Wheelchair Ramps for Public Spaces: Improving Accessibility and Inclusivity Apr 12, 2023 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes This wheelchair ramp was installed at a modular building in Forest View, IL. Regardless of a person’s physical capabilities, accessibility is a fundamental right that should be protected. Yet, despite recent advancements, accessibility for people with impairments remains a problem. The absence of wheelchair ramps in public areas is among the most frequent issues. We’ll talk about the value of wheelchair ramps in public places and how they can increase inclusion and accessibility in this article. It is crucial first to comprehend what a wheelchair ramp is and why it is required. A wheelchair ramp is a sloping surface that serves as an alternative to steps and allows users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids to enter a building or public area on their own. For everyone to have equal access to public spaces, including those with mobility impairments, wheelchair ramps are crucial. However, they have several advantages for everyone, including parents with strollers, delivery personnel, and those who have sustained temporary ailments. Our ADA-compliant wheelchair and access ramps feature modular components that bolt together. The solution eliminates custom fabrication, code compliance issues, and time-consuming engineering while reducing costs, installation time, and complexity. Weather-resistant aluminum can be reconfigured to adapt to changing applications or remobilizations, ensuring the industry’s longest service life. The APEX System is a line of integrated access products that can be configured to meet the most challenging applications. View our wheelchair ramp installations The fact that wheelchair ramps encourage inclusivity is one of its main advantages. People with disabilities can participate in activities and events that they might not otherwise be able to attend by providing wheelchair ramps in public areas. This could be visiting friends, shopping, attending a show or athletic event, or attending class. People with disabilities feel more at home, have more independence, and value themselves more when allowed to enter public spaces. Moreover, wheelchair ramps increase safety. Without a ramp, those in wheelchairs may have to travel across steep or uneven ground, increasing the risk of accidents and injury. People with mobility issues can enter public areas and move around more safely, thanks to wheelchair ramps. Wheelchair ramps also increase the number of clients or guests in shops and public places. For instance, a restaurant’s revenue will increase if it features a wheelchair ramp that attracts people in wheelchairs. Similarly, more people can visit parks if they have wheelchair ramps, which will promote tourism and benefit the neighborhood’s economy. In summary, wheelchair ramps enhance inclusivity and accessibility in public spaces. They promote inclusivity, make traveling easier and safer for those with disabilities, and generate income for local companies and the community. No matter how physically disabled someone is, society must ensure that public spaces are accessible to all. News Creating Safe & Equal Access for All with Wheelchair Accessible Ramps Read More » September 4, 2022 ADANewsRamps 10 Reasons to Install Wheelchair Ramps in Retirement Communities and Nursing Homes Read More » April 12, 2023
10 Reasons to Install Wheelchair Ramps in Retirement Communities and Nursing Homes Apr 12, 2023 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes This wheelchair ramp system was installed for Brookdale Retirement Home in Emporia, KS As we age, navigating stairs and other obstacles can become increasingly challenging. This is particularly true for retirement community and nursing home residents, who often face mobility limitations. Our ADA-compliant wheelchair and access ramps feature modular components that bolt together. The solution eliminates custom fabrication, code compliance issues, and time-consuming engineering while reducing costs, installation time, and complexity. Weather-resistant aluminum can be reconfigured to adapt to changing applications or remobilizations, ensuring the industry’s longest service life. The APEX System is a line of integrated access products that can be configured to meet the most challenging applications. View our nursing home wheelchair ramp installations Installing wheelchair ramps in these settings can significantly improve the quality of life for residents. Here are 10 reasons why wheelchair ramps are essential in retirement communities and nursing homes: Improved Accessibility – Wheelchair ramps offer a safe and straightforward way for residents using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids to move around the community or facility. With ramps, residents can maintain their independence and enjoy greater freedom without depending on others for help. Compliance with the Law – The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all public buildings and facilities be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair users. Installing wheelchair ramps is crucial in complying with the law and ensuring equal access for all residents. Increased Safety – Ramps provide a stable and secure surface for walking, reducing the risk of falls and other accidents. Additionally, ramps are designed to accommodate mobility aids such as walkers, canes, and crutches, making it safer for residents to use these devices to move around. Improved Quality of Life – The ability to navigate the community or facility without barriers or obstacles fosters a sense of independence and freedom. Residents who can move around freely are more likely to engage in social activities, attend events, and participate in community life, leading to increased happiness, reduced isolation, and improved quality of life. Easy to Install – Wheelchair ramps are simple to install and can be customized to meet the unique needs of each community or facility. They can be constructed from various materials and designed to blend in with the surrounding environment. Cost-Effective – Installing wheelchair ramps is a cost-effective way to enhance accessibility in retirement communities and nursing homes. The cost of ramps can vary depending on the materials used and the size of the installation, but overall, ramps are a relatively inexpensive solution to accessibility challenges. Long-Lasting – Wheelchair ramps are durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them a long-lasting solution for improving accessibility in retirement communities and nursing homes. Our ADA-compliant wheelchair and access ramps feature modular components that bolt together. The solution eliminates custom fabrication, code compliance issues, and time-consuming engineering while reducing costs, installation time, and complexity. Weather-resistant aluminum can be reconfigured to adapt to changing applications or remobilizations, ensuring the industry’s longest service life. Easy to Maintain – Once installed, wheelchair ramps require minimal maintenance. They can be easily cleaned and inspected periodically to remain safe and secure. Aesthetically Pleasing – Wheelchair ramps can be designed to blend in with the surrounding environment and architecture of the community or facility. This can enhance the property’s overall aesthetic appeal while also improving accessibility. Inclusivity – Installing wheelchair ramps promotes inclusivity and demonstrates a commitment to providing equal access to all residents, regardless of their mobility challenges. This can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. In conclusion, installing wheelchair ramps in retirement communities and nursing homes is vital in providing accessible, safe, and inclusive living environments for all residents. Wheelchair ramps can significantly improve the lives of seniors and people with disabilities by making it easier for them to get around, keeping them safe, enhancing their quality of life, and fostering a sense of belonging. News Creating Safe & Equal Access for All with Wheelchair Accessible Ramps Read More » September 4, 2022 ADANewsRamps Wheelchair Ramps for Public Spaces: Improving Accessibility and Inclusivity Read More » April 12, 2023
