The First Facility Management Blog

Widespread use of nanoscale silver will challenge regulatory agencies to balance important potential benefits against the possibility of significant environmental risk, highlighting the need to identify research priorities concerning this emerging technology, according to a new report by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN). But existing information about the impact of silver on the environment offers a starting point for some assessments of nanosilver, the report argues.

The issue of assessing the risks posed by nanoscale silver was highlighted after the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) San Francisco office earlier this year imposed a landmark fine of over $200,000 on a California company selling computer keyboards and mouses coated with nanosilver. EPA issued the fine on the grounds that the products should have been registered under federal pesticide law because of the company’s germ-killing claims.

Similar fines have not been imposed since, but the action is increasing attention on the potential risks posed by nanoscale silver and oversight of nanotechnology as a whole. There currently are more than 200 manufacturer-identified nanosilver products on the market and contained in the online nanotechnology consumer products inventory maintained by PEN –everything from baby carriages and air filters to athletic socks and coin-operated washing machines.

Silver itself is classified as an environmental hazard by EPA, because it is more toxic to aquatic plants and animals than any metal except mercury. Even if a nanoparticle itself is not especially toxic, silver nanoparticles increase the effectiveness of delivering toxic silver ions to locations where they can cause toxicity.

“We need not assume that because nano is new, we have no scientific basis for managing risks,” says Dr. Samuel N. Luoma, the author of the PEN report Silver Nanotechnologies and The Environment: Old Problems or New Challenges?, which also offers a dozen lessons concerning silver in general that can be followed for managing the potential environmental risks posed by nanosilver. “Our existing knowledge of silver in the environment provides a starting point for some assessments, and points toward some of the new questions raised by the unique properties for nanoparticles that need to be addressed through new research.”

The mass of silver dispersed to the environment from new products could be substantial if one product, or a combination of such products, becomes widespread.

“The silver that went into wastewaters when millions of people had their photographs developed taught us that small additions of silver to the environment make a big difference,” says Dr. Luoma, a former senior researcher with the U.S. Geological Survey who now leads science policy coordination for the John Muir Institute of the Environment at the University of California, Davis. “Perhaps more significant, we have no means of detecting nanosilver in the environment once it is released, even if concentrations rise to levels that are toxic to aquatic ecosystems.”

The U.S. federal government has invested only a small percentage of its overall nanotechnology research funding in understanding the risks posed by nanomaterials, according to an analysis conducted earlier this year by PEN, further highlighting the need for more research on the potential risks posed by nanomaterials. In addition, laws and institutions shaped in the mid-20th century are not likely to succeed in addressing 21st century problems.

“Silver is an old problem, and nanosilver is a new challenge. The scope of the new challenge is not yet clear because it is uncertain how much nanosilver is now used as an antimicrobial in commercial and consumer products, and because new uses are likely to be discovered in the future,” says J. Clarence Davies, a PEN senior adviser and a former EPA policy official. “Regardless of the scope of the nanosilver problem, it underscores the need for more risk research and new approaches to oversight to deal with new technologies and problems of the new century.”

The national conventions where the Democratic and Republicans officially nominated their presidential candidates for the 2008 election began on August 25^th in Denver, CO. The Democrat National Convention (DNC) took place from August 25-28, with events occurring mainly at The Pepsi Center. The party’s nominee for President, Barack Obama, accepted the nomination on the 28^th at nearby Invesco Field at Mile High.

Meanwhile, the Republican party was preparing for its convention in St. Paul, MN at the XCel Energy Center. That event began this past Monday, September 1 and will conclude tonight with a speech by presidential nominee, John McCain.

With thousands of people attending these events (and millions watching on television), the facilities in which these historic events are taking place needed to be in top shape. The management professionals who run The Pepsi Center, Invesco Field, and the XCel Energy Center began preparing way ahead of time.

In Denver, CO

Seven weeks prior to the start of the DNC, work began on transforming The Pepsi Center from a sports arena to a convention venue. The focal point of the convention hall was the podium, and the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) made available tours of the hall on a first-come, first-serve basis to Denver area residents and visitors. The tours also focused on attracting students to view the venue.

