Ramtech Begins Manufacturing of Multi-Use Office Building for Los Alamos National Laboratory
One of 26 Steel-Framed Modular Sections Being Constructed for the Los Alamos National Labs Office Building
Ramtech Building is now in full production for the manufacturing phase of the 26 non-combustible steel framed modular sections that will make up a 22,680 square foot permanent modular building for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, NM. The two-story facility will be built using our Slab-on-Grade Permanent Modular Construction process and will include an atrium, elevator, and two stairwells. The floor plan calls for 67 personal business offices in three sizes along with an open office plan on both floors that can accommodate 12 freestanding office spaces using custom furniture cubicles. Designated as a Multi-Use Office Building (MUOB) project, the new facility will be installed adjacent to LANL’s main headquarters located in Technical Area 3. We will complete the manufacturing part of the facility by the middle of November, and will begin the installation of the modular sections during the first quarter of 2020. (more…)
- Published in Government, Modular Construction, Permanent Construction, Ramtech News
Ramtech Returns to Exhibit at the 2019 Texas Municipal League Conference October 9-11 in San Antonio
Ramtech will exhibit our relocatable buildings and two types of permanent modular construction in booth 910 during the 2019 Texas Municipal League annual conference and exhibition at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center October 9-11 in San Antonio, Texas. The annual conference is expected to draw more than 3,000 appointed and elected government leaders that represent over 300 Texas cities. The conference will begin Wednesday, October 9th with a keynote address from digital anthropologist and futurist Brian Solis on ‘Escaping from Distractions to Live a Better Life’. The other keynote speakers include Olympic medalist and best selling author Bonnie St. John, and The Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith with El Paso Mayor Dee Margo who will both address the issue of community and resilience. (more…)
- Published in Government, Modular Building, Permanent Construction
Facts About Modular Construction Part Five – Unlimited Architectural Appeal
Split-faced Block Installation Using Permanent Modular Construction
Whether it’s a freestanding facility or an addition to an existing building, modular buildings can be designed to meet or exceed the architectural aesthetics of traditional site- built structures. Ramtech’s pier and beam and slab-on-grade permanent modular construction methods can accept any exterior cladding combinations, providing the same curb appeal as site-built structures. This includes brick, block, or stone masonry, an Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS), various fiber-cement sidings, and all types of architectural metal panels.
Masonry Application to a Pier and Beam Permanent Modular Building
In these images, pre-finished architectural split faced block standard concrete masonry units (CMUs) were chosen to match the exterior of the adjacent main structure. They are accompanied by a wainscot row of smooth white block at the window level with additional split faced block above that rising to two additional bands of white block at the top of the building. Today’s generation of both relocatable and permanent modular buildings have a greater degree of curb appeal and functionality than ever before. This ability to compete with the aesthetics of site-built facilities has led to an increase in the number of design professionals willing to embrace modular building systems.
- Published in Modular Building, Modular Construction, Permanent Construction
Facts About Modular Construction Part Four – High Quality Materials
Installation of Plywood Sheathing at the Roof Mate Line on a Permanent Modular Building
The materials used in permanent modular construction are no different than site built structures. This includes critical features like roofing applications. For large or small parapet wall facilities with low slope roofs, Ramtech prefers to use and install TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) roofing material because of its durability and flexibility. This type of roofing material will adapt to a building’s movement and setting while still remaining resistant to impact damage, tears, or punctures.
Installation of DensDeck Prime Roof Board at the Roof Mate Line on a Permanent Modular Building
TPO roofs are resistant to dirt, algae buildup, and debris and will improve a building’s energy efficiency because of it’s substantial heat-reflective properties and the able to minimize the urban heat island effect. They’re also environmentally friendly with ability to be 100% recycled at the end of their lifespan. Ramtech applies the TPO material during the construction phase in our manufacturing plant, then seams the roof at the mate lines it the jobsite. This can be done quickly by nailing in both the plywood sheathing and DensDeck prime roof board before overlaying the TPO to complete the assembly.
- Published in Modular Building, Modular Construction, Permanent Construction, Technology
Facts About Modular Construction Part Three – Faster Installation
Installation of a Pier & Beam Permanent Modular Building
Whether it’s a pier and beam or a slab-on-grade building, both of Ramtech’s permanent modular construction approaches can be installed quickly in a matter of days, eliminating the weather delays that frequently plague site construction projects. Our pier and beam type permanent modular buildings can be installed either by using a crane, or by rolling them into place if the area has adequate space for maneuvering the individual modular sections. The accompanying images show how the rolling process works once the foundation has been completed and is ready to support the modular sections.
