What has technology missed?

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a neighbor who is a mechanical engineer. He spends his days drawing models for mid-size construction projects, a $20 million building would be typical for him. He draws out the plumbing, electrical and HVAC. In his drawings he shows the exact routing of every pipe, wire and duct, and every fitting, fastener and hanger*. He provides the sub-contractors with detailed schematics, plus a parts and materials list that includes everything needed and exact numbers. What do the subs do? They take a quick glance at the schematic and then install it the way they want. They order 20% over what's on the list and throw away what they end up not needing, on these jobs the general contractor customarily pays for materials so they don't care**. Why don't they follow the schematic? Because the framers didn't frame the building the way the model showed? Why not? Because the concrete crew didn't pour the foundation the way the model showed. So they have a wonderful detailed model but the plumber ends up working pretty much the way his grandfather did 100 years ago.

Interesting notes:
* He actually just does a rough drawing and then sends it to a guy in India who draws in every fitting, fastener and hanger. Kind of like the way the electrician might run the wires and then let his helper put in all the staples and fasten all the wallplates.

** On the sites where he works the general contractor will typically sell the dumpsters to a salvage company. There is enough usable material in the dumpsters that people pay for the privilege of picking through it.

Obviously he does not design competitive bid contracts. Your are lucky to get drawings that show where "all" outlets are desired with no interconnecting infrastructure. Even some large projects, contractor shop drawings fill in the details and you are lucky if all that gets on the final record drawings, if even that is contractually required. Change orders are a way of life and bump final cost, sometimes way past budget. My church is a good example, construction drawings are just as stated above. It is a constant "Easter egg hunt" to find how MEP stuff runs through the structure and many construction process wall changes were never recorded. When Architect/Engineer rates reach $200-300/hr design details tend to get pretty slim.

Ron

 

[dougtrr2]

Why isn't there an affordable main water shutoff that recognizes water usage and shuts off before major water damage?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Why isn't there an affordable main water shutoff that recognizes water usage and shuts off before major water damage?

They make one called a excess flow shut off valve. Used a lot in industrial settings. They make them for both liquids and gasses. Their function is primarily to shut down upon a major break and increased flow resulting. I have one on my gas main. Some jurisdictions require them. Haven't priced one. Memory is under $200 for a 1" line. Google search should find.

Ron

 

[bunyip]

there is even one for portable gas stoves and sure there is a domestic water cutoff for single appliances such as dishwasher/washing machine.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

They make them: https://www.amazon.com/Water-Block-Excess-Shutoff-Valve/dp/B074V9LL19

Ron

 

[Diggin It]

How easy are they to reset or bypass? I can see it tripping if you try to fill a pool for example.

 

[Diggin It]

But along that line, I hate the fact that my gas stove can release gas through the burner orifices without ignition. The over has a glow coil to prevent that, so why don't the burners?

 

[bunyip]

Our blanco gas burners don't if tthe flame goes out, handy for a low flame when someone opens the door on a windy day
.
Didn't phrase that well, if the flames go out the gas flow stops.
I think it would be some simple bi metal device.

 

[bcp]

Everyone should have one of these, but no one does.

Bruce

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't know how some seniors are supposed to open some packaging. It's beyond ridiculous.

I am just starting to use a Dell computer I bought more than a year ago. I assumed you get all the various stuff with it. Word, spreadsheets and so on. I got nothing. You can buy it, but worse, you have to pay for it every year! It's not worth it, I don't use it enough. Then, none of my scanners or printers will work as no one writes drivers for old boat anchors. I'm ready to pack this computer stuff in. Or refurbish my old PC with XP! It's all I need.

 

[sdquick]

I'm amazed at how much the technology revolution has bypassed construction. There are a lot of parts of building that are basically the same as they were 50 years ago and haven't changed much in 100 years except for the application of electricity and internal combustion.

Stresslite Precast House explained - YouTube

Precast Concrete Housing Systems for the Future! - YouTube

 

[Industrial Toys]

I live in a precast concrete house (core slab) that we built in 72. My Dad is German and hates flimsy houses.

 

[3Ts]

I'm amazed at how much the technology revolution has bypassed construction. There are a lot of parts of building that are basically the same as they were 50 years ago and haven't changed much in 100 years except for the application of electricity and internal combustion

Actually the building technology for construction has advanced a lot. The problem is getting builders to implement it. There was an article in a trade journal about trying to get the new technology implemented and it boiled down to the contractor is responsible for the building and he has a method that works and is unwilling to try something new because it might come back to bite him. (SIP panels are one example of new technology that didn't work out as advertised.)

 

[goeduck]

Everyone should have one of these, but no one does.

View attachment 589444


Bruce

You must . What fishing story were you telling at the time the picture was taken?

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Actually the building technology for construction has advanced a lot. The problem is getting builders to implement it. There was an article in a trade journal about trying to get the new technology implemented and it boiled down to the contractor is responsible for the building and he has a method that works and is unwilling to try something new because it might come back to bite him. (SIP panels are one example of new technology that didn't work out as advertised.)

Interesting article from The Economist. They make the claim that the productivity of US construction workers has actually dropped over the past 50 years.

Efficiency eludes the construction industry - Least-improved

 

[goeduck]

Interesting article from The Economist. They make the claim that the productivity of US construction workers has actually dropped over the past 50 years.

Efficiency eludes the construction industry - Least-improved

I do not think an easy productivity comparison could be made to a building built 50 years ago to now. The construction code complexity and technology advancements are exponential. Not saying there are not stinker projects these days but there were those back 50 years ago as well.

 

[JamesBrasher]

We can also use something like xrays and motion sensors to detect insects and pests

 

[Diggin It]

^^ The test would be to assemble a simple house of the same style as back then. Use the same blueprints and other plans if possible. Use as many of the same materials and procedures as possible. Wiring and plumbing would have to use today's materials. Waive any code that isn't directly safety related.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Two things that are slow in catching on are modular buildings and design build projects. The military tried them and has backed off. I was involved in those for many years as both a Gov employee and the construction side. On military contracts to get a product approved for incorporation it has to have a 5 year success rate. Part of the problem, stifles innovation.

Ron

 

[Diggin It]

One problem there is terminology and acceptance. A few years back I did some searching for information and pricing on modular homes; the kind they build off site and bring in by semi, then assemble by crane moving whole rooms or wings at a time. The end product looks identical to a stick built home and uses all of the same standards and processes. No matter what terms I used, the bulk of what I found was the typical mobile or sectional (double wide) homes.