The First Facility Management Blog

Let’s all take a moment to applaud ”big media” for cultivating a culture of ignorance, fear, and “crisis saturation.” How many examples can we count where big media was fanning the flames of global hysteria for relatively minor incidents? From religion to politics to the environment (is there really a difference between these three subjects any more?), how can anyone really know when they should start paying attention to the 24/7 news cycle?!

Pick your favorite crisis and decide which of these REALLY justified sounding the global panic alarm:  Pending Ice Age?  Killer Bees?  Y2K Meltdown?  SARS?  EBOLA?  AIDS?  Ozone Layer?  Global Warming?  Avian Flu?  CO2?  Polar Bears? 

Are things different this time?  Is the so-called “Swine Flu Virus” a potential global pandemic that could kill millions similar to past epic plagues?  Or will it prove to be another Y2K media-fueled exaggeration?

Only time will tell, but have you ever considered how many college kids and business travelers returning from Mexico have brought back a sexually transmitted disease compared to the numbers that may have contracted a unique strain of flu?
 
A few more questions to ponder: 

• How many pedestrians will be hit by vehicles in New York City today? 
• How many murders took place in Detroit last year? 
• How many women are chronic victims of domestic abuse or rape? 
• How many fatal vehicle accidents are caused by drunk drivers each day? 
• How many children will be molested or abused by family members this year? 
• How many people of faith are assaulted, maimed, executed, and denied basic human rights in various parts of the world each day? 
• How many homeowners and convenient store clerks have prevented a crime by owning a gun?
• How many terror plots have been disrupted by the U.S. and international allies since 2001?
• How many terror plots might be resurrected as the new administration “stands down” and refuses to even utter the word “terrorist”?
• How many people vote but pay ZERO income taxes?
• Are obese kids the victims of child abuse?

 
Are any of these stories worthy of “epic” media coverage today, tomorrow, next month?  Which of them should earn the most “buzz” and attention?
 
So thanks for nothing, big media.  How does it feel to help the ignorant masses go on living from one soundbite to the next without any real sense of priority, scale, or context?
 
Poor Richard

[For FacilityBlog's coverage of swine flu, click here.]

Members of the U.S. Congress and representatives from the International Facility Management Association met to discuss energy efficiency and high performance federal buildings last week during IFMA Advocacy Day 2009.

Held April 22, the second annual Advocacy Day featured presentations from Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.; Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo.; Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas; Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas; and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. The lawmakers spoke on issues ranging from energy efficiency and climate change to federal property sales and the role of the U.S. General Services Administration.

Following the presentations, members of the IFMA board of directors met with senators and representatives from their home states and other congressional staff to discuss the role the 111th U.S. Congress will play in shaping the future of the built environment. IFMA representatives encouraged lawmakers to join the congressional High Performance Buildings Caucus to stay informed about the health and safety impacts of the built environment and opportunities to design and operate buildings that are safer and more sustainable.

“Advocacy Day 2009 was an unqualified success. IFMA’s board of directors heard first hand about Congress’ interest in creating high performance federal buildings, investing in energy efficient technologies and promoting education and training for federal facility managers,” said IFMA Director of Government Relations Jeffrey Johnson. “The congressional members we spoke with were engaged and receptive and understand how the built environment impacts their districts. We look forward to working with lawmakers in the future and continuing to elevate the role of the facility manager on Capitol Hill.”

IFMA’s next event in the nation’s capital will be its fourth annual Public Policy Forum in September. Held in conjunction with the National Academies of Sciences’ Federal Facilities Council, the forum will focus on efficient energy use in buildings.

Heavyweight Solutions has introduced the Heavyweight Scrub Brush system for use on commercial floor surfaces to improve safety, to minimize dirt and other contamination, and to restore floor surface aesthetics.

The Heavyweight Scrub Brush system is designed to ease cleaning.

The Heavyweight Scrub Brush is weighted, applying a constant 16-pound force on floor surfaces. The ergonomic design prevents users from having to apply force manually when scrubbing. The Heavyweight is designed with a pistol grip and is hinged by the brush to enable cleaning underneath foodservice equipment with the same 16-pound force.

