Adequate and efficient space for parking is an essential component of a successful building design. For most of our clients, standard surface parking is not an option. The solution is usually a multi-level parking structure that is both functional and complements your building design. There are a few options when it comes to the type of concrete you can use for parking structures: precast concrete or cast-in-place (CIP) concrete.

The Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) publishes a variety of resources that provide guidance on designing, fabricating and constructing precast concrete structures. We’ve drawn from PCI’s Parking Structure System Comparison publication to highlight how precast concrete and cast-in-place concrete differ when building parking decks. Specifically, we’ll discuss how these materials compare when it comes to the construction schedule, cost, site considerations, constructability and quality, interior and exterior aesthetics, maintenance, and sustainability.

Your Schedule, The Cost & Site Considerations

For the sake of comparison, let’s define a typical parking structure as a 4-story garage with 1,000 stalls. When working with precast concrete, the average construction schedule is 6 to 8 months. Cast-in-place concrete requires a bit more time, averaging 10 to 12 months. The timeline is a big deal. Less construction time potentially means less financing costs and a shorter time to revenue. Furthermore, a reduced schedule greatly impacts site considerations. For example, using cast-in-place concrete has the greatest site impact as more labor (and more space for lay-down) is necessary. A precast concrete construction site means less workers, less space and minimal to zero construction waste. All of these factors impact your bottom line.

Material Constructibility & Quality

The biggest variance when it comes to material constructibility and quality is how the products are created. Precast concrete products are produced at a PCI certified facility – like ATMI Precast – under stringent audited guidelines and procedures. Cast-in-place concrete products are cast at the job site. Naturally that means varying conditions could affect the quality of the products dependent upon the weather conditions during placement and curing as well as availability of quality labor.

Additionally, precast concrete is stronger. Typical precast concrete holds up to more than 6,000 psi whereas CIP holds anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000 psi. Bonded prestressed strands (associated with precast concrete) are more protected from corrosion. When structural damage does occur, due to corrosion, it is localized to an individual precast concrete member. On the other hand, unbonded post-tensioning (associated with CIP concrete) creates the potential for future corrosion when water gets into the sheathing – eventually making large areas of the garage structurally deficient.

Interior & Exterior Aesthetics

While the inside look of a parking garage may not seem important, an open, well-lit space is conducive to safe driving – and less accidents. Interior features of a precast concrete parking structure include fewer columns, which leads to a more expansive view and lots of natural light. The floor is more likely to stay uniform throughout with very little shrinkage and temperature cracking. Of course, on the flip side, CIP concrete requires more columns and due to fewer floor joints, shrinkage and temperature cracks are to be expected.

A parking garage is expected to look like it’s part of the building it serves. Therefore, exterior aesthetics are a big part of the overall design plan. This is another area where precast concrete takes the lead. Precast concrete architectural finishes can be integrated into the precast concrete elements from the get-go at a minimal cost. Essentially, this means the exterior design is baked into the product and ready to go once constructed. CIP concrete parking structures typically require a secondary system like architectural precast concrete, EIFS coating, metal panel screening systems, or painted spandrels to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Maintenance & Sustainability

Surface upkeep for both materials is relatively the same. CIP concrete is most likely to get corrosion of load-carrying capacity reinforcing steel and post-tensioning strand due to potential poor concrete cover – leading to severe spalling over time. While it’s very rare for precast concrete to deteriorate, the CIP concrete topping slab could have problems if poured with low-quality concrete, if the joints are not tooled properly, or if it is not protected from wind or temperature during the curing phase.

As mentioned above, working with precast concrete delivers the smallest possible construction footprint – which leads to overall better sustainability. Additionally, precast concrete products can be re-used. Since the components are individual, they could be deconstructed and used elsewhere. This isn’t the case with a CIP concrete parking garage.

Precast concrete elements may include reinforcing as well as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) which replace some of the cement content of the concrete – helping to lower the carbon footprint of the structure. SCMs are easier to use in precast concrete since the primary curing happens at the manufacturer’s plant before structural loads are placed on the components.

Of course, the type of concrete you use all depends on your desired outcome in your location. But we can make a case for precast concrete parking garages all day long! Take a look at some of our parking deck projects and let us know what you think.