Innovation for the win Feb 15, 2023 Estimated reading time: 2 minutes At Upside Innovations, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the manufacturing of OSHA, IBC, and ADA-compliant stairs. Our team of skilled welders and technicians is dedicated to creating high-quality products that are not only safe and reliable but also aesthetically pleasing. In recent years, we have been investing in the latest technology to enhance our manufacturing process, and we are proud to introduce our cutting-edge robotic welder. This advanced machine is revolutionizing how we produce stairs, making our operation safer, faster, and more efficient than ever. Our robotic welder is designed to work seamlessly with our expert welders and technicians. It helps them to perform complex welding tasks with precision, speed, and accuracy, reducing the likelihood of human error and increasing the consistency of our product quality. Additionally, the robot can work around the clock, ensuring that we can deliver products to our clients in a timely and efficient manner. Integrating robotics into our manufacturing process has allowed us to enhance the safety and well-being of our team members. The robot welder performs tasks that would have been hazardous to our welders, such as welding in tight spaces, welding in awkward positions, and welding near hazardous materials. With the robot taking over these tasks, our welders can focus on other important aspects of the manufacturing process, such as quality control, design, and customer service. The robotic welder has also increased our productivity significantly, allowing us to handle larger orders and complex projects with ease. With this new technology, we can produce our products faster, without compromising on the quality of our final product. This means we can meet the growing demand for our products while maintaining our commitment to excellence. In conclusion, integrating robotics into our manufacturing process at Upside Innovations has been a game-changer for our business. We are proud to be at the forefront of technological innovation, using cutting-edge machines to enhance our manufacturing process and provide our clients with the highest quality products. Our team is excited to continue exploring new ways to use technology to improve our products and services. Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022 News Upside Innovations: Then and Now Read More » March 7, 2017
Launch of Upside Innovations APEX and DOCK Step Nov 11, 2022 Estimated reading time: 2 minutes SIXAXIS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF UPSIDE INNOVATIONS APEX AND DOCK STEP MODULAR ACCESS SYSTEMS CINCINNATI, OHIO OCTOBER 28, 2022 —Upside Innovations, a SixAxis company, has launched an innovative new modular access system. The APEX System is a modular, prefabricated line of ADA, IBC, and OSHA-compliant stairs, ramps, and canopies designed to improve safe access for businesses in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, educational, and professional sectors. Industrial-grade aluminum components bolt together to create infinite configurations, making the APEX System ideal as the needs of an installation change. By eliminating the need for custom fabrication and time-consuming engineering, the APEX System reduces costs, installation time, and complexity. DOCK STEP industrial loading dock stairs are manufactured for use in warehouses and distribution centers. Also made from industrial-grade aluminum components, DOCK STEP systems will never rust, warp, or rot. While most loading docks only require OSHA compliance, Upside systems are also IBC and ADA compliant maximizing safety for those entering and exiting the loading dock area. President Kevin Sharp is pleased with the expansion of the Upside Innovations modular access product line. “DOCK STEP joins the APEX System family of products including the SEMI and OMNI product lines,” he explains. “Our integrated access system of prefabricated stairs, ramps, canopies, and awnings meet the needs of our customers on a more comprehensive level.” To learn more about the APEX System, visit https://upsideinnovations.com/ SixAxis has been providing access and safety systems to the truck, rail, ship, aviation, and aerospace industries using state-of-the-art technology since 2003. Their award-winning patented products are marketed under brands including SafeRack, ErectaStep, MarinaStep, AeroStep, YellowGate, RollaStep, and Upside Innovations. About SixAxis SixAxis was founded in 2002 to deliver high-quality loading rack and fall protection solutions to companies around the world. Their award-winning products and patents have been developed to increase safety and boost productivity for industry-leading Fortune 500 companies such as Boeing, Dow, and Coca-Cola. For information about how SixAxis is changing the world of manufacturing, visit sixaxisllc.com. Career Opportunities At SixAxis, we don’t just create products, we’ve revolutionized safety. The diversity of our people and their ideas inspire the innovation that runs through everything we do, from patented technology to industry-leading thinking. Interested in helping us make the world a safer place? Join our growing team. Get started by visiting us at sixaxisllc.com/careers Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022 Tools & Resources Building Blocks: Prefab versus Modular Construction Read More » April 5, 2023
Celebrating two years without a lost time accident Oct 05, 2022 Estimated reading time: 2 minutes Upside Innovations’ team celebrates two years since a lost-time accident Estimated reading time: 2 minutes WEST CHESTER, OH (October 5, 2022) – Upside Innovation celebrated 2-years without a lost-time accident last week by bringing in J’s Fish Taco truck for a luncheon at our West Chester, OH headquarters on October 5th. This milestone comes after significant focus by the team on accident prevention. We have driven a safety culture by identifying and highlighting “Good Safety Catches” from all levels within the organization. Our “Good Catch” program has grown over the last few months and works by encouraging employees to identify and acknowledge safe acts from coworkers, and address potential safety hazards as they are noticed and before they can cause an injury. Safety and prior day good catches lead the discussion at our daily lean daily management meetings every morning. This laser focus has created an environment where an employee sees something and immediately does something to reduce the risk. Upside employees ordering their celebratory tacos We look forward to embarking on our third year without a lost-time accident and believe this will be possible with continued focus on keeping an eye out for each other, commending each other on good safe practices, and taking action on identified hazards. Upside Innovations is a SixAxis portfolio company. News Upside Innovations: Then and Now Read More » March 7, 2017 Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022
Creating Safe & Equal Access for All with Wheelchair Accessible Ramps Sep 04, 2022 Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Safe access to public, private, and commercial buildings is necessary to keep schools, health care services, churches, and businesses accessible for people of all physical abilities. Whether you are welcoming visitors, customers, patients, or employees to your hospital, school, church, or private business, ensuring appropriate, independent access for those with limited mobility is essential, and in many cases required by law. Commercial-grade wheelchair ramps can be permanent or portable and modular and enable people equal access to your modular building regardless of their mobility limitations. Safe, smooth access for anyone, regardless of their physical challenges, is necessary for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Modular wheelchair ramps are an excellent way to do just that. Choosing a Ramp to Fit All Mobility Devices It’s important to consider the wide variety of mobility equipment that will be utilized by people on your ramp when choosing a proper fit. Patients in various states of recovery from surgery or injury may need the assistance of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, or cane. As healing and recovery happen, visitors to your building may no longer need these devices and a portable ramp may feel like the best option. But don’t assume these needs will be temporary! Investment in a permanent ramp may be the best option when considering the needs of those people with a permanent need for mobility assistive devices. Many people who live with lifelong or progressive mobility challenges will benefit from a permanent ramp to accommodate safe and easy access to your building. And don’t forget about weather impacts such as snow, ice, and wind. Ramp access should always include extra precautions to prevent slips, trips, and falls as a result of extreme weather. Take care to consider drainage and traction issues as the seasons change in your region. DIY or Hire a Professional?Whether you choose to install your wheelchair ramp yourself or hire a professional, it is vital that care is taken to ensure optimal safety as well as compliance with all