Tile floor surfaces will not wear down the nylon bristles due to a force point that uses 16 pounds of force consistently. The Heavyweight Scrub Brush system can also save money and waste, because the typical deck brush is replaced six to eight times annually and because 80% fewer detergents and chemicals are required.

The Heavyweight has been certified by the National Floor Safety Institute to improve walkway safety. The McDonald’s National Operator Insurance Team recommends the Heavyweight Floor Brush as an approved McDonald’s product that can make a major impact in insurance cost, because use of the brush changes the cleanliness and coefficient of friction of the floor tile. (Insurance companies Marsh and CCMSI offer their clients rebates for use of the Heavyweight.)

Users can reach difficult to clean places.

Separate corner and leg brushes are also available. Removable floor brush pads allow for easy cleaning, pad replacement, and use of separate pads for different areas in the same location. The Heavyweight Scrub Brush has a two year warranty and Heavyweight Bristle Pads are warranted for six months.

Budding musicians learn early in life to appreciate the value of good acoustics. And parents of these aspiring musicians value good acoustics even more, particularly when those acoustics serve to absorb some of the misplayed chords and ear shattering drum solos that go along with the glitz and glamor of the rock and roll lifestyle.

But once the rejected rockers have been voted off American Idol and the basement or garage is converted back to its original purpose, what’s a parent to do with all of those egg crates that were perfect for absorbing late night jam sessions? Designer Federico Otero has a great idea: turn those sound diffusers into light diffusers.

Otero, one of 15 finalists in Inhabitat’s Spring Greening Contest, created the Origen lamp from several 30-pack egg crates interlocked around a light bulb. The end product is an elegant pendant fixture that gives off a soft, warm glow.

Over the last decade, Otero’s work has taken him from the United States to Italy to Switzerland where he has created everything from faucets to jewelry.

Fifty-eight trees recently planted in two schoolyards in Bacon County, GA will improve the appearance and safety of those properties. Through its Making the Shade partnership, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is partnered with Milliken & Company, the City of Alma, and Bacon County Board of Education to implement the program in that county.

(left to right): Jamie Calloway, Milliken & Company, Alma Plant with student volunteers from Bacon County High and Middle School and Vance Burkett, Milliken & Company, Alma Plant

GFC announced its first three Making the Shade partnerships, including Milliken, in 2007 on Georgia Arbor Day. Today, nearly 500 trees have been planted, with the program expanded to benefit more than 9,000 students at 14 schools in 13 counties throughout Georgia.

“We are very grateful to our partners who helped achieve healthier and more attractive school playgrounds by planting 13 species including oak varieties, maple, poplar and cypress trees,” said Daniel Westcot, Georgia Forestry Commission community forester.

The 58 trees were recently added to the Bacon County Elementary and Bacon County Primary School campuses, which had offered very limited shade areas for faculty and students. Adding shade trees to the landscapes will reduce the effects of high temperatures and related health and safety concerns, while those shading HVAC equipment will improve energy efficiency.

“As a major employer in the community, Milliken is pleased to have worked with our local schools and the state to implement the Making the Shade program,” said Vance Burkett, Bacon County Board of Education member and Milliken associate.

Milliken supports Making the Shade as part of its Trees For All initiative, reflecting concerns for healthy environments—indoors and out. Milliken demonstrates its commitment to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with its adhesive free TractionBack® modular installation system, which eliminates offgassing. Outdoors, the company nurtures millions of trees and is certified carbon negative through reduced emissions and carbon sequestration in its forests, without purchased credits.

The Georgia Forestry Commission research indicates compelling reasons to add shade trees to the landscape:

• Traditional elementary school campus design often eliminates the health benefits provided by shade trees.
• Children are more susceptible to ground level ozone because they often play outside on hot, muggy days.
• Children’s skin damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes of overexposure to the suns ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Elevated playground temperatures reduce air quality and increase risks for children with asthma and other lung related issues.
• Elevated surface temperatures of school yards and playground equipment can cause serious and painful burns to students.

To see other companies involved in planting trees, visit the Arbor Day Foundation.

The following post is based on information provided by Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group and leader in the green cleaning and maintenance industry. It has been supplemented with information from IFMA and updated with data from CNN.

On Sunday (4/26/09), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared a public health emergency in a bid to stop the spread of a swine flu virus. As of today (4/28/09), the World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert level based on newly gathered data.

