Building a new school is a lengthy, multi-layered process, requiring input from and strong communication among team members. To believe less is to be naive, and school administrators are anything but naïve. One portion of the process includes determining what materials to use, and why. An article by School Planning & Management provides some guidelines to help you through the decision making, ensuring you choose the best products, resulting in a beautiful, effective facility lasting well beyond its projected years.
Who Is Involved in the Process?
Knowing what materials to use requires a team effort — a large team, in fact, because there are different areas of expertise that have to be addressed. Each team member is vital to ensuring the right products are chosen.
It is important to note that not all suppliers offer the exact same product; often there are subtle differences that can have a huge impact on whether a product is right for a project. For example, Terry Westerman, vice president of Marketing for ClarkDietrich Building Systems, Inc., West Chester, Ohio, which offers a comprehensive lineup of steel construction products and services, works closely with architects and specifiers to ensure performance matches products and systems. This can be fire rating, sound ratings or limiting heights. “Included is providing information regarding sustainability and any assistance in achieving LEED points,” he adds.
Getting Real About Material Selection
Before you hit information overload, there are just a few more things to know about choosing the right materials for your next school construction project.
First off, manufacturers who are members of strong industry associations are a solid bet for ensuring high-quality materials. The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), Falls Church, Va., the largest organization for cold-formed steel, is one example. “With a third party testing program in place, the SFIA members offer a consistent level of quality and peace of mind,” says Westerman. Other organizations, such as the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), Certified Steel Stud Association (CSSA), and Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) also provide information, education, and resources to assist in selecting the right material for a school building project.