Meanwhile, the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee hired a Disability Rights Coordinator in the planning of the DNC. David Kennedy, a disability rights activist, was chosen for the position. Kennedy played a major role in the renovation of the Denver Art Museum, serving as Manager of Special Projects for the architectural renovation. He was also involved with the implementation of ADA compliance internally and externally for the new extension of The Denver Art Museum.

In St. Paul, MN

In preparation for the Republican National Convention (RNC), management at the XCel Energy Center welcomed the Republican party to the venue on July 21^st. Construction crews then began a six week process to transform the facility to house the convention.

Shortly before the convention kicked off on September 1^st, TFM spoke to Jack Larson, vice president/general manager at the XCel Energy Center since 2001, about the monumental event coming to his facility:

Jack Larson, vice president/general manager, XCel Energy Center

TFM: What type of preparations have you and your staff needed to perform ahead of the RNC moving into the XCel Energy Center?

Larson: We turned the building over to the RNC on July 21^st. Once we were awarded the event in the fall of 2006, we started the planning process right then and there. The Secret Service sent someone to start working here, and we’ve been meeting with them in planning the security aspect of the event since then.

The production people also started right after that time. We have been having a production meeting every day, Monday through Friday. [The meetings] include not just our internal people for the XCel Energy Center, but all the people involved in the production of the event, including security, IT, media representatives, and more.

But back to your original question… before [July] 21^st, we needed to move almost all of our equipment that we wouldn’t be using for the event off-site. We were doing that the last couple of weeks before the 21^st, so [the RNC] would have access to some empty rooms. For instance, [we emptied] our storage areas—those that hold basketball courts, ice decks, folding chairs, and bigger bulk items, so they could use those storage rooms. They’ve turned them into office areas for their production and other needs for the convention itself.

TFM: How many people are you expecting to move through the facility during the four days of the convention?

Larson: The actually capacity for the XCel Energy Center at this event will be 22,500. However, its is up to the RNC to decide who gets passes to get in and how many they give out.

TFM: During the convention, what role will your staff play in the events?

Larson: As far as guest services, we will have some more people than we normally use for a sellout Wild hockey game here. So we’re using about 150 guest services people, and then we’ll have all of our operations people on for maintenance and HVAC systems and things like that. For security, we’re working with the Secret Service and supplying them in the areas where they need our assistance. So, we’ve got a pretty heavy staff up and running and catering wise, we have our in-house caterers doing the bulk of the catering inside the building. Centerplate, our concessionaire, will also be doing a smaller scale of a concession menu for the event.

TFM: After the event, what role will your facilities staff take in the clean up? What measures will you need to take to return the facility to its previous state?

Larson: Once the event is over, the RNC will need to move their equipment and everything they have in here out. Then it’s up to us to get it refurbished to what it was before they arrived.

The first event [after the convention] will be on September 24^th. It’s a Wild exhibition hockey game. The RNC has until September 17^th to leave the facility. So we have basically one week after that to get the building ready. But, we’ll be doing a lot of our work during the move out of the RNC also. It’s a big project in a short amount of time, but we’ve been meeting on this for a while now and we’ve got a great plan together to get the building back up and running.

Consumer Reports‘ recent investigation into the Energy Star program reveals that lax standards and out-of-date test protocols plague the federal program. The report notes that the percent of products that qualify for Energy Star is increasing because standards are too easy to reach, and federal test procedures haven’t kept pace with new technology. In addition, Consumer Reports‘ tests found the energy consumption claims reported on some products’ EnergyGuide label to understate significantly what consumers are likely to experience.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 25% of products in a category should qualify for Energy Star. But until recently, for example, 92% of all dishwashers qualified. Under a tighter standard, it’s now about 50%.

What’s more, it usually takes the Department of Energy (DOE) three years to publish new rules - a period that includes comments from manufacturers, organizations such as Consumers Union, and others - and another three years for the updated standards to take effect. Input into the rule-making process by those who have a vested interest in easy-to-meet standards, such as manufacturers, can also dilute those standards.