Richard Besser, acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said his agency has confirmed 50 non-fatal cases of swine flu within the United States, including several cases found among New York City high school students. The other cases were detected in Ohio, Kansas, Texas, and California. Besser indicated that the U.S. cases were identical to the swine flu that has been hitting Mexico, where 152 deaths were deemed “likely linked” to the new strain of the virus with more than 1,600 reported ill.

The following are some “tips” for limiting the risk of catching the swine flu. These suggestions come from the CDC. WebMD has also compiled a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” that may help facilities professionals deal with this issue on a personal and professional basis. (This list appears below.)

Additionally, the International Facility Management Association has a free Pandemic Preparedness Manual, a valuable resource for those facility managers (fms) charged with the task of developing an action plan. Workplaces have a vested interest in mitigating the effects of a pandemic. The Spanish flu of 1918, for example, affected hundreds of millions of people and resulted in more than 50 million fatalities. Today, a flu outbreak could lead to the absenteeism of 25% to 50% of employees for up to four months, potentially causing supply chain disruptions and the closure of retail facilities, further impacting the global economic downturn. The IFMA Foundation’s PDF is available for download here: pandemic.

There are several easy and affordable ways for fms to assist with employee health, including:

• Displaying hand care posters for the restroom;
• Providing articles for their internal newsletters (such as the CDC tips presented below);
• Posting small signs and other materials to encourage hand washing:
• Considering the installation of waterless hand sanitizer stations in their buildings (to be used in addition to washing with soap and water, not in lieu of it); and
• Placing hand sanitizing stations strategically around the facility where employees congregate—such as elevator lobbies, break rooms, etc. (people tend to use resources that are provided in plain view).

CDC’s tips for limiting your risk of catching the swine flu virus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Frequently Asked Questions from WebMD:

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept here. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to seven days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. (See aforementioned list of tips from the CDC.)

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands—with soap and warm water—that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died eight days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, NJ occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

Additional CDC Resources:
General Information About Swine Flu
CDC Health Advisory (pdf) download here: CDC Health Advisory

Perf Go Green, Holdings Inc. offers commercial trash bags designed to biodegrade within two years. Founded in 2007, the company markets and distributes products that incorporate recycled plastics combined with an oxo-biodegradable proprietary application method to produce a film for the bags. Based on environmental claims statements made by the manufacturer of the oxo-biodegradable applied to the bags, when discarded in soil and exposed to the presence of microorganisms, moisture, and oxygen, the company states that Perf Go Green products biodegrade, decomposing into simple materials found in nature. (For more on oxo-biodegradable plastics, visit the OxoBiodegradable Plastics Institute.)

Commercial trash bags from Perf Go Green

In fall 2008, Perf Go Green completed its first major commercial conversion with the Grand Hyatt hotel in New York City. The hotel decided to begin using Perf Go Green custom sized commercial trash bags in three different sizes for its entire operation, including executive offices, hotel trash cans, steward stations, and ice bucket containers.

Other products available from Perf Go Green include 13 gallon tall kitchen trash bags, 30 gallon lawn and leaf bags, and plastic drop cloths.

Photo: Alien Jesus Collective

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and studies indicate it disproportionally affects inner-city children living in public housing. In most cases, asthma is triggered by airborne allergens, usually dust, that cause respiratory inflammation, airway constriction and wheezing.

Scientists have long wondered if there is a specific allergen in dust that causes asthma. According to a study in the New York Times*, it now appears that scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine have finally discovered one of the key culprits.

Dust was collected from homes in public housing facilities using a vacuum cleaner. The dust sample contained cockroach remains, which become airborne after the insects die. Laboratory mice that inhaled this dust soon experienced difficulty breathing, showing signs that they were experiencing an asthma attack.

Many scientists, including those not directly involved in the research, have expressed excitement regarding this discovery. Said Dr. Lester Kobizik of Harvard Medical School, “[Now we know] the nasty material people actually become allergic to.”

