industry insights

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What type of informational output is provided when GPRS conducts a utility locate?

Our Project Managers flag and paint our findings directly on the surface. This method of communication is the most accurate form of marking when excavation is expected to commence within a few days of service.

GPRS also uses a global positioning system (GPS) to collect data points of findings. We use this data to generate a plan, KMZ file, satellite overlay, or CAD file to permanently preserve results for future use. GPRS does not provide land surveying services. If you need land surveying services, please contact a professional land surveyor. Please contact us to discuss the pricing and marking options your project may require.

Is GPRS able to distinguish between each type of underground utility located?

In most situations, we can identify the utility in question without any problems, although it is not always possible to determine what type of utility is present. When this happens, we attempt to trace the utility to a valve, meter, control box, or other signifying markers to determine the type of utility buried.

What can we help you visualize?

Can a 3D BIM Model Be Delivered in Phases?

GPRS can deliver a 3D BIM model in phases, allowing our clients to concentrate on one section of the project at a time and ensure a high-quality design before progressing to the next phase.

Architecture, engineering, and construction projects require precise as-built data, meticulous planning, and seamless coordination. GPRS can deliver a 3D BIM model in phases, allowing our clients to concentrate on one section of the project at a time and ensure a high-quality design before progressing to the next phase.

At GPRS, after 3D laser scanning a site, we create a 3D BIM model using specialized BIM software like Autodesk Revit. Autodesk Revit is a building information modeling (BIM) software that allows users to design and document buildings and infrastructure in 3D.

We were extremely impressed with GRPS in your timeliness on responding to our request, to having crew on site to complete the scan, and in your communication with us through the process. The 3D model your team created was outstanding. We were very impressed with the level of detail and quality of the model, the speed in which your team was able to create it, and all aspects of communication during the process. Seth G. – Sr. Project Engineer

How is a 3D BIM Model Created?

After working with our client to define the BIM modeling scope of work, our Mapping & Modeling team digitally recreates the scanned structure by placing walls, floors, ceilings, and other elements, and assigning detailed information like materials, dimensions, and properties to each component. Our team delivers a comprehensive, intelligent 3D BIM model that clients can use across different stages of the building lifecycle, from initial design to renovation and maintenance. To learn more about 3D BIM modeling, click here.

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3D BIM Model in Phases — Phased BIM model delivery helps address potential construction challenges earlier in the process, which is critical for large or intricate buildings, where providing the complete model at once could lead to errors and inefficiencies.

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What are the Overall Benefits of Delivering a BIM Model in Phases?

Delivering a BIM model in phases can be highly advantageous for architects, engineers, general contractors, and facility managers. Focused model delivery reduces information overload, enabling clients to concentrate on the current phase of construction without being distracted by future stages.

It enables seamless collaboration among project stakeholders, supports informed decision-making at each stage, and ensures efficient handling of complex projects. Phased delivery also helps address potential construction challenges earlier in the process, which is critical for large or intricate buildings, where providing the complete model at once could lead to errors and inefficiencies.

Receiving the model in stages helps clients to identify potential challenges or conflicts in smaller, manageable sections, reducing the risk of costly mistakes or delays. Also, phased delivery enables cost assessments and adjustments to be made early in the process, helping to manage budgets more effectively.

Why Would a Client Request a BIM Model in Phases?

A 3D BIM model can be delivered in phases, and there are many reasons why this would benefit a project. A client might request a BIM model in phases to optimize construction planning, coordination, and execution. By requesting a phased BIM model, clients can enhance planning, design, scheduling, trade coordination, resource management, and mitigate risks. This approach ensures efficient use of resources, reduces the likelihood of costly rework, and improves the overall success of the project.

1. Preconstruction planning

A BIM model provides clients essential project details right away, allowing them to define the project's objectives, deliverables, and constraints.

2. Design feedback

Breaking down the model into phases reduces the complexity of managing a large BIM file and allows clients to immediately begin design planning. Designers can create and test ideas quickly and improve the design, plus solicit contractor feedback to see how the design fits within the existing site conditions. Stakeholders can provide design input early in the process and identify construction challenges or conflicts.

The model has been working great so far, the Recap and Revit tips and tricks you showed have been very helpful in getting the best use out of the point cloud files. Di G. – Project Architect

3. Construction scheduling

Phased BIM models support scheduling by providing the necessary details for each construction phase, ensuring alignment with project timelines.

4. Trade coordination

Delivering portions of the model, such as structural or MEP systems, allows the contractor to identify and resolve clashes incrementally, ensuring smoother integration across trades. A phased model enables contractors to coordinate the workflows for specific trades, such as foundation, framing, or mechanical installations, at the appropriate times.

5. Resource management

By breaking down the model, and thus the project, into manageable phases, clients can allocate materials, equipment, and labor more effectively and prevent over-allocation or underutilization during critical construction phases.

6. Control change orders

Identifying potential design issues early in the design process can help clients mitigate costly change orders later in the construction phase.

7. Coordinate large-scale projects

For large-scale projects, a phased approach allows for focused attention on specific areas and better management of intricate details.

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This (3D model) looks great! Just reviewed with my engineering team and they were extremely impressed with your work! “Best laser model we have ever received” was their exact words. We will certainly be using your team on future projects. Timeliness, quality and customer service was impeccable. Chris D. – Project Manager

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How Much Does 3D BIM Modeling Cost?

A significant portion of the project cost can be in 3D BIM modeling… but it doesn't always have to be. Often clients tell service providers that they want “everything” 3D modeled when they only need a small area or certain specific feature modeled. For example, there is no reason to model every piece of steel in a building or every ½” pipe and conduit when the client may only need the steel of a particular platform or no conduit at all and only pipes that are greater than 2”. Some minor tweaks to the scope of the modeling can radically change the price of our BIM modeling services. Our Mapping and Modeling team can customize 3D BIM models to your specific project needs.

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Do I Need a 3D Model for Every Project?

Some projects may not need a 3D model. In fact, some deliverables--such as clash detection, floor flatness analysis, prefabrication, wall plumbness, and orthoimages--are extracted directly from the point cloud. In addition, some 2D CAD drawings (floorplans, elevations, framing plans, and reflective ceiling plans) can also use the point cloud directly instead of needing to do line work by plotting the point cloud directly on the drawing, and it can even be used to create construction documents.

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How Can GPRS Help You?

GPRS is a leading provider of 3D laser scanning services and BIM modeling services in the United States, delivering accurate as-builts, point clouds, 2D CAD drawings, and 3D BIM models to expedite project planning. Our elite team of Project Managers utilize state-of-the-art equipment, software, and processes to document architectural, structural, and MEP system layout and dimensions for existing buildings, facilities, and sites.

To learn more about 2D CAD Drawings, click here.

To learn more about 3D BIM models, click here.

For 3D laser scanning and 3D BIM modeling pricing call 419-843-7226 or email Laser@gprsinc.com.

How to Conduct Pre-Construction Risk Assessments

Pre-construction risk assessments are a critical part of any construction project.

These evaluations help identify potential hazards, streamline project planning, and ensure the safety of workers, stakeholders, and the surrounding community.

Failing to conduct a thorough risk assessment can lead to costly delays, safety incidents, and legal challenges.

Why Pre-Construction Risk Assessments Are Essential

Before breaking ground on a construction project, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks associated with the site, the design, and the construction process itself. Pre-construction risk assessments serve several key purposes:

Ensuring Worker Safety: Identifying hazards in advance helps implement measures to protect workers and reduce accidents.
Compliance with Regulations: Risk assessments ensure that projects meet local, state, and federal safety standards.
Cost and Time Management: By identifying risks early, teams can plan for contingencies, avoiding unexpected delays and budget overruns.
Preserving Community and Environmental Health: Understanding environmental impacts and community concerns minimizes negative effects and builds trust with stakeholders.
Improving Project Outcomes: Proactively managing risks contributes to smoother project execution and higher-quality results.

A construction executive holding an iPad walking on a temporary walkway around a construction site. — Pre-construction risk assessments are a critical part of any construction project.

Key Steps in Conducting Pre-Construction Risk Assessments

Define the Scope of the Assessment

Begin by clearly defining the scope of the assessment. This involves identifying:

The type and size of the project
Key stakeholders, including contractors, subcontractors, and clients
The location and its specific challenges, such as urban, rural, or environmentally sensitive areas

By understanding the scope, you can tailor the risk assessment to address the unique aspects of the project.

Assemble a Qualified Team

Risk assessments require input from a multidisciplinary team, including:

Project managers
Safety officers
Engineers and architects
Environmental consultants
Legal advisors

Each member brings valuable expertise to identify and address risks from different perspectives.

Conduct Site Inspections

Visiting the project site is essential to identify physical hazards. During the inspection, look for:

Uneven terrain, sinkholes, or unstable soil conditions
Proximity to utilities, such as power lines or gas pipelines
Environmental concerns, including wetlands, wildlife, or hazardous materials
Accessibility challenges for equipment and personnel

Document all observations and collect relevant data to inform your risk analysis.

GPRS Project Managers take a collaborative approach to your projects, which includes conducting pre- and post-job walks to ensure clear communication of both your needs and our deliverables. Click here to learn more.

Analyze Design and Engineering Plans

Review architectural and engineering plans to identify potential risks. Consider:

Structural integrity: Are the materials and designs suitable for the intended purpose?
Fire safety: Does the design include appropriate fire suppression systems?
Accessibility: Are provisions made for safe entry, exit, and movement on-site?
Load capacity: Will the site and structures support the intended loads?

Collaborate with design professionals to address any issues early.

Identify Regulatory and Legal Requirements

Understanding and adhering to relevant laws and regulations is critical. Research:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines
Local zoning and permitting requirements

Non-compliance can result in fines, delays, or project shutdowns.

Engage Stakeholders

Involving stakeholders early ensures that their concerns are addressed and that they’re invested in the project’s success. Key steps include:

Conducting meetings with local authorities and community members
Sharing risk assessment findings transparently
Addressing concerns proactively, such as noise, traffic, or environmental impacts

This collaboration fosters goodwill and reduces opposition.

Evaluate Potential Risks

Identify and categorize risks into the following categories:

Health and Safety Risks: Falls, equipment accidents, chemical exposures, etc.
Environmental Risks: Soil erosion, pollution, impact on local ecosystems
Financial Risks: Budget overruns, contractor insolvency
Operational Risks: Delays due to weather, labor shortages, or supply chain disruptions

Use tools like risk matrices or software solutions to rank risks by likelihood and severity.

Develop Risk Mitigation Strategies

Once risks are identified, create strategies to mitigate them. Examples include:

Implementing engineering controls, such as barriers or ventilation systems
Developing safety protocols, including worker training and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
Establishing contingency plans, such as backup suppliers or alternative schedules
Allocating resources, including budgets and personnel, to address high-priority risks

Document the Assessment

A comprehensive risk assessment report is an essential deliverable. It should include:

An executive summary of key findings and recommendations
Detailed descriptions of identified risks
Mitigation strategies and implementation plans
Documentation of stakeholder consultations and regulatory compliance

This report serves as a reference throughout the project lifecycle.

Implement and Monitor Mitigation Measures

Risk mitigation doesn’t end with planning; it requires ongoing implementation and monitoring. Key actions include:

Regular safety audits to ensure compliance
Monitoring environmental impacts during construction
Adjusting plans based on new information or changing conditions

Effective communication and accountability are crucial to maintaining risk management efforts.

Best Practices for Effective Risk Assessments

Start Early: Conduct risk assessments as soon as possible during the planning phase
Utilize Technology: Leverage software tools for data collection, risk analysis, and reporting
Train Personnel: Ensure that everyone involved in the project understands the importance of risk management and their role in it
Foster a Safety Culture: Encourage open communication about risks and solutions among all team members
Review and Update Regularly: Reassess risks at key project milestones and whenever significant changes occur

Challenges in Conducting Pre-Construction Risk Assessments

While critical, pre-construction risk assessments come with challenges, including:

Incomplete Data: Limited site information or historical records can hinder analysis
Stakeholder Disputes: Conflicting priorities among stakeholders can delay decision-making
Dynamic Conditions: Weather, market fluctuations, and unforeseen events can impact risk evaluations

Addressing these challenges requires flexibility, proactive communication, and a commitment to thoroughness.