Energy Star is a 16-year-old federal voluntary program administered by the DOE and EPA that covers more than 50 product categories. The program grew out of efforts by the federal government to forge a set of nationwide guidelines and create a logo that clearly indicates energy-efficient products. Qualifying Energy Star appliances and consumer electronics should use less energy - about 10% to 25% less than the DOE’s maximum allowed amount for that category.

No Independent Verification
Consumer Reports notes another flaw with the Energy Star program. To qualify, many companies must self certify that their products comply with the standards. The DOE does not test products for compliance with Energy Star standards. There’s often no independent verification of what manufacturers report. Instead, the government relies mostly on manufacturers to test their competitors’ appliances to the same standards and report back on results of suspicious energy-use.

Consumers Union has made some recommendations that can help fine tune the Energy Star program, including:

• Testing procedures should be brought in line with the technology available in consumer products. The DOE and EPA should more frequently review procedures and standards as new technology and products hit the market.
• The DOE should require some independent verification of test results.
• The program should consider a graded qualifying system that uses letters.
• Federal officials need to better police companies and enforce standards, including increasing spot checks of Energy Star-qualified products.

The full report on the Energy Star program is featured in the October issue of Consumer Reports. The report also contains a guide to help consumers interpret the EnergyGuide label, nine myths about compact fluorescent light bulbs, and Consumer Reports‘ first ever ratings of tankless water heaters.

Kent Moyer, CEO of The World Protection Group, a company specializing in executive protection, uniform protective services, investigations, and threat management based upon proactive U.S. Secret Service philosophies and security best practices, was recently a featured keynote speaker at the Simposium Interacional de Seguidad Publica in Mexico City. The symposium was attended by nearly 700 people involved in national security and safety including Mexico’s congressional, judiciary, and law enforcement leaders, as well as attorneys and corporate and private security professionals operating in Mexico.

Moyer spoke by special invitation from the Mexican government based on his extensive career in private security, law enforcement, and operations in Latin America that relies on cooperation with local and federal law enforcement on both sides of the border. The symposium featured four English speakers including Moyer, a representative from the U.S. Department of Justice, and representatives from Scotland Yard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Moyer’s presentation emphasized the importance and relevance of recruiting, training, and incentivizing law enforcement and private security, highlighting the challenges facing Mexico such as lack of uniform standards and limited financial resources, that also challenge United States public-private partnerships. He also highlighted the value of “working together to combat criminal activity” citing working examples in the United States, such as Building Improvement Districts (BIDS), where businesses pool resources to employ private security to proactively deter, detect, and detain criminal activity in support of local law enforcement.

Moyer has been involved in private security for nearly 17 years and is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business, at the University of Pennsylvania; the Executive Security International Executive Protection & Protective Intelligence program; the Executive Protection Institute, and the Los Angeles & Orange County Sheriffs Academies.

Partnership Establishes Global Platform for Cradle to CradleSM Materials and Design

Material ConneXion, Inc., McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC (MBDC) and the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) announced a groundbreaking strategic collaboration to create a global platform for developing innovative sustainable materials and products. Together, they will provide services that will help companies expand their ability to innovate and create higher-quality, more sustainable products and processes, while increasing their profitability.

“Material ConneXion’s unparalleled material expertise, commitment to sustainability, and global reach make them the perfect partner for this collaboration,” said MBDC co-founder William McDonough.

The relationship will help to promote and disseminate Cradle to Cradle design principles by providing greater global access to Cradle to Cradle material information, certification and product development. As of January 2008, Material ConneXion’s libraries in New York, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok will feature Cradle to Cradle Assessed and Certified materials, and, in collaboration with MBDC and EPEA, Material ConneXion will offer Cradle to Cradle Certification, and Cradle to Cradle product development.

“We are thrilled to partner with such visionaries as William McDonough and Michael Braungart,” said Material ConneXion Founder and President George Beylerian, ”This truly will be an industry-changing collaboration and signals an important step forward for Cradle to Cradle design.”

