enhance the aesthetic value, stones can be used.

Obviously, such long lasting building materials may cost a bit more, but as the projects are solemnly constructed based on long-term goals, various construction and infrastructure companies consider using the extremely durable and long lasting building materials only for the sake of better investment. Undoubtedly, such long lasting materials ensure project safety as well.

A Detailed Insight on the Risks Associated with Renovation works for the Hospital Buildings

Any healthcare sector deals with numerous patients on a daily basis. Ensuring the safety and the well-being of any patient is the utmost priority of any healthcare sector. Well, not only patients but those who take care of the patients like doctors, nurses, staffs and other medical experts along with those who are responsible for maintaining a smooth workflow in any healthcare organization are equally important. If a healthcare construction is built without considering safety measures, the result may be disastrous or life threatening in near future. Hence, proper and effective precautions have to be contemplated by each and every healthcare construction companies from the very beginning of the construction project to avert any kind of mishap. Here in this article, a detailed insight into the risk factors associated with such hospital or healthcare construction projects has been jotted down.

• Controlling Infection and Dust – In most of the time, a hazardous situation may occur due to the infection spread during the construction of the project. In order to diminish the risk factors, nowadays most of the hospital construction companies are paying utmost attention to control infection and dust. Aspergillus fungus that is extremely unhealthy can transmit through air and dust. It may cause serious health problems to the vulnerable patients.
  Nowadays, most of the healthcare construction organizations arrange for effective tools like portable containments, air filters etc. on a regular basis while proceeding with hospital construction projects. Effective use of the jet washes, mopping and vacuuming the construction area on a regular basis are crucial as well.
• Managing Access Issues – Obviously, hospital area remains always busy and active; an emergency situation may occur at any point of time. Hence, a company that is responsible for maintaining the construction process has to be extremely careful ensuring no hospital activity is hampered. They need to ensure no construction workers can trespass in the core activity area of the hospitals. Hence, managing the access issues is very vital.
• Safeguarding Hospital Equipment – While construction of projects, the construction companies have to be extremely careful about the safeguarding of the valuable hospital equipment. Any damage can not only make the construction company liable for paying the repair or replacement charges, it can make the equipment incapable as well. As a result, treatment of the patients would get disrupted.
• Controlling Asbestos – In the earlier days, a noxious mineral like Asbestos was being used excessively in the construction of hospitals. To deal with this hazard, it is advisable to undergo a detailed R&D survey prior to any construction work. Controlled and safe removal of the asbestos before beginning with any construction work is crucial for the ultimate wellbeing of the patients.

Managing the comfort and safety of the patients is the topmost priority of any healthcare organization. Hence, the hospital construction company must ensure not to contain noises while the project construction is going on. It may make a patient’s condition more vulnerable. So, most of the healthcare construction organizations need to be extra cautious about the above-mentioned risk factors while working on any healthcare construction project.

5 Top Energy-Efficient Green Building Materials to Contemplate in Commercial Building Construction

Well, concrete is one building material that pretty much shapes the skyline of the cities today! Whether it is an apartment building or home, viaduct or bridge – the importance of this omnipresent material in today’s modern and civilized life is unquestionable. In the case of the industrial and commercial building construction, no other material is considered to be a peer to this ubiquitous material till date. However, this huge demand of concrete does not change the crummy secret about it! During the process of concrete material production, a colossal amount of CO2(carbon dioxide) is emitted which is extremely abominable for the environment. So, as an alternative here is a list of 5 top energy-efficient green building materials that you can contemplate to use in any commercial construction site.