GPRS offers a comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services designed to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

We help general contractors like you Intelligently Visualize The Built World^® with 99.8% accurate utility locating and concrete scanning, NASSCO-certified video pipe inspections, pinpoint-accurate leak detection, and 2-4mm accurate 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry. And all this data is at your fingertips with SiteMap^® (patent pending), our project & facility management application that provides existing conditions documentation to protect your assets and people.

We provide additional site safety support through our series of safety events, including Safety Tour of America, Construction Safety Week, Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week, and Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week. At GPRS, safety is always on our radar because we want you and your team to leave the job site in the same condition in which you arrived.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is as-built documentation?

As-built documentation is an accurate set of drawings for a project. They reflect all changes made in during the construction process and show the exact dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work.

Will I need to mark out the utilities that GPRS locates?

No, GPRS will locate and mark all utilities for you. We have a variety of tools and markers we can use to highlight the locations of utilities, underground storage tanks and whatever else may be hiding.

Can GPR determine the difference between rebar and electrical conduit?

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can accurately differentiate between rebar and electrical conduit in most cases. We have an extremely high success rate in identifying electrical lines in supported slabs or slabs-on-grade before saw cutting or core drilling.

Additionally, GPRS can use EM locators to determine the location of conduits in the concrete. If we can transmit a signal onto the metal conduit, we can locate it with pinpoint accuracy. We can also find the conduit passively if a live electrical current runs through it.

The combined use of GPR and EM induction allows us to provide one of the most comprehensive and accurate conduits locating services available.

Top 5 Excavation Safety Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Without proper precautions, excavation mistakes can lead to serious injuries, costly delays, and even fatalities.

Excavation work is a fundamental part of many construction projects, but it’s also one of the most hazardous activities on-site.

Without proper precautions, excavation mistakes can lead to serious injuries, costly delays, and even fatalities. By understanding and addressing the most common safety pitfalls, construction teams can significantly reduce risks and create a safer work environment.

Looking at an excavator from inside the trench it is digging. — Excavation work is a fundamental part of many construction projects, but it’s also one of the most hazardous activities on-site.

1. Inadequate Soil Analysis

Failing to assess soil conditions is a critical oversight in excavation projects. Different soil types, such as sandy, clayey, or cohesive soils, respond differently under load or when excavated. Without proper analysis, trenches can collapse unexpectedly, endangering workers.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Conduct a thorough geotechnical survey before excavation begins
Classify the soil according to OSHA standards (Type A, B, or C)
Reassess soil conditions periodically, especially after rain or weather changes

A detailed understanding of soil stability and behavior allows teams to design excavation plans that minimize collapse risks.

2. Ignoring Proper Shoring and Shielding Requirements

One of the leading causes of excavation accidents is the failure to use protective systems such as shoring, shielding, or sloping. Trenches deeper than 5 feet generally require protective measures unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Use trench boxes or shields to protect workers from cave-ins
Install shoring systems to support unstable soil walls
Design slopes or benching based on the soil type and trench depth

By implementing these systems, teams can prevent cave-ins and ensure the safety of workers inside the excavation.

3. Failure to Locate Underground Utilities

Excavating without identifying underground utilities can result in serious accidents, such as gas leaks, electrical shocks, or water main breaks. These incidents not only endanger workers but can also disrupt nearby communities and delay the project.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Contact local utility companies to mark underground lines before digging
Hire a professional private utility locating company with the technology, specifications, and training to provide you with a complete and accurate map of all buried infrastructure on your site
Train workers to recognize utility markings and follow safe digging practices

Clear communication and accurate utility mapping reduce the likelihood of dangerous encounters during excavation.

4. Inadequate Access and Egress

Workers often face difficulty entering and exiting trenches safely. Inadequate access and egress can lead to slips, trips, and falls, especially in deeper trenches. Lack of proper exits can also delay emergency response in case of an accident.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Provide ladders, ramps, or stairways for trenches deeper than 4 feet
Position access points no more than 25 feet away from any worker in the trench
Inspect access points regularly to ensure they remain secure and unobstructed

Accessible and well-maintained entry and exit systems are essential for worker safety and emergency preparedness.

5. Overlooking Site-Specific Hazards

Every excavation site has unique hazards that can be easily overlooked without a comprehensive risk assessment. These may include adjacent structures, water accumulation, or heavy equipment movement near the trench.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Perform a site-specific hazard analysis before starting excavation
Monitor for water seepage and use pumps to keep trenches dry
Establish a clear perimeter around the excavation zone to prevent equipment from coming too close

Adapting safety measures to the specific conditions of the site ensures a more controlled and hazard-free environment.

General Best Practices for Excavation Safety

In addition to avoiding the top five mistakes, adopting these best practices can further enhance safety:

Training and Awareness: Educate workers about excavation risks and safe practices
Daily Inspections: Assign a properly trained team member to inspect trenches and protective systems daily
Emergency Planning: Develop and communicate an emergency response plan for trench collapses or other incidents
Use of PPE: Ensure all workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility clothing

GPRS Helps You Take a Safety-First Approach

Excavation safety is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about protecting lives and maintaining the integrity of the project.

GPRS offers a suite of products and services designed to keep your projects safe, and on time and budget. From 99.8%+ accurate utility locating and concrete scanning, to pinpoint accurate leak detection, 2-4mm accurate 3D laser scanning, and NASSCO-certified sewer pipe inspections, we help you Intelligently Visualize The Built World^® while eliminating the costly and potentially dangerous mistakes caused by miscommunications.

Additionally, we sponsor several safety initiatives intended to arm you and your team with the tools and resources you need to leave the job site each day the same way you arrived.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with OSHA standards on a construction site?

The responsibility for ensuring compliance with OSHA standards lies with the employer or construction site contractor. Employers must provide a safe work environment, offer necessary training, and ensure that all safety measures and equipment are in place. Workers also have a role in following safety protocols and using the provided PPE to prevent accidents.

What are the penalties for violating OSHA standards on a construction site?

Penalties for violating OSHA standards can range from fines to more serious legal consequences, depending on the severity of the violation. For instance, serious violations can result in fines up to $15,000 per violation. Willful violations can carry even higher fines, and in extreme cases, criminal charges may be brought against employers who willfully endanger worker safety. Regular inspections and reporting can help avoid violations and ensure ongoing compliance.

Microsoft to Invest $80 Billion in Data Centers in Fiscal 2025

Microsoft intends to invest approximately $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to build out AI-enabled data centers to train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications globally, the company announced in a recent blog post.

Microsoft intends to invest approximately $80 billion in fiscal 2025 building out AI-enabled data centers to train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications globally, the company announced in a recent blog post.

More than half of this total investment will be in the United States, which Microsoft says reflects their “commitment to this country and our confidence in the American economy.”

“As we look into the future, it’s clear that artificial intelligence is poised to become a world-changing GPT (General-Purpose Technology),” Microsoft’s Vice Chair & President, Brad Smith, wrote in the blog post. “AI promises to drive innovation and boost productivity in every sector of the economy. The United States is poised to stand at the forefront of this new technology wave, especially if it doubles down on its strengths and effectively partners internationally.”

Smith said that Microsoft sees a three-part vision for America’s technology success. He said it starts with advances and investments in world-leading American AI technology and infrastructure, but that the U.S. also needs to champion skilling programs that will enable widespread AI adoption and enhanced career opportunities across the economy and focus on exporting American AI to ally countries to bolster the domestic economy and ensure that other countries benefit from AI advancements.

Inside a data center. — Microsoft intends to invest approximately $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to build out AI-enabled data centers to train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications globally, the company announced in a recent blog post.

“…Achieving this vision will require a partnership that unites leaders from government, the private sector, and the country’s educational and non-profit institutions,” Smith wrote. “At Microsoft, we are excited to take part in this journey.”

Microsoft is the primary investor in startup tech company OpenAI, which kicked off an artificial intelligence arms race when it launched ChatGPT in 2022.

The tech giant has invested billions of dollars into the startup – and billions more into enhancing its own AI infrastructure, including a network of data centers designed to support this technology.

These data centers provide the crucial computing power required by AI.

The U.S. is home to more data centers than any other country on Earth. There were 5,381 data centers operating in the U.S. as of March 2024 – 4,860 more than Germany, the country home to the second-most data centers in the world.

The demand for larger, more powerful data centers is driving advancements in construction and design. As highlighted in a recent Propmodo article, energy needs for new data centers are surging alongside increased investment in their development. Fueled by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technologies, tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon Web Services are pushing energy grids to their limits.

“Hyperscale data centers have grown over the past several years from dozens of megawatts to hundreds, and some tech firms are looking for sites to power more than a gigawatt of capacity,” wrote Propmodo’s Nick Pipitone. “To put that into perspective, one gigawatt is sufficient to provide a full year of energy to about 900,000 households, about the size of a major U.S. city.”

Data centers accounted for 19 gigawatts of power usage in the U.S. in 2023, and that’s expected to climb to 25 gigawatts by 2026 – about 6% of the country’s power usage.

Tech firms and their data center developers are getting creative to solve their power and cooling problems, including exploring nuclear solutions.

A GPRS Project Manager operating a 3D laser scanner inside of an office space. — GPRS helps ensure data centers stay on schedule by offering a full range of services for subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction and facility project management.

GPRS helps ensure data centers stay on schedule by offering a full range of services for subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction and facility project management.

Our services include concrete scanning, utility locating, video pipe inspection, and leak detection — crucial for preventing subsurface damage during excavation or when drilling and cutting through concrete. We employ advanced technologies such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic (EM) locating, and remotely operated sewer pipe inspection rovers. Our SIM and NASSCO-certified Project Managers (PMs) provide detailed insights into your site’s subsurface structures.

For precise above-ground documentation and to capture our PMs’ findings, our 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry services deliver data accurate to 2-4 mm, supporting project design as well as future operations and maintenance (O&M) efforts. Our Mapping & Modeling Department can customize this data into any format or software as needed.

SiteMap^® (patent pending), our cloud-based platform for project and facility management, provides 24/7 access to this field-verified data, improving asset protection and team collaboration.

With SiteMap^®, you and your team can securely access and share critical data from any computer, tablet, or mobile device, ensuring smooth, real-time collaboration anytime, anywhere.

From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World^® to keep you on time, on budget, and safe.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Benefits of Underground Utility Mapping?

Having an updated and accurate map of your subsurface infrastructure reduces accidents, budget overruns, change orders, and project downtime caused by dangerous and costly subsurface damage.

Can GPRS locate PVC piping and other non-conductive buried utilities?

GPR scanning is exceptionally effective at locating all types of subsurface materials. There are times when PVC pipes do not provide an adequate signal to ground penetrating radar equipment and can’t be properly located by traditional methods. However, GPRS Project Managers are expertly trained at multiple methods of utility locating.

What is Adaptive Facilities Management and Can it Work for You?

What was once considered a fixed, per square foot cost for facilities is transforming into a way to gain top talent, enhance productivity, and further the mission of an organization while maximizing ROI.

Among the many lessons American business learned from the pandemic lockdown, the need for more flexibility in facilities management is right near the top. Not only do employees appreciate, and in some cases now demand, remote or hybrid (part remote, part in-office) positions, companies worldwide have begun to realize that what they once considered a fixed, per square foot cost for facilities may in fact be a way to gain/retain top talent, enhance productivity, and further the mission of an organization while zeroing in on budgetary bloat to maximize ROI.

The term coined to describe this emerging flexible facility trend is adaptive facilities management, and it invites a holistic appraisal of organizational needs that is rooted in actual usage and existing conditions data rather than a static FTE/occupant cost or square footage metric.

An outdoor directional sign in a city giving the options back to the office, collaboration, commuting, flexible working future, work/life balance, and time for a change as its directions — Facility Managers must consider how the nature of work has changed. That change can be used to their advantage through adaptive facilities management practices.