Given today’s demands for more socially and environmentally conscious products and materials, it is important for companies to positively define their global impact and be leaders in environmental performance. Material ConneXion, MBDC and EPEA, each leading experts in their respective fields, offer specific knowledge in sustainable material solutions and practices, objective design recommendations, and a breadth of worldwide experience across multiple industries that can be instrumental in helping companies achieve their product goals.

“Cradle to Cradle’s promise of ‘total beauty’ begins with the right material solutions and there is no better place to find them than Material ConneXion,” said EPEA and MBDC co-founder Michael Braungart.

By pushing for better product design, smart production processes, and a greater use, re-use, and recycling of defined, ecologically intelligent materials, companies can incorporate environmentally conscious planning into their own frameworks.

To facilitate this, Material ConneXion, MBDC and EPEA will jointly offer the following services:

Workshops: Workshops will provide an understanding of Material Intelligence, Sustainability and Cradle to Cradle design principles. Workshops can be tailored to assist design teams—from large corporations to smaller forward thinking companies—in defining these concepts as they pertain to their own industry and work.

Materials Assessment, Process Evaluation and Certification:

Material assessment will provide material manufacturers within the Material ConneXion library with material assessments and the tools to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certification. Certification benchmarks the size of the environmental footprint of a product against an internationally recognized standard that will provide companies with a new marketing and selling tool as well as help them chart and realize continuous improvement over time. .

Material/Product Development Project:

This service assists companies in developing ecologically intelligent, sustainable products or materials. By leveraging the combined expertise in the field of sustainable materials and Cradle to Cradle process of the three partners, innovative sustainable products can be developed that could be a source of new and increased revenue for clients.

About Material ConneXion

Material ConneXion is the leading global platform for material innovation and solutions. The company was founded in 1997 by George M. Beylerian on the belief that Every Idea Has A Material Solution. Since then, Material ConneXion has become the trusted material advisor to Fortune 500 corporations, smaller forward-thinking companies and government agencies seeking a competitive edge through strategic material selections. With offices in New York, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok, Material ConneXion’s international network of material specialists provide a global, cross-industry perspective on materials and their potential uses.

Material ConneXion offers four indispensable assets to architects, designers, and manufacturers. The Advanced Materials Solution Team advises in the development of materials and products by providing crucial material intelligence gained through extensive research. Subscription-based Material Libraries on three continents maintain over 4,000 materials reviewed by an independent jury on a monthly basis. Material ConneXion LABS—temporary library exhibition installations—and Innovation Alerts—keep companies, universities and non-profits on the cutting-edge. New materials create innovative design solutions, provide more sustainable options, and accelerate the design development process. Dynamic material dialogue is essential to this process, and so Material ConneXion is committed to its creation through active Public Programming, including exhibitions, an annual conference on materials and design, and MATTER magazine, published quaterly. This December, Material ConneXIon will publish its second book, Ultra Materials: How Materials Innovation is Changing the World.

About MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC.)

MBDC was founded in 1995 by internationally recognized architect/designer William McDonough together with Prof. Michael Braungart, as a strategic environmental consulting and design firm, dedicated to revolutionizing the design of products and services worldwide using Cradle to Cradle design. The pair teamed up to promote and shape what they refer to as “The Next Industrial Revolution” through the introduction of a new design paradigm called Cradle to Cradle design and the implementation of eco-effective design principles. McDonough and Braungart are co-authors of the book Cradle to Cradle – Remaking the Way We Make Things, published in 2002 by NorthPoint Press.

MBDC developed and offers the Cradle to Cradle Product Certification System that verifies manufactures’ achievements using a series of environmental and social criteria. These criteria are based on the principles of Cradle to Cradle design, developed by McDonough and Braungart. Cradle to Cradle is a service mark of MBDC.

About EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency)

EPEA was founded in 1987 by world renowned chemist Prof. Michael Braungart as an independent scientific research institute based in Hamburg that develops Cradle to Cradle product solutions. EPEA’s interdisciplinary team aligns products to Cradle to Cradle design goals with tools that have been developed for this purpose. Cradle to Cradle design makes products possible that are economically successful, healthy for users and supportive for the environment and future generations. Their innovative design not only addresses appearance and functionality, but it also addresses the definition of their composition and enables a new dimension of quality and security of these products along with their material flow cycle. By integrating economic, social and environmental aspects, they are superior to currently produced and available products.

EPEA’s driving goal is to not only reach positive effects for end users by aiding in the development of healthy products, but also for the environment in general by way of safe products for consumption and products of service, where technical nutrients are recovered and processed, based on EPEA’s Intelligent Product System (IPS). This also applies to a next generation because the resources that are mobilized for Cradle to Cradle products are maintained as such and effectively used. EPEA is a licensee of the Cradle to Cradle Product Certification System developed by MBDC.

Event Continues 20-year Tradition of Promoting Industry Innovation with 2007 Conference Line-Up

Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo will hosts its 20th annual conference October 2-4, 2007, at the Navy Pier in Chicago. As the longest-running conference and exhibition focused on how the physical space impacts the delivery of healthcare, the Symposium provides an
interactive, educational forum that centers on the practical applications and solutions for the healthcare environment.

This year, the Symposium will welcome well-known healthcare professional and educator on therapeutic humor, Kathleen Passanisi, and Jim Cohick, the administrator of Shriners Hospital for Children – Chicago as keynote speakers. In addition, more than 150 industry professionals will be on hand to discuss topics such as: structural design, construction, efficiency and safety during the conference’s multiple sessions and forums.

Highlights of the 2007 Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo include:

· The 2007 Symposium speaker roster comprises the upper echelon of thought leaders, trend setters and industry authorities – more than half of the sessions include a speaker from a hospital or healthcare center

· Sessions will target nine focus areas: master planning, design & construction, evidence-based design, sustainability, technology, guest services, professional services, building systems and operations

· Attendees can choose from more than 60 sessions over the three-day event

· Extensive networking opportunities for attendees to meet and exchange knowledge and ideas pertinent to the industry

DeWalt is doing its part to clean up Washington – or at least the Lincoln Memorial.

In July, a group of volunteers from across the U.S. converged with DeWalt Pressure Washers in hand to remove years of dirt and grime from the monument commemorating one of the nation’s greatest presidents.

The cleaning effort is part of Clean Across America, a volunteer effort organized by the Power Washers of North America (PWNA), the leading U.S. professional organization for professional power-washer contractors. Its members annually tackle projects around the country aimed at cleaning up public spaces.

The PWNA’s Clean Across America campaign began years ago when members donated their services to local communities, parks, public aid programs, and other charity-based organizations. This volunteer program has tripled the value of donated services in the past two years.

“CAA consists of a huge variety of projects. It isn’t just about large high profile projects,” states Mr. Bockman. “It’s about one person making a difference in the world around them.” CAA continues to gain momentum through highly visible projects to draw attention to the proper pressure washing techniques and standards set by the PWNA.

“Together with the PWNA, we’re pleased to be a part of this worthwhile and much-needed effort,” said John Weetenkamp, Group Product Manager for Pressure Washers. “It’s gratifying to know that DeWalt pressure washers are contributing to the enjoyment of those people who visit the Lincoln Memorial by restoring it to the more pristine state that a monument of this national importance deserves.”

For more information on the Clean Across America project, contact PWNA Contact Henry Bockman at 301.216.9675.

College Fire Science Program Receives State-of-the-Art Fire-Lite Equipment

Fire-Lite Alarms, part of Honeywell’s Life Safety group, is a proud supporter of the Moraine Valley Community College Fire Science Technology Program, Palos Hills, IL. A new Fire-Lite MS-9050UD addressable FACP (fire alarm control panel) contributed by Fire-Lite, together with smoke detectors, strobes, and water flow and tamper alarms donated by System Sensor, will provide future first responders and fire inspectors modern equipment for vital hands-on training.

