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What are the Basics of Fire Suppression Systems?

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Introduction Fire suppression systems are important components of building design, and it is critical that architects understand fire protection requirements and the types of systems that are used to satisfy those requirements. The topic itself is far deeper and more extensive than can be covered here. This blog post is intended merely to introduce ARE ® candidates to some of the basic concepts, systems, and system components of fire suppression and sprinkler system design. In this blog, 1. Understanding Code Requirements 2. Intention of Fire Suppression Systems 3. Hazard Levels 4. Fire Suppression Systems Are Based on their Extinguishing Medium 5. Sprinkler Systems 6. Additional Actions 1. Understanding Code Requirements For any project on which the architect works, it is necessary to understand the particular code requirements which are adopted in the jurisdiction in...

3 Ultimate Tips for Tackling NCLEX Style Questions

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It's the question that everyone wants to know the answer to: "How do I go about correctly answering NCLEX questions?" Of course, if that code could be cracked, there would be no issues when it came to passing your boards. Unfortunately, there is no code to be cracked, no secret sauce, and no hidden agenda. While NCLEX-style questions can sometimes feel like a maze to figure out, I am here to tell you that there are some tips that can aid in maneuvering these pesky questions that you will soon face on your upcoming exam. Let's take a look at three of the ultimate tips for tackling NCLEX-style questions: In this blog: 1. Read each and every word more than once 2. Choose the "most correct" answer 3. Try to answer the question first before even looking at the available answers 1. Read each and every word more than once While this may seem like a no-brainer, you would be surprised at the level of imp...

It's Not Just Scrum: Important Agile Methodologies to Know for the PMP

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For those who may be new to the wide world of agile, the terms "agile" and "Scrum" may be used interchangeably. This is a very common mistake to make, as Scrum is the most common agile methodology used to manage teams, organizations, and projects. However, there are many different agile practices that can be tailored to fit the needs of a given project, and boxing ourselves into just knowing about Scrum limits our knowledge of agile. Project managers are expected to understand agile in a wholistic way - after all, agile is meant to be adaptable! On the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, you will be expected to know the difference between these different agile methodologies, and you can expect to get a handful of questions testing your knowledge in this area. In this article, we will examine agile practices as a whole and then go over the major concepts of different agile project management methodologies. The blog covers: ...

What are the Basics of Plumbing Systems?

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Candidates studying for the ARE ® exam are required to have a basic knowledge of plumbing systems in building design. Specifically, this topic is covered in the Project Planning and Design exam. In addition to understanding how plumbing systems work, candidates should also be familiar with how fixture counts are typically determined by code requirements, as well as how the selection and placement of plumbing fixtures should be considered in terms of accessibility requirements. This blog post will focus, however, on providing a general understanding of the plumbing systems employed in buildings as a whole. The blog covers: 1. Understanding How Plumbing Systems Work 2. Water Supply 3. Hot Water Supply 4. Pipe Sizing 5. Wastewater System 6. Sanitary Line Pipes 7. Gray Water Utilization ...

I'm a Business Analyst - Should I Consider Getting the PMP Certification?

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Business analysts (BAs) and project managers (PMs) are often seen as partners in crime. While their roles are distinctly unique, BAs may find themselves performing both the job functions of a BA and a PM depending on the needs of their organization. Business analysts are often expected to analyze a business problem, identify needs, and provide solution design. The project manager works to ensure that implementing that solution is done according to the needs of the project. Given the fact that business analysts have their own unique responsibilities, should they be familiar with project management methodologies? The answer is that it depends . In this article, we will dig into the responsibilities of a business analyst that differ with those of a project manager and then consider where they may overlap. While most of the time business analysts will perform distinctly different roles than project managers, there may be some situations where a PMP certification is relevant for a BA. Read...

Project Planning and Design: Acoustics

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The blog covers: 1. What Are Acoustics? 2. Acoustic Design Aspects 3. Basic Physics of Sound 4. How Are Acoustic Properties Measured?      4.1 Sound Mapping      4.2 Reverberation      4.3 Sound Masking      4.4 Noise Source Isolation      4.5 Noise from Mechanical Systems 5. Consider Hiring an Acoustical Consultant 1. What Are Acoustics? Acoustics are an important and often overlooked aspect of architectural design. While acoustics in architecture doesn't usually make the cover of architectural publications, the design of...

5 Ways to Increase Your Chance for Success on the NCLEX Exam

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The day of your boards will be here before you know it, and you may be wondering how you can optimize your chances of receiving a passing score. While there are several ways to do so, let's look at five simple but effective options to help you gear up for the big day and increase your chances for success: The blog covers: 1. Study smarter not harder 2. Slow and steady wins the race 3. Sleep 4. Take advantage of the ways that you learn best 5. Learn how to identify the rationale 1. Study smarter not harder Let's start off with a scenario: Would you rather be in a position where you feel short on time and forced to cram a surplus of inform...