CaddFX Design services As-Built services were solicited by ASI Modulex, for the purpose of creating Evacuation Maps. ASI is a very large sign company, and they provide a variety a variety of signs for commercial buildings. ASI was hired by Cleveland Public Libraries to provide signage placards, which would house the Evacuation Maps.
At CaddFX Design Services, we conducted As-Built services of (1) Corporate building and (33) Branch Libraries, which consisted of 550,000+ sq ft. The project began with us working directly with the Library’s archive department to research what floor plans they had on file for the Corporate Library, as well as all Branch libraries.
We have mastered and offer the service of converting paper drawings to CAD files. This becomes the starting point for all of our projects because we try not to reinvent the entire wheel. It’s a two-step process for us, where we first scan the drawings as a TIF file, and second, we convert the TIF file from a Vector to Raster file. This becomes a fully editable CAD file, which can be utilized as a DXF file in any CAD software. However, we utilize AutoCAD and Autodesk products for all of our projects.
It came as no surprise to us with most As-Built projects, the drawings on files were practically obsolete and did not nearly reflect current ‘Built’ conditions. In addition, the condition of the drawings was an array of old sepias, blueprints and in many cases there were no drawings at all.
Next, we plotted all drawings and took them to each site for a brief walk through. We normally conduct quick field verification for accuracy and document any anomalies before we actually start the official As-built process. When we return, we arrive with our SL-Laser Equipment to laser-shoot and document all floor plan data, which is the first stage of this project. The laser equipment eliminates the need to draw the floor plan because we are actually creating a drawing as we shoot it with laser.
The last phase was handed of to (CRS) Critical Response Solutions, which is a unit of CaddFX Design Services. CRS developed the physical Evacuation Maps, which involved creating the Primary and secondary routes to evacuate the building. Other critical items were documented and identified on the maps such as pull stations, fire extinguishers, Tornado Safe Zones, eye stations and Key Emergency Procedures.
Finally, the Evacuation Maps were printed out and supplied to ASI for insertion into their placards. ASI’s field technicians conducted the physical installation of all placards. In the end, it’s a great feeling for us knowing we documented and implemented a safety package to help protect people in the event of an actual emergency, while insuring the Libraries are compliant with OSHA standards.