Moraine Valley’s Fire Science Program received further support from local Fire-Lite installer, Jim Simmons of Simmons Contracting. Wanting to ensure the new equipment operated properly, Simmons felt it was his duty to help, “This is an elite fire science lab that trains fire personnel from throughout the mid-west U.S. I’ve been in this business for 27 years and I believe Fire-Lite’s equipment is the best out there. It’s well-known and great for end users to work with. That’s why Fire-Lite is what these students should be trained on,” says Simmons.

Founded more than 50 years ago, Fire-Lite has become one of the most common brands of fire systems installed throughout the U.S. Due to its non-proprietary nature, Fire-Lite products can be purchased, installed and serviced by virtually any qualified fire systems installer.

Setup to operate the same as a building’s true fire alarm system, students will learn to comprehend information provided by the FACP and respond accordingly. Nearly 400 students attend more than 40 fire science classes annually at Moraine Valley. Therefore, offering the most up-to-date equipment for hands-on training is considered essential to each attendee’s education. “Having updated equipment is very beneficial to providing our students a realistic understanding of what they will encounter today and in the years to come,” added Andrew Hufnagl, Coordinator of Moraine Valley’s Fire Science Program.

Sony Picture Imageworks used BodyPaint 3D and CINEMA 4D as exclusive 3D texturing and digital matte environment software

MAXON’s software played an important role in the making of Spider-Man™ 3 according to visual effects powerhouse Sony Pictures Imageworks, Inc. For this record-smashing blockbuster, Sony Pictures Imageworks utilized CINEMA 4D and BodyPaint 3D as part of their production pipeline to bring the third part of the Spider-Man franchise to the big screen. MAXON’s BodyPaint 3D and CINEMA 4D were among the 3D texturing and digital matte environment software used by Imageworks on Spider-Man 3.

The talented texture artists at Sony Pictures Imageworks used MAXON’s products to create detailed textures on objects as minute as a grain of sand and as extensive as multifaceted cityscapes. Concurrently, the equally talented artists in the matte department were busy using CINEMA 4D to create realistic digital environments and repaint sky elements in numerous scenes as diverse as the storm in the bell-tower sequence to the richly colored sunrise sky featured at the culmination of the climactic battle sequence.

MAXON’s software is designed to integrate into any pipeline, and facilitate a flexible work environment that accommodates an artist’s workflow and creativity. So it easily plugged into the Sony Pictures Imageworks’ production pipeline alongside its proprietary tools and other graphics applications.

“BodyPaint 3D integrates extremely well. This gave us the complete toolset we needed for all our texture mapping needs on Spider-Man 3,” remarks Elbert Yen, Texture Paint Lead at Sony Pictures Imageworks. “I especially like BodyPaint 3D’s feature of keeping discrete layers for each texture map and allowing the texture artist to paint on and map individual layers separately. By keeping the texture maps in multi-layered Photoshop files, BodyPaint 3D is more flexible and robust than other 3D texturing programs I’ve tried.”

About MAXON Computer
MAXON Computer is part of the Nemetschek Group and a developer of professional 3D modeling, painting, animation and rendering solutions. Its award-winning products have been used extensively in the film, television, science, architecture, engineering and other industries. MAXON products have been used for and in Ghost Rider, Spider-Man 3, Surf’s Up, Open Season, Monster House, Eragon, Superman Returns, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Serenity, War of the Worlds, Polar Express, Pirates of the Carribean, etc. MAXON has offices in Friedrichsdorf (Germany), Newbury Park (CA, USA), Bedford (UK) and Tokyo (JP).

About Nemetschek
The Nemetschek Group is a leading international IT company in the AEC sector (Architecture, Engineering, Construction). The software company develops integrated solutions for the complete life cycle of buildings and real estate – from building design and construction through to facility management. The company’s products are currently used by more than 270,000 companies in 142 countries and in 16 languages to optimize the complete building creation and management process in terms of quality, cost and time. Nemetschek was founded in 1963 by Prof. Nemetschek and has more than 1,000 employees worldwide (2007). In fiscal 2006 the group achieved sales of 107.5 million euros.

Since most of you will be off today (or on call, at worst), FacilityBlog wishes you the best for an event-free day!