The First Facility Management Blog

Facility managers may now take advantage of a free evaluation sheet to determine if waterless urinal systems will help them save money, along with water. Developed by Waterless Co. of Vista, CA, the evaluation sheet asks facility managers a series of simple questions, such as:

How many males populate the facility?
Number of urinals in the facility?
Hours of operation?
Amount of water used per urinal, per flush?
Local water and sewer rates per 1,000 gallons?

Most urinals use between one and three gallons of water, depending on whether they were manufactured before or after 1992. Studies also indicate that each male in a facility uses a urinal about three times per day.

“The facility’s total cost of water is on the water bill,” says Klaus Reichardt, managing partner of Waterless Co. “This evaluation sheet lets facility managers know approximately how much they are spending just to provide potable water for urinals.”

According to Reichardt, the evaluation sheet, which is available in either manual or electronic spreadsheet form, also allows facility managers, who have already installed waterless urinal systems, to compare their maintenance costs to a conventional urinal.

“These costs do not apply to cleaning the urinal,” informs Reichardt, “since cleaning a conventional and waterless urinal are very similar. What it compares is the typical annual repair and plumbing costs of a conventional urinal and the annual costs for trap cylinders and other products necessary to maintain a waterless system.”

Although some assumptions must be made, Reichardt says most facility managers find the evaluation sheet provides a workable picture of how much money conventional urinals are costing them. “In some facilities, they may find a waterless system will not save them enough money to warrant their installation,” he says, “but others may find that waterless systems will save them considerable sums annually.”

For more information on the evaluation sheet or to receive a free copy, contact watersavings@waterless.com.

USGBC has released three new exam tracks towards earning the LEED AP credential:
· LEED for New Construction, version 2.2
Provides a standard for professionals participating in the design and construction of new high-performance commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings.
· LEED for Commercial Interiors, version 2.0
Provides a standard for professionals participating in the design and construction of high performance commercial spaces and tenant improvements.
· LEED for Existing Buildings, version 2.0
Provides a standard for professionals participating in the operation and maintenance of existing buildings.

In addition to the new exams, USGBC has implemented a secure online registration system so that individuals can schedule exam sessions via USGBC.org. To learn more about the new exam tracks and to schedule an exam, visit the link on USGBC’s homepage.

The certification process is facilitated by LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) who help building, project and property owners achieve their performance goals. LEED Professional Accreditation establishes a critical link between LEED standards and the professional practice to the building industry for distinguishing knowledge of LEED requirements, resources, standards, processes and understanding of green building practices and principals. Over 35,000 individuals have achieved the credential since the program was launched in 2001.

Kimberly-Clark Professional Donates 10,000 Disposable Wipes To Assist Bound Brook, NJ In Flood Cleanup Efforts

Kimberly-Clark Professional is donating 10,000 disposable wipers to help the town of Bound Brook, NJ, clean up from the extensive flood damage caused by the second worst storm in New Jersey’s history.

“We know that Bound Brook was hit particularly hard by this storm,” said Meredith McDonald, a category manager for Kimberly-Clark Professional. “We hope this donation will provide some assistance to the business community and the area as a whole as it recovers from the severe flooding that took place.”

The donation will be presented to the borough of Bound Brook by American Paper and Supply Company (APSCO) of Carlstadt, N.J., a local distributor of Kimberly-Clark Professional products. APSCO will deliver the supply of WYPALL* L40 Wipers, a general-purpose disposable wiper that absorbs liquids, lubricants and oils.