To read all of the technical details, download PCI’s Parking Structure System Comparison.

Are you familiar with the phrase: Hindsight is 2020? As we’re nearing the end of the year, this phrase has never been more relevant. It’s been a hard year for a lot of people, for a lot of reasons. But instead of looking at what we’ve all had to overcome this year, ATMI Precast has decided to look at our triumphs.

We kicked off 2020 with a full industrial backlog and hit the ground running in January. Of course, by mid-March the spread of COVID-19 had impacted life as we know it. For ATMI Precast, that translated to an immediate loss of 25% of our backlog.

How ATMI Precast Handled COVID this Year

Right away we reduced our plant capacity with about 200 employees. Our management worked diligently with plant personnel to establish social distancing and minimize touchpoints. We are very proud that we have been able to provide a safe environment for all of our employees through these safety protocols.

Safety for our ATMI Precast team during this year has always been our first priority. A close second was a concerted and continuous sales effort to get us back to a full backlog by June 1. A large part of this push includes the design and construction of 6 precast concrete parking garages. Two of these parking structures will be delivered by the end of this year, and 4 more will be completed in 2021.

Despite the impact COVID-19 had on our business this year, ATMI Precast expects to sell revenue levels that match 2019. We couldn’t have accomplished this without our excellent employees and our loyal customers.

New Projects & Initiatives

As a result of our amazing ATMI Precast team’s efforts this year, we have been able to participate in a variety of new projects and initiatives. For instance, we’ve continued to follow our general contractor customer base as they construct multiple Amazon projects within Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Check out Project Tarpon and Project W to see what we’ve been up to!

Additionally, this year we implemented a new PCI Certification process for architectural precast. PCI’s plant certification serves as the industry’s benchmark in quality system standards worldwide. ATMI Precast is proud to be PCI-certified.

Our dedication to improvement doesn’t just center around our manufacturing plants. We continue to strive to improve efficiencies in technology across all departments, for example. This year we started ongoing implementation projects in CRM, Tekla and ROI. Of course, we are always looking to further strengthen our relationships with existing customers as well. To do this, we are constantly looking at how we can improve our quality, service and reliability.

Awards & Recognition

It’s always nice to be recognized for our work and fortunately, 2020 was no exception in this category. We are pleased to announce our award for the Facebook Data Center in DeKalb, Illinois. We look forward to working with Mortenson Construction on this exceptional project. ATMI Precast also applied for a PCI Design Award for our work on the Division & Clybourn project in Chicago. We are hoping to hear the results in 2021.

Last, but certainly not least, ATMI Precast is thrilled to have been honored with the MRMH Award. The Assurance Minimizing Risk Maximizing Health Award spotlights companies that have made a significant measurable impact on not only insurance costs, but also employees and their families.

Expansion & World Domination

Maybe not world domination – but certainly expansion! We are excited to have completed expansion of our ATMI Indy facility this year. This plant has nearly doubled capacity to serve the Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky markets and we are proud of their work. We also added 5 engineers to our team this year.

This year has taught us many lessons and one of them is that time is precious, our relationships with people are invaluable and we can overcome just about anything.

If there’s anything we can rely on in the Midwest, it’s that January and February (and sometimes March and April) will bring snow and extreme cold at times. This is usually a roadblock when it comes to construction – but not when it comes to precast concrete. Being able to build during the winter months is a huge benefit to working with precast concrete. Let’s explore how working with precast concrete can help you stay on time and on budget during the winter season.

The Problem: It’s definitely too cold for cast-in-place (CIP) concrete to set.

We talk about extreme cold as being an issue when it comes to setting concrete onsite. However, when the mercury drops below freezing temperatures, CIP concrete isn’t a viable option. In the Midwest region the temperature can get to below freezing as early as November or December. Of course, those temperatures can always stick around until May – it just depends on the year. That means that the “cold weather” season here can technically last as long as 7 months. The solution is building with precast concrete. Since this material is manufactured off-site, in temperature-controlled manufacturing plants, it’s the key to keeping construction going during this time of year.

The Problem: It’s probably too cold for CIP concrete to set.

