Occupied but Uninterrupted: Navigating the Construction Challenges of an Occupied Space.

Construction is a noisy, dusty, and potentially dangerous process – a special concern when the construction is taking place in an occupied space such as an apartment complex, a multi-story office building, a school, or a healthcare facility. Working in an occupied space requires meticulous planning, clear communication, and a commitment to minimizing disruption. Join us as we delve into strategies to balance the needs of building occupants and construction teams during projects in occupied buildings.

Renovating five floors of an occupied 21-story building in Kansas City was highly complex, as the floors below the project area were occupied by commercial office tenants, and the floors above by apartment tenants. Our team had only one elevator available for material delivery and debris removal, which led to strict delivery times and extensive coordination by the project team.

A successful project always begins with pre-construction planning, which sets the foundation for a successful project. During this phase, construction teams can begin to anticipate and mitigate potential challenges, identify risks, and develop safety protocols. Equally important, this is a time to begin establishing clear communication channels and developing a trusting relationship with building users and other stakeholders. This relationship will be crucial throughout the project; when stakeholders feel informed and involved, they are more likely to support the project.

On this project to build an addition to an elementary school, temporary fencing separates the construction area from the playground, ensuring the children stay safe during construction.

Safety is always the most important factor in any construction project. When working in an occupied space, safety measures must consider not only the construction workers but also building occupants and visitors. Safety measures can include tactics such as:

• Separating all work areas from building occupants

• Erecting temporary fencing, separation barriers, signage, and wayfinding

• Maintaining or creating ADA-compliant access routes

• Holding weekly meetings with occupant groups to ensure that plans are in place to address potential hazards for the coming week

Safety becomes even more significant when working in a healthcare setting, as Ross Group experienced when renovating and expanding the emergency room at the Claremore Indian Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma. The facility remained fully occupied and functional during construction. To separate work areas from staff and patients, we created temporary hallways and barriers throughout the space, even providing access to the physical therapy area located in the construction zone. The construction team also entered the work zone through a separate door, avoiding many of the expensive infection disease controls typically required in a hospital renovation project.

In addition to safety, construction teams must also limit disturbances to building occupants, maintain their comfort, and protect their possessions and environment from damage. This might mean completing noisy work at night or on weekends, erecting temporary walls or other barriers so dust stays in the construction zone, managing waste and debris, and even installing temporary HVAC systems to keep the air temperature comfortable.  When renovating the 10th and 13th floors of the Dennis Chavez Federal Building in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ross Group scheduled the project with day and night shifts so loud work could be performed during off hours. This approach required having two on-site superintendents: one for the day shift and one for the night. Another option when working at schools is to work during summer breaks. Ross Group spent three summers renovating the historic Classroom Building at Oklahoma State University, working when fewer students were on campus.

Regardless of when the construction work is scheduled, communication is essential. Four-week look-ahead schedules combined with weekly updates help keep building occupants informed about upcoming construction activities. This is especially important when utility outages are required. Construction teams MUST coordinate such outages with building managers and occupants – surprises are never good when the electricity or water is turned off!

Managing construction work in an occupied building presents a unique set of challenges. Success in these environments hinges on a meticulous approach that balances the demands of the project with the needs of those who live, work, visit, or study at the building. Through thoughtful preparation and proactive management, construction teams can minimize disruptions, ensure safety, and deliver a successful project.