Archive through August 26, 2011

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 245 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, August 12, 2011 - 10:19 am:    We are doing some renovations and a roof replacement over a dolphin pool at an aquarium. The comfort and safety of the dolphins is of the utmost concern. The roofing project has been delayed for years because of these concerns. The roof deck is a tectum, extruded, osb composite that we believe is upwards of 90% in useable condition. So, the amount of time and "open air" from roof to pool will be minimized due to the need to replace only a small portion of the deck. Has anyone ever written anything that sets limits for sound, dust, vibration, etc, over and above the standard "follow local ordinance noise limits" kind of stuff? Are there any noise tests that might be appropriate? Some initial thoughts are just too try the tools and methods with the handlers below and they might be able to report the dolphins' reactions to the stimuli, somewhat subjective, but might be the answer. Thanks in advance for any insight. Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 246 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, August 12, 2011 - 10:20 am:    P.S. The dolphins can not be moved to another location. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 485 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Friday, August 12, 2011 - 11:23 am:    Don, I have a spec for special procedures for data center facilities for a re-roofing project. No dolphins but potentially millions and millions of $ in potential damage to servers and irrecoverable losses to data center clients. We used a frim out of Nicholasville NC called Sheild Works (formerly Morgan Hayden) to protect the interior infrastructure. Please e-mail me at wayne.yancey@callison.com. I will share my section and provide contact information for Shield Works. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1294 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, August 12, 2011 - 11:34 am:    When we remodel in a hospital environment, we construct dust-proof enclosures and control the HVAC system to confine the dust/dirt/construction activities to the area of actual work. The enclosure also helps to somewhat reduce the noise that escapes to outside the construction zone. (we limit work hours to daytime, too, but I'm not sure that would make a difference here) Could a temporary roof be constructed over the pool? Maybe an inflatable type dome? (something that wouldn't make noise and dust and debris to construct, or what's the point). That would keep dust and debris from falling into the pool. How far away is the existing roof from the dolphins? Is there enough room to do that? I'd spec that components be pre-cut and assembled as much as possible outside the building. (It is a building and not just a roof? If there's no walls, I'd construct a construction building with some acoustics) That would help lessen the noise. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 88 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 09:15 am:    Hi Don. Interesting dilemma since there's no way I know of to cut and repair a tectum deck without creating a lot of dust. Since the structure is obviously minimal at best, as needed to support a tectum deck, the option of adding decking material over the tectum is probably ruled out. Besides, you still want to remove the damaged deck materials. To my mind, you're probably looking at hanging a safety net to catch large pieces falling from the underside; I don't know how possible it is to create a dustproof enclosure horizontally under the roof deck to truly protect the dolphins. Perhaps you can install some sort of vacuum system to contain or at least minimize the amount of sawdust that falls. What type of roof are you considering? What type of roof is currently on there? If the structure and budget can handle it, I'd go the other way. Bypass the re-roofing completely, mount new girts over the old roof and put on a low-slope metal roof. You should be able to tie-in to the existing drains, abandon the old roof and deck in place, and get a more permanent 'fix' while minimizing environmental impact on the dolphins. Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1190 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 12:17 pm:    Don- like Lynn, I've done a ton of hospitals and also nursing homes where dust and noise are of concern to the inhabitants. We've done the same thing -- build dustproof enclosures with positive ventilations in the space (to reduce dust migrating to other locations), daily clean up including wet vacuuming and the like. For your situation, I could make a case that the contractor hire a consulting acoustician to monitor noise levels at the dolphins' temporary location and also monitor whatever else seems appropriate -- air quality, or whatever. When I've done work on zoos, they move the affected animals far enough away that they aren't impacted, but I doubt the aquarium is 200 acres in size to make that happen. I would also recommend that the Owner provide an incentive for the contractor to do this in two or three shifts (like a highway overpass project) to minimize the downtime in that location. Jim Sliff Senior Member Username: jim_sliff Post Number: 88 Registered: 08-2010 Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 11:58 am:    As mentioned dust control is relatively easy. Sound could be fairly easy. If the handlers know (and they probably already have study data) at what decibel level noise becomes bothersome to dolphins an inexpensive SPL (sound pressure level) meter from Radio Shack or some other electronics source can be used to test and benchmark the SPL of various tools/surfaces, operations, and distances and configurations simulating the job environment. Vibration transferring to water is another matter - I believe I've seen data regarding the use of seismographs (or similar ground-vibration measuring devices) combined with scientific data detailing the amount/wavelength of vibration that affects Orcas (killer whales - I did a bunch of work at Sea World San Diego years ago and there was similar concern about removal of paving adjacent to a holding tank). So for vibration (and noise controls) I'd check with the Dolphin Research Center in Florida, Woods Hole's mammal research department, The Dolphin Institute or the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. If this is a larger facility (like Sea World) they should have the data or know where to get it. If it's smaller, try the sources listed above - or call one of the Sea World locations and try to reach their scientific department.