If you live and work in the Midwest you know that we can wake up with a frost and end up in shorts and t-shirts in the late afternoon. The spring and fall seasons are traditionally unpredictable here, and banking on the accuracy of weather forecasts isn’t what we’d call a guaranteed game plan. If the temperature is hovering around where you need it to be for your concrete products to set, it can be a gamble resulting in inconsistent finishes. But, working with precast concrete products mitigates that risk. Quality control of precast concrete products is ensured by an internal batch plant where the precise aggregate, powder, water and other additives are mixed at a consistent temperature – therefore resulting in a uniform product.

The Problem: It’s too cold to send multiple crews.

When site conditions are tight, it can be downright dangerous to have too many trades onsite during snow and ice events. Minimizing worker exposure to the elements during extreme weather conditions is important to everyone involved – especially contractors. Working with precast concrete eliminates the congestion of having too many workers at the job site, thereby increasing safety.

ATMI Precast has the ability to start the design process and manufacturing prior to beginning on-site activities. Additionally, our year-round unimpeded manufacturing and erection capabilities mean your precast construction will stay on schedule. We offer unmatched economy and speed to complete your project on budget and on time.

This time of year – thanks to Valentine’s Day – we see and hear a lot about LOVE. At ATMI Precast we give, receive, and spread love in a bunch of different ways. One of our biggest loves is working with a solid team on an award-winning project. We’ve done it before – and we’re thrilled to say, we’ve done it again!

ATMI Precast is honored to have won a 2021 PCI Design Award for our work on 1200 Clybourn. The building was selected as “Best Multi-Family Building.”

ATMI Precast Takes Housing Project to Best Multi-Family Building

Our ATMI Precast team worked with general contractor McShane Construction and architect Pappageorge Haymes Partners to make 1200 Clybourn a reality. Once upon a time, Chicago’s Near North Side was once home to Cabrini Green. In 2000, the Chicago Housing Authority began demolishing those towers and replacing them with more modern, durable, and family-friendly homes.

The latest addition to this transformation is Clybourn 1200, a 157,000-ft² mixed-use, mixed-income redevelopment project that leverages precast concrete to provide a resilient, sustainable living and working space for the entire community.

A New Chapter for the North Side

The new design uses precast concrete to create a book-shaped massing for the seven-story building featuring an acute angle to fit the nontraditional infill site. The “spine” of the book, which is located at the narrowest point on the lot, includes full-height glazing with a steel and glass canopy providing a backdrop.

The exterior panels and columns use different planes of relief with features that are either light acid-washed or sandblasted and, with the exception of selected accent areas that are stained dark, the surface is untreated. Window units punctuated with bright contrasting color and alternating orientation from floor to floor play up movement in the elevation and reduce the building mass. The glassy, open base, accented by contrasting colored precast concrete piers and banding accents, provides an active and engaging street presence.

The team at Pappageorge Haymes Partners chose a single precast concrete system and provider for the structure and enclosure to achieve cost and time efficiencies with a durable and attractive solutions. They gained many benefits by combining structural and architectural elements, adds Mike Walsh of ATMI. “We were able to fabricate architectural components that act as the exterior load-bearing frame for the building,” he said.

“It does not look like a precast concrete structure at the first glance,” Walsh adds. “The colors are very vibrant and accented with depth of structure, and you have to look hard to see the subtle differences.”

About the Award

The PCI Design Awards program recognizes design excellence and construction quality using precast concrete. This awards program helps to showcase innovative and advanced technology and ideas. Three jury panels consisting of architects, engineers, and precast concrete producers selected a total of 28 winners and 12 honorable mentions this year. All winning projects and teams will be showcased at the 2021 PCI Convention, May 18-22, in New Orleans.

Our true love is creating functional, sustainable, and beautiful spaces – and it’s nice to be recognized for our efforts!

If you’re considering using precast concrete for your construction project, it’s important to understand how the process works.

1. 1. Concrete is poured onto a wooden or steel table utilizing wire mesh, rebar, and prestressed cable. This first step is done in a controlled inside environment like our ATMI Precast plant in Aurora, Illinois.