regional or industry-specific laws. If you or someone on your team have construction skills, self-installation is an excellent option. No matter your skillset or background, always consult with your local building codes and compliance requirements to ensure your wheelchair ramp is installed correctly. Not ready to take this on yourself? Professional installation is probably right for you. Whether your wheelchair ramp will be permanent, semi-permanent, modular, or temporary, a complicated design or 180-degree switchback design will most definitely require the use of a professional installer. And it doesn’t end there! Consider how your wheelchair ramp will affect your building’s market value, and don’t scrimp on quality for any reason. ADA Compliant Ramps People with mobility impairments are entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although the location and size of your business may exclude you from this obligation, compliance can be of great benefit to your business and the people you serve. Professional installers should be well aware of ADA ramp regulations, the rationale behind each guideline, and the areas where safe deviations can be made based on the specific installation. While the ADA is not mandatory for ramps used at home, modular ramps for public use must still comply with the ADA in most cases. This 70′ APEX switchback Ramp was Installed at the Cuyahoga County Court House in Cleveland, Ohio. Installers who are inexperienced may not know how to determine a wheelchair ramp slope that is safe for your building. A ramp that is too short could be unsafe for visitors using a particular mobility device. Additionally, details such as the exact width of your handicap ramp or turn platforms and when a rest platform is required are equally significant. Without attention to state and federal ADA regulations, your ramp could be unsafe, non-compliant, and in need of adjustments later. In addition to proper installation, your wheelchair ramp must also provide safety features such as a slip-resistant surface, a sturdy decking or travel surface, and handrails with a suitable height. While some accidents are unavoidable, a professionally installed, ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp is more likely to prevent unnecessary mishaps. The Importance of Your Wheelchair Ramp While your business’s wheelchair ramp may seem like a simple, straightforward component related to the infrastructure of your building, the proper installation, care, and maintenance of it will go a long way toward helping differently-abled individuals feel included and accepted by your service, business, or institution. Safe and secure wheelchair ramps send a positive message in any public space or establishment that aims to be inclusive and accessible for all. By providing a safe and easy way for wheelchair users to enter and exit buildings, wheelchair ramps empower differently-abled individuals to participate fully in shared public life. Safety & Accessibility Are Your ResponsibilityThere’s no denying that wheelchair ramps are an essential accommodation for people with mobility impairments, such as those who use walkers or crutches, and play a crucial role in promoting inclusion and accessibility. By doing the right thing and installing a safe and secure ADA-compliant ramp for your modular building, you are not only becoming a part of the solution, but you are helping to facilitate a broader cultural shift towards greater awareness and acceptance of disability as an integral part of society. Creating Safe & Equal Access for All with Wheelchair Accessible RampsSafe access to public, private, and commercial buildings is necessary to keep schools, health care services, churches, and businesses accessible for people of all physical abilities. Whether you are welcoming visitors, customers, patients, or employees to your hospital, school, church, or private business, ensuring appropriate, independent access for those with limited mobility is essential, and in many cases required by law. Commercial-grade wheelchair ramps can be permanent or portable and modular and enable people equal access to your modular building regardless of their mobility limitations. Safe, smooth access for anyone, regardless of their physical challenges, is necessary for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Modular wheelchair ramps are an excellent way to do just that. Choosing a Ramp to Fit All Mobility Devices It’s important to consider the wide variety of mobility equipment that will be utilized by people on your ramp when choosing a proper fit. Patients in various states of recovery from surgery or injury may need the assistance of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, or cane. As healing and recovery happen, visitors to your building may no longer need these devices and a portable ramp may feel like the best option. But don’t assume these needs will be temporary! Investment in a permanent ramp may be the best option when considering the needs of those people with a permanent need for mobility assistive devices. Many people who live with lifelong or progressive mobility challenges will benefit from a permanent ramp to accommodate safe and easy access to your building. And don’t forget about weather impacts such as snow, ice, and wind. Ramp access should always include extra precautions to prevent slips, trips, and falls as a result of extreme weather. Take care to consider drainage and traction issues as the seasons change in your region. DIY or Hire a Professional?Whether you choose to install your wheelchair ramp yourself or hire a professional, it is vital that care is taken to ensure optimal safety as well as compliance with all regional or industry-specific laws. If you or someone on your team have construction skills, self-installation is an excellent option. No matter your skillset or background, always consult with your local building codes and compliance requirements to ensure your wheelchair ramp is installed correctly. Not ready to take this on yourself? Professional installation is probably right for you. Whether your wheelchair ramp will be permanent, semi-permanent, modular, or temporary, a complicated design or 180-degree switchback design will most definitely require the use of a professional installer. And it doesn’t end there! Consider how your wheelchair ramp will affect your building’s market value, and don’t scrimp on quality for any reason. The Importance of Your Wheelchair Ramp While your business’s wheelchair ramp may seem like a simple, straightforward component related to the infrastructure of your building, the proper installation, care, and maintenance of it will go a long way toward helping differently-abled individuals feel included and accepted by your service, business, or institution. Safe and secure wheelchair ramps send a positive message in any public space or establishment that aims to be inclusive and accessible for all. By providing a safe and easy way for wheelchair users to enter and exit buildings, wheelchair ramps empower differently-abled individuals to participate fully in shared public life. Safety & Accessibility Are Your ResponsibilityThere’s no denying that wheelchair ramps are an essential accommodation for people with mobility impairments, such as those who use walkers or crutches, and play a crucial role in promoting inclusion and accessibility. By doing the right thing and installing a safe and secure ADA-compliant ramp for your modular building, you are not only becoming a part of the solution, but you are helping to facilitate a broader cultural shift towards greater awareness and acceptance of disability as an integral part of society. ADANewsRamps 10 Reasons to Install Wheelchair Ramps in Retirement Communities and Nursing Homes Read More » April 12, 2023 ADARampsTools & Resources ADA Ramp Requirements Outline Read More » December 6, 2017