• Sustainable Concrete – Nowadays, most of the infrastructure companies are paying more attention to use the sustainable concrete that is both energy-efficient and a deserving alternative to the traditional concrete. This product can diminish the amount of carbon dioxide emission in a remarkable manner. Recycled materials like crushed glass, slag or wood chips are used to make this type of sustainable concrete.
• Solar Tiles – Usually, tiles are used to protect a construction from the toxic elements absorbed from the sun. The traditional roofing tiles are formed in energy exhaustive methods. Hence, nowadays, many organizations are paying more attention to develop solar tiles. These solar tiles are entirely integrated within the building that helps to generate power for the dwellers and to protect the building from any kind of weather.
• Wool Bricks – The invention of wool bricks has brought a remarkable and revolutionary change in the field of commercial or industrial construction. These non-toxic, sustainable bricks are made of using ample amount of local materials like wool, natural polymer that mechanically enhances the strength of the bricks. Some of the alluring features of such bricks are as follows.
  1. It is resistant to wet and cold weather
  2. 37% firmer and stronger that other bricks
  3. It diminishes embodied energy
• Paper Insulation – This product can be considered as a good alternative to the chemical foams. It is made of recycled cardboard and newspapers. Paper insulation can be used for filling any crack, buffeting into the cavity walls. Using this, you can create a draft-free space. Some of the useful features of paper insulation is:
  1. Fire retardant
  2. Insect resistant
  To make this product like this, natural materials like calcium carbonate, borax and boric acid are used.
• Triple-Glazed Windows – This highly efficient triple-glazed window is the perfect alternative to the double-glazed window that uses argon gas between two distinct glass layers to support insulation. On the contrary, in the case of the triple-glazed window, a better insulator krypton is used. Moreover, coatings having low-emissivity are used on the glass for maintaining the temperature in the room.

In recent times, to maintain the balance of the environment, all these above-mentioned energy-efficient green materials are being used by most of the construction companies. These are becoming a good alternative to the traditional materials as these can maintain the carbon emission in nature.

Top 9 traits of a trustworthy commercial construction company

Undertaking commercial construction projects is a herculean task. And it goes without saying that you need a trustworthy construction partner to successfully plan and execute these projects. With so many commercial construction companies in the market, it can be daunting to choose the right partner. So let’s take a look at the top 10 traits that can help you easily shortlist and find the best commercial construction services firm.

1.    Experience – Go through the past projects and clients of the commercial construction company. The quality and timelines of their past projects will help you find the way their team works as a whole.

2.    Expertise – Try to understand the expertise of the company by looking at the kind of projects they have delivered. Has this company completed a project similar to what you are looking for? If not, have they or their team delivered projects of that scale.

3.    Project Management – Commercial Construction companies should be good at project management. After all, you need the cost-effective project plans with deadlines to ensure the project gets completed on time. In commercial construction projects such as a multi-speciality hospital or a high-end shopping mall, unforeseen delays can occur. Your construction partner should have a good network of project planners, labours, vendors and other important contacts to ensure timely resolution of delays in projects.

4.    Customization – A good commercial construction company will have the right resources and expertise to support all the customization needs as per your vision for the project.

5.    Transparency – A construction partner should be clear and transparent in communication. Million dollar projects see the light of the day with the help of clear communication.

6.    Code of conduct – Find out whether the company works in accordance with the prescribed industry standards in terms of safety, quality and integrity. How serious are they about following the legal formalities and maintaining the necessary documentation to build and maintain the commercial construction space.

7.    Ethics – There is enough opportunity for resorting to unethical ways in a commercial construction project. Among your shortlisted companies,check which ones are strict about ethics.

8.    Technology and Innovation – Research about whether the company uses the latest techniques, tools and methodologies. This will tell you whether they areinnovative in their approach.

9.    Sustainability – Every forward-thinking stakeholder in the construction industry needs to understand the importance of sustainable use of resources. Check out the views of your construction partner on sustainability in projects to understand them better.

Differences Between Commercial and Industrial Construction

As per the Oxford dictionaries, the meaning of industrial is given as ‘designed or suitable for use in industry’. The term ‘commercial’ means ‘concerned with or engaged in commerce’. In the construction industry, we come across commercial construction companies as well as industrial construction companies. To gain a deeper understanding, let’s unlock the major differences between commercial and industrial construction.