Whether your goals include sustainability and ESG, providing healthier buildings for your team, or finding new ways to reduce costs while increasing buy-in from your employees, data-driven decision making at the highest levels cast facilities managers (FMs) in a new light as integral to employee wellbeing and institutional growth. Enacting adaptive facilities management strategies can provide everything from significant utility savings to strengthening the bond/buy-in among employees.

At its root, adaptive facilities management invites an organization to assess facilities as a value add for the company, rather than strictly by its functionality, to help meet mission goals.

A word cloud in colors of green and blue of various components for the Employee Experience — Facilities managers can become integral drivers of employee experience, retention, and execution of the organization’s mission with a flexible, data-controlled approach.

Data collection, sharing, and collaboration across often siloed teams and providers drives the efforts, and the most successful early adopters have reported surprising results. For instance, research conducted in 2023 by the Real Estate Board of New York found that peak office attendance had returned to just 73% of pre-lockdown levels at midweek, and on Fridays dropped precipitously to 43%. A facilities and procurement team, armed with that data, could make serious inroads toward savings.

Beyond mere attendance and occupant density in a facility, tracking energy & water consumption with smart sensors and scheduling regular usage assessments (like GPRS’ water loss surveys and video pipe inspection reports) can save up to 20% by showing exactly where waste can be cut. And these are just the tip of the iceberg of how capturing accurate existing conditions and usage data can help facility managers.

When you translate that data into creating adaptive partnerships with your service providers and vendors, the savings can be significantly more.

The Building Blocks of Adaptive Facilities Management

Below is a list of some of the processes that can be used to create a comprehensive adaptive facilities management strategy and process:

Define your CRE and company goals/mission; then create facilities management strategies to address it. One size does not fit all, and many organizations find that a hybridized approach that creates a portfolio of vendors and service providers working in partnership with the FM team allows them the greatest agility.

Understand the fluid and fluctuating demands of your end users’ needs from the facility. If only 43% of the workforce is in office on Fridays, are they concentrated in specific departments or buildings? How could you provide for their needs while reducing energy consumption for the buildings as a whole due to reduced demand?

Assess internal FM strengths and where outsourcing could be beneficial from the standpoint of the value-add, employee engagement approach. Very few organizations have the ability to handle the majority of the facilities workload without significant vendor support. Just make sure that support supports your mission.

Identify what components of your FM strategy are variable cost depending on usage/demand and track them to bridge the knowledge gap among teams, vendors, and stakeholders. Further, what and where can you monitor needs and usage to provide additional data points?

Increase focus on, or build, your procurement team. They should be experienced, expert operators from various disciplines who can leverage their specializations to give your FM strategy the holistic flexibility it needs. An unexpected upside of a multifaceted procurement team is that they may impact your ability to create highly specialized, situation and KPI-based RFPs that focus on solving problems rather than merely ordering a service.

Create collaborative, partnership-based service agreements with your vendors that allow you to scale upwards or downwards, and up your communication game with your providers so that they expect and are prepared for fluctuations.

Start thinking of your vendors and service providers as a portfolio: each should be exceptional at what they do and bring you the best ROI, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach that just paying one entity one time is easier. It may be easier, but it will likely not be more cost effective.

Consider attaching KPIs to your vendor partnership agreements so that if the providers buy-in and help you meet your goals, they are rewarded. You can even get so granular as to add sourcing controls into your agreements to help avoid incurring costs by requiring providers to utilize specific technologies.

Drawbacks to Implementing Adaptive Facilities Management Strategies

Retooling how we think of FM’s role requires buy-in from the top down, so being able to demonstrate the processes of adaptive facilities management on the myriad of factors it can impact can help managers gain stakeholder support. Once you can show the cost savings of implementing collaborative service level agreements and a portfolio approach to vendors and service providers that is backed up by data, you may find it easier to get senior leadership on board.

Like most of the building-centric industries, facilities management providers still operate with a traditional cost per square foot mindset, so they may need to be sold on the advantages to them of seeing your more flexible vision through.

Organizational size and scope can impact the math for agreements and what is available to leverage for partnerships. It’s important to remember that smaller organizations/facilities will likely require more vendor outsourcing than less.

Regardless of size, the adaptive approach to facilities management may require more oversight which is why you need a multidimensional team that is committed to a common goal. It is also why software solutions that allow you to aggregate your data into a single source of truth that can be referenced by various departments are gaining importance, like GPRS’ SiteMap® for existing conditions documentation and layered infrastructure mapping.

Plan for pushback, both from the investment standpoint and perhaps a “we’ve always done it this way” point of view from senior personnel. When you achieve top-down clarity about why and how data-driven collaboration and adaptive facilities management are integral to talent retention, growth, and sustainability, the data-controlled, adaptive facilities management strategy may help you bring your organization fully into the twenty first century.

GPRS' mission is to Intelligently Visualize The Built World® for clients nationwide. What can we help you visualize?

Facility Manager EHS System Check-Up Strategy

Leveraging EHS & GIS facility software protects the safety of your team, ensures regulatory compliance, untethers you from the office, and could keep insurance premiums low.

It’s hard to imagine that anyone managing a facility – be it a college campus, a healthcare center, a commercial manufacturing plant, or a government building – still resorting to paper to track environmental, health, and safety (EHS) reporting. However, at least 20% of facility managers do not utilize digital EHS solutions for their regulatory compliance, tracking, and employee safety concerns.

Facility Managers must track thousands of data points, so data control is paramount.

Instead, they use a self-constructed, hybrid set of reporting techniques that may include everything from paper files to massive digital spreadsheets and store each portion of those records separately, in an average of four different locations, according to research conducted by Finch for GPRS. Not only does this D-I-Y approach to EHS create more work for employees and the facility managers themselves, it leaves stakeholders and the facility at risk.

Here are just a few of the sobering statistics about the risk involved:

• The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), issued a huge $132.3 million in fines in 2023 alone – a 30% increase over 2022, as the federal agency added staff and increased inspections

• In 2017, the first year after Great Britain enacted new health and safety guidelines, fines issues by authorities more than doubled, from £35 million to over £73 million, due to lack of ESH compliance

• 62% of facility managers report experiencing a utility strike between 2015-2020 and 50% of managers cited inaccurate data and miscommunication as the primary cause of the damages

• The average cost of a utility strike is $56,000 and as much as six weeks of downtime as reported by Finch for GPRS in 2020

And for those managers who are trying to keep it all straight in Excel…

• 88-90% of all spreadsheets contain “significant errors,” according to research conducted by Professor Ray Panko at the University of Hawaii. The “vast majority” of those errors are human mistakes.

So, how do you choose the right digital solutions for your facility ESH reporting?

The first step is to assess the needs of your facility’s infrastructure, workforce, and production.

Do you need to streamline your EHS program elements with segmented trainings, contractor onboarding, and documentation version control?

How much automation do you need? Do you want to be notified the moment a non-compliant event is logged, reminders to complete remediation measures and compliance deadlines?

What level of accessibility, sharing, and security do you require? Do you need a mobile application with a SaaS platform? How many integrations of other software, like GIS and inventory applications need to be supported?

And then there are the questions you have to answer to justify the return on investment for your company’s stakeholders:

• How will this software help solve our problems?

• How much will it cost?

• What are the features we need?

• What happens if it doesn’t reduce incidents?

The National Safety Council released a paper on how to unravel the tech-speak and assess EHS software on a direct comparison basis. It also looked at the increasing trend of machine learning (AI). Predictive analytic algorithms were rightly expected to explode by 67% of EHS professionals they polled.

The paper, part of the NSC’s “Work to Zero” initiative, designed to reduce workplace fatalities, looks at the “use of EHS software and mobile applications for reducing injury and fatality risk, and managing incidents in the workplace” with a focus on industrial operations.

Their methodology was simple:

• Identify case studies and suitable applications for EHS software

• Develop a market landscape “shortlist” of vendors to help facility safety managers

The NSC looked at large-scale enterprise software (on premise) and SaaS (software as a service) cloud-based platforms to provide the widest variety of alternatives to users. It also took into account the differences between customized and off-the-shelf software, their benefits, and their limitations.

How Will You Use the Software?

Knowing your use case will help determine what features you require. The NSC broke their findings into four specific use case scenarios:

1. Hazard Identification & Risk Management (HIRA)

2. Permit Management (Permit to Work/PtW)

3. Incident Management

4. Safey Audit Management

Other sources invite you to consider functionality, workforce buy-in/engagement, ease of implementation & training, privacy & security, compliance, support quality, scalability, and the ability to integrate with other necessary software as qualifying factors.

What About Data Quality?

One of the toughest realizations for any FM is coming to terms with the fact that the data held in any system is only as good as the quality of its collection. Nowhere is that more evident than with facility and site infrastructure. Even the most advanced integrated GIS platform still requires you – the manager, or your team – to input the data, meaning that just like those spreadsheets, there will be errors.

That is why so many FMs are excited about the automating qualities of an algorithmic approach to forecasting and notifications, to help monitor data quality. However, even the most sophisticated software cannot accurately capture your above and below-ground physical infrastructure.

A mobile device displaying a SiteMap utility map, being held by a worker. — Cloud-based platforms like SiteMap®, powered by GPRS, can help facility managers control above and below-ground infrastructure data quality.

Accuracy above and below-ground requires expertise in multiple technologies, an understanding of the purpose of the data, and the ability to instantly upload findings in a digital format that offers data portability to other GIS and EHS platforms.

Which is why GPRS created SiteMap®. SiteMap® helps to ensure your facility infrastructure data – from your buried utilities to your rooftop – are up-to-date, version-sorted, accurate, and construction-grade. Because GPRS collects and uploads the data for you. And, in the case of utility locating and concrete scanning and imaging – 99.8% accurate.

In most cases, your facility’s layered, geolocated, and 99.8% accurate utility maps are available in SiteMap® within five minutes of completion, ensuring you have the data you need to dig safely at your fingertips, from anywhere, 24/7. Our in-house CAD team can turn your utility, concrete imaging, video pipe inspection reporting, and 3D laser scans into a wide variety of deliverables that can all also be accessed easily inside SiteMap®. They include FLRPLN, which you can use to quickly delineate escape routes in case of emergency, and Walkthru 3D, that provides an individualized guided 3D tour of an escape route based on its point of origin. Both are powerful tools in a facility manager’s risk mitigation arsenal.

A screenshot from GPRS' Walkthru 3D demonstration with a play button on it indicating it will play a video when clicked. — GPRS’ Walkthru 3D can provide step-by-step emergency evacuation routes to your workforce.

Leveraging EHS and GIS software – when it’s the right software to meet your specific facility needs – protects the safety of your team, gives you deeper insights into emerging trends, ensures your regulatory compliance, untethers you from the office or site, and safeguards your reputation, all while reducing mistakes and keeping insurance premiums lower.

GPRS helps facility managers nationwide to Intelligently Visualize The Built World®.

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OSHA Publishes List of Biggest Fines for Q1 2024

A repeated lack of fall protection and failure to protect workers from trench collapses led to some of the largest fines levied by the U.S. Department of Labor and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Q1 2024.

Construction Dive recently summarized OSHA’s published information about the highest fines it levied to employers for failing to comply with safety requirements. According to the article, the fines are published as a “means of highlighting standards.”

The highlighted cases often involve builders on residential projects, frequently involving failure to provide fall protection. In the cases where OSHA sees the same companies repeatedly failing to adhere to its standards, citation amounts will increase.

Companies can contest their initial fine amounts, so the numbers listed in OSHA’s published report will not always reflect the total amount they collect, if any fine is collected at all.

Of the six incidents Construction Dive highlights in its reporting, four were for contractors failing to provide their employees with proper fall protection and/or training, and the remaining two were for companies failing to ensure proper protection from trench collapses.

In total, the six incidents netted the respective offenders more than $2,337,000 in fines. Two of the six citations were being contested by their respective contractors at the time of Construction Dive’s reporting.