4 Tips to Retain Commercial Tenants Feb 04, 2022 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes For landlords, retaining current tenants is extremely critical to generating and sustaining a good source of income for the long term. However, keeping them isn’t like a walk in the park, especially if you manage many renters. A variety of criteria influences renter retention in commercial retail establishments. Here are four key tips that commercial real estate property owners can use to maintain commercial tenants: Create an open channel of contact and be receptive to their concerns Commercial renters often do not demand much care, but they anticipate a prompt answer when they contact a maintenance request or other problems. A quicker reaction is a positive indicator, and it will make retail renters feel more at ease in your facility. If the renter does not respond promptly, they may consider looking for another rental property. Providing greater attention to the interests like the safety of their workers will result in higher levels of satisfaction and a greater likelihood of tenants renewing their lease. Simplify the procedure and include incentives Attempt to make the processes as simple as possible for renters by streamlining them where feasible. Renter process optimization may go a long way in assisting you in increasing tenant satisfaction and increasing the possibility of obtaining commercial retail renters. Several strategies to expedite operations include allowing renters to pay rent online or providing them with online access to submit maintenance requests for metal awnings. Another strategy to keep your tenants happy is to reward them for renewing their contracts. You can provide incentives such as limited-time deals, freebies, discounts, and so on. Put together a plan Operating a commercial property is similar to launching a small business, and there must be mechanisms in place for a retail location to be viable. To run a good property management company, you need to ensure that the property is well-kept and that the current tenants and employees are safe in their facilities like having handrails in proper OSHA-established heights. If a good system exists, a property owner can simply deal with maintenance concerns, repairs, and renters. Begin as soon as possible Be on the lookout for any leases that will be up for renewal or expiration in the next two years, as well. Negotiations can begin as soon as the due dates approach, depending on the property selections and the buy-and-hold plan. Keeping tenants happy is a key part of managing the rental property. While many factors influence renter retention, these four tips can help you maintain your commercial tenants for years to come. Do you have any other suggestions on keeping renters long-term? Please share them with us in the comments! Tools & Resources Transform Your Commercial Space with Tenant Improvements Read More » April 4, 2023 Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022
Active vs. Passive Fall Protection: Standing Within OSHA’s Hierarchy of Controls Nov 28, 2021 Estimated reading time: 6 minutes It would be ideal for every safety professional to find a straightforward solution when dealing with fall accidents in the workplace. It would seem that having a uniform height across all jobs and sectors would make enforcement easy. However, this is not the case for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While OSHA’s goal is to keep people safe in most businesses, keep in mind that local construction codes, such as OSHA, contracts, and site regulations may exceed statutory standards. The distinction between passive and active fall prevention is a reasonable starting point. Industrial operation managers will be more educated to choose one course over another after that. The importance of knowledge in terms of safety is never an understatement. Falls need careful consideration from safety professionals, and adding fall prevention training may boost morale. Talking about what happened during the incident can show that the company cares and improves how it plans to avoid these accidents from happening or recurring if they have already occurred before. At the baseline, the proactive approach in fall protection should include: The organization should identify the reason for the fall.Examine and dismantle any malfunctioning personal fall arrest devices or equipment, such as scaffolding, work platforms, or ladders that may have contributed to the fall.Create a fall prevention strategy or assess one that the company already has in place.Talk to employees about their difficulties openly and honestly.Organize a fall prevention retraining course and make the need for fall protection known throughout the business. OSHA has set limits for workplace height. Suppose any company does not meet these proposed limits. In that case, it is recommended that employers take precautions before risking an employee’s life by falling too far onto specific equipment or into dangerous situations like staircases while moving materials around on-site at job sites with no guardrails nearby. OSHA Height Limits In summary, here are the OSHA height limits where fall protection is required: Four feet (1.2 meters) for industrial workspaces OSHA 1910.28(b)(1)(i)Five feet (1.5 meters) for shipyardsSix feet (1.82 meters) for construction sites OSHA 1926.501(b)(1)Eight feet (2.43 meters) for longshoring operations Employers may safeguard workers against falls in various ways, including using traditional methods like guardrails, safety nets, personal fall protection devices, implementing safe work practices, and providing proper training. In some cases, OSHA allows the use of warning lines, designated areas, control zones, and other similar systems, which can offer protection by restricting the number of employees exposed. Thinking about fall risks before the job begins, whether completing a hazard assessment or building a thorough fall protection strategy, will assist the employer in managing fall hazards and focusing emphasis on preventive measures. If personal fall protection devices are utilized, special attention should be paid to locating attachment points and ensuring that personnel correctly understand operating and inspect the equipment. Active vs. Passive Fall Protection A passive fall prevention system includes all safety features that are essentially static, immovable, or unmovable. When installing a passive system for fall prevention, there is no requirement for human involvement with the device, and no personal protective equipment is required. As previously indicated, they serve as the second line of safety against falls. The well-known examples of passive fall protection systems are: Work platforms and liftsHandrails and guardrailsSafety nettingScaffoldingBarricades A stair railing is available to halt a fall regardless a person is holding onto it or not. Whether workers are watching their steps or not, a netting beneath a scaffold will capture them. Put another way, there is hardly anything anyone can do to ensure that passive systems preserve their life or limb. On the flip side, active fall protection technologies can be used when passive fall prevention is not an option. The active system is often viewed as dynamic, feature moving elements and necessitates human intervention to operate effectively. Workers must put their safety first by putting on the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of an active system. A fall prevention system that is active consists of the following moveable components: Overhead rail fall arrest systemFall arrest anchor pointsBody harnessesDeceleration and connector devicesLanyards and lifelines Hierarchy of Controls for Fall Protection OSHA’s Hierarchy of Controls for fall protection appeared in their 2011 student manual. This hierarchy explains how to prioritize fall protection solutions. The fall protection hierarchy is utilized as the framework for the most appropriate strategy to prevent workplace falls. This blueprint employs the fall protection hierarchy to identify fall risks and then provides the most beneficial and viable approach for addressing the existing threats. Obviously, the best approach should first start with prevention — when an organization eliminates fall hazards. Fall protection should be our first alternative in many cases because preventative strategies are not always accessible. If the fall dangers cannot be removed, the next step is to choose the best fall protection solution for the job. Naturally, no single fall prevention solution is sufficient for all work functions. We must always examine each work and activity to establish the correct form of fall protection since the structure will differ from project to project. Passive and active fall protection methods are in the middle of the hierarchy, with passive methods ranking more effective than the active methods because these passive methods complement in eliminating fall hazards. Active fall restraints rank better than administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). To construct a system that safeguards individuals from fall hazards, companies need a skilled engineer and a competent person to implement policies or make these restraints operate effectively. Organizations do need any special equipment to confine themselves by eliminating hazards or passive fall protection. When prevention does not cut the hazards completely, protection methods in the lower rung of the hierarchy can be applied. Administrative controls like marking controlled access zones, the management, administrators, and other staff members must take a stand to implement the correct use of fall safety equipment. A knowledge-based teaching approach will provide workers with the skills they need to establish safe working environments for when personnel is required to operate at a certain height. Administrative controls and PPE provision will encourage the necessary intervention and engagement of the workforce to integrate with preventive strategies. Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022 StairsTools & Resources How a Catwalk Can Improve Workflow in Your Facility Read More » November 27, 2022
