How Was Your Weekend?

Imagine having one of the biggest events in the history of your facility not hold up well to the forces of nature.

That's what happened to the Qwest Center in Omaha, NE on Friday as it played host to the U.S. Swimming Trials.

Have you had any experiences with your facility not performing at its best when an important function was occurring on site? Please share your stories with us in the comment section or e-mail csafran@groupc.com



Photo by Omaha World Herald

Market Transformation Taking Place with Free Advanced Energy Design Guide Downloads

Nine million tons of carbon dioxide. $600 million in energy costs.

That’s the potential savings represented by 100,000 copies in the Advanced Energy Design Guide series now in circulation. More than 88,000 of the publications have been obtained via free download since January.

The series includes publications on small retail and small office buildings, K-12 school buildings, and warehouses and self storage units. The books provide guidance on how to achieve 30% energy savings over building code minimum based on ANSI/ASHRAE/ IESNA Standard 90.1-1999.

Calculations show that if every guide downloaded resulted in a single building designed to save 30% beyond code minimum, the estimated energy and carbon savings would be 52 trillion btus and 9 million tons of carbon dioxide. With an average cost of electricity of 5 cents per kwh and gas at $7 per mmbtu, the estimated cost of energy savings is over $600 million.

The guides are developed by ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the U.S. Green Building Council, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. The downloads are available at www.ashrae.org/freeaedg.

“ASHRAE is committed to energy optimization and producing guidance that will help move the building industry toward market viable net zero energy and carbon neutral buildings,” ASHRAE President Kent Peterson, P.E., said. “The call for these high performing buildings is transforming our industry, and the guidance in the Advanced Energy Design Guide series is usable technology guidance to help owners, architects and engineers in accomplishing high-performing buildings.”

“This is proof positive that there are substantial economic benefits to green building strategies,” said AIA President Marshall E. Purnell, FAIA. “Hopefully this will help convince skeptics of the value and payback of green building design and that practitioners will take advantage of this excellent resource so that we can move closer to reaching our shared goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030.”

“IES is pleased to part of the team developing these important guides, whose success demonstrates that collectively the collaborating organizations are raising awareness about how to achieve energy savings and developing a receptive audience for future guidance on net zero energy and carbon neutral buildings,” said Rita M. Harrold, IESNA director of technology.

“The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy, and threats to human health,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Working with ASHRAE, AIA, and IESNA on the Advanced Energy Design Guide series is part of a critical collaborative effort to provide the industry with the tools it needs to make an immediate and measurable impact.”

Upcoming publications in the series include 30% guidance books for highway lodging, existing buildings and small health care facilities.

Facilities Housing Pandas In China To Be Rebuilt

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in cooperation with The Giant Panda Conservation Foundation (GPCF), has joined the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, in announcing a $165,000 donation to the China Wildlife Conservation Association to support panda conservation in the wake the earthquakes that occurred this past May.

“Accredited zoos are essential to the conservation of the giant panda,” said Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong. “We are grateful for this assistance and for the strong conservation partnership with zoos in the United States.”

The joint fundraising effort of AZA and GPCF will assist reconstruction efforts at panda conservation facilities in Wolong and Chenghdu after the devastating earthquakes in Sichuan Province where they are located. These facilities experienced significant damage and the staff has met with hardship, requiring urgent assistance to support their ability to care for the highly endangered giant panda population.

“I am proud that AZA members rose to the occasion to help our international partners recover,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “We will continue to support China in this important mission.”

AZA-accredited institutions making significant contributions include: Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Zoo Atlanta, Memphis Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, Zoo New England, and Audubon Zoo.

Through research, education, and conservation efforts, AZA-accredited zoos have played a major role in the Giant Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP is a program that develops population management and conservation plans for imperiled species in the care of accredited zoos and aquariums.

TFM Conducting Survey On Procurement Guidelines Practices

Procurement is the acquisition of goods and/or services at the best possible total cost of ownership, in the right quantity and quality, at the right time (as defined by Wikipedia.org). By establishing policies on Procurement Guidelines for its facilities’ needs, an organization increases the probability of acquiring goods and/or services that meet performance and other requirements, at the best (though not always lowest) possible price.

Through a survey, which is online now, TFM would like to hear from facility managers about how they use (or don't use) procurement guidelines. We will include the results in the August 2008 issue.

To take the brief survey, please visit this link...

Thank you,
The TFM Editors

FRIDAY FUNNY: A Reptile Walks Into A Bar...

... And patrons welcome it by taking some photos with it and setting it up at the bar. (That was after taping the mouth and putting it in a box.) Luckily, this crocodile was only about two feet long, so it was fairly easy to contain.

