Precast Protects Life: Healthy Buildings- March 2025-Precast Protects Life

Precast Protects Life - Healthy Buildings Presentation Handout

Pdf Summary

The document outlines several key aspects of precast, prestressed concrete usage in constructing healthy buildings, offering insights into its strengths and applications. Presented by Jim Schneider from PCI Mountain States, the course is registered for continuing professional education, ensuring it meets quality standards but not the endorsement of any product or service by the AIA or RCEP.<br /><br />Precast concrete is highlighted for its durability, resilience, and contribution to safe, healthy spaces for living and working. The learning objectives focus on teaching attendees about the benefits of precast concrete, defining what constitutes a healthy building, and exploring case studies to reinforce these concepts.<br /><br />A "Healthy Building," according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, aligns with global health and sustainable goals and hinges on indoor, resource, economic, and environmental health. Indoor environment quality is critical, with WHO noting that 25% of diseases are environment-related. Buildings significantly influence health, the economy, and greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for sustainable and healthy design approaches.<br /><br />The Well Building Standard and Fitwel, introduced for certifying and enhancing health-promoting environments, are key frameworks addressed, alongside other programs like LEED and the Living Building Challenge that prioritize environmental quality and public health.<br /><br />The document expands on elements like indoor air quality, moisture management, thermal efficiency, sound design, and life safety, illustrating how these are integral to healthy building design. Precast concrete's roles in fire safety, impact resistance, storm safety, and sound attenuation are discussed.<br /><br />Case studies are provided to illustrate precast concrete applications, such as in Catholic University and South Carolina Children’s Theatre, showing real-world examples of achieving occupant safety, energy efficiency, and structural resilience.<br /><br />The narrative concludes by addressing sustainability, decarbonization efforts, and upcoming innovations in concrete technology, underlining the industry's commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product durability and resilience.

Keywords

precast concrete

prestressed concrete

healthy buildings

Jim Schneider

PCI Mountain States

sustainability

Well Building Standard

Fitwel

case studies

environmental impact