Big-Time Solar Panel Contractor Cited for OSHA Violations Nov 13, 2021 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes A well-known solar panel contractor has been cited for exposing workers to dangerous fall hazards. The company headquartered in Louisiana is one of the leading solar panel installers in the nation. OSHA issued a third-party citation after an investigation found that it violated federal workplace safety requirements despite being previously cited twice in two years. Following an inquiry by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Marc Jones Construction LLC – also known as Sunpro Solar – for a repeat safety violation after inspectors discovered employees exposed to falls, the most common cause of death and severe injuries in the construction business. Furthermore, the government agency cited the firm for permitting staff to climb up and down extension ladders while holding items that may have prompted them to fall and for screwing up to offer employees a fall safety program. Marc Jones Construction LLC had received two repeat violations prior, which are issued when an employer previously experienced a similar breach of the same standard or regulation. OSHA referred the Louisiana-based company for similar violations twice in Texas, San Antonio in January 2021, and El Paso in April 2020. “This is another example that falls continue to be one of the leading causes for death and serious injury in construction work,” said DOL OSHA Regional Administrator Condell Eastmond. The OSHA fined the company almost $161,000 in penalties for the violations it committed. Based in Mandeville, Louisiana, Marc Jones Construction LLC is a business and residential solar panel installation firm with operations in 21 states. Sunpro Solar, formed in 2008, was named second on “Solar Power World” magazine’s rank of leading home solar installers in the United States in 2021. After receiving the citations and fines, the organization has 15 business days to cooperate, seek an informal meeting with OSHA’s local director, or appeal the allegations before the independent OSHA commission. Roofing contractors have become a target of OSHA inspections. At least five roofing contractors were cited in 2018 for violating workplace safety requirements, including one in Kentucky. The installation of metal awnings is being considered to be prone to fall hazards. This is the reason why Upside Innovations is providing experts to ensure that there are no untoward incidents in your workplace or your facilities. Upside Innovations stays committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and protecting the environment through safe work practices. Roof-mounted railings are a common type of safety measure employed by contractors. Guardrails with safety swing gates are generally placed six feet from the edge of the roof. If anything near the border, like a condenser unit, barriers are needed right up to it. It may be unappealing to put bright yellow barriers around the perimeter of the roof. There are methods to meet OSHA standards without resorting to such measures. Galvanized rails, for example, are less obtrusive visually but might be prone to corrosion. This is why aluminum handrails are recommended for them to be more durable in weather conditions on the rooftop. The use of guardrails is also an architectural problem. Some building owners, for example, surround the roof with bright yellow rails. It is under OSHA standards, but it gives the impression that the facility is always under construction and distracted from other structure areas. There are several alternative products available to assist building owners in acquiring OSHA permits. What is important is that building workers and visitors are kept safe in case of stair accidents or slips happen in these building areas. Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022 News Active vs. Passive Fall Protection: Standing Within OSHA’s Hierarchy of Controls Read More » November 28, 2021
Area of Refuge Requirements May 24, 2019 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Estimated reading time: 4 minutes What is an Area of Refuge? An Area of Refuge is a safe waiting space for people during an emergency evacuation. The information in this guide references the International Building Code 1009.6 Area of Refuge? The International Building Code (IBC) defines it as “an area where persons unable to use stairways can remain temporarily to await instructions or assistance during an emergency evacuation.” For example, people in wheelchairs or elderly people would have difficulties going down the stairs, so they need an area where they can wait for help. These waiting areas must be fire-resistant and protected from smoke, so people can safely wait for emergency responders. What are the dimensions? The Area of Refuge size determines how many wheelchair spaces your building requires. One wheelchair space is a minimum of 30″ x 48″. Is my building required to have an Area of Refuge? The IBC requires that all new construction must comply with the most current regulations, which require an Area of Refuge. Existing buildings are not required to make alterations to comply with IBC. The only time new construction is not required to have refuge areas is if both of the following are true: The building has a supervised automated sprinkler systemHas a wheelchair-friendly route (i.e. ADA ramp system) out and away from the building. Single-story buildings that are level with grade do not have to have refuge areas because everybody can exit the building on their own. How many areas do I need? First, for any building that is above grade or has multiple floors, you will need to determine how many means of egress paths you need. The required number of means of egress paths are determined by the occupant load: Occupant LoadRequired Means of Egress<5002500-9993>1,0004 The only exception to this rule applies when a business has 30 occupants or less AND the distance to an exit is no more than 75 feet. According to the code, you will need at least two of the means of egress to be accessible from any area that can be accessed by somebody in a wheelchair. An accessible means of egress means it is a way for somebody in a wheelchair to get outside or wait safely for help. It can consist of an elevator, platform lift, ramp, or interior or exterior area of refuge. In order to be considered “accessible”, a stairway between stories will need to incorporate an Area of Refuge unless there is an automatic sprinkler system. How many wheelchair spaces do I need? Within an Area of Refuge, you may need to have multiple wheelchair spaces. IBC requires that you have one 30″ x 48″ wheelchair space for every 200 occupants that the means of egress serves. A wheelchair space cannot block access in or out of more than one adjacent wheelchair space. Where are they required? The following areas can be designated as an Area of Refuge: Stairwell – the stairwell must be enclosed.Elevator lobby – elevator in the lobby must be equipped with standby power.Horizontal exit – a horizontal exit can act as an Area of Refuge. A horizontal exit is a fire-resistant wall that separates an area into two areas. For example, if a fire started in Room A, a horizontal exit would have a fire-resistant wall that separated Room A from Room B. Room B serves as the Area of Refuge. If you are unable to have an accessible means of egress (i.e. ADA ramp) down to the ground, you must have an Area of Refuge at either of the following locations EVEN IF the building has a sprinkler system: Interior side of an exit door – it must be enclosed by fire-resistant, interior wall.Exterior side of an exit door – the exterior wall adjacent to the Area of Refuge must be fire-resistant. Areas of Refuge are necessary to give all building occupants a safe route during an emergency. View the United States Access Board: Chapter 4 for more details on means of egress and Areas of Refuge. IBCRampsStairs Means of Egress Read More » January 3, 2020 Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022