This happened last Sunday at the Noonamah Tavern in Noonamah, Australia (population 483). Eventually wildlife officials came to pick the croc and brought it to a farm several miles away. It was thought that the reptile may have escaped from that farm in Darwin, and walked the distance to the tavern.

See one of the photos from the Associated Press...

CNBC Series To Feature Herman Miller President And CEO

Brian Walker will be a guest on the fifth and final episode in the series, "The Business of Innovation." The episode will air this coming Monday, June 30, 2008, at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

As President and CEO of Herman Miller, Inc., Walker will discuss the company's global business model and strategy for driving innovation within new and existing markets. The episode also will highlight some of the company's products, as well as a number of Herman Miller's West Michigan facilities.

Hosted by award-winning journalist Maria Bartiromo, the series explores a diverse range of topics and solutions to the question of innovation. In addition to Mr. Walker, guests for the final episode include:
• Nikesh Arora, President, EMEA Operations and Vice President, Google, Inc.
• Herb Kelleher , Co-Founder, Executive Chairman, Former CEO and President, Southwest Airlines
• Robert Carter, Chief Information Officer, FedEx
• Gary Rodkin, CEO, ConAgra Foods
• Carla Harris, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
• Shane Robison, EVP, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, Hewlett Packard

GE Consumer & Industrial Active In Midwest Flood Region

In the wake of the devastation caused by recent, massive flooding across parts of the Midwest, GE Consumer & Industrial’s Electrical Distribution business has initiated an emergency response action plan to help restore power and provide needed electrical equipment throughout the affected region.

GE’s initiative calls for an immediate influx of resources to the areas most in need. Local GE representatives are helping distributor customers communicate with business end-users about damaged equipment and safety warnings. Various GE distributors are bringing in extra inventory to support relief efforts.

For concerned businesses and consumers, GE has compiled a collection of important safety and contact information at www.geelectrical.com/emergencyresponse. The site offers tips on the evaluation and handling of water-damaged electrical equipment as well as links to applicable National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Web site content and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

GE's customer support and emergency call team is available to any affected citizen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-GE-1-STOP (431-7867).

The GE Foundation has also announced it will be donating $250,000 to the American Red Cross in support of the relief efforts. In addition, a number of GE representatives have traveled to the region to assist with electrical equipment damage assessments and other disaster relief efforts.

Largest Southern California Security Company Reintroduces Janitorial Services

Universal Services of America (USA), a full range of building services including janitorial, maintenance, and security, re-opened its janitorial division—Universal Building Maintenance. This division was originally started back in 1965 and operated in southern California successfully for approximately 25 years. The addition of building maintenance makes Universal Services of America one of the largest, full service facility service companies, which includes the operation of security firms Universal Protection Service (UPS), UPS Security Systems, and UPS Fire/Life Safety Services.

Brian Cescolini and Steve Jones, the owners of Universal Protection Service have partnered with Mark Olivas, the former managing director for the western region for One Source Building Services to re-open Universal Building Maintenance.

"With the recent consolidation of the two largest janitorial firms in the US," said Cescolini, president and chief executive officer of Universal Services of America. "We spoke with our clients and they welcomed a better option."

Steve Jones, CEO of Universal Services of America is committed to "building the perfect company from the ground up, one that is focused on the customer and its people."

"I have admired Universal Protection Service for the last 10 years and I feel that no other company really understands the customer like Universal Protection Service, " said Mark Olivas, president of Universal Building Maintenance. "My goal is to use their customer service philosophy, their resources, and their technology to build an unmatched janitorial firm. I love that we are not trying to change a culture but instead we get to create it from the ground up.

"Universal Building Maintenance will become in the janitorial industry what Universal Protection Service is in the security industry, a highly flexible and innovative customer focused organization," Olivas continued.

Universal Building Maintenance will have offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego to start and will expand when the opportunities present themselves. Universal Protection Service offers security solutions the Denver area from its office located in Aurora, CO and provides services to the Denver branch of CB Richard Ellis, based in the Denver Technological Center.

NeoCon 2008 Attracts Over 50,000 To The Windy City

The 40th annual NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, North America’s largest conference and exhibition for interior design and facilities management at The Merchandise Mart Chicago, attracted approximately 50,500 attendees from around the world. However, this represented a 4% dip from the previous year's show.