1. Once the precast concrete is cured, the pieces are transported to a construction site and erected into place.

But, that’s not quite as easy as it sounds! Most precast manufacturers have to call in an erector to get that last part completed. They may work with several different erectors depending on the location and the scope of the project. At ATMI Precast, we are fortunate to be the only precast manufacturer in the Chicagoland area to have our own controlled erector – Waubonsee Development.

What is a Controlled Erector?

Waubonsee Development is ATMI Precast’s controlled erector, meaning that the company is wholly owned by ATMI. In essence, this means that Waubonsee erects only for ATMI and is not beholden to other project schedules.

What is the Advantage of a Controlled Erector?

There are many advantages the customer benefits from when working with a team like ATMI Precast and Waubonsee Development.

1. 1. Accurate Sales & Estimating: ATMI Precast is able to accurately forecast from the erection side since both manufacturing and erection are under the same company.

1. 1. Consistent Crews: Waubonsee operates up to 4 crews at a time. This means that workers are able to stay on Waubonsee crews for longer periods of times and receive daily training on safety and erection protocols.

1. 1. Access to Cranes: Waubonsee Development owns its own conventional cranes for the warehouse market, which can streamline the construction process.

1. 1. Competitive Prices: Waubonsee is in a position to be very competitive when it comes to pricing since it only services ATMI Precast.

1. Advanced Scheduling: Erection scheduling is planned well in advance and matches our production schedule.

Sometimes coordinating outside subcontractors and their schedules can be a hassle. Working with a team like ATMI Precast and Waubonsee Development takes that potential out of the mix.

About Waubonsee Development

Since opening its doors in 1980, Waubonsee Development has grown to employ over 70 employees. Every year Waubonsee erects more than 75 precast building systems and that number continues to grow. Skilled in a variety of projects, from construction of precast parking garages and warehouses to retail, multi-story residential buildings, and field finishing and caulking, Waubonsee Development has the talent to take on any task.

While general contractors are largely optimistic about the prospects for business growth in 2021, supply chain demand challenges remain. In the precast concrete industry, the rising price of steel, combined with a general shortage of material, sits at the top of that list.

The Steel Shortage

According to the Producer Price Index (PPI), iron and steel scrap has surged 50.8% in the last 12 months, including a 25.8% jump from November to December, followed by another 20.6% jump from December to January. The reason, of course – the pandemic.

When demand dropped in early 2020, steel factories significantly scaled back production, and many of those facilities are still not running at capacity. Other factors like supply chain glitches and tariffs play a part as well. But the reduced production rate is paramount as contractors grapple with delays in a variety of building materials – including steel.

Economics 101 dictates that when there’s a shortage of anything, price tends to increase. Steel prices climbed throughout Q4 of 2020 despite some predictions that they would reach their peak at the end of the year. And now, experts are saying the price will likely continue to rise throughout 2021.

For those of us in the construction industry, this shortage (and price increase) means reworks of material costs on current and upcoming projects. Many manufacturers are offering pricing proposals to contractors that expire after just one to three days – meaning contractors need to be nimble.

Rethinking Our Approach

Increased demand in the market for industrial building, COVID-related production issues, and large bulk purchasing of steel products has caused 2021 to be somewhat of a scheduling challenge.

“We typically see a 4- to 5-month backlog for precast heading into the summer construction season,” said Mike Walsh, Vice President, Business Development at ATMI Precast.

“This year that still holds true. However, the steel delivery date has now exceeded the precast dates, which is unheard of, and has caught a lot of the developers and general contractors off guard.”

Walsh says that extended schedules and much higher pricing has caused the development and contracting community to rethink their approach to these market conditions.

“We are working more closely with developers to ensure that we are doing everything we can to hold down pricing, such as long-term bulk purchasing, and providing commitments to our vendors along with attractive payment terms,” Walsh said.

ATMI Precast is also heavily engaged with the general contractor community, and works daily on revising schedules to meet steel deliveries, out of sequence work, and revising erection scenarios that allow the general contractor to work other site areas and utilities while the building construction is pushed in schedule.

“Pricing pressure and schedule pressures have not yet subsided, and we don’t see this relenting until late summer,” Walsh said. “Fortunately for ATMI Precast, we have increased production capacity and storage capacity to allow us to make product as needed without the need for long-term storage. And, because we own our erection company, we have the flexibility to relocate crews as needed,” Walsh said.