Fall hazards account for 36.5% of construction-related deaths, which is why they are the top item in OSHA’s “Fatal Four” categories of hazards that cause construction industry fatalities.

A safety sign clipped to the fence around a construction site. — *Construction Dive* recently summarized OSHA’s published information about the highest fines it levied to employers for failing to comply with safety requirements.

OSHA requires the use of fall protection when construction workers are working at heights of six feet or greater above a lower level, and at heights of less than six feet when working near dangerous equipment such as machinery with open drive belts, pulleys or gears, or opened vats of degreasing agents or acid. The agency also identifies certain other areas and activities where fall protection or falling object protection may be needed, such as if a worker is on a ramp, runway or another walkway, at the edge of an excavation, in a hoist area, on a steep roof, near wall openings, etc.

While trenching is not explicitly listed amongst OSHA’s Fatal Four, the agency implemented “Enhanced Enforcement” measures in the wake of what they referred to as an “alarming rise in trench-related fatalities” in 2022.

Those measures appear to be working. National reporting by federal and state OSHA programs show worker deaths in trench collapses declined nearly 70 percent from a high of 39 in 2022 to 15 in 2023 and, according to partial data, 12 in 2024.

OSHA’s trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than five feet and soil and other materials kept at least two feet from the edge of a trench. Additionally, trenches must be inspected by a knowledgeable person, be free of standing water and atmospheric hazards and have a safe means of entering and exiting prior to allowing a worker to enter.

"OSHA stands ready to assist any employer who needs help to comply with our trenching and excavation requirements," Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Doug Parker, said when OSHA launched its enhanced enforcement measures in 2022. "We will conduct outreach programs, including safety summits, in all of our 10 regions to help ensure any employer who wants assistance gets it. The stakes are too important."

GPRS was founded on the idea of being a safety partner to construction companies across the United States. Safety is always on our radar, which is why in addition to offering services such as subsurface damage prevention and existing conditions documentation designed to protect you and your workers from dangerous mistakes, we also sponsor numerous safety initiatives intended to arm you and your team with the tools and resources you need to leave the job site each day the same way you arrived.

During Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week, our safety experts will come to any of your job sites or meet at your office to perform a presentation on the best ways to safely work with and around concrete.

Construction Safety Week sees us come to you to talk about the safety topics most relevant to your work and your people, from slips, trips & falls to mental health.

And during Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week, we meet with municipalities, engineers, facility managers, and other stakeholders in the water and wastewater management spaces to help them ensure this vital infrastructure continues to function as intended.

Click the links above to schedule your free GPRS safety presentations today, or click here to learn more about all of GPRS’ safety partnerships and initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are OSHA standards for construction sites?

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards for construction sites are regulations designed to ensure the safety and health of workers. These standards cover a wide range of topics, including fall protection, scaffolding, personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, and machinery safety. Compliance with these standards helps prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities on construction sites.

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with OSHA standards on a construction site?

What are the penalties for violating OSHA standards on a construction site?

Turner Construction Awarded Southern California Emergency Operations Center Project

Longtime GPRS safety partner Turner Construction has been selected to construct an emergency operations center in Southern California.

The state-of-the-art, $158 million Emergency Operations Center for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will be strategically located in Costa Mesa to bolster emergency preparedness and response capabilities for Southern California, according to a Turner press release. DGA Architects is Turner’s design-build partner for the project, with construction scheduled to be completed in mid-2027.

“We are honored to partner with the Department of General Services and DGA Architects to deliver this critical emergency operations center,” said Reed McMains, Vice President and General Manager of Turner Construction Company. “This project represents a significant step in enhancing the community’s resilience and readiness in times of need. Our team is committed to bringing our expertise and dedication to every phase of this endeavor, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality and functionality.”

Rendering of the Emergency Operations Center for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. — *(Rendering courtesy of Turner Construction Company)* The state-of-the-art, $158 million Emergency Operations Center for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will be strategically located in Costa Mesa to bolster emergency preparedness and response capabilities for Southern California.

The center will serve as a cornerstone in managing emergency response and disaster coordination at a strategic level, fostering preparedness and resilience during crises. The initiative will incorporate green energy infrastructure like photovoltaic panels, battery storage systems, and emergency generators, all designed to meet Zero Net Energy standards.

The California Office of Emergency Services oversees disaster planning, preparedness, and state resource response to various emergencies and potential threats in California, including earthquakes, floods, major wildfires, extended drought effects, public health crises, cybersecurity incidents, agricultural and animal disasters, and homeland security risks.

According to reporting by Construction Dive, the project includes a 35,000-square-foot office building and a 20,000-square-foot support warehouse, along with outbuildings, landscaping and fencing, parking lots and a 100-foot microwave tower.

The project is being built on the site of the former Fairview Development Center hospital for adults. According to the Los Angeles Times, community members originally opposed the project over noise and traffic concerns. Local officials got on board, however, after visiting a similar operations center in Northern California.

The Importance of Emergency Preparedness Centers

Emergency preparedness centers often serve as the backbone of coordinated disaster management, playing a critical role in safeguarding lives, property, and the environment during crises. As natural disasters, public health emergencies, and security threats become increasingly frequent and severe, the importance of these facilities continues to increase.

Centralized Coordination for Effective Response

Emergency preparedness centers serve as hubs for strategic planning and real-time coordination. When disasters strike, a swift, organized response can make the difference between life and death. These centers bring together diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities, to ensure a unified approach to crisis management.

A centralized facility allows for the integration of resources, expertise, and communication systems. This coordination minimizes duplication of efforts and ensures that critical resources—such as food, medical supplies, and rescue equipment—are distributed where they are needed most. By streamlining operations, emergency preparedness centers improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response efforts.

Enhancing Community Resilience

Preparedness centers also play a pivotal role in building community resilience. Through education and outreach programs, these facilities empower individuals and businesses to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their assets. From hosting workshops on disaster preparedness to providing resources for creating emergency plans, these centers foster a culture of readiness.

Moreover, preparedness centers often work closely with local governments to conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies. By identifying vulnerabilities and addressing them before disasters occur, these efforts reduce the overall impact of emergencies. For example, a community equipped with robust flood defenses or wildfire mitigation plans is far less likely to suffer catastrophic losses.

Technological Integration and Innovation

Modern emergency preparedness centers leverage advanced technology to enhance their capabilities. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable precise mapping and analysis of disaster-prone areas, while real-time data feeds from sensors and satellites provide critical insights during emergencies. These tools allow decision-makers to allocate resources more effectively and respond to evolving situations with agility.

Many preparedness centers incorporate renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels and battery storage, to ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages. By adhering to Zero Net Energy standards, these facilities not only enhance their resilience but also contribute to broader sustainability goals.

Adapting to a Changing Threat Landscape

The range of threats facing communities continues to evolve, encompassing natural disasters, public health crises, cybersecurity attacks, and more. Emergency preparedness centers must adapt to this dynamic environment by updating their plans, training personnel, and conducting regular drills. Collaboration with experts in various fields ensures that these centers remain at the forefront of disaster management.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many emergency preparedness centers were instrumental in coordinating public health responses, distributing medical supplies, and providing accurate information to the public. Such adaptability underscores their importance in addressing both traditional and emerging threats.

GPRS’ comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services help ensure the successful construction and maintenance of critical facilities such as emergency preparedness centers. Through a combination of state-of-the-art technology and industry-leading methodology, we Intelligently Visualize The Built World^® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can GPRS locate PVC piping and other non-conductive utilities?

Yes! We utilize ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning, which is exceptionally effective at locating all types of subsurface materials. There are times, however, when PVC pipes do not provide an adequate signal to GPR scanners and can’t be properly located by traditional methods. Fortunately, GPRS Project Managers are expertly trained at multiple methods of utility locating, including utilizing electromagnetic (EM) locating to complement GPR scanning.

What is as-built 3D documentation?

As-built 3D documentation is an accurate set of drawings for a project. They reflect all changes made during the construction process and show the exact dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work.

What are the Benefits of Underground Utility Mapping?

Having an updated and accurate map of your subsurface infrastructure reduces accidents, budget overruns, change orders, and project downtime caused by dangerous and costly subsurface damage.

Managing Fatbergs in Urban Sewer Systems: Challenges and Technological Solutions

These obstructions strain municipal wastewater infrastructure, increase maintenance costs, and elevate the risk of environmental damage due to sewer overflows & contamination.

Urban centers face the growing challenge of managing "fatbergs," massive blockages in sanitary sewer systems composed of fats, oils, greases (FOG), and non-biodegradable materials like wet wipes. These obstructions, exacerbated by improper waste disposal practices, strain municipal wastewater infrastructure, increase maintenance costs, and elevate the risk of environmental damage due to sewer overflows & contamination.

For example, the city of Boston’s “Can the Grease” initiative seeks to educate residents about how they can reduce excess fats in sanitary sewer lines.

FOG (fat, oil, and grease) buildup inside a sanitary sewer line. — The city of Boston's educational "Can The Grease" initiative is just one example of the many fronts municipal wastewater managers have to wage war against blockages, service interruptions, and contamination.

Municipal managers must adopt strategic and proactive approaches to combat these challenges effectively, leveraging advanced tools such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) video pipe inspections (sewer scopes) and are always in search of innovations to help them see and manage what flows below the ground.

Understanding Fatbergs and Their Impact

Fatbergs are accumulations of congealed fats, oils, greases, and non-flushable items that harden within sewer lines. These blockages can grow to enormous sizes, obstructing wastewater flow and causing significant operational issues. A high-profile example of a fatberg was discovered in London’s sewers in 2017, weighing over 130 metric tons and stretching more than 250 meters.

A large segment of a now dried fatburg on display in the Museum of London — This is a segment of a (now dried) large fatberg discovered in London on display at the Museum of London in 2018. Photo credit: Lord Belbury.

The costs of addressing fatbergs are steep. Municipalities must allocate resources for emergency repairs, pipe replacements, and environmental cleanup efforts. Fatbergs also accelerate the wear and tear on sewer infrastructure, leading to more frequent failures and higher long-term costs. Moreover, untreated wastewater backups pose significant public health risks and threaten local freshwater sources and ground water through contamination.

Innovative Approaches to Combat Fatbergs

The development of anti-fatberg technologies offers municipalities new ways to address these blockages. According to a recent article in Water Online, researchers and companies are creating tools designed to prevent FOG buildup in sewer systems. One such innovation involves using mechanical devices to scrape and clean sewer walls regularly, ensuring that fatberg formation is minimized from the outset. This preventative approach aligns with the principle that proactive maintenance is more cost-effective than reactive repair.

The Role of Regular CCTV Pipe Inspections/Video Pipe Inspections in Municipal Sewer Health

One of the most critical tools in the fight against fatbergs is regular CCTV video pipe inspections. These inspections, sometimes also called sewer scopes, involve using robotic cameras to traverse sewer lines, capturing high-resolution footage of pipe interiors. The footage is then analyzed to assess the condition of sewer infrastructure, identify blockages, and plan maintenance activities.

The advantages of CCTV pipe inspections include:

Early Detection: Inspections can identify small FOG deposits and structural issues before they escalate into larger problems.
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Detailed Condition Assessments: Municipal managers gain a clear understanding of the sewer’s current state, including pipe degradation, sediment accumulation, and fatberg growth.
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Data-Driven Maintenance Planning: By analyzing CCTV footage, cities can prioritize maintenance activities based on severity and location, optimizing resource allocation.
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Reduced Emergency Interventions: Proactive identification and resolution of potential issues minimize costly emergency repairs and downtime.
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Certified Risk Mitigation Assessment: Because GPRS’ video pipe inspection reports are NASSCO-certified, the data can often be utilized to fulfill municipal reporting and licensing requirements.

Companies like GPRS specialize in providing video pipe inspection services tailored to municipal needs. Our advanced robotic camera systems deliver precise visuals and comprehensive reports, empowering municipalities to make informed decisions about their wastewater infrastructure.

