Portraying the Forest Service Image—Applying the Built Environment Image Guide to Administrative Sites
Applying the BEIG to Operations, Maintenance, and Minor Improvements Projects
Ordinary operations and maintenance work can provide a great opportunity to improve a site's conformance to the BEIG. Minor improvements can make a major difference in how a structure or site works and looks. The key is to keep the vision of the site's desired appearance and the function it serves when planning projects. Take every opportunity to move toward the desired appearance and function. Many small, incremental changes can make big improvements in image, customer service, and sustainability over time—without a major capital outlay.
Improving Image
Rather than simply replacing existing materials during maintenance work, take the time to consider whether something different will move the facility closer to conformance with the BEIG or site-specific architectural thematic guidelines. It may not cost any more over the life of the structure or site to choose materials and colors that present an appropriate image (figures 8 and 9).
Consult your unit's facilities architect or facilities engineer and landscape architect before finalizing decisions that alter the appearance of a structure.
Roofing—When roofing reaches the end of its life and must be replaced, change to roofing materials compatible with the province or local design theme. The initial cost of the replacement roofing may be higher, but the life-cycle cost may be lower because the new roofing may be more durable. Check to make sure that the structure can accommodate the weight of the new roofing. Roofing replacement also provides a great opportunity to improve the building's thermal performance by adding insulation or by switching to a roofing material that won't absorb the sun's heat in the summer.
Siding—When siding reaches the end of its life and must be replaced, change to siding products compatible with the province or local design theme. In many cases, you may be able to increase the durability of the siding and enhance the compatibility of the building with the design theme. For instance, many Forest Service buildings constructed or renovated during the 1960s through 1980s used inexpensive T1–11 plywood siding or lap siding formed from early composite materials that are not very durable. Unless very creatively applied, these products probably aren't compatible with the design themes of any of the eight provinces. When these products begin to fail, consider changing to siding that is more compatible with the site's design theme. Different siding, if carefully chosen, could lower routine maintenance costs and enhance the visual quality of the building. Using a different material on the lower half of the building's walls or an accent material on gable ends can make a dramatic difference in a building's appearance.
Exterior Paint Colors—Color can make an incredible difference in the way a structure is perceived. When repainting, follow color schemes established for the site. Generally, these colors will be similar to colors found in the surrounding natural and historical environment (see figures 8 and 9). Using colors that conform to the site's color scheme will help the buildings visually "fit in" to their surroundings. Some units have identified color schemes for each site or for each common ecological environment within the unit. The Intermountain Region's Paint Schemes and Color Samples for Historic Structures and Sites is a good example of a color scheme document. It is available at http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07732807/paint. doc
Doors—Doors deliver messages (figure 10). A solid steel flat panel door says "security is important—stay out unless you belong here." A door containing a large window says "Welcome." A wood door sends a message that natural materials are valued. A plain door indicates practicality or prudence, while a highly decorated door shows extravagance or luxury. Rather than simply replacing a damaged or wornout exterior door, consider substituting another style of door that delivers the desired message. Be sure the new door provides a good weather barrier to increase the building's energy efficiency.
Figure 10—Each of these doors conveys a different
message to people entering the building.
Windows—Windows are more than holes that allow us to look through walls. They help define a building's visual character. A lot of single- or double-hung wood windows in older buildings were replaced in the 1960s and 1970s with smaller aluminumframed windows that don't fit the desired character of the building or the architectural theme of the site. Many of these replacement windows are beginning to reach the end of their useful life. They are not energy efficient. Whenever possible, restore the original window proportions and the building's character by installing windows that are more energy-efficient and that are configured like the original windows. This may require removing framing between the larger original window opening and the smaller replacement window. The original wall structure may have to be recreated.
Integrated Site Sign Plan—Many Forest Service sites contain an uncoordinated mishmash of signs. An integrated site sign plan presents even disparate looking structures as part of a cohesive unit to visitors.
