Stormwater Permitting: A Clear Path to Compliance
Every construction project begins with a vision, but the ability to execute that vision depends on a clear permitting strategy. Stormwater permitting is not simply an early milestone: It is the regulatory framework that governs site layout, grading, drainage infrastructure, and construction sequencing. In the latest issue of Hixson’s From Experience newsletter, we outline a […]
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What You Need to Know: New EPA Rules on HFCs
For many years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulated refrigerants that pose environmental risks, beginning with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) under 40 CFR Part 82. Beginning January 1, 2026, the regulatory landscape once again changed! Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, implemented through 40 CFR Part 84 Appendix A, the […]
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Rising to the Occasion: A Look at Lift Stations
When we’re talking about plumbing, the first rule, of course, is that water drains down. This means that the outlet of your drain will be lower than the inlet, due to gravity. However, what happens when the layout, design, or existing conditions of the facility don’t allow for that? The answer is often a lift […]
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Building Sanitary Design in From Day One
Ensuring food safety and reducing contamination risk are key reasons why the principles of sanitary design for facilities must be used. Developed by the Meat Institute (formerly NAMI), each of the principles play a significant role in the creation of food-safe facilities. While all of these principles are important, the first two set the foundation […]
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The Value of Virtual FATs
Incorporating performance verification testing criteria and protocols into equipment specifications offers a range of advantages that contribute to project success. By confirming that systems meet performance expectations before installation, these tests can save time, reduce costs, and improve overall quality. One of these protocols, the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), has traditionally been conducted in person […]
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Wastewater Pretreatment: Making the Financial Case
The Summer 2024 issue of EH&S From Experience discussed some common thresholds that would help determine if a wastewater pretreatment system was needed. But how do you determine what system would fit your needs financially? While wastewater treatment will not make money for your company, calculating a wastewater system’s Return on Investment (ROI) can be […]
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Meeting EPA’s GWP Limits in Industrial Refrigeration
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, passed in 2020, mandates an 85% reduction in the production and consumption of high-Global Warming Potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2036, supporting the global climate goals of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. In support of the AIM Act’s objectives, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Technology […]
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July From Experience: Changes to Snow Loads
Winter will be here before we know it and with it will come the chance for snow! In the latest issue of Hixson’s From Experience newsletter, we’re looking at recent code changes to snow loads and the effects these changes may have on your facility’s design, and ultimately, your bottom line. Read it today!
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From Experience: Why Site Visits Matter
At Hixson, one goal of our Construction Administration team is to verify that construction aligns with project specifications, a goal that is in keeping with the directive from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Much of this verification comes as the result of a regularly scheduled site visit, the frequency of which is often determined […]
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Oil SPCC and Tank Integrity Testing
Facilities that have bulk oil storage containers (i.e., tanks) and are subject to Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements must comply with tank integrity testing standards outlined in the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations, 40 CFR 112.8(c)(6) {Bulk Storage Containers}. To help you better understand these requirements and how they apply in practice, the […]
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