“This year’s NeoCon proved that the furniture industry is strong and is investing heavily in new product introductions,” said Mark Falanga, senior vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). “With only a slight dip, NeoCon’s attendance was still up 15% from 2005, which is very impressive. With more than 1,200 exhibitors and 352 Best of NeoConNeoCon has remained the show for the industry.”

Leaders from throughout the contract industry commented on NeoCon 2008, hosted from June 9-11:

“Our industry has seen an amazing amount of change in the four decades since the first NeoCon fair. NeoCon and The Merchandise Mart have provided a stable anchor in the midst of this change, ” said Jim Hackett, President and CEO of Steelcase.

“NeoCon has played a vital role in the evolution of the workplace and the growth of our industry. Herman Miller's Action Office was publicly introduced at that first NeoCon, and the years since have proven the event continues to be North America's premier showcase for innovative, problem solving design, " offered Brian Walker, CEO of Herman Miller.

“Traffic is very strong this year. We’ve had a terrific response from buyers and sellers,” commented Peter Brunelle, President and CEO of Inscape.

In addition to the showroom, NeoCon assembles groups of industry experts, leaders, and innovators to provide insight into different areas to keep attendees on the cutting edge of their industries. This year’s line up of keynote speakers included: Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., environmentalist and author of the New York Times bestseller Crimes Against Nature; and Scott Wilson, former Global Creative Director at Nike and Design Director at Motorola.

Next year's NeoCon World’s Trade Fair will be held June 15-17, 2009, at The Merchandise Mart.

Cambridge Architectural Provides Cost-Effective Cladding Solution

A Cambridge Architectural Parkade™ metal fabric application functions as a cost-effective exterior cladding solution with dramatic visual appeal at the new Home Depot store in Jersey City, NJ.

The well known retailer stands at the edge of the booming town at the base of the Holland Tunnel where over 100,000 cars pass daily. This prominent location led to the desire for a visually appealing, yet durable and cost effective exterior cladding material to wrap the store's adjacent two story, 600 space parking facility.

A Parkade metal fabric treatment from Cambridge Architectural offered a solution, integrating well with other building materials used on the structure, while at the same time offering a distinctive look. Approximately 14,700 square feet of woven metal fabric was used to create the Parkade system, which lends modern, contemporary visual appeal to the parking facility.

"We specified architectural mesh because we wanted to mask the parking garage and improve ventilation", says Joshua Burdick, President, SBLM Architects.

"Cambridge's ability to work within tight deadlines, as with the Home Depot garage, which needed to be ready for the store's grand opening, made Cambridge Parkade metal fabric solutions a practical choice," explains Heather Collins, director of marketing for Cambridge Architectural. "Freedom from requiring embedded supports means Cambridge Parkade mesh applications can dramatically cut down on project costs, making woven metal fabric an attractive yet affordable cladding option."

The Parkade system was created with Cambridge's mid-balance metal fabric pattern and attached in tension with Eclipse™ attachment hardware. Mid-balance features large scaled, flexible open weaves that shade and screen structures including facades, parking garages, and pavilions.

With the Eclipse tension attachment hardware, tailored edges of mesh are provided for expanses of flexible metal fabric in tension. Custom cut apertures receive the metal fabric ends in tubing that is integrated into a bracket and structural support design. Tube sizes may vary to emphasize or de-emphasize the attachment. The hardware is appropriate for lengths of metal fabric held in tension up to 100 feet.

Cambridge maintains a fully staffed engineering department to assist with design-build questions, installation details, framing design, and load characteristics, and is also available for on site installation supervision.

LED Display In Philadelphia's Comcast Center Unveiled

Barco, a manufacturer of display technology, recently announced the grand opening of The Comcast Experience at Philadelphia’s Comcast Center, an LED wall comprised of 6,771 Barco NX-4 LED modules.

Situated in a seven story high glass atrium, The Comcast Experience is a joint gift to the citizens of Philadelphia from Comcast Corporation and Liberty Property Trust; one that combines sculpture, architecture and technology in a public environment.

By transforming a public transportation hub into an artistic focal point for the city, The Comcast Experience encompasses a number of important “firsts.” From a technology standpoint, the world’s largest four millimeter LED wall is 83.3' wide by 25.4' high. With 10 million pixels mounted in a seamless flat array, the wall provides an extremely high degree of photo-realism, at five times the resolution of high-definition television. Behind the scenes, Barco image processing equipment includes six DX-700 LED digitizers, seven Encore Video Processors and three MatrixPRO routers.

From an architectural standpoint, the installation marks the first time that audio and video technology at this scale has been incorporated into the design of a major urban building. Adding to the complexity, the LED wall includes rectangular cutouts for the lobby’s three banks of elevators. (Photo above, courtesy of Barco, shows those cutouts with nature scene on screen above.)