Upside Earns Rank in Inc. 5000 Aug 15, 2018 Estimated reading time: 2 minutes We are excited to announce that Upside Innovations made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the U.S. – an accomplishment that we couldn’t have achieved without our customers and the effort put forth by our team. Thank you to everyone that has helped us reach this goal !Thank you for your continued support! How it works: The companies that rank on the Inc. 5000 list are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over a three-year period. Companies that comprise the 2018 list are evaluated based on their 2014 and 2017 revenues. To qualify, the companies must have generated revenue by March 31, 2014 and be independent, privately held, for-profit companies as of December 31, 2017. Upside’s growth: In terms of revenue, Upside Innovations has grown a miraculous 206% over the three-year period when the average growth rate for the Inc. 5,000 list is 158%. We have also increased the number of employees from 18 in 2014 to 39 in 2017 which is a 117% employee growth rate. Reference point: Average revenue growth for Ohio 135.4% Reference point: Average employee growth for Ohio 113% Like most companies, Upside Innovations had humble beginnings, but through many ups and downs, our team and business continues to grow. Read about Upside’s journey that began in 2009, and see just how much Upside has transformed. Our Rankings: #17 top Cincinnati company #48 top manufacturing company in the U.S. #2153 fastest growing business in the U.S. View a composite list of the Inc. 5000. News Upside Innovations: Then and Now Read More » March 7, 2017 News Construction Industry Outlook 2017 Read More » December 22, 2016
Best ADA Ramp Material Feb 12, 2018 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Choosing the best ADA wheelchair ramp material can be difficult, especially when trying to balance quality and price along with any other factors that may be important to you. Here is a breakdown of some of the ADA ramp material properties to consider, including weight, strength, corrosion resistance and cost of aluminum, iron, steel, wood and concrete. Aluminum The best-known properties of aluminum are its light weight yet high tensile strength, which gives it an ideal weight to strength ratio in construction applications. It is approximately one third the density of steel and much lighter than steel. Aluminum alloys commonly have tensile strength between 70 and 700 MPa, and the range for alloys used in extrusion is normally between 150 – 300 MPa. What is tensile strength? It is the maximum amount of tensile (tension) stress a material can endure before failure, such as breaking or permanent deformation. Tensile strength is commonly measured using MPa, which stands for megapascals. As a point of reference, the tensile strength for structural steel is 400MPa. Aluminum is also corrosion resistant because when it reacts with oxygen in the air, a thin layer of oxide is formed. Anodizing aluminum will increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer which will further protect the material from corrosion, especially corrosion due to outdoor elements. This layer is self-repairing when damaged and provides better adhesion for paint primers and glues than other bare metals. Aluminum is extremely durable in neutral and slightly acidic environments, but corrosion occurs quickly in high acidic environments. High acidic environments can consist of sulfuric pools and geysers along with areas polluted by acid mine drainage. Another bonus of aluminum is that it is the third most common element on Earth’s crust, and aluminum compounds occur naturally in our food. Thus, it has zero toxicity and is completely recyclable. For everything considered, including its light weight, high tensile strength, corrosion resistance and recyclability, aluminum is very cost-effective ADA ramp material. Metals & Alloys: Strength to Cost Metals & Alloys: Elasticity to Cost Get a Quick Quote Iron & Steel Iron is generally cheaper than aluminum because aluminum is more expensive to extract from its ore. Iron is slightly stronger than aluminum in terms of tensile strength, but it is much more dense and heavy, making it more difficult to install in certain applications. Cast iron’s tensile strength is commonly between 60 and 800MPa while mild steel is around 300MPa. So what’s the difference between iron and steel? Iron is an element while steel is an alloy that is comprised of iron and carbon. Different grades of steel exist, each with varying amounts of carbon in them. Carbon is incorporated into the iron during a smelting process which involves controlled heating and cooling of molten iron. A higher level of carbon in steel means that it will be harder, but it will also be more brittle. Whereas lower amounts of carbon allow steel to be softer but more malleable. In general, alloys are much stronger than pure metals, so steel is stronger than iron and consequently more expensive. Iron is commonly used in construction applications and is usually covered with a strong protective coating or buried within other building materials. Why? Because iron alone is not weather-resistant. The surface of the material readily combines with the oxygen in the air in the presence of moisture, thus, creating rust. In completely dry air, however, iron does not rust. That said, consumers typically opt for a galvanized product. Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting; the thicker the zinc coating, the longer it will resist corrosion. This process will increase the initial cost of the product, but will increase the life of the product. The main concern with galvanization is that the zinc coating eventually develops a natural carbonate on its surface by exposure to the atmosphere and rainwater. The carbonate can become brittle and crusty and eventually split, exposing fresh zinc for corrosion. Since the zinc coating is thin, it can corrode up to the base metal exposing the base to the atmosphere and corrosion as well. Wood Wood is typically weaker than steel, iron and aluminum, yet it is not much cheaper on average. Pine and Oak are the strongest woods that would be used for structural applications with tensile strengths between 70 and 90MPa. It is known that no matter what type of wood is used, it is always stronger when cut with the grain. So why is wood stronger when cut with the grain? Wood is a natural substance that is much stronger when the grain is continuous. Think about packing together a bunch of straws; each individual straw is weak, but they become quite strong when altogether. Wood works the same way with its strands of cellulose fibers – when fibers are continuous (packed together like straws) and cut with the grain they are stronger. Wood is cheaper than the aforementioned ADA ramp material, but the lower cost comes with a maintenance price. Like iron and steel, wood must be treated to prevent corrosion. People typically use a sealer or varnish to prevent rotting and warping, but the sealer must be reapplied every year to maintain its appearance. However, even with treatment, wood does not have anywhere near the lifetime of aluminum; wood will expand in the heat and shrink in the winter even with finishes. Along with rotting and warping, wood can splinter, which can be hazardous if being used by the public. Wood & Wood Products: Strength to Cost Wood & Wood Products: Elasticity to Cost Concrete Concrete is weak in terms of tensile strength with a range of 2-5MPa. Recall tension and compression are not the same; tension forces materials apart whereas compression forces materials together. Concrete weight is typically measured in terms of compressive strength because most concrete applications don’t experience tension. The compressive strength, which is usually about 10x the tensile strength, of concrete is 20 to 40MPa, which is still much less than other materials. In addition, concrete has a very low thermal coefficient of expansion which means that it is highly vulnerable to cracking. Cracking happens more quickly in environments where the temperature is constantly rising and falling. Another cause of corrosion can be the expansion of the reinforcement steel. If the steel is located too close to the surface of the concrete, it is exposed to air and spalling can occur. Spalling is a process where flat fragments of the concrete chip off from the mass by the structural steel. Concrete is a relatively cheap ADA ramp material option, but there are many factors that can lead to quick corrosion. Ceramics: Strength to Cost Ceramics: Elasticity to Cost *Young’s Modulus from the charts above can also be referred to as Elastic Modulus, which determines the elasticity of a certain material. Charts courtesy of the Department of Engineering from Cambridge University. Summary All of these are good ADA ramp materials, but each one functions best in different environments and applications. The optimal ADA ramp material for an outdoor location with fluctuating temperatures would be aluminum followed by steel. Wood is a cheaper option that can also be used outdoors but would require yearly maintenance due to the likelihood of corrosion and warping. If price is the most important factor and other properties don’t matter, concrete would suffice. Pick the characteristics that are important to you as a buyer or user, and choose the associated material that fits your need. To better understand what it means for a ramp to be ADA compliant, read our Beginner’s Guide to Complete ADA Compliance. Ramps Walk Ramp for Industrial Applications Read More » January 9, 2018 StairsTools & Resources Exterior Stairs – 5 Reasons Property Owners Prefer Aluminum Read More » February 21, 2018