Even though we left 2020 in our rearview mirror, the ripple effect still lingers in 2021. As we look ahead, ATMI Precast is committed to doing what we can to meet demand, satisfy our customers and keep building.

“Our long-term relationships with our customer base have proven to be solid resources that allow them to make decisions knowing they have a large subcontractor supporting their decisions,” Walsh added.

There’s no other sporting event that’s as synonymous with its home state than the Indianapolis 500. Dubbed the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” by a radio copywriter in 1955, the Hoosier state collectively celebrates the Indy 500. It’s a big deal – even if you aren’t a racing fan. With the 2021 race scheduled for May 30, we’re just days away from the world tuning in to what’s happening in Indianapolis. That’s why we thought it befitting to shine a light on ATMI Indy this month.

Start Your Engines: About ATMI Indy

About 30 miles due east from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a town called Greenfield. ATMI Indy calls Greenfield – approximate population 23,000 – its home. Strategically located along Interstate I-70, Greenfield is considered a prime location for businesses. This advantageous location allows ATMI Indy to serve a geographic market of approximately 250 miles from Indianapolis.

The Indy plant specializes in precast concrete wall panel construction – providing manufacturing, delivery, and installation of premium wall panels that offer a variety of insulation and exterior finish options. Demand for product exceeds 2.5 million square feet each year as customers continue to recognize the advantages of building with precast concrete panels.

While the plant began making panels in 2000, it wasn’t until 2003 that it became part of the ATMI Companies and was named ATMI Indy. As part of the ATMI Companies, ATMI Indy contributes to total fabrication of approximately 19,000 pieces and nine million square feet of product each year. ATMI Indy is dually certified as a PCI and NPCA manufacturer.

The Indy Team: A Winning Strategy

Drivers who qualify to race in the Indy 500 have an entire racing team behind them formulating a winning strategy. For example, because the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is 2.5 miles long with 4 distinct turns and straightaways, there’s a significant advantage for drivers who get out ahead of the pack early. Making less stops and saving as much fuel as possible is also part of that plan.

Similarly, ATMI Indy has a team behind them and a strategy in place in order to continue serving developers, contractors and designers with high-quality products and exceptional customer service. In fact, in the past few years the plant has undergone a slew of improvements.

The timeline below shows a significant number of new developments and how these enhancements strategically support increased demand, volume, and capacity.

• Fall 2018: We removed 3 of the original casting tables from the main facility and replaced them with one 14’ casting table and one 15’ wide casting table to allow for production of a wider product. At this time our company thickness standards had evolved to 9.5”, 10.5” and 12”.

• Winter 2018-19: We added an additional 12’ wide casting table outdoors with heat to sustain production during the winter months. This increased ATMI Indy capacity by 25%.

• Summer 2019: We started the foundations for a new state-of-the art Batch plant to further support increased capacity.

• Winter 2019: As capacity increases, so does need for storage. We purchased additional acreage from the Indianapolis Airport Authority, our neighbor to the south.

• Winter 2019-20: The new Batch plant came on line to meet demand.

• Spring 2020: We started work on our yard expansion.

• Summer 2020: The yard expansion is completed and we have no problem filling it up.

• Summer 2020: We take delivery of new MJ80 Mi-Jack Travel Lift to handle our new volume.

The Finish Line: Always Moving Forward

At the finish of the Indy 500 you’ll see the winner kissing the yard of bricks, chugging milk, and wearing a rather large wreath around their neck. And while that moment is no doubt a legendary experience for the driver, it’s not the end of the road. We feel the same way at ATMI Indy.

The past few years has brought progress and improvements that only help us build long-term and satisfying relationships with our customers. But we’re not done. Our race will never be over. While we certainly take the time to enjoy the accomplishments, our ATMI Indy team has a driver’s mentality that is always looking ahead to the next challenge.

ATMI Indy is hiring! Whether you are looking for an internship, have recently graduated, or have precast experience, we would like to hear from you. We have entry-level plant positions available. Learn more.

In the construction industry precast concrete has a well-known reputation as a structurally-sound and extremely durable material, but that’s not all precast concrete offers. For decades, architects and designers have purposefully selected precast concrete for its beauty as well. And because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the possibility of any shape, style, color, and texture building with precast concrete offers is very attractive.