1. Purpose of the project – The design and development of restaurants, retail chains, offices, shopping centres, entertainment hubs and more that deal with commerce come under commercial projects. Industrial projects may or may not be a part of commercial projects. Industrial construction mainly deal with planning and undertaking electrical, civil and/or mechanical construction works for of small, medium or large scale manufacturing units or industrial zones. An industrial project also includes construction of mega factories.
2. What matters? – For commercial construction companies, the design and aesthetic appeal of the construction plays an important role. Commercial spaces are generally used by end customers, so even the most basic facilities should strike a chord with the users. Commercial construction is basically setting up spaces where the goods manufactured in industrial buildings can be sold. Creating innovative design plans for commercial construction helps in increased earnings for property owners as prime commercial properties carry higher value compared to industrial spaces.
3. Choosing the construction site – For industrial construction, site with suitable connectivity by land, air or sea is important. For commercial construction, easy access for customers, parking space and other consumer-friendly facilities are needed. Experienced construction companies are adept at finding the ideal construction sites.
4. Infrastructure support – The electricity, drainage and other infrastructure support is another differentiator for construction projects. Industrial construction might need heavy loads of electricity to operate huge machinery while commercial construction may need a well-planned centralized air conditioning system.
5. Project challenges – Industrial construction companies hire specialized contractors. They produce customized parts, assembly lines and more based on the needs of the project. The commercial construction companies recruit modern design experts who may have to work with traditional contractors. The number of challenges faced during project management stages can be tackled only by expert project planners of the reputed construction companies.
6. Finalizing the project – Commercial construction sites require a different set of permits compared to industrial sites. Based on the type of business that will be run in the constructed space, the construction company applies for the relevant local, national and global permissions/licenses/certifications in order to close the project.

Beginning construction of any structure be it commercial or industrial requires a foresight of possible hurdles and their solutions. Construction companies with rich industry experience are aware of these crucial areas along with the procedures to acquire all the necessary certifications.

Are you looking for a commercial or industrial construction expert to successfully execute projects? We are a reputed and highly experienced construction company with a team of expert engineers to design and construct small, medium and large scale projects. Partner with us to execute cost-effective construction projects.

5 Safety Tips for Construction Workers

Construction workers are superheroes who risk their life and safety to build complex and simple constructions for the need of others. Understandable it’s their work but that does not simplify the amount of risks undertaken to complete projects and ensure that they are safe in the long run. Working as a construction worker is not easy and requires great care and diligence since most of the work is extremely dangerous and deals with heavy weight machines, wobbling stairs, and heights. The risks can stress out an industrial construction worker but thankfully are safety measures which can make help to avoid common injuries.

1. Much of the work is done using tools of different kinds. Therefore, if the designs are not ergonomic and the instruments portable, work will slow down and become difficult to manage. Gripping the same uncomfortable and heavy hammer can strain your hand and numb the fingers finally causing it to slip from your hands. Continued usage can even cause tendonitis, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome etc. High powered tools can cause excessive vibration and noise. It is better to use them at lower vibrations using both hands.
2. Lifting heavy objects is part of daily construction work. Care should be taken while picking anything heavy because backaches can be really troublesome and can affect work. Don’t twist while lifting an object and always bend your knees. This strains the muscles less and helps maintain balance.
3. Protective apparels are a must for construction workers. They should be provided with safety helmets, harnesses, protective eyewear, ear muffs, and rubber gloves. While operating heavy machinery bright colored clothes should be worn for maximum visibility. Safety boots are a must and should be of the non-skid variety so that it can be used on any surface. A breathing mask often helps to work with unpleasant and even toxic fumes. It is a protection against dust and other allergens which are found in construction sites. Safety gears should be removed cautiously to avoid any wear and tear.
4. Scaffolds are highly risky but they are always necessary for industrial construction companies. They should be constructed on a rigid and solid surface and around 10 feet away from the power source or line. Never leave any debris or instruments on the scaffold while leaving work, keep it as clean as possible. Scaffolds should not be used in bad weather because they increase the risk of accidents. The construction and dismantling of the scaffold should be overseen by an experienced supervisor to reduce the chances of mishaps.
5. High voltage electricity is used in any industrial construction. But caution should be exercised to see that the wires are safe and there is no wear and tear. While using portable devices like drills and grinders check if the power supply has proper earthing. If there is any problem with the machines ask the mechanic to check rather than tinkering with it yourself. Basic training is necessary for handling electrical equipments which should be provided during training.