The First Facility Management Blog

After spending most of this week covering the ASIS security show, I have seen an abundance of criminal deterrents for the work environment. But even after visiting thousands of booths and sitting in millions of classes (that’s what it felt like, trust me), I can’t say I came across a solution for this outrageous security violation.

By the way, today’s Friday Funny was submitted by TFM FM Frequency Columnist Jeff Crane. He has supplied us with several other “Funnies” and writes a monthly op/ed/humor piece in the magazine. You can get a better sense of Crane’s tongue in cheek perspective (including his most recent column) here.

Bill Dougherty owns a company that manufactures and installs coin operated car wash systems called Magic Wand Inc. These are complete systems, including the money changer and money taking machines.

Dougherty’s company installed a car wash system in Fredericksburg, VA. The problem started when the new owner complained that he was losing significant amounts of money–several hundreds of dollars, in fact–from his coin machines each week. He went as far as to accuse Dougherty’s employees of having a key to the boxes and ripping him off.

Dougherty just couldn’t believe that his people would do that, so he set up a camera to catch the thief in action. Well, they did catch the thief on film! Check out this sequence of photographs:

That’s a bird sitting on the change slot of the machine.

The bird had to go down into the machine and back up inside to get to the money.

This bird has three quarters in his beak.

Another amazing thing is that it was not just one bird — there were several working together. The starlings were initially attracted to the glint of the coin cup, more than likely, since shiny objects are used by these birds to attract mates or incorporate into nests (not to buy sodas or snacks from a vending machine–see today’s related post here).

The truth of this story has been verified on Snopes, the Web site that debunks Urban Legends. To read the full Snopes explanation, click this link.

USA Technologies has welcomed the historic Texas legislation requiring vending machines in public buildings to be equipped with energy saving devices as part of a program to improve energy efficiency in the state.

USA Technologies, provider of the EnergyMiser energy management product line for vending machines and commercial glass-front coolers, believes the legislation will drive awareness that state governments can make a significant difference in lowering energy consumption and C02 emissions nation-wide.

“We commend Texas for its leadership and being the first state to pass legislation to improve the energy efficiency of vending machines in government buildings,” said Stephen P. Herbert, President and COO, USA Technologies. “USA Technologies is excited by the news because the Texas cities of Austin and more recently Houston, are already installing our VendingMiser and VM2iQ, products from the EnergyMiser family of energy controls, on refrigerated beverage vending machines, and this latest initiative is clear evidence of Texas taking the initiative to encourage others to follow its lead.”

The legislation will relate to vending machines in all government buildings, including schools and public universities, and state parks.

“With this legislation, I want Texas state government to be an example for private and public entities that energy efficiency is easy and cost-efficient,” said Texas Representative David McQuade Leibowitz. “There’s no need for the state to pay for a vending machine to be lit up like a Christmas tree in a state building that closes at 5 pm and is empty for the next 15 hours. Energy management devices are useful tools that I hope everyone begins to use to save money and energy.”

Traditional refrigerated vending machines cost $400-$500 a year to operate, but when equipped with the EnergyMiser, the electricity consumed is reduced by nearly half.

The Texas legislation became law on September 1, 2007. The legislation states that operators of vending machines in buildings owned or leased by the State Government are required to ensure they are fitted with an internal or external energy saving or energy-management device. Operators will be subject to a fine of up to $250 a year for each vending machine found in violation.

Austin Energy was one of the first power utilities in the nation to install VendingMiser on vending machines and glass-front coolers under the utility’s “SmartVendor Program.” Austin Energy has installed EnergyMiser in more than 9,000 vending machines and coolers.

The City of Houston recently announced it was installing VendingMiser in vending machines in city government buildings. Earlier this year, the City of Oklahoma, did the same.

While Texas is believed to be the first state to regulate that vending machines in government buildings be equipped with energy management technology, a growing number of cities, communities and counties nationwide are also installing VendingMiser on vending machines on their own initiative.

Recent EnergyMiser deployments have occurred in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; 15 cities in the South Bay of Los Angeles, and seven cities in Northern California’s Humboldt County.

“Some communities are installing VendingMiser in vending machines and challenging business to follow their lead, while nearly 30 energy utilities nationwide are offering rebates as incentive to further encourage VendingMiser installations,” said Mr. Herbert.

The Federal Government is also participating, with the General Services Administration (GSA), the Federal Government’s purchasing arm, approving the EnergyMiser product line, allowing State and Federal governments and agencies to purchase directly from USA Technologies.

USA Technologies already includes among its EnergyMiser customers America’s biggest military bases, major retail chain stores and supermarket chains, universities and school districts.

The HON Company Announces Contributing Sponsorship in 2007 Solar Decathlon

As part of a continued commitment to reduce our impact on the environment, The HON Company is proud to be a sponsor of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2007 Solar Decathlon. This unique event showcases the environmental visions of aspiring architects, engineers and interior designers. This year, 20 teams from colleges and universities across the globe will converge upon Washington, D.C., Oct. 12- 20 to test their skills in an unparalleled competition to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar house using environmentally preferential building products and furnishings.

This year marks The HON Company’s sponsorship debut. As a Contributing Sponsor, HON is donating furnishings to two homes and also providing several common areas with its newest products, including the Initiate panel systems with Nature Core and its popular F3 seating line. The company will also host educational presentations during the course of the competition.

“We’re proud to be part of all of the excitement that surrounds this important event,” said Don Mead, HON’s vice president of Marketing. “We look forward to working with the promising Solar Decathletes - tomorrow’s engineers, architects and designers - in the shared quest to chart a greener course for our world.”

During the event, the 20 teams participate in 10 contests to determine an overall winner. Using only solar energy, the teams generate enough electricity to run a modern household. With an eye on energy efficiency, the students carefully choose the systems, products and appliances used in their houses.

The HON Company donated furnishings to two teams: the University of Missouri - Rolla and the University of Illinois. Students from these schools used laminate tables and chairs certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage program, which tests to the most rigorous standards of air quality in the United States. They also used the company’s Park Avenue Collection lounge seating made with 100-percent recycled fabrics.

In late September, the homes will be transported from the various campuses where they were designed, to be constructed on the National Mall in Washington where they will form a “solar village.” Houses are open for public tours over the week-long contest period.

HON donated furniture for common areas on the Mall. The main event tent’s greeter stations and desk areas feature Initiate with the sustainable Nature Core, the company’s premiere panel system and F3 task chairs, along with the student lounge area. Local HON employees will be working as volunteers throughout the week long event.

Additionally, on October 15 and 16, Mindy Billingsley, The HON Company’s environmental marketing manager, will present a 30-minute educational seminar, “Empowering You: Environmental Solutions for Office Interiors.” She will discuss SCS Indoor Advantage certification and the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) rating system. Billingsley also presents a podcast that can be downloaded from the Solar Decathlon’s My Space page or the Web site.

“Sixty years ago, HON embarked upon its enduring environmental journey, and the company has no intention of slowing down along that path,” Mead said. “We’ve continued our green mindset throughout the years and have sought new and better ways to preserve the environment. The Solar Decathlon is well aligned with The HON Company’s long-term aspirations to improve the Earth’s well being. We want to do what it takes to spread the word about environmental responsibility. Educating young minds is key to instilling this to the many generations that follow.”

About the Solar Decathlon
The Solar Decathlon is a competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in partnership with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The American Institute of Architects (AIA) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), BP and Sprint are partnering with DOE as title sponsors.