It’s in this vein that ATMI Precast is excited to announce we are on track to receive the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Architectural Certification in October of this year.

What is the PCI Architectural Certification Program?

The PCI Architectural Certification Program is the first of its kind. This new and improved certification criteria differentiates PCI producers in the marketplace and more accurately categorizes products in better alignment with the markets we serve. The program now includes four new categories of certification: AA, AB, AC, and AD and continues to include AT requirements. This five-category platform enables architects and other industry specifiers to define a category of certification that aligns with their project finish requirements such as tolerance, finish-type, and level of architectural complexity.

ATMI Precast will be certified in the AC category. This category covers the certification of plants producing products with architectural finishes like cladding and wall panels with plant-applied finishes like brick veneers and form liners. To ensure production capability for the types of products covered within this category, plant requirements for different cement types and colored mixtures are being implemented.

As part of the certification process, ATMI Precast was required to manufacture three mockup panels to demonstrate our ability to meet the specific category criteria for color consistency, finish quality, and forming capabilities.

Combined with our PCI-plant certification, our new architectural certification further provides architects, designers, and owners the peace of mind they need to know that the precast concrete products they are using are of the highest quality.

What Are the AC Category Requirements?

In order to earn PCI Architectural Certification in the AC category, ATMI Precast had to prove it could meet certain criteria.

AC category requirements include:

• Manufacture one colored mixture and texture per panel
• Manufacture thin brick
• Produce flat panels
• Produce flat panels with single-pour returns
• Create 3-D form surface (reveals and liners)
• Undergo key feature evaluation during plant audit cycle
• Undergo two plant audits per year
• MNL 135 (current MNL 117)
• MNL 135 erection tolerances (current MNL 117 with modification for maximum jog)
• PCI-certified erector

PCI precast concrete producers, like ATMI Precast, are embracing technology and applying it to the plant-cast concrete delivery system. Classifying PCI precast concrete producers based on our demonstrated capabilities to produce products of varying complexity shows our industry’s commitment to improve and collaborate.

What Does this Certification Mean for ATMI Precast Customers?

By definition, a certification represents third-party validation. Anybody can say they are the best at what they do, and they manufacture the highest-quality products. But a certification means the plant is taking great lengths to prove those claims.

From production to installation and completion, ATMI Precast’s PCI Plant Certification along with this new PCI Architectural Certification provides our partners and customers the confidence they require to work with us on current and future projects.

Here in the Midwest, summer is queen. Average highs around 80 degrees in the months of June, July and August are common. Of course, in the construction industry, summer is prime time. While we have a busy schedule year-round (thanks to our indoor, temperature-controlled precast concrete facility) many of our partners rely on ATMI Precast to meet their summer benchmarks. But it’s not all blue skies and sunshine. Sometimes Mother Nature throws us a curve ball – and we have to be prepared for it.

Precast Concrete Construction in the Heat

While temperatures in the Midwest average in the 80s during any given summer, this area is known for its mood swings – not to mention the humidity. When temperatures climb upwards toward 100° and the humidity level rises with it, safety measures become extremely important.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), most heat-related job site deaths occur in the first three days of work, and half happen on the first day of extreme heat. Whether employees are working inside or outside, safety protocols like taking short, frequent breaks, staying hydrated, and wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing are key. While the safety of our ATMI Precast team is our number one priority – there’s a few other things to consider when working in extreme heat, like equipment.

Equipment can overheat in the summer just as easily as a person can. Regular checks to ensure proper coolant and oil levels are important. It’s also good practice to train operators to recognize extreme heat conditions and understand when to pull back, in order to prevent stressing your equipment.

Precast Concrete Construction in the Rain

A rain shower isn’t a deal breaker when it comes to summer construction. Like anything else, if you’re prepared for rain, operations can continue with a few modifications. Notably, the most important areas to consider are slip and fall prevention and proper use of equipment that requires electricity.

OSHA doesn’t set specific standards for working in the rain, but it does provide guidance for outdoor industries like construction. For instance, rain increases the dangers associated with using cranes, derricks, and hoists to move large objects on-site. If a construction site experiences heavy rain and wind, it could make those loads difficult to control.