All of the content for The Comcast Experience was designed and produced by the Niles Creative Group. The installation also marks the first time that an everchanging audio and video environment has been designed for an audience in transit, with artificial intelligence at the core.

“There’s never been a screen not only of this resolution, but also of this realism,” said Steve Scorse, vice president of sales and marketing for Barco's Media & Entertainment division, North America. “Not only does the screen integrate seamlessly into the Comcast Center as a forum for content, but at times, the content mimics the atrium’s natural wood paneling and virtually disappears,” said Scorse. “The resolution, contrast and seamlessness are such that you can do things with this screen that cannot be done with any other technology.”

John Gattuso, senior vice president and regional director for Liberty Property Trust, commented on the scope of The Comcast Experience. “The thought process on behalf of Comcast and Liberty evolved beyond the idea of just broadcasting content, into a larger art piece that would ultimately complement the building’s aesthetic,” said Gattuso. “When you undertake these kinds of projects that have so many components, the only way you pull all those pieces together is through an outstanding team. And while it’s not to diminish the challenges involved, it continues to remind you of how critical it is to have the best people involved in a project.”

“Barco has been a great partner and we are excited to have the world’s largest four millimeter LED screen in Comcast Center,” said Karen Dougherty Buchholz, vice president, administration, Comcast Corporation. “The combination of Barco’s wonderful technology and the Niles Creative Group’s artistic content will truly make Comcast Center a destination for Philadelphians and visitors to our great city.”

The blend of architecture, vision and technology is brought to life via the content, as designed by New York’s Niles Creative Group. “It was exciting that both Comcast and Liberty approached this as a ‘new media’ project,” said David Niles, founder of the Niles Creative Group. “This meant that we weren’t just talking about digital signage, but the creation of an extraordinary environment in a public space, to design a spectacular and inspiring visual illusion that blurs the lines between reality and the unexpected. To accomplish this, we designed a content delivery system using artificial intelligence. The system creates unique content on an ongoing basis without human intervention.”

The Comcast Experience is located in Comcast Center’s lobby, located at 17th Street and JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia, PA. As Philadelphia’s newest destination, The Comcast Experience is on 18 hours each day, delivering custom content.

WEIRD WEDNESDAY: Twisting And Turning

Plans for an 80 story building in Dubai reveal a structure designed be in motion. Italian architect Dr. David Fisher announced yesterday the launch of the Dynamic Tower, which he says will be constructed first in Dubai, then Moscow, with other locations planned worldwide.

Rotating Tower Dubai Development Ltd headed by the Dynamic Group, have announced the opening of the reservations list for the first Dynamic Tower in Dubai. The building will contain apartments and larger villas, and the entire building would run on wind energy from turbines sited on each floor.

Said Dr. Fisher, “The Dynamic Tower is environmentally friendly and the first building designed to be self-powered, with the ability to generate its own electricity, as well as for other nearby buildings, it achieves this feat with wind turbines fitted between each rotating floor, An 80-story building will have up to 79 wind turbines, making it a true green power plant.”

The Dynamic Tower would also be the first skyscraper to be built entirely from prefabricated parts that are custom made in a workshop, resulting in cost savings, including fewer workers on the construction site. “Each floor of the building can be completed in only seven days. From now on, buildings will be made in a factory,” Dr. Fisher said.

In terms of how building systems will remain intact as the building twists and turns, Fisher notes at the press conference yesterday that plumbing fixtures, for instance, would be along the lines of the flexible equipment used for aircraft refueling.

Plans Beyond The First Venture
Dr. Fisher also announced that the second Dynamic Tower planned for Moscow is now in the advanced design phase, with preassembling of the units to start soon and completion scheduled for 2010. The developer is the Mirax Group, headed by leading international developer Sergei Polonsky, The Moscow tower, which will have 70 floors and be 1,310 feet tall, will be located in Moscow City area.

“Our intention is to build the third Rotating Skyscraper in New York,” Dr. Fisher stated. “Additional Dynamic Towers will be built around the world, following an expression of interest from developers, governments, and public officials to construct a Dynamic Tower in Canada, Germany, Italy, Korea and Switzerland.

(Photo courtesy of Dynamic Architecture)

Discussion On Door Component Substitution Slated For Early July

In an effort to spur industry communication on the increasingly important topic of component substitution for door certification and testing, the AAMA Door Component Interchangeability Task Group is hosting an all-day open discussion forum on July 8.

