Due Diligence: Why you Need it Before Buying

Buying a building can be a daunting task, but don't let a bad decision haunt you for years to come. Being a pro-active buyer and having a professional engineering firm perform due diligence to your facility prior to

your purchase can significantly decrease problems later down the road.

What is Due Diligence? 

Due Diligence is the process of systematically investigating and verifying the condition of a facility in order to audit the potential investment. If you are considering purchasing a commercial property,  due diligence can confirm that your intended use of the facility is possible.

A professional engineering team can help you evaluate whether or not there are any major issues with the building.  After the analysis of your facility, the firm will produce a report of their findings that will include:

1. Analysis of the structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems' conditions and adequacy. 
2. Estimated life span of existing equipment and structural support. 
3. Recommendations for immediate repairs and replacements.
4. Upgrades for improving existing systems' efficiency and reducing costs.
5. Building Code Violations that needed to be addressed.

Are you looking to Buy?

 Let RGD Consulting Engineers help you get the most of your investment.  While many engineering firms specialize in particular areas, RGD is a multidisciplinary engineering firm and able to evaluate all your structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems.  Contact us to see how we can help you on your next project.

Understanding Green Certification Programs

As the Green Building movement expands, so do the resources available to design professionals and business owners.  Knowing your your project's objectives and goals can help you determine what

certification program is best for you.

Here are a few organizations that offer Green Building Certification program:

1. The Global Building Initiative (GBI)  

The Green Building Initiative is a web based green building program. This LEED alternative is, aims to reduce a facility's overall environmental impact, while improving sustainability.

The program is geared toward new construction and big renovation projects, but offers guidance and a cost effective green building rating system.

The GBI can help reduce operational costs, qualify for tax incentives, meet federal mandates or increase the marketability of your buildings.

2.  GBC Florida Green Commercial Building Certification Program.     

This nonprofit corporation is committed to spread the green building initiative in the state of Florida.  They provide a variety of resources and sponsor a variety of education programs for design professionals, consumers and government entities.

3. USGBC's  LEED Program 

LEED or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, offers flexible and comprehensive certification programs that address the entire building's lifecycle. 

With LEED, building owners and operators have a practical means for measuring and implementing green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. 

LEED uses third-party verification to determine that a facility or community was built with environmental and sustainability in mind. 

LEED Green Building Certification to Include Cradle to Cradle

Despite the controversy surrounding the federal governments preference to LEED building certifications, the latest LEED Version 4 rating system was overwhelmingly approved (85 percent) last week by the U.S. Green Building Council with the inclusion of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Program. 

Developed 25 years ago by American Architect William McDonough and German chemist Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle aims to enforce the environmental qualities of materials used in green buildings. 

“We salute the USGBC’s courageous leadership in making material health a priority in the face of immense challenge from industry,” says William McDonough. “The stand they have taken will help continue their meaningful input as an agent of market transformation.”

Cradle to Cradle will officially be adopted into the LEED certification criteria in November 2013.  

What does that mean for your LEED Project? 

With the addition of Cradle to Cradle to the LEED Version 4 rating system, you can get credits for materials & resources if you disclose and optimize where your building materials are sourced and purchased. 

Facilities that utilize at least 20 Cradle to Cradle Certified products or use "at least 25% by cost of the total value of permanently installing building products" can earn points toward certification. 

For more information visit USGBC or view the original press release. 

• Cradle to Cradle® is a registered trademark of MBDC.
• Cradle to Cradle Certified^CM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
• U.S Green Building Council is a certification mark licensed to the U.S. Green Building Council. 

How to Reduce your Energy Costs this Summer

Air-conditioning is often a welcomed relief from the unremitting summer heat, but the high costs associated with energy consumption can leave homeowners and facility managers unsatisfied. 

Currently, HVAC systems are responsible for around 40% of total building energy consumption, which is why it is no surprise that according to a recent report by Navigant Research, the revenue of energy efficient HVAC systems will increase from 17.2 million in 2013 to $33.2 billion in 2020.  

If an energy efficient HVAC system isn't in your budget this year, there are several budget friendly ways for keeping your energy consumption down this summer. 

1. Change your Filters 

Clean air filters are key to getting the best air flow from your HVAC system. Not changing your filters could mean more maintenance because it forces your system to work harder and less efficiently. 

2. Add Insulation 

Check to make sure your facility is properly insulated. According to the United States Department of Energy (USDOE), insulation not only can reduce your carbon imprint and save you money on your energy bill, but it can help maintain a consistent temperature throughout your facility. 

3.  Programmable Thermostats 

A programmable thermostat can help control your system even when you aren't around. By setting different temperatures for different times of the day,  you are better able to monitor your energy consumption and cut on your costs. 

4. Invest in

Energy Efficient Shades 

Keeping your windows covered all day and installing energy efficient shades can help reduce the load on your AC unit. 

5. Annual HVAC Systems Maintenance 

Like your car, your HVAC system needs a yearly checkup. This can help ensure that your system is running efficiently and prevent costly problems later on. 

Getting a cooling load calculation completed by a certified engineer can also determine the efficiency of your HVAC system and can make sure your system meets required building codes.  

Want to find out if your HVAC system is running efficiently?  RGD Consulting Engineers can perform an on-site inspection of your facility to determine the proper remediation to help you save money on your energy consumption. Inquire today! 

New Liability Laws for Design Professionals in Florida

As of July 1 2013, Florida Design Professionals have liability protection under the condition they follow specific requirements of the new bill.  Previous court decisions have stripped engineers of the right to enforce liability clauses in design professional contracts.

Under Senate Bill No. 286, signed by Governor Rick Scott in April, redefines the term "design professional to include Geologists . It also specifies that individual design professionals employed by a business entity may not be held liable for negligence.  

In order to be protected by this statute, contracts between the business entity and claimant, must exclude mention of specific design professionals, and include a clear statement specifying that the individual employee or agent may not be held liable.   A design professional will not be held liable for negligence for professional services under these conditions:

1. The business entity must execute the contract with a claimant or with another entity for the provision of professional services on behalf of the claimant; 
2. The contract includes a prominent statement, in uppercase font that is at least 5 point sizes larger than the rest of the text, that, pursuant to this section, an individual employee or agent may not be held individually liable for negligence;
3. The contract does not name the individual employee or agent as a party to the contract;  
4. The business entity maintains any professional liability insurance required under the contract; and any damages are solely economic in nature the damages do not extend to personal injuries or property not subject to the contract.
5. The conduct of the design professional giving rise to the damages occurs within the course and scope of the contract; and
6.  The harm does not extend to persons or property not subject in the contract and is exclusively economic in nature.

If a contract fails to meet these specifications, then a licensed engineer employed through a business entity is not except from personal liability for negligence, misconduct and wrongful acts.  

Visit Florida Senate Bill No. 286, to learn more the liability protection for design professionals. 

For the past 35 years, RGD Consulting Engineers has provided Florida and the Caribbean with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and structural engineering services. You can also find RGD on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.