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An important resource for regional artists of all ages, theAlliance for the Visual Arts (AVA) recently undertook a complete renovation of its headquarters in the historic Carter Building in Lebanon, N.H. More than 150 years old, the three-story, 36,000-sq.-ft. building was once home to an enormous manufacturing and merchandising enterprise that made overalls and other work clothes for customers throughout the northeast and beyond.
The extensive AVA renovation involved the entire building and included a new main entry, a patio that abuts the restored main gallery, administration offices and additional galleries, a teaching studio for children, a library, darkroom facilities, and more than 20 individual studios available to artists. A second stairway and elevator also was added, and all utilities were updated including full mechanical, electrical, fire alarm and sprinkler. The many energy-saving improvements to the building will make it an appropriate candidate for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
VE Plus is an integrated program designed to reduce installation costs in cable management systems. The program includes free estimating support, a certified installer program, streamlined purchasing power and guaranteed cost savings. Components of the program include Cablofil/Legrand wire cable tray, Southwire MC and MC Feeder cable, and PlugTail connecting devices from Pass & Seymour/Legrand.
Defiance Electric & Crossover Inc. was selected as the electrical and communications contractor and chose to use the new VE Plus program as a way to provide an integrated solution that increases efficiency and reduces installation costs. "We like the VE Plus program because it provides a cohesive cable management system that is designed to work together from end to end," says Todd Boucher, vice president, Defiance Electric & Crossover Inc. "The value of this program is consistent with our philosophy that an integrated services approach offers the most efficient and scalable solution, especially in complex installations like the AVA Gallery project."
MC cable supported by Cablofil/Legrand wire tray installs faster than unsupported MC cable installations and is more orderly in appearance. The system is capable of supporting a large number of cables in a single run and since the unique design of MC cables in tray keeps cables cool, no derating of cables is needed. In addition, multiple cables can be easily pulled into the Cablofil system with no lubing required. These advantages were important in Boucher's decision to select VE Plus.
"The restoration of the historic Carter Building presented significant design and installation challenges because the electrical and communications systems were to be exposed throughout the facility," Boucher says. "The components of VE Plus allowed us to utilize shared pathways for these systems, minimizing the occupation of valuable ceiling space while still providing an aesthetically pleasing solution that preserved the décor of this unique gallery and art center."
The option to use shared pathways is an important benefit of VE Plus. A single structure to support a number of cable types—electrical, data, communications, and/or security—is inherently more efficient and cost effective than power cables in conduit plus an additional support structure for data or communications.
The VE Plus program was specially designed to increase productivity and profitability for contractors like Defiance Electric. Tim Place, president, Cablofil/Legrand, adds, "Our studies have shown that contractors can reduce installation costs significantly using MC cable supported by wire cable tray. And with the addition of PlugTail wiring devices, the savings are even greater."
Cablofil tray offers significant advantages over other cable management systems because it's easy to use. It requires no special equipment to install, so even extensive on-site adjustments can be made with simple hand tools. Southwire's pre-assembled, factory tested MC cable with color-coded conductors provide a safer, easier installation without the risk of damage to conductors caused by pulling cables into conduit.
"Owners want to see things move faster and safer and they want construction outcomes to be more predictable," says Dave Mercier, director of codes and standards for Southwire. "Feeder MC installs in significantly less time than conduit and wire. It requires fewer tools, fewer installation steps and has no restrictions on the number of bends as with conduit."
In addition, Pass & Seymour PlugTail connectors install three times faster than conventional device installation. The pre-stripped leads save time at rough-in, and at installation, the connector clicks in and can be tightened in less than a minute. With no exposed terminals, PlugTail is finger safe.
Defiance Electric was thrilled with the VE Plus results. "The AVA Gallery project had extensive electrical and communications requirements as well as artistic considerations," Boucher says. "Our number one goal is to satisfy our customer and VE Plus helped us do that. The VE Plus program allowed us to meet the complex requirements of this project without a lot of labor."
Steve Hamel is VE Plus program manager. He can be reached at 800-658-4641 or visit online at www.ve-plus.com for more information.
author: By Steve Hamel