For instance, in Missoula, MT, a large campus called the Missoula Fire, Science, and Technology Center is occupied by the Forest Service's Northern Region Aerial Fire Depot (smokejumper center, visitor center, airtanker base, and the Northern Rockies incident support cache, coordination center, and training center), the Missoula Technology and Development Center, and the Rocky Mountain Research Station's Fire Sciences Laboratory. It also includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs fire engine assembly operation and the Missoula office of the National Weather Service. These units will be joined by the privately funded and operated National Museum of Forest Service History in the near future. A single site sign plan helps visitors and commercial vendors find their destination and provides a unified, professional image. You can view this site plan at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/eng/documents/pdf/sign_sm.pdf
You can implement an integrated site sign plan by accomplishing a little each year. Complex sites almost always benefit from an integrated site sign plan. If there is no plan, assemble a team that includes a unit or regional sign coordinator, landscape architect, facilities engineer, and a maintenance person. It also can include one or two other unit personnel with an interest in sign plans. The site sign plan is more specific than the overall unit sign plan, and should include any necessary interpretive signing for the site. Follow the guidance provided in EM–7100–15, Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service, available at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/eng/roads_trails/signs_05/, unless there is an approved variation for a special designated area. Chapters 3 and 4 of the Sign and Poster Guidelines conform to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/). These chapters must be followed for traffic signs. State or local highway department approval may be required for signs on roads under their jurisdiction. Interpretive signs should follow a consistent theme throughout the site.
Improving Customer Service
Most Forest Service administrative sites are contact points for people visiting public lands and for people who have business with the agency. Our public structures must contribute to serving the public. Everyone should be able to find and use the front door of public buildings and access visitor and business services.
Accessibility Modifications—Entries and restrooms are the two most crucial components in providing access to public buildings. When setting priorities for accessibility improvements detailed in evaluation surveys and transition plans, concentrate first on these two building elements. Whenever modifications are made, look for opportunities to incorporate accessibility improvements. For instance, when the front steps begin to deteriorate, replace them with a sloped sidewalk if possible. Other ideas to make existing buildings more accessible can be found in the Facilities Toolbox at http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/toolbox/acc/acc14.htm.
Entry Porch or Veranda—Often, mid-20th century buildings don't have a clearly defined main entry. Visitors may have a hard time figuring out which door leads to the reception desk (figure 11). Adding an entry porch or veranda will identify the visitor entry clearly. If a vestibule "air lock" entry is included to reduce the volume of conditioned air that escapes each time a visitor arrives, the entry porch may improve sustainability. The building's conformance to the site or province's design theme also may improve. Be careful to use a porch style appropriate to the character of the site (figure 12).
Figure 11—Visitors had so much trouble finding
the front door at
this ranger station that a large
sign
was added beside the "correct" entry.
Figure 12—The front entry of the Slate Creek Ranger District
office
in the Nez Perce National Forest of the Northern Region
was renovated
to provide an accessible entrance that
included a clearly defined main
door, vestibule, and porch.
The porch design compliments the existing
building and
adds timber elements appropriate to the Rocky Mountain province.
Self-Service Visitor Information Pamphlets and Maps—Most Forest Service offices have limited hours of operation that don't necessarily conform to visitors' schedules. A covered outside area or an area that can be locked off from the rest of the building allows visitors to enter and get information and maps, providing an important service even when the office is closed.
Lobby and Reception Area—It is important to welcome visitors into our public buildings. Even a small lobby area with a few chairs, access to maps and informative pamphlets, and convenient restrooms can help visitors stay comfortable while they are waiting. When lobby and reception areas are renovated, arrange the space so that the receptionist can see and be seen from the entry door. The reception counter can be configured to provide an effective barrier between staff and public. Counters with sections at different heights may improve visitor convenience and accessibility. When possible, locate several employee work stations near the reception counter so that backup for the primary receptionist is convenient and noticeable (figure 13).
Figure 13—The pleasantly skylit reception area
of the Superior Ranger District office in the
Lolo National Forest of the Northern Region
contains two work stations and is adjacent to
three interior doors to other staff areas (only one door
shown in photo). The counter contains interpretive displays
and provides a barrier between staff and the public.
Improving Sustainability
Making sustainability improvements to existing facilities is the right thing to do. In addition, these improvements can save money by improving durability and lowering maintenance, operations, and energy costs.
Some ideas are summarized below. These methods and others are explained in depth (including costs, practical tips, and links to outside resources) in the MTDC report Incrementally Greener—Improving Sustainability Over Time Through Operations and Maintenance (/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm06732843/ Username: t-d Password: t-d).