Crossover Metal Stairs for Industrial Applications Nov 21, 2017 Estimated reading time: 2 minutes Crossover metal stairs have at least two sets of stairs that are connected by one or more platforms and are designed to allow employees to safely travel up and over physical barriers in the workplace. Without stairs that provide access over the barriers, employees could be injured if they try to climb over or crawl under the object. The crossover stairs must comply with OSHA regulations to ensure that employees will not fall. Aluminum is the most common material used for crossover steps because it is lightweight yet strong, and it won’t rust in a wet or humid environment. Steel is sometimes used, but it will rust, it is more expensive, and it’s bulkier than aluminum. Crossover metals stairs commonly provide access over barriers such as conveyor belts, industrial pipes and ducts, and walls that don’t extend all the way to the ceiling. There are a variety of common crossover stair layouts that can accommodate a variety of barrier sizes, locations, and configurations. Simplified Crossover Layouts: C-SHAPE CROSSOVER H-SHAPE CROSSOVER STRAIGHT CROSSOVER L-SHAPE CROSSOVER Z-SHAPE CROSSOVER The C-shape layout below was designed to help employees cross over a conveyor belt that moved materials through a small opening and into another room. The crossover platform was designed to be high enough to give enough clearance underneath so that the materials could still fit through the opening. This is the final set of crossover metal stairs installed to give access over the conveyor belt. The step risers are of equal heights, and guardrails are provided for fall-protection. Upside Innovations will custom design a set of crossover metal stairs to meet your specifications whereas many suppliers offer a standard product that may not fit your unique application. The Upside Crossover Steps can utilize either a Grip Strut walking surface or an extruded, aluminum decking. Grip Strut is more of an aggressive tread with holes in the surface, and extruded decking is a solid surface with little raised strips for traction. Roof crossover stairs Factory line crossover Crossing over parapet Access stair Rooftop crossover stairs Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022 Ramps ADA Requirements for Businesses Read More » December 16, 2019
A Simple Guide to ADA Handrails Oct 24, 2017 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes 1. Located on both sides Handrails must be on both sides of the stairs and ramps. For OSHA stair handrails, however, it can be just on one side. 2. Continuous Handrails must be continuous through the full length of the stair flight or ramp run. They cannot end or break at any point within the bounds of the steps or ramp. This guideline applies to all handrails, including the inside handrails on switchback or L-shaped stairs and ramps; they must continue through the platforms. 3. Positioned between 34″ to 38″ above surface The top of the gripping surfaces must be between 34″ and 38″ above the walking surface. For a set of steps, the height of the handrail is measured from the edge of each nosing to the top of the handrail. For ramps and platforms, the handrail height can be measured at any point along the path. Handrails should be at a consistent height for the length of the stair flight or ramp run, including any platforms 4. Minimal obstruction Handrail gripping surfaces should have minimal obstruction. They cannot be obstructed along their tops or sides, and the bottoms should not be obstructed for more than 20% of their length. This guideline ensures that persons using the steps or ramp can easily grip the handrails. This also a reason why aluminum stairs must be free of dirt and must be kept clean at all times. 5. Be “graspable” ADA handrails with a circular cross-section should have an outside diameter between 1.25″ and 2″. ADA handrails with a non-circular cross-section should have a perimeter dimension between 4″ and 6.25″ with a maximum cross-section dimension of 2.25″. 6. Extend past the length of the ramp and/or stairs Ramp handrails should extend straight and horizontally above the landing for at least 12″ beyond both the top and bottom of ramp runs. If the ramp does not continue after the landing, the extensions should return to a wall, guard, or landing surface. If it does continue, the handrail should be continuous. Stair handrail parts should extend horizontally for at least 12″ beginning directly above the first riser nosing. Extensions should return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface if there is no adjacent flight of steps. If there is an adjacent flight, the handrail should be continuous. At the bottom of a stair flight, the handrails should extend at the slope of the stair flight for a horizontal distance at least equal to one tread depth beyond the last riser nosing. The extension should return to a wall, guard, or the landing surface or should be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair flight. 7. No sharp elements Handrail gripping surfaces and any surfaces adjacent to them should be free of sharp or abrasive elements and should have rounded edges. 8. Should not rotate within their fittings Handrails that are connected with fittings should be secure and not rotate. Official ADA Standards for 2010 IBC Stair Code Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022 Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022
Upside Innovations: Then and Now Mar 07, 2017 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes When sitting in the first iteration of Upside Innovations’ facility, founder Kevin Sharp used to look out the window of the 1,900 ft2 garage/office and stare at the semis loading and unloading at the large manufacturing facility across the street. It felt so far out of reach when trying to build a company as the economy was still in the middle of the Great Recession. Fast forward eight years, and Upside Innovations is in its fourth facility (not including Kevin’s house) and is tearing down walls to increase the manufacturing and office space by another 50%. Upside Innovations has experienced remarkable growth since the business was formed in 2009. After completing the company’s first project – a large canopy project in Indianapolis – Sean Faller joined the company along with one salesperson. The original concept for the company was that Upside would outsource all production to fabricators in Cincinnati who had excess capacity due to the recession. After outsourcing production for the first few jobs, Upside made a change to its strategy and decided to begin manufacturing in-house. Kevin says, “We just weren’t having success meeting the quality and delivery standards that we were demanding for our customers. Sean Faller recalls when they were outsourcing production and how he and Kevin had to constantly pick up and drop off material and parts to various companies for welding. Sean says, “I had bought a car, and I had considered buying a pick-up truck. I don’t know how many times I kicked myself for not buying a pick-up instead because I was constantly putting my seats down in the back of my car because it was cheaper for me to do it than to rent a truck or a service.” That first location in the Oakley neighborhood of Cincinnati had a small office and a garage where they could start cutting, drilling and welding. The desks in the office were made from old table tops that were stacked on cinder blocks for legs…a real minimalist look! The first two production employees to join the team were Ben Doan (machining) and Jeff Sander (welding). The garage was so small that they had to prop open the man door while cutting aluminum extrusions so the extrusions could stick through the doorway. First office in Oakley neighborhood Like many people working for small companies, Sean and Kevin wore many different hats including the “Lead Installer” hats. When they weren’t driving