Installation of a Pier & Beam Permanent Modular Building
The modules are moved onto the grade beams, aligned with its adjacent section, lowered onto CMU blocks, then anchored and lagged together to form a complete building. Once an individual section is put into place it can be quickly weathered in at the seams to keep out the elements so the interior and exterior finish-out process can begin.
- Published in Modular Construction, Permanent Construction, Ramtech News
Facts About Modular Construction Part Two – The Same Infrastructure as Site-Built
Underground Electrical Service for Permanent Modular Building
The extension and connection of utilities requires the same site work elements for relocatable and permanent modular buildings as it does for site built structures. As a design-build construction company, Ramtech can manage every aspect of the site development and improvements for all project sizes and sophistication levels. These images show the preparation for the electrical service being brought to the main distribution panel for the 10,624 square foot adult education building for First Baptist Carrollton Church.
Preparing Conduit for the Underground Electrical Service for Permanent Modular Building
- Published in Modular Construction, Permanent Construction, Ramtech News
Facts About Modular Construction Part One – Minimized Weather Delays
Pier and Beam Foundation for a Permanent Modular Building
One of the benefits of modular construction is the inherent ability to minimize weather delays on the job site. Since the structure is being produced offsite, the ability to quickly set the modules on the foundation and weather them in speeds up the entire construction timeline. This means there’s no waiting for the framing or erection and other onsite construction activities to take place – the typical site-built work elements that are subject to weather related delays. With modular construction, once you install it you can immediately begin performing the interior finish-out with no delays. This also keeps any weather related materials damage to a minimum.
Completing Duct Connections in a Permanent Modular Buil;ding
The Pier and Beam Permanent Modular Buildings that Ramtech is currently building for First Baptist Carrollton is a good case in point. Although the rainy spring made getting the foundations in place a challenge, once the first one was poured we were able to quickly get one of the two modular buildings placed on it. Then, as the pictures show, while the foundation for the second building was being developed we were already performing the interior work on the first building. With J&P Contractors Inc.
- Published in Modular Construction, Permanent Construction, Ramtech News
What’s The Best Delivery Method?
As a vertically integrated design-build construction company, Ramtech has been at the forefront in developing a beneficial and cost-effective D-B delivery model for commercial modular construction projects. Ever since design-build became available to use for public projects in Texas in the 1990’s, Ramtech has been able to show end-users that D-B can save them money, and is a faster process than design-bid-build or construction manager at risk. There’s a good synopsis on the three methods in this article from buildingindiana.com.
- Published in Modular Building, Modular Construction, Permanent Construction
Modular Construction Gaining Ground
Good article by Angelo Verzoni in the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Journal on how the commercial modular industry is experiencing an increased level of acceptance and cooperation from the building codes and standards agencies. This is due in large part to the efforts of the Modular Building Institute, the international trade association for the commercial modular industry. As the MBI’s executive director Tom Hardiman points out in the piece, “we were successful in the 2018 [International Building Code] in getting standard language included for the approval process for modular ‘relocatable buildings,’” he said. “We want to expand upon that effort and create a standard process for approval of all modular buildings. That’s a bit of a longer-term project but we plan on working with ICC this year to get it off the ground.”
Read how modular construction is rapidly becoming a primary building option for designers, builders, and owners here.
- Published in Modular Building, Modular Construction, Permanent Construction, Ramtech News
Ramtech Receives Modular Building Contract for Multi-Use Office Building at Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico
Slab on Grade Permanent Modular Building for Los Alamos National Laboratory
Ramtech has secured a contract to provide a 22,680 square foot modular building at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, NM. The two-story facility will be built using our Slab on Grade Permanent Modular Construction approach, and will include a two-story atrium, elevator, and two stairwells. The floor plan calls for 67 personal business offices in three sizes, along with an open office plan on both floors that can accommodate 12 freestanding office spaces in custom furniture cubicles. The Multi-Use Office Building (MUOB) project will be installed adjacent to LANL’s main headquarters located in Technical Area 3. (more…)
- Published in Government, Permanent Construction, Ramtech News
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