One reason scientists were so excited by this discovery is because most previous tests searching for the allergens that induce asthma have been performed in artificial, laboratory settings. “In this case, however, they found the cause of the problem [by] turning to a real-life situation: vacuuming a carpet,” says Jolynn Kennedy, marketing manager at Tornado Industries. “Now we know all of our work and research into high-filtration, HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners that can capture and trap many of these allergens was for a good cause.”

* “House Dust Yields Clue to Asthma: Cockroaches” by Elissa Ely, NYT, 4/7/2009

In Camden, NJ, Campbell Soup Company held a topping off ceremony last Friday to mark the completion of the steelwork phase of its expansion of its world headquarters facility. The project, which broke ground in October 2008, includes a new employee services building.

The beam was signed by all the iron workers, plus hundreds of Campbell employees.

Designed by architectural firm KlingStubbins, the 80,000 square foot building will include a café, fitness center, company store, and credit union, as well as office space, conference rooms, and a learning and development center.

Campbell, which has been located in Camden since 1869, is pursuing LEED certification for the new employee services building. Environmental features toward that end include energy efficient HVAC, water conservation strategies, recycled building materials, and daylight harvesting techniques.

Torcon Inc. is the general contractor and Greyhawk is the on-site construction manager/owner’s representative on the project. The building is scheduled for completion in early 2010.

The top beam is placed into position with the American flag and an evergreen tree atop the beam for good luck.

The employee services building is part of a $90 million expansion project that includes plans for a 110 acre office park. The company, which has 670,000 square feet of existing office space at its headquarters, would cover about 40 acres of the park. The park also will include approximately 200,000 square feet of office space for future tenants.

Continued Community Involvement
In Fall 2008, Campbell also announced that it would contribute $10 million to Camden’s neighborhood revitalization efforts, job training initiatives, and projects to benefit youth, such as after-school and summer programs. The $10 million Public Benefits Plan will be funded over the next five years by Campbell and the Campbell Soup Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm.

Rendering of the employee services building entrance

At that event, Campbell President and CEO Douglas R. Conant, stated, “We have a vested interest in seeing our city grow. With our government partners, we will work tirelessly to attract new businesses to this city. Simply stated, Campbell’s expansion in Camden is good for our employees, it’s good for our business and for our shareowners, and it’s good for our community.”

For Campbell, the new building marks the first major development to its headquarters since the construction of the Dr. John T. Dorrance Culinary Center in 2003. The company has approximately 1,200 full-time employees and 500 contractors at its headquarters.

(Top two photos courtesy of Campbell Soup Company; bottom rendering courtesy of KlingStubbins)

There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile.
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse.
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

Here some of the most crazy, crooked buildings from around the world. Not so sure about the cats and mice, but one can only venture to guess what it would be like to live and work on one of these buildings.

1. Forest Spiral - Hundertwasser Building (Darmstadt, Germany)

2. The Basket Building (Ohio, United States)*

3. Kansas City Public Library (Missouri, United States)

4. Wonderworks (Orlando, Florida, United States)

5. Habitat 67 (Montreal, Canada)

6. Cubic Houses (Rotterdam, Netherlands)

7. Hang Nga Guesthou se a.k.a Crazy House (Vietnam)

8. The UFO House (Sanjhih, Taiwan)

9. Nakagin Capsule Tower (Tokyo, Japan)

10. Erwin Wurm: House Attack (Vienna, Austria)

11. Wooden Gagster House (Archangelsk, Russia)

12. Ripley’s Building (Ontario, Canada)

* Also featured on FacilityBlog back in August 2008.

Many thanks to Luann Rathemacher for passing this along!

——

Afternoon Addendum!

Working on the premise that “form follows function”, the Prada Transformer in South Korea is a shape shifting building that can be reconfigured to accommodate art, film, fashion, and other types of specialized events.

The shape shifting Prada Transformer

Opened yesterday housing a fashion exhibit, the all white exterior belies its chameleonesque quality. It can take on four shapes— hexagon, cross, rectangle, and circle. Construction cranes lift and rotate the steel-framed structure into different facades and floor plate configurations to create the desired shape. According to the building’s official site, the general contractor, Eunmin S&D, completed the first full rotation test earlier this month.

The Office for Metropolitan Architecture based in the Netherlands designed the Prada Transformer. The firm’s website features illustrations of the structure’s contortions, along with a few interior renderings.

Interesting to see what can be done today!