Energy and Water—An energy audit, which may be free through your local utility or State Department of Environmental Quality, can identify cost-effective measures to reduce energy use. Larger buildings with complex heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or control systems also may benefit from retrocommissioning. Retrocommissioning is a process that examines all of a building's operating systems and identifies changes needed to optimize building performance and satisfy the owner's operational needs.
Making changes to buildings, sites, and landscaping can be an inexpensive way to reduce energy and water use. If done carefully, the changes will pay for themselves over a few years in reduced utility costs. The best time to make a change is usually when materials, fixtures, or equipment wear out or break. Replacing serviceable items may be cost effective if the new items provide an extraordinary reduction in water or energy use. Be sure that replacement materials, appliances, and equipment not only improve sustainability but also reflect the structure or site's desired visual image.
Consider the following measures to help lower operations, maintenance, and energy costs:
- Create clear space around buildings to increase siding life and provide
protection from wildland fires.
- Provide shade for structures to reduce cooling costs.
- Convert to water-wise landscaping (Xeriscaping) or rainwater harvesting
to reduce water use and operations costs.
- Add insulation.
- Install plumbing fixtures that conserve water, such as low-flow toilets,
waterless urinals, and faucets with infrared sensors.
- Create "air lock" entry systems.
- Insulate and weatherseal exterior doors.
- Install energy-efficient windows.
- Install durable siding.
- Choose roofing materials that cut energy use.
- Repaint the inside of the building with white or lightcolored paint.
- Replace old, inefficient light fixtures and light bulbs.
- Install photocell and occupancy-sensor light switches (figure
14).
- Improve the effectiveness of exterior illumination.
Figure 14—It is easy to replace standard
switches with occupancy sensor switches.
This occupancy sensor switch is in an
office that had two switches to make it
possible to light one, two, or all three
fluorescent tubes. Since few people used all three
tubes at once, only the most-used switch was
replaced. Energy savings should equal the
cost of the switches in about a year.
Materials—Where practical, remove materials carefully and reuse salvaged materials for repairs. When repainting or replacing wornout materials, check to see whether you can get natural materials (wool, jute, coconut fiber, and so forth) or materials with recycled content that meet your requirements for a similar price. Natural materials usually don't give off irritating fumes, so they tend to be better for employee health. Using materials with recycled content conserves nonrenewable resources. For the best life-cycle value, be sure to compare the materials' durability, cleaning, and maintenance requirements.
- Whenever possible, use low volatile-organic-content (VOC) materials, including
sealants, adhesives, and paints.
- Purchase low-VOC and low toxicity cleaning supplies—many work as
well as the standard products, and the price premium is vanishing.
- Provide convenient recycling containers to make it easy for people to "do the right thing."
Equipment and Systems—When energy was cheap, it didn't matter whether equipment and systems were efficient, so most of them weren't. However, even older equipment works better and costs less to run if it's clean, well maintained, and serviced regularly.
- Replace old thermostats with programmable thermostats in buildings that
receive little use during evenings or weekends.
- When appliances and equipment wear out, replace them with energy-efficient
models.
- Install VendingMisers (figure 15) on soda and snack
vending machines to cut power use.
- Make sure that kitchen and bathroom fans exhaust outside the building.
- Renewable energy-generating equipment such as solar panels, wind turbines, or wood chip boilers may be worth considering in areas where renewable resources are particularly abundant or when grants or partnerships can offset some or all of the initial costs.
Figure 15—VendingMisers (at top of machines and inset) limit power use
by
vending machines when no customers are present. The fluorescent tubes in
the door of the Coke machine have been removed, although you can't tell it
by looking at the machine. The lights in the door of the Pepsi machine are
still in place. The Pepsi machine door does not need to remain lighted in
this bright lunchroom. This photo has been digitally altered.
Financing—It is usually difficult for Forest Service units to finance major improvements without assistance. However, resources are available outside the Forest Service to help finance energy efficiency improvements, such as Energy Saving Performance Contracts (ESPCs), Super ESPCs, Utility Energy Service Contracts, and State or utility company energy incentives.
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