Implementing a Comprehensive Fatberg Management Strategy

For municipalities to effectively manage fatbergs, they must implement a multi-faceted approach that combines public education, regular maintenance, and advanced technology. Below are key components of an effective fatberg management strategy:

1. Public Awareness Campaigns: As in the video above from Boston, educating residents and businesses about the dangers of improper waste disposal is essential. Public campaigns should emphasize the importance of:

o Avoiding the disposal of FOG and non-flushable items down drains or toilets.

o Using designated containers for grease collection and proper waste disposal methods.

2. Preventative Cleaning and Maintenance: Routine sewer cleaning using tools like high-pressure water jets and mechanical scrapers can prevent the accumulation of debris and grease. This preventative maintenance reduces the likelihood of fatberg formation and ensures smoother wastewater flow.

3. Leveraging Advanced Inspection Technologies: Regular video pipe enable municipalities to monitor sewer conditions and plan maintenance activities efficiently. Inspection data can also be integrated into geographic information systems (GIS) for better visualization and tracking of sewer network health. GPRS delivers its NASSCO-certified reporting via SiteMap®, our proprietary infrastructure management and GIS system, making your digital sewer data portable, shareable, and secure.

4. Adopting Anti-Fatberg Innovations: As highlighted in the Water Online article, incorporating anti-fatberg inventions into maintenance routines can further reduce FOG buildup. These technologies act as supplementary measures to traditional cleaning methods.

5. Policy and Regulation: Municipalities should enforce regulations requiring commercial establishments, such as restaurants, to install grease traps and adhere to proper disposal practices. Regular inspections of these establishments ensure compliance and mitigate their contribution to sewer blockages.

The Benefits of a Proactive Approach

Implementing a proactive fatberg management strategy yields numerous benefits, including:

• Cost Savings: Preventative measures and early detection reduce the financial burden of emergency repairs and infrastructure replacement.

• Environmental Protection: Maintaining unobstructed sewer systems minimizes the risk of untreated wastewater discharges into the environment.

• Enhanced Public Health: Preventing backups and overflows reduces exposure to harmful pathogens.

• Extended Infrastructure Lifespan: Regular maintenance and monitoring prolong the service life of sewer systems, delaying the need for costly replacements.

Fatbergs pose a serious challenge to urban wastewater management, but municipalities can effectively address this issue through strategic planning, public education, and advanced technologies. Regular CCTV pipe inspections, like those offered by GPRS, provide a reliable method for monitoring sewer conditions and planning maintenance activities. When combined with anti-fatberg inventions and preventative cleaning measures, these tools empower cities to maintain efficient and sustainable wastewater infrastructure.

By adopting a proactive approach to fatberg management, municipal managers can safeguard public health, protect the environment, and optimize the use of resources, ensuring the long-term functionality of their sewer systems.

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How Bollard Installation Can Mitigate Risk for National Retailers

Each kind of bollard installation requires specific safeguards, and all require concrete scanning and utility locating clearances before installation.

The statistics are sobering:

On any given day, more than 100 “vehicle incursion” accidents occur in retail, office, and public spaces. 24% of those incursion accidents occur in retail spaces like grocery and department stores, clothing stores, coffee shops, gas stations, and convenience stores.

These events, where a vehicle breaches a parking area to cross a pedestrian entryway, or actually crash through a storefront, injure 16,000 people annually. Of those injured, 2,600 will lose their lives from their injuries.

According to the Storefront Safety Council, providing retailers with risk mitigation tools, strategies, and assisting municipalities with legislation to reduce the frequency of these accidents are just part of a multi-faceted approach to minimize the impact of retail storefront injuries and damages. While some (around 10%) are attributable to using cars in “smash & grab” thefts, nine out of every 10 incursions are the result of a driver mistake or mechanical failure. The Council’s research says 40% of incursions are operator error or “pedal error,” a driver mistaking the gas for the brake, etc.

One of the most effective ways to mitigate retail vehicle incursion risk is to install security bollards.

What are Bollards?

Initially used as mooring posts for water-faring vessels, some historians track their name back to ancient Norwegian (Norse). In the 1300s, “bole” and “ard” meant the sturdy trunk of a tree, and “ard” evolved into “hard.” The first instance of referring to a bollard as a traffic control device on dry land did not occur until 1948. However, there is evidence of bollards being employed for roadgoing travelers all the way back to ancient Rome.

Previous iterations of bollards included cast-off cannons and wooden posts, and they have evolved and specialized as the need for traffic control has increased. Now, you can find metal bollards, concrete bollards, hybrid bollards, and retractable security bollards, among others. The first retractable metal bollard was created in 1984.

Most historians agree that bollards retained their largely cannon-like appearance for traditional and aesthetic purposes. You may remember seeing the dome-topped, yellow-painted concrete pillars at your local gas station or government building. They are considered the standard, but security bollards can now be found in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The most notable examples are the “big red balls,” the spherical concrete bollards in front of Target stores, where the retailer smartly made even their safety devices part of their brand.

“If you install bollards, you pretty much solve that problem,” said Rob Reiter, co-founder of the Storefront Safety Council. “This accident doesn’t happen if someone had spent about $800.”

The accident he’s referring to is just one of the more than 100 incursions that occur daily. In this particular case, a man in front of a convenience store lost his legs when the driver of a car pulling into the parking lot hit the accelerator instead of the brake, ramping the car onto the sidewalk, and pinning him to the building.

The tens of millions of dollars in damages, medical expenses, and civil lawsuits make simple traffic bollard installation a no-brainer in terms of return on investment, which is why you see more and more of them popping up in retail and other spaces where pedestrian traffic and motor traffic are in close proximity to each other.

“Bollards and barriers are cheap, effective and proven methods to deter deliberate attacks and to prevent unintended incidents from becoming headline grabbing accidents… Bollards and barriers suitable for commercial applications [which] will prevent the majority of storefront crashes. The ASTM standard will give architects, property owners and local officials the tools to specify and install effective measures which will reduce the toll of this under-the-radar problem.” – Rob Reiter in Claims Journal, “Is Risk Coming at You Head On?”

According to a press release by Technavio, the global automated barriers and bollards market is estimated to grow by $349 million by 2028. Automated bollard and barrier expansion is being driven by toll road operational growth, but correlates to a degree with the expansion of fixed bollards as risk mitigation tools. The “crash rated bollards market” is projected to reach $2.6 billion worldwide by 2030.

Fixed Bollard Installation Step-By-Step

Fixed bollards can be installed during initial concrete construction or long after its completed. Each kind of installation requires specific safeguards, and all require concrete scanning and utility locating clearances before installation.

Most bollards are installed in areas where concrete already exists. There are a wide variety of uses and designs to meet your specific needs, and each have their own installation requirements.

Impact-Protective Bollards:

Impact-protective bollards are designed to stop or greatly slow a vehicle incursion accident, so they must be deeply anchored. Because they need to be installed below the frost line with an area of freshly poured concrete, it’s important to have accurate below-ground existing conditions documentation and utility maps before excavation. The area of clearance around a steel pipe bollard (the most common installation type) requires a core below the frost line that is two inches deeper than the seat of the bollard, and two inches in diameter wider.

Flanged, Surface-Mounted Bollards:

Surface mounted bollards run the gamut from flexible and fold-down that provide visual cues to traffic to stationary bolt-downs that are immovable. These bollards are installed with a base plate (flange) and bolts to secure them to the deck. They reduce the level of clearances needed before drilling to a few inches into the slab at approximately 5/8 of an inch width. They are not, however, impact-protective from a collision standard, as they are anchored with bolts rather than a fresh concrete seat.

Adhesive Anchored Bollards:

Often used for decorative and lighting bollards, adhesive anchoring seems to aim to split the difference between a subsurface installation and a flange. These bollards are built over a central threaded bar that runs the length of the post, which is then permanently set-in and glued into place over a hole that has been prepped with a one-inch masonry bit. These do require concrete scanning clearance before drilling for installation.

Drop-In Concrete Insert Bollard:

Like the adhesive bollard, these posts contain and threaded bar or hex screw to affix them more firmly into the deck, and are used for decorative & lighting purposes. But, in this case, you hammer a drop-in insert into place in a hole drilled with a one-inch masonry bit and then thread the bar into the drop-in. Concrete clearance is required before drilling to make certain no reinforcements or utilities are damaged upon installation.

GPRS supports retail and safety bollard installation with 99.8% accurate utility locating and concrete scanning services, utility mapping, and fast, digital delivery of your results via SiteMap®, our proprietary infrastructure and GIS software for construction and facility management.

Our recent work in bollard installation includes a nationwide retailer’s effort to reduce vehicle incursions at thousands of its stores. GPRS’ national footprint and rapid response team of SIM certified Project Managers are ensuring their installs are safer and smoother, from coast to coast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is GPRS’ Green Box Guarantee?

GPRS' Green Box Guarantee ensures that designated areas marked with a green box are free of obstructions before concrete cutting, coring, or drilling. This guarantee enhances safety by preventing strikes on embedded objects like rebar, conduits, or post-tension cables, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and structural damage. It also improves efficiency by minimizing project delays and associated costs from unexpected repairs. GPRS stands behind this assurance by covering any material damage costs if an obstruction is encountered within a green-boxed area.

How Does GPRS Maintain 99.8% Utility Locating and Concrete Scanning Accuracy?

GPRS maintains a 99.8% accuracy rate in utility locating and concrete scanning by implementing Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM). This methodology combines the expertise of highly trained Project Managers with the use of multiple technologies, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) locators. GPRS Project Managers undergo extensive training that far exceeds any standard certification requirements, to ensure their proficiency in data collection and interpretation. By following a systematic, step-by-step approach, SIM ensures repeatable and accurate results, minimizing the risk of errors during subsurface investigations. This comprehensive process enables GPRS to deliver precise and reliable services in the construction industry.

How Does GPRS Help Retailers & AEC Professionals Work More Safely with Concrete?

GPRS sponsors Concrete Cutting & Drilling Safety Week (CSDSW) every January, where we send our concrete safety professionals to jobsites and offices throughout the U.S. to educate the workforce on the risks of cutting and coring concrete and the best practices they can use to keep themselves and their teams safe. Learn more and register for your CSDSW talk here.

Click here to learn more about our safety initiatives.

2023 Saw Most Construction Fatalities in Over a Decade

The construction sector recorded the highest number of workplace fatalities in over a decade last year, according to newly released federal data.

Despite this increase, the rate of construction worker deaths remained unchanged due to the expansion of the workforce.

There were 1,075 construction-related fatalities in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. The fatal work injury rate stood at 9.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, consistent with the previous year. This rate has fluctuated around 10 for over a decade.

A construction worker clips a harness to a bar. — There were 1,075 construction-related fatalities in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Slips, trips & falls — perennially among the most lethal hazards in construction — accounted for 421 fatalities, or 39.2% of all deaths in the sector.

Slips, trips & falls — perennially among the most lethal hazards in construction — accounted for 421 fatalities, or 39.2% of all deaths in the sector. Most fatal falls occurred from heights between 6 and 30 feet, with portable ladders and stairs being the leading sources of 109 deaths.

The BLS identified construction as having the highest number of fatalities among private industries, though the broader trade, transportation, and utilities sector, which includes retail and warehouse workers, reported 1,454 deaths.

Across all industries, 5,283 U.S. employees died at work in 2023. Construction accounted for nearly one in five occupational fatalities. However, the industry’s fatality rate ranked third, behind agriculture, fishing, forestry, and hunting (20.3 deaths per 100,000 workers) and transportation and warehousing (12.9).

Transportation incidents were the second leading cause of death in construction, with 240 fatalities, encompassing injuries occurring during vehicle operation or nearby work.

Occupational and Demographic Insights

Among construction and extraction occupations, the fatality rate decreased slightly from 13.0 in 2022 to 12.9 per 100,000 workers in 2023. The sector saw 1,055 deaths, nearly identical to the previous year, with 809 fatalities involving construction tradespeople.

