Wasting Away in a Hotel Room--The Whys and Hows of Sovent
The recent boom in the hotel building industry has changed all that, as hotel chains strive to differentiate themselves from one another. Fixtures no longer line up on a common wall-some are skewed at odd angles or located on opposite walls. Fixtures are also being added to the basic three. A bar sink, two lavatories and a stand-alone shower are common. Residential hotels have kitchen sinks and dishwashers, and suites often have bidets.
All of this creates unique challenges for the building professional. Architects must incorporate these items without sacrificing valuable square footage. Structural engineers must account for additional slab penetrations that can affect the integrity of the building. Mechanical engineers are faced with the task of providing the necessary system support in an ever-shrinking ceiling/wall space (see architect). Finally, mechanical contractors must find a way to install these systems and still make a profit in a very competitive industry.