around Cincinnati trying to have various pieces welded together, they were at job sites installing each final product. The president and engineer both got their hands dirty! After a year of producing in a confined area and working in a small office, Upside’s operations outgrew the space. The next office location was in an unoccupied area of a warehouse which was owned by a batting cage company in the Tri-County area north of Cincinnati. It was a 6,000 ft2 space with a few small offices that rented for $1,000/month. Kevin says, “The weird thing about this place was that we had a batting cage in our shop that was used by the building owner on weekends. It wouldn’t be uncommon when we were busy and working on a Saturday to have a sports team come in and be hitting balls in the cage while we were welding 30 yards from the cage.” Sounds like quite a unique setup! It was during the stay in this location, that Amy Gogul joined the team to help run the accounting and operations. Upside hired an additional 4 or 5 production employees, and from this location, it started to grow its reputation as the access company that was not afraid to tackle the industry’s most challenging projects. There were two major projects that gave Upside a lot of confidence as a company. The first was a project that Upside designed and installed in Norfolk, VA, that featured three second-story stair towers, a 75’ second-story walkway between two modular complexes, and a canopy. The second was a large project for a school that had been destroyed by the Joplin tornado. Luckily, the company was still “young and dumb” and didn’t say no to either of the projects. These projects stretched the company’s resources and proved to the entire team that they could succeed at any access project presented to them. After the entire batting cage plant was rented out to another company, Upside was in search of its third location and found the right spot in the Forest Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. The Forest Park location was similar in size to the previous location, but Upside had the space to itself and never had to worry about weld flash injuries for pony league baseball teams. This is where the company really started gaining ground and taking on large-scale projects. Even though Upside was making great strides, Kevin recalls, “It still felt like we were ‘playing company’ as the facility was pretty small and the office was not finished out too well.” Amy Gogul says, “The Forest Park location only had one unisex bathroom for everyone to use. It was fun!” There wasn’t any extra money floating around for a cleaning service, so the team had to pitch in to help clean every Friday; mopping the floors, taking out the trash, and cleaning the bathroom were all part of the weekly chores. A few more employees joined the company at this location to keep up with operations: Bill Carroll, MJ Al Jawa, Danny Cornish, Jesse O’Neill, Jim Wendling, and Billy Lippert. Billy, the last to join the company at this location, had a card table for a desk that was in the corner of Kevin’s office. The employees soon outgrew this space as well, so they moved to the current office location on Spellmire Drive in West Chester, OH. The new 23,000 ft2 location was the first office and shop that felt “real” because Upside’s employees prepared most of the space themselves. They tore down a few walls to make a more useful workspace with modular wheelchair ramps. They then painted the walls and put an “Upside orange” stripe at the top. They ripped up the carpet because the aluminum chips from the shop would not be easy to clean up from the carpet fibers. After the carpet was removed, the team used grinders to smooth the concrete floor that was underneath and coated them with a light gray concrete stain. Sticking to the core philosophy of providing solutions to customers’ most difficult projects, Upside more than tripled its sales volume in the three years at the new location. With the increase in business and products like adjustable metal stairs for modular offices, Upside has been able to hire many more excellent and talented employees to continue to fuel its growth, but the physical size of the facility has started to impede its progress. Current office in West Chester, Ohio Luckily, the tenant located in the unit next to Upside was looking to downsize into a smaller facility, and Upside can now take over additional space just next door. The new space will be used to expand the machining and welding capacity and provide additional racking and space for finished goods ready to be installed. Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022 Stairs Types of Stairs for Commercial and Industrial Use Read More » June 7, 2022
Construction Industry Outlook 2017 Dec 22, 2016 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Many sectors make up the construction industry, and analyzing all of them can be time-consuming and overwhelming. To help you have a better overall view of the industry, we have collected information about construction sector performance and expected growth opportunities. The construction industry dropped with the 2008 market crash but has seen remarkable growth in the years following. In 2016 however, the rate of growth appeared to have slowed but not stopped completely. Experts within the industry were concerned that 2016 was the start of a cyclical decline and that perhaps the construction expansion may have run its course. This idea was dismissed after realizing that 2015 had unusually elevated activity on which the 2016 analysis was based. So 2016, in comparison to 2015 year-to-date, seemed as if it was lagging. However, at the end of 2016, the year-to-date shortfall became smaller and smaller. Industry analyzers believe that construction spending will see moderate gains through 2017, and total construction starts will increase by approximately 5%. This is lower than the 2015 gains of 11% but higher than 2016’s close of approximately 1%. Along with this positive outlook, there is also anticipation that project management tools will be a norm in the future. Single-family housing: will rise 12% in dollars, corresponding to a 9% increase in units to 795,000. The increase may be attributed to older-aged members of the millennial generation who are now buying single-family housing units. Multifamily housing: dollar amount will remain flat, corresponding to a 2% decrease in units to 435,000. This sector was extremely inflated in 2015 by exceptional amounts of activity in New York, but it has since declined to level ground. Commercial building: will increase by 6%, which is down from the 12% growth of 2016. Office and store construction are steadily working their way out of very low periods. Warehouse construction will continue to grow rapidly, which can be attributed to the increase in web-based sales that require distribution centers; logistics has become an art form. Hotel construction has remained strong over the past couple of years but may begin to retreat since the advancement of companies like Airbnb. Institutional building: will advance 10% after a period of no growth between 2015 and 2016. School construction will support this advancement through the recent passage of school construction bond measures. The construction of amusement facilities and transportation terminals will also play a role in the increase of institutional building construction. Manufacturing plants: will increase by 6% and recover from the extreme decline between 2015 and 2016, which reflected the pullback of large petrochemical plant construction starts. The new Trump administration has proposed to lower corporate taxes and encourage companies to bring their foreign profits home. This means that there will be more available funds for new capital projects in the US. Available funds would mean that these companies will be able to upgrade, like replacing wood with aluminum ramps. Public works: will increase by 6% after falling 3% in 2016. The new federal transportation bill will help increase the construction of highways and bridges, while the Water Resources Development Act will benefit environmental works. Gas and oil pipeline projects will remain steady. Electric utilities and gas plants: will fall a staggering 29% following a decline of 26% in 2016. New liquefied natural gas export terminals in Louisiana and Maryland increased construction in 2015 but have fizzled over the past year. Power plant construction will also fall as new generating capacity comes to life. DATA SOURCES: DODGE DATA & ANALYTICS OUTLOOK REPORT & CONSTRUCTCONNECT’S US CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK 2017 Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022 News Upside Earns Rank in Inc. 5000 Read More » August 15, 2018