The overall U.S. workplace fatality rate was 3.5 deaths per 100,000 workers, with some groups experiencing higher rates. Black or African American workers faced a fatal injury rate of 3.6, down from 4.2 in 2022 but still above the national average. Hispanic or Latino workers had a rate of 4.4, also a slight decline from 4.6. Of the 1,250 Hispanic or Latino workers who died on the job, 839 were foreign-born.

Older workers faced significant risks, with those aged 55 to 64 experiencing the most fatalities at 1,089. Age groups 35–44 and 45–54 each recorded over 1,000 deaths. Men comprised most fatalities, with women accounting for just 8.5% of workplace deaths.

Industry Responses and Ongoing Challenges

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health highlighted the need for improved workplace safety, citing racial disparities in fatality rates as indicative of systemic discrimination.

“More than 5,200 deaths on the job is still way too many,” Jessica E. Martinez, executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, said in a statement to Construction Dive. “We are also deeply concerned that Black and Brown workers continue to suffer from a higher rate of occupational fatalities, a sign of the persistent effects of discrimination in our workplaces.”

The organization also noted the underreporting of long-term hazard-related deaths, such as heat illnesses.

Construction industry leaders emphasized their commitment to enhancing safety measures. Brian Turmail of the Associated General Contractors of America underscored the industry's efforts, including fall protection training and advocacy for safer highway work zones.

“Today’s data is a grim reminder of the challenge our industry faces when it comes to ensuring the health and safety of the men and women who build America,” Turmail told Construction Dive, pledging to continue safety initiatives while mourning the loss of workers.

Greg Sizemore of Associated Builders and Contractors urged employers to prioritize training and risk management. “We must be relentless in ensuring every employee arrives and leaves jobsites in the same or better condition than ever before,” he said.

Despite these efforts, the construction sector remains one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S., demanding ongoing vigilance and innovation to protect its workforce.

At GPRS, safety is always on our radar. We sponsor numerous safety initiatives each year designed to provide construction workers with the resources they need to stay safe on the job site. These include Construction Safety Week, Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week, and Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Concrete Sawing and Drilling Safety Week?

Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week is an annual event designed to help job sites become safer. As workers in the field, we must discuss the common risks and hazards associated with concrete sawing and drilling.

You can sign up for your free Concrete Sawing and Drilling Safety Week event here.

What is Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week?

Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week is an annual event designed to connect water and wastewater officials with the knowledge and resources they need to better maintain the systems in their care.

Attendees learn how to mitigate the risk of cross bores, the importance of annual water loss surveys and regular sewer pipe inspections, and more.

You can sign up for your free Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week event here.

What is Concrete Safety Week & How Can I Sign Up?

Construction Safety Week is an annual, weeklong event that creates space for the construction industry to collectively celebrate a safe mindset and engagement around Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).

You can sign up for your free Concrete Safety Week event here.

EPA Releases New Water Quality Monitoring Tool

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new tool designed to enhance access to water quality data.

The Water Quality Indicators (WQI) tool is the first EPA interface that allows users to compare millions of data records from water monitoring stations, according to an EPA press release.

Supported by a mapping tool, the WQI simplifies the exploration of nutrient and pathogen data, helping users pinpoint potential sources contributing to water quality issues.

A gloved hand holds a beaker of water above a water source. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new tool designed to enhance access to water quality data.

The WQI enables users to analyze pollutant trends from local monitoring stations and compare them with stations nationwide. It also offers facility data, including compliance records and environmental justice indicators sourced from EJScreen, the EPA's environmental justice screening and mapping platform.

“Every community in the United States deserves healthy rivers and streams. Whenever that is not the case, EPA wants communities to have access to information about water pollution and possible sources of any unsafe conditions,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA’s new Water Quality Indicators Tool will help communities understand local nutrient and pathogen pollution and help communities develop solutions to water pollution challenges.”

The EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) collaborates with state regulatory partners to enforce Clean Water Act permit limits. The WQI tool is among several resources available on OECA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website, where users can also access inspection, violation, and enforcement details for permitted dischargers.

To assist users in navigating the WQI tool, the agency is creating a brief video tutorial, which will be published on the ECHO Video Tutorials page upon completion.

A GPRS Project Manager uses an acoustic leak detector and spray paint wand to locate a leak under a parking lot. — GPRS utilizes both commercial acoustic leak detectors and leak detection correlators to locate leaks within your water system, without needing to conduct exploratory excavation.

How GPRS Services Assist in Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Management

GPRS offers pinpoint-accurate leak detection services designed to help you efficiently maintain your drinking water infrastructure.

Our Project Managers are experts in a full range of leak detection services, covering municipal, industrial, and residential applications. Equipped with advanced tools, they can pinpoint leaks and deliver a thorough assessment of your water distribution system’s integrity. With our Project Managers strategically positioned in key markets and cities throughout the U.S., you can always count on having reliable, professional leak detection services near you.

GPRS utilizes both commercial acoustic leak detectors and leak detection correlators to locate leaks within your water system, without needing to conduct exploratory excavation.

Acoustic leak detection involves using sophisticated ground microphones to listen for leaks coming from subsurface pipes. Leak detection specialists are trained to isolate leaking pipes’ specific sounds and frequencies.

Leak detection, or leak noise correlators are specialized electronic devices that leak detection service companies use to locate leaks in water lines and water pipes quickly and accurately.

Leak detection correlators work similarly to acoustic leak detectors. However, while acoustic leak detectors rely on a human to manually listen to the frequencies emitted through sensitive audio listening equipment, leak noise correlators detect the vibrations with a computer.

A GPRS Project Manager sitting at the control console for a remote-controlled sewer pipe inspection rover. — By incorporating GPRS’ state-of-the-art, NASSCO-certified video pipe inspection (VPI) services into a standard utility locate, you can accurately map all storm and sanitary sewer lines, laterals, and detect cross bores caused by trenchless technology like directional drilling.

GPRS boasts a 99.8%+ accuracy rate in utility line location and mapping, the highest in the industry. By incorporating our state-of-the-art, NASSCO-certified video pipe inspection (VPI) services into a standard utility locate, you can accurately map all storm and sanitary sewer lines, laterals, and detect cross bores caused by trenchless technology like directional drilling. This comprehensive approach enables you to create a detailed map of your entire drinking and wastewater systems, making the process of identifying and replacing LSLs much faster and easier.

Every GPRS customer gains access to our new SiteMap^® infrastructure visualization software. This tool provides layered, interactive utility maps and NASSCO WinCan reports in a secure, cloud-based platform, allowing you to manage the quality of your water infrastructure data and control who has access to it. SiteMap® ensures that the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World^® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

What can we help you visualize?

GPRS Sponsors Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week

GPRS sponsors Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week (WSDAW), an annual municipal water safety event held in October. If you would like to schedule a WSDAW educational event for your community or facility, click here to register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GPRS determine the size of a leak you’ve located?

After analyzing thousands of previous leaks detected, we asked clients to send us pictures of the remediation. This information has helped us compare our final leak signal detected with the results of the actual leak. We determine the size of the leak by how far the leak signal travels between contact points and the pitch of the tone received. However, we do not produce formal leak estimations.

Why don’t I see any water at the location where GPRS has pinpointed a leak?

Water finds the path of least resistance. Water can run through cracks in subsurface rock or make its way into storm, sanitary, and conduit piping. If the subsurface contains a high volume of sand, it will naturally flow farther down. There is no water visible on the surface in more than 99% of the leaks we locate.

Does GPRS offer lateral launch services?

Yes, we offer lateral launch capabilities as part of our standard Video Pipe Inspection services.

What size pipes can GPRS inspect?

Our elite VPI Project Managers have the capabilities to inspect pipes from 2” in diameter and up.

Luxury Apartments & Affordable Housing Coming to Las Vegas

Sin City addresses both ends of the housing spectrum with ongoing projects.

San Diego-based general contractor T.B. Penick & Sons has reached a key milestone with the topping off of Las Vegas’ first all-rental apartment high-rise, according to an announcement last week from developer Southern Land Co.

The 22-story Capella, situated in the Symphony Park neighborhood, is set to feature 272 rental units upon completion. The residences will include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouse suites. Residents will enjoy sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip, downtown, and the nearby mountains. Apartments will be outfitted with movable kitchen islands, upscale finishes, and smart home technology for modern convenience.

In addition to its residential offerings, Capella will incorporate around 16,250 square feet of space for retail and dining establishments, the release noted. Details on the overall project cost were not disclosed.

Conceptual rendering of the 22-story Capella luxury high-rise apartment in Las Vegas, Nevada. — (Photo courtesy of Southern Land Company) San Diego-based general contractor T.B. Penick & Sons has reached a key milestone with the topping off of Las Vegas’ first all-rental apartment high-rise, according to an announcement last week from developer Southern Land Co.

Capella’s development is part of a broader expansion in Symphony Park by Southern Land Co., which also includes Bria, a 275-unit mid-rise multifamily community. Both Capella and Bria are on pace to welcome residents next summer. This latest wave of development follows Southern Land’s earlier venture in the area, the Auric residential project, which debuted in 2021.

“The introduction of Bria and Capella advances our vision of transforming Symphony Park into a leading urban district where luxury living intersects with arts and culture,” said Tim Downey, founder and CEO of Southern Land Co., in the release. “The topping off of Capella marks a significant step toward making that vision a reality.”

Bria and Capella will each offer an array of upscale amenities, including resident lounges, co-working spaces, concierge services, and cutting-edge fitness centers with yoga studios. Outdoor features will include a resort-style pool with private cabanas, a hot tub, and a poolside lounge equipped with an outdoor bar, large-screen TVs, and grilling stations. Pet owners will appreciate the addition of a dedicated dog run.

The Symphony Park district spans 61 acres and is home to several high-profile cultural institutions, such as The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, and the Discovery Children’s Museum. Additional projects in development for the neighborhood include the Las Vegas Art Museum, an AC Marriott Hotel, the mixed-use Origin at Symphony Park project, and the Cello Tower condominium.

Conceptual rendering of the Desert Pines Redevelopment Project in Las Vegas, Nevada. — (Photo courtesy of the City of Las Vegas) The Desert Pines Redevelopment Project will consist of 1,082 affordable multi-family homes and 280 market-rate homes.

Las Vegas Also Investing in Affordable Housing

On the opposite end of the housing spectrum, an initiative is underway to convert Las Vegas golf clubs into affordable housing developments.

According to a report by the local ABC affiliate, both the Royal Links Golf Club and Desert Pines are being transformed into affordable housing. The report details how the Desert Pines Redevelopment Project recently received $25 million in funding for the first phase of infrastructure, courtesy of State Infrastructure Bank. Nonprofit Urban Strategies and developer McCormack Baron Salazar will oversee the project.

“Nevadans deserve ample access to affordable and attainable housing options, and I’m proud to support the largest affordable housing project in Nevada history through the State Infrastructure Bank,” said Governor Joe Lombardo.

The state said the first phase of the Desert Pines redevelopment will cost around $57.3 million and $450 million overall.

When finished, the community will consist of 1,082 affordable multi-family homes and 280 market-rate homes. Other planned features of the community include:

A 10,000 square-foot community center
A 10,000 square-foot early education center
A 30,000 square-foot job training center
75,000 square-feet of commercial space

“Nevada is in the midst of a housing crisis, and we are doing everything we can at the State-level to build more affordable places for families to live,” said Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine.

Whether it’s a luxury apartment or an affordable, multi-family development, housing projects of all shapes and sizes share a common need for accurate data. You need to know what’s already in the ground before putting a shovel in the ground, and you need to be able to keep track of progress as the development moves along.

GPRS supports housing developments through our comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services. We Intelligently Visualize The Built World^® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need to mark out the utilities that GPRS locates?

Can you locate sewer pipes in addition to evaluating their integrity?

Yes! Our SIM- and NASSCO-certified Project Managers use Video Pipe Inspection (VPI) technology equipped with sondes, which are instrument probes that allow them to ascertain the location of underground utilities from an inaccessible location. This allows them to use electromagnetic (EM) locating to map sewer systems at the same time they’re evaluating them for defects.