When working in the rain, workers should don protective gear and visibility clothing that have a slip-proof grip. Electrical equipment should be halted and stored safely away from wet conditions – indoors if possible. When a crane is on-site, check the wire rope, chains and hook for any signs of damage. And never move or load over workers – a safety standard that should be practiced at all times, but is especially important in wet conditions.

Precast Concrete Construction in Inclement Weather

Sometimes that rain shower escalates into something bigger – a thunderstorm. It goes without saying that when severe weather rears its ugly head, all outdoor construction comes to a halt. Lightning is a serious occupational hazard for construction workers.

Supervisors and workers should keep themselves aware of the potential for severe weather – including lightning – via weather forecasts and tools. When lightning is detected, workers should immediately take cover and remain there until the threat no longer exists. That means that every worker on-site should know where shelter exists in case of emergency. If an enclosed building is not an option – taking shelter in a vehicle is next-best. It’s important to note that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from rainfall. Once workers take shelter, they should remain there for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder.

But thunder and lightning aren’t the only dangers Mother Nature can dish out. High winds rank right up there and should be treated with the same respect. The most common injuries associated with windy conditions include being hit by flying debris, eye injuries due to small particles or dust, and objects falling from high surfaces. Prevention is easy here – protect yourself with personal protective equipment and eliminate work all together if the conditions persist or become too difficult to manage.

Weather is a big factor when it comes to safely and effectively getting the job done. Preplanning, keeping an eye on conditions and using common sense when it comes to knowing when to take shelter are important pieces of any construction plan.

When the pandemic struck, many companies had to close their doors and ask their employees to begin working from home in a scramble to protect lives and livelihoods. The virus has impacted almost every part of everyday life across the planet. The future of many industries was unknown including the industrial real estate market here in the Chicagoland area.

ATMI Precast kicked off 2020 with a full industrial backlog and hit the ground running in January 2020. However, come mid-March 2020 the spread of COVID-19 impacted life as we know it which translated to an immediate loss of 25% of our backlog. Business for the remainder of the year and into 2021 was unpredictable.

To our good fortune, the Chicago industrial market roared out of the gates in 2021 despite the ongoing disruptions caused by the pandemic. Industrial demand is measured by net absorption and new leasing volume. Both indicators returned to pre-pandemic levels matching the impressive net absorption recorded during the first quarter of 2020. The total vacancy clocked in at a healthy 5.76%. This was the first decrease recorded since the first quarter of 2020. The vacancy rates in eight (8) of the twenty-two (22) industrial submarkets tracked are near all-time lows.

Leasing activity remained strong at the start of 2021, as over seventeen (17) million square feet of deals were recorded. This is the third consecutive quarter in a row this figure has increased. There were two (2) deals signed with more than one (1) million square feet. As a complement to the sustained leasing velocity found in the Chicagoland industrial market, the development pipeline remains robust. The construction activity remains strong as nearly 23.6 million square feet of industrial properties are recorded in the market, spread across fifty-nine (59) developments. Net absorption in the first quarter topped over 2.5 million square feet.

There were more than seven (7) million square feet of industrial product delivered across the Chicago metropolitan area during the first quarter of 2021. This is about 1.4 million square feet more than the industrial market delivered this time last year. Build-to-suit projects compromised 55.7% in the quarter while the remaining 44.3% were speculative developments.

Total first quarter 2021 industrial investment sales volume in the Chicago market is estimated at $862.3 million, a 67% decrease from the pre-pandemic quarterly sales volume record reported in the first quarter of 2020. Twenty (20) transactions occurred during the first quarter totaling 10.2 million square feet across thirty-three (33) buildings.

The investment community has continued to increase capital allocations to industrial real estate, creating more competition and pushing pricing to record high levels. Thus far, sales in 2021 represent a 21.4% increase in price per square foot value from the same time in 2020, with an average sale price per square foot of $84.87.

As the leader in wall panel capacity and delivery in the Chicagoland market, we continue to look ahead. ATMI Precast is committed to doing what we can to meet this increased demand, satisfy our customers, and keep providing precast solutions!