GPRS Helps Uncover Evidence of Time Capsule Within Historic Church

GPRS deployed our precision concrete scanning services to help solve a mystery at a nearly 200-year-old church.

GPRS Project Manager Andrew Machemer was called out to Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Reading, Pennsylvania, to examine a curious looking stone block that crews noticed when they were beginning renovations on the building’s exterior.

A stone block within the exterior of Christ Episcopal Church in Reading, Pennsylvania. — GPRS Project Manager Andrew Machemer was called out to Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Reading, Pennsylvania, to examine a curious looking stone block that crews noticed while they were beginning renovations on the building’s exterior.

Christ Episcopal Church was founded in 1762 and is the oldest English-speaking congregation in Reading. The present building was built between 1825-1826 and designed by American architect Edward Tuckerman Potter, whose claims to fame include the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut, and Nott Memorial Hall at Union College.

The church today features many Neo-gothic elements which were added during a major renovation in 1847. In 2020, the church was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office to stabilize and protect the masonry of the buttress walls supporting its steeple and historic façade.

When these ongoing restoration efforts uncovered the strange stone, church historians dug into the archives looking for an explanation.

“I believe they found a newspaper article from the Reading Eagle from the 1820s,” Machemer explained. “They found an old mention of a ten-inch by six-inch copper time capsule at this exact spot, but nobody at the church currently had any knowledge about it. So, they wanted to scan the block and see if anything was there.”

While GPRS’ concrete scanning and imaging services aren’t regularly utilized for historical investigation, this isn’t the first time we’ve been asked to look for a time capsule embedded within the walls of a historic Pennsylvania church.

Machemer deployed multiple tools to examine the block and surrounding masonry, including a metal detector and an electromagnetic (EM) locator.

But it was the concrete scanning GPR antenna that produced the most promising data.

Close-up of the display on a ground penetrating radar concrete scanning antenna. — Machemer’s concrete scanning ground penetrating radar antenna revealed evidence indicative of a metallic object behind the stone block.

“[We found] what clearly looks like what we think would be indicative of a metallic object fitting the description of what they had thought existed,” Machemer said. “So, the data looks very promising of an object being inside that concrete slab.”

The church was thrilled by what Machemer discovered.

The Reading Eagle – the same newspaper in which church historians uncovered the initial evidence of the time capsule – covered Machemer’s findings in an article which you can read here. And the church is now planning on excavating the object and – if it really is a time capsule – opening it during their bicentennial celebration in 2026.

Explaining GPRS’ Industry-Leading Concrete Scanning Services

Assisting with historical preservation isn’t the primary way GPRS utilizes our precision concrete scanning services; we’re usually helping contractors, facility managers, architects, and engineers stay on time, on budget, and safe.

GPRS Project Managers utilize GPR scanners to identify materials or voids within concrete slabs. This technology enables precise detection of hidden objects and their exact locations.

GPR is a non-destructive detection and imaging method in which a radio signal is sent into a concrete structure. The radio wave bounces off any material it encounters and creates a reading that displays these “bounces” as hyperbolas. An experienced GPR technician interprets this reading to determine the type of material located.

A GPRS Project Manager holds a ground penetrating radar (GPR) concrete scanning antenna against a concrete pillar in a parking garage. — GPRS Project Managers utilize GPR scanners to identify materials or voids within concrete slabs or structures.

Scanning concrete with GPR reveals rebar, post tension cables, electrical conduit, voids, and more. This is also an effective method of structural review including concrete slab measurement and rebar spacing.

Concrete should be scanned before any excavation or renovation work begins. This includes coring, drilling, cutting, and any other activities that could compromise the concrete’s strength.

With over 500 SIM-certified Project Managers strategically stationed across the United States, GPRS is a professional concrete scanning company you can rely on to be there when you need us, and to provide you with the accurate data you need to protect your people, your schedule, and your budget.

Our industry-leading accuracy can be attributed to your adherence to the Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM).

SIM is the underpinning of our training program, and the concrete scanning and utility locating processes our Project Managers use daily. It’s the first comprehensive specification for professional utility locators and concrete scanning technicians. It aims to raise the quality of subsurface investigations by combining the requirements of experienced-based training, tested technologies, and proven application methods to create an industry standard.

All GPRS Project Managers are required to achieve SIM certification, a process that involves completing a minimum of 320 hours of field training and 80 hours of classroom training. SIM also requires that all utility locates and concrete scans involve the use of multiple technologies, ensuring that the results are repeatable and accurate.

GPRS is so confident in the accuracy of our SIM-certified concrete scans that we introduced the Green Box Guarantee, which states that when we place a Green Box within a layout prior to you anchoring or coring that concrete we guarantee that the area within the box will be free of obstructions.

If we’re wrong, we pay the material cost of the damage.

From unearthing time capsules to protecting the integrity of your concrete slabs, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World^® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GPR determine the difference between rebar and electrical conduit?

The combined use of GPR and EM induction allows us to provide one of the most comprehensive and accurate conduits locating services available.

How is GPR used to identify tendons vs. rebar in a post-tensioned slab?

In post-tensioned structures, we typically find one mat of support rebar near the base of the slab. This mat is generally consistently spaced and remains at a constant elevation. Post-tension cables are generally found above this support mat and “draped” throughout the rest of the structure. The elevation of the cable is usually high near the beams and column lines and drapes lower through the span between beams and column lines. Knowledge of these structural differences allows us to accurately differentiate between components. Our Project Managers will leave you feeling confident in our findings and in your ability to drill or cut without issue.

New York Goes Nuclear to Solve Energy Woes

The State of New York is going nuclear to address its needs to expand its clean energy options.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recently released a draft “blueprint” for advanced nuclear power development. According to NYSERDA’s website, the draft blueprint will “advance issues and considerations for the potential deployment of advanced nuclear power generation and potentially leverage federal funding programs, including but not limited to, nuclear planning grants.”

The draft says that more compact advanced reactors “could offer attractive possibilities for New York, with scalability, economic development, low land use and potential applications of process heat... that can complement New York’s buildout of renewables.”

But the draft also cites hurdles such as “technological readiness, costs and environmental justice, among other factors.”

“Nuclear construction risks are real, even for small projects,” Marc Nichol, executive director of new nuclear at the Nuclear Energy Institute, told Engineering News-Record. “Firms want partnerships with government.”

The move comes as New York is facing concerns over its ability to meet the nation-leading energy goals set in its 2019 climate law. The state must reach 70% renewable power by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040 – goals that Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged as ambitious during her keynote address at the state-sponsored Future Energy Economy Summit in September.

Despite the hurdles yet to be tackled, Gov. Hochul said completed projects – such as the opening of nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind project last year – show her state is making progress.

“New York is furiously committed to the 2019 climate goals,” the governor said. “We can figure this out.”

But in its reporting, ENR noted that much of the transmission work completed so far has been in upstate regions already using clean energy. Costly upgrades are still needed in New York City and Long Island, which rely on an aging grid powered mostly by fossil fuels.

Cost and supply chain issues are slowing progress at the same time New York is pushing to attract high-tech manufacturing plants that will require extraordinary amounts of power.

“I am doing everything I humanly can to launch the economies of the future; it’s happening right now,” Hochul said in her address. “They all must be powered with sources and our capacity, my friends, is not there right now.”

A nuclear power plant. — New York and other states believe that nuclear power may help them reach clean energy goals - but it likely won't look like the large nuclear power plants of old.

The Challenges of Converting U.S. Cities and States to Clean Energy

New York isn’t the only state in the U.S. taking ambitious steps toward a future powered by clean energy.

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower are at the heart of this transformation. However, the road to a sustainable energy future is fraught with challenges. From infrastructural limitations to regulatory hurdles and social equity concerns, achieving a clean energy transition requires thoughtful planning, innovative policy, and significant financial investment.

1. Infrastructure Overhaul

One of the most significant obstacles in the clean energy transition is modernizing the existing energy infrastructure. The current energy grid was designed for centralized, fossil-fuel-based power generation, not for the decentralized nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Integrating renewables into the grid requires upgrades to transmission and distribution systems to handle variable energy flows. Energy storage solutions, such as large-scale battery storage, are also critical to balance supply and demand when renewable generation fluctuates due to weather changes.

Many cities and states must also contend with aging infrastructure. Power lines, substations, and transformers often require replacement or retrofitting to accommodate new technology. These upgrades are costly and time-consuming, often requiring years of planning, permitting, and construction. Without modernized infrastructure, cities risk blackouts or service interruptions as they attempt to transition to clean energy.

2. Policy and Regulatory Barriers

Policy and regulation play a crucial role in shaping the clean energy landscape. However, inconsistent regulations at the federal, state, and local levels can complicate the shift to renewables. States have varying renewable energy standards (RES) and goals, with some aiming for 100% clean energy by specific target dates, while others have less ambitious or no targets at all. These differences create a patchwork of policies that complicate regional cooperation and slow progress.

Furthermore, the permitting process for renewable energy projects can be lengthy and bureaucratic. Local opposition, environmental reviews, and land use conflicts often delay solar and wind farm construction. In some cases, renewable energy projects are met with resistance from local communities concerned about aesthetics, noise, or environmental impact. Streamlining the permitting process while balancing community concerns is essential to expedite clean energy deployment.

3. Financial and Economic Constraints

Transitioning to clean energy requires substantial investment. While the cost of solar and wind technology has fallen dramatically over the past decade, the initial capital required for large-scale deployment remains a barrier. Public funding and private investment are both needed to finance the development of renewable energy facilities, battery storage, and grid upgrades.

State and municipal budgets are often constrained, and competition for funding with other priorities like healthcare, education, and infrastructure maintenance can limit the amount of money allocated to energy projects. Federal programs and incentives, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS Act have provided financial support, but there is still a substantial funding gap that needs to be addressed.

Moreover, there is the challenge of ensuring that the costs of the transition do not disproportionately impact low-income households. Renewable energy initiatives, such as community solar projects, aim to make clean energy accessible to all, but affordability remains a concern. Equitable financing mechanisms, such as on-bill financing and energy efficiency grants, are critical to ensure the benefits of clean energy are distributed fairly.

4. Technological Challenges

Technological innovation is a double-edged sword in the clean energy transition. On the one hand, advances in solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage have made renewable energy more cost-effective and efficient. On the other hand, the rapid pace of technological change poses challenges for cities and states trying to future-proof their investments.

Energy storage is a particularly critical challenge. Solar and wind energy are intermittent, meaning they are only available when the sun shines or the wind blows. To ensure a stable energy supply, cities must invest in energy storage systems that can store excess energy for use during periods of low generation. While battery technology is improving, large-scale energy storage solutions are still expensive and have limited capacity.

Another challenge is the development of smart grids and digital technologies to manage the flow of energy efficiently. Smart grids use sensors, automation, and data analytics to optimize energy distribution and predict demand. However, deploying these systems requires significant investment in software, hardware, and cybersecurity measures to protect against hacking and data breaches.

5. Workforce and Skill Development

The shift to clean energy is not just a technological transition but also a workforce transition. Fossil fuel jobs in coal, oil, and natural gas are being phased out, while new jobs in solar, wind, and energy efficiency are being created. However, the skills required for clean energy jobs are often different from those in traditional energy sectors.

Training and reskilling workers to meet the demands of the clean energy economy is essential to ensure a just transition. Workforce development programs and technical training initiatives can help displaced workers find new opportunities in the renewable energy sector. However, the speed at which this transition occurs can leave some workers behind, especially in regions where fossil fuel industries have historically been major employers.

6. Equity and Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is a crucial consideration in the shift to clean energy. Historically, low-income communities and communities of color have borne the brunt of pollution from fossil fuel power plants and industrial facilities. The clean energy transition provides an opportunity to rectify these injustices, but it also raises new equity challenges.

For instance, low-income households may face difficulties in accessing renewable energy options, like rooftop solar, due to high upfront costs or lack of homeownership. Community solar projects and energy efficiency programs aim to address these disparities, but more comprehensive policies are needed to ensure an equitable transition. Furthermore, the siting of renewable energy projects, such as wind farms or solar installations, must be done in a way that avoids displacing vulnerable communities or exacerbating existing inequalities.

7. Political and Public Support

The clean energy transition is inherently political. Policymakers at all levels of government must balance competing interests, from environmental advocates to fossil fuel industry lobbyists. Public opinion also plays a significant role in shaping energy policy. While most Americans support renewable energy development, there are still pockets of resistance fueled by misinformation, ideological opposition, or economic concerns.

Political leadership is critical to overcoming these barriers. Cities and states with strong political will, clear goals, and community engagement are more likely to achieve their clean energy targets. Building public support through education, transparent decision-making, and community involvement can help reduce opposition and accelerate progress.

How GPRS Assists with Clean Energy Projects

The transition to clean energy in U.S. cities and states is a monumental task. It requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors, from upgrading infrastructure to addressing equity issues. Policy reforms, technological advancements, workforce development, and public support all play critical roles in this transformation.

GPRS supports clean energy projects through our comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services. From precision concrete scanning and utility locating to 3D laser scanning and progress documentation, we Intelligently Visualize The Built World^® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GPRS locate PVC piping and other non-conductive utilities?

What is as-built 3D documentation?

Toyota Stadium in Texas to Undergo Expansive Renovation

Renovations to the home of Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas will begin in 2025, according to a press release on the club’s website. HKS Architects and Manhattan Construction Group are overseeing the design and construction of the renovations, respectively.

Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, is set to undergo a multi-million-dollar transformation.

Funding for the project comes primarily from a $182 million public-private partnership between FC Dallas and the City of Frisco.

The stadium – the third-oldest soccer-specific stadium in MLS – has also been home to Frisco ISD athletic events since 2005.

The renovations will “enhance the guest experience by integrating innovative designs, cutting-edge audio/visual technology and a variety of fan-first amenities,” the press release reads.

Conceptual rendering of Toyota Stadium. — *(Rendering courtesy of FC Dallas)* Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, is set to undergo a multi-million-dollar transformation.

“When Toyota Stadium opened in 2005, it was a state-of-the-art facility that was ahead of its time, and the stadium’s success has helped pave the way for dozens of other soccer-specific stadiums across the country,” said FC Dallas Chairman and CEO, Clark Hunt. “Today, we are delighted to announce these renovations which will modernize the stadium and elevate the fan experience, once again establishing Toyota Stadium as one of the premier facilities in Major League Soccer.”

Planned upgrades include:

A visually distinctive roof structure which will provide shade for most fans in the seating bowl
Expanded seating capacity
Improved ingress and egress
New concession stands and bathroom locations
Advanced audio-visual technology
Upgraded media facilities
An upgraded field drainage system for more efficient water clearance
The largest video board in MLS in a soccer-specific venue

Construction will occur in phases, with work on the east side of the stadium slated to begin after the FCS Championship game on Monday, January 6, 2025.

"…I am grateful for the leadership of Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, the Frisco Independent School District, Frisco City Council, Frisco Community Development Corporation, Frisco Economic Development Corporation and Frisco city leaders for their vision and partnership as we worked through the process to reach this agreement,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “The new Toyota Stadium will set the standard for modern hospitality and will continue to be a cornerstone of the Frisco community. All of us at FC Dallas are excited for our fans, partners and players to experience this state-of-the-art facility.”

The west side of the stadium will remain operational during the 2025 MLS season. According to the press release, FC Dallas plans to continue hosting MLS matches at the stadium throughout the renovation process. The entire project is expected to be completed in early 2028.

“We are grateful to Clark and Dan Hunt for being part of an already successful public-private partnership that will span the next 30 years,” said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. “This stadium was built more than 20 years ago on an empty field which, at the time, seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Today, Toyota Stadium is synonymous with championships, marquee events and youth development leagues not to mention being home to Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. We embrace Toyota Stadium as an important part of our history, culture and economic success.”

The History of Major League Soccer’s Soccer-Specific Stadiums

When MLS kicked off its inaugural season in 1996, the majority of its 10 founding teams shared a venue with an American football team.

“When the original business model came together, there was no plan for soccer stadiums,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber told Yahoo! Sports in a 2016 interview. “They thought that MLS would play in everybody else’s large buildings as a secondary tenant.”

According to a 2017 article in Soccer Stadium Digest, the term “soccer-specific” stadium was coined by the late Lamar Hunt, father of brothers Clark and Dan of FC Dallas, and principal founder of MLS, the North American Soccer League (NASL), and the American Football League.

Lamar – who is also credited as inventing the term “Superbowl” as the name for the championship game between the AFL and NFL – came up with the term “soccer-specific” to describe the first purpose-built, professional soccer stadium in MLS. Dubbed MAPFRE Stadium, it opened in 1999 in Columbus, Ohio and served as the home stadium of the Columbus Crew until 2021. Lamar financed the construction of the facility himself.

“The idea behind soccer-specific venues was to create stadiums that were more akin to the European model – spaces facilitating more intimate and engaged fan experiences,” the article in Soccer Stadium Digest reads. “A soccer-specific stadium typically has amenities and scale suitable for soccer in North America, with capacity between 18,000-30,000, seats close to the pitch and at pitch level, and it is often topped by a roof to channel sound and create further intimacy.”

Garber assumed the role of MLS Commissioner the same year MAPFRE Stadium opened, and he spearheaded a league expansion model centered around facility development. The idea was that the league and its member clubs could control ticket and sponsorship revenue if they had their own stadiums.

Toyota Stadium opened in 2005. From 2007 to 2017, ten more soccer-specific stadiums were built for MLS clubs.

Three MLS stadiums opened in 2021 alone, including FC Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, where GPRS’ 3D laser scanning services helped identify discrepancies between what was designed and what was built before these errors could derail the construction of the facility.

Click here to learn more about our 3D laser scanning services. Then click below to schedule a service or request a quote today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of 3D laser scanning?

Millions of real-world data points—A single laser can capture up to a million 3D data points per second, providing incredibly rich detail of every aspect of your project
Eliminate error—Individual measurements acquired by tape measures or hand-held devices are subject to errors. Laser scanning is the most accurate form of measurement available, delivering accuracy of a few millimeters or less
Answers unanticipated questions—How many times have you left the job site only to discover you need a few more measurements? A 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) scanning will capture extra data, eliminating the need to return to the project to answer unanticipated questions
Reduce change orders and waste—The cost of a laser scan pales in comparison to the cost of change orders and construction delays. Incorporating a laser scan into the design of your project assures accurate and complete information, avoiding costly headaches, clashes and wasted material during the construction phase
Minimize shut-down times—Laser scanning is quick, safe and non-intrusive – eliminating or minimizing operational shutdowns and client inconvenience
Increase safety—3D scanning can obtain measurements in hazardous locations while keeping workers out of harm’s way

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR is a remote sensing method used to generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of an object and its surface characteristics. Much like radar systems that employ radio waves to measure objects, LiDAR uses lasers to calculate the distance of objects with light pulses from 3D laser scanners, gathering 3D information about an object.

What is as-built documentation?

As-built 3D documentation is an accurate set of drawings for a project. They reflect all changes made in during the construction process and show the exact dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work.

The Challenges in Designing & Constructing Energy-Efficient Research Laboratories

Designing and constructing energy-efficient research laboratories present unique challenges due to the specialized requirements of these facilities.

Laboratories are among the most energy-intensive building types, consuming significantly more energy per square foot than typical office spaces. This high energy demand arises from the need for precise environmental controls, specialized equipment, and stringent safety standards.

Achieving energy efficiency in such settings requires a comprehensive approach that addresses design complexities, technological integration, regulatory compliance, and operational practices.

Two researchers in a laboratory conducting research. — Laboratories are among the most energy-intensive building types, consuming significantly more energy per square foot than typical office spaces.

High Energy Consumption in Laboratories

Research laboratories require controlled environments to ensure the accuracy and integrity of experiments. This necessitates advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, often operating continuously to maintain specific temperature, humidity, and air quality standards. Additionally, equipment such as fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and analytical instruments contribute to substantial energy usage. For instance, fume hoods, which are essential for ventilating hazardous fumes, can consume as much energy as three to four homes annually. The continuous operation of these systems leads to high energy consumption, making energy efficiency a critical concern in laboratory design.

Design Challenges

Ventilation Requirements: Laboratories necessitate high ventilation rates to ensure occupant safety and maintain air quality. Traditional constant air volume (CAV) systems provide a steady airflow, but they can be energy intensive. Implementing variable air volume (VAV) systems, which adjust airflow based on real-time demand, can enhance energy efficiency. However, designing VAV systems that meet safety standards while reducing energy consumption requires careful planning and advanced control strategies.
Thermal Loads: The heat generated by laboratory equipment adds to the building's thermal load, increasing cooling demands. Effective strategies to manage this include optimizing equipment placement, utilizing energy-efficient devices, and implementing heat recovery systems to reclaim and reuse waste heat.
Lighting: Laboratories require high-quality lighting for detailed tasks. Incorporating energy-efficient lighting solutions, such as LED fixtures, along with daylighting strategies, can reduce energy consumption. However, balancing natural light to avoid glare and maintain consistent illumination levels is essential to ensure both energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Technological Integration

Advancements in building technologies offer opportunities to enhance energy efficiency in laboratories:

Building Automation Systems (BAS): Integrating BAS allows for centralized monitoring and control of HVAC, lighting, and security systems. These systems can optimize energy use by adjusting settings based on occupancy patterns and environmental conditions
Energy Recovery Systems: Implementing energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) can capture waste energy from exhaust air and reuse it to condition incoming fresh air, reducing the load on HVAC systems
Renewable Energy Sources: Incorporating on-site renewable energy generation, such as solar panels, can offset a portion of the laboratory's energy consumption, contributing to sustainability goals

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards

Laboratories must adhere to stringent safety regulations, which can sometimes conflict with energy efficiency measures. For example, reducing ventilation rates to save energy must not compromise air quality or occupant safety. Collaborating with safety experts during the design phase ensures that energy-efficient solutions comply with all necessary regulations.

Operational Practices

Beyond design and construction, operational practices significantly impact a laboratory's energy efficiency:

Equipment Management: Encouraging the use of energy-efficient equipment and ensuring regular maintenance can prevent energy wastage. Implementing equipment scheduling and utilizing standby modes during non-operational hours can further reduce energy consumption
Occupant Behavior: Training laboratory personnel on energy-saving practices, such as closing fume hood sashes when not in use and turning off unused equipment, can lead to substantial energy savings

Case Study: All-Electric Research Laboratory in New York City

A notable example of addressing these challenges is the construction of an all-electric research laboratory in New York City.

According to Propmodo, this facility has become a pioneer in integrating energy-efficient design within the constraints of an urban environment. By utilizing advanced HVAC systems, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy sources, the laboratory achieves high performance while adhering to safety and regulatory standards. This project demonstrates that with innovative design and technology integration, it is possible to construct energy-efficient laboratories even in densely populated urban settings.

GPRS supports construction projects of all shapes and sizes through our comprehensive suite of subsurface damage prevention, existing conditions documentation, and construction & facilities project management services.

What can we help you visualize?

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need to mark out the utilities that GPRS locates?

No, GPRS locates and maps all the utilities we mark out for you. We have achieved and maintain a 99.8%+ rate of accuracy when conducting utility locates.

What deliverables does GPRS offer when conducting a video pipe inspection?

GPRS is proud to offer WinCan reporting to our Video Pipe Inspection (VPI) clients. Maintaining sewers starts with understanding sewer condition, and WinCan allows GPRS Project Managers to collect detailed, NASSCO-compliant inspection data. GPRS Project Managers not only inspect the interior condition of sewer pipes, laterals, and manholes – they can also provide a map of their location. The GPRS Mapping & Modeling Department can provide detailed GPS overlays and CAD files. Our detailed WinCan/NASSCO reports contain screenshots of the interior condition of the pipe segments that we inspect, as well as a video file for further evaluation, documentation, and/or reference.