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), located in Schaumburg, IL, is hosting the forum to further the development of guidelines to be used for side-hinged entry door component structural substitution/ interchangeability. These guidelines will then be used by the industry to craft procedural guides, certification, and other possible programs. In addition to members of the Task Group, representatives of the Association of Millwork Distributors (AMD) and Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) have been invited to attend.

“The exterior side-hinged door segment of our industry has voiced concerns about the requirements for full door system testing. AAMA and representatives from AMD have been diligently working to develop a program that allows the substitution of qualified pre-hung door components within approved door assemblies. This work has reached a stage where the development can be enhanced and accelerated with expanded input,” according to Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO.

AAMA can accommodate other interested parties that are willing to contribute to the development of the guidelines. To request to be added to the meeting roster, interested facility managers call (847) 303-5859, ext. 225 by June 27, 2008.

For more information on this meeting and the door certification program efforts, please call 847-303-5664, or email John Lewis, technical director at jlewis@aamanet.org.

Sloan Valve Receives Cradle to Cradle Certification

Sloan Valve Company has become the first plumbing company in the world to receive the Cradle to Cradle Design certification for its products. MBDC, the product process and design firm that evaluates companies and their products based on their "eco-effectiveness," certified two Sloan plumbing products for silver level status: the Uppercut dual flush flushometer and the Royal model 111 manual flushometer.

"This certification is the result of 10 months of exhaustive review of our manufacturing processes and materials," says Jim Allen, director of Sloan's Water Efficiency Division. "MBDC's Cradle to Cradle certification process is the most thorough and rigorous third party product evaluation. This certification goes beyond our products' water saving attributes; it is a true assessment of the overall, combined impact of Sloan's manufacturing, material selection, recycled/recovered material use, and all processes related to product creation."

The Uppercut dual flush flushometer becomes the first and only dual flush product in the world to be Cradle to Cradle silver certified. This distinction assures specifiers and owners that the Uppercut will offer high water efficiency, and it was manufactured and certified to a high environmental standard. All Uppercuts are made in the United States by union labor.

MBDC, a Charlottesville, VA, product process and design firm, was founded in 1995 to promote and shape the implementation of eco-effective design principles. Instead of perpetuating cradle to grave products, dumped in landfills after fulfilling their initial intended purpose, MBDC's Cradle to Cradle design concept recognizes products whose materials are continuously circulated in closed loops. Designing for cradle to cradle product lifecycles, for instance, plans for sustainability and product re-use, which reduces reliance on virgin material inputs and lessens overall material costs.

Sloan, which offsets 100% of the energy used in its Franklin Park, IL, headquarters with renewable energy, is the recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Leadership Award for its Green Power Purchase. Sloan's corporate mission toward sustainability also includes other initiatives, such as installing more energy efficient lighting, which will significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

Sustainability is also reflected in Sloan's material choices: About 89% of Sloan's flushometers are made from brass casting alloy, 99% of which is from recycled sources, and the flushometers are completely recyclable or reusable in remodel projects.

Sloan Valve Company is a leading manufacturer of water efficient plumbing systems and has been in operation since 1906. Headquartered in Franklin Park, IL, the company manufactures plumbing products and accessories for commercial, industrial, and institutional markets worldwide.

19th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum Addresses Energy And Climate Change Policies

Sponsored by the U.S. Energy Association and Johnson Controls, Inc., the event took place June 11 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The keynote address was given by U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman who stressed to an audience of energy decision makers that "efficiency does not need to come at the expense of profitability."

The agenda was ushered in with speeches by representatives from both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns. In his remarks on behalf of Senator John McCain, former Governor of Virginia George Allen said, "What Senator McCain as president would do is propose a national energy strategy that will amount to a declaration of independence from energy insecurity and he'll promote diversification and conservation of our energy resources."

In his comments about the need to change energy production incentives, Executive Director of the National Commission on Energy Policy, and advisor to Senator Barrack Obama's campaign Jason Grumet said, "Senator Obama believes that we have to decouple the profit motives of the energy sector from energy production." Grumet added that Senator Obama also believes that within the next decade new buildings need to be 25% more efficient than they are today, and 50% more efficient by 2030.

Delivering the luncheon keynote address at the Forum was Pulitzer Prize-winning author and New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman. During his address, he shared excerpts of his latest book for the first time in the U.S. Through the reading he offered strong advice about the serious challenges we face and proposed mobilizing to a "code green." He explained, "What red was to America in the 1950s and 1960s...we need green to be for today's America." Friedman went on to say, "I would be less than truthful, though, if I said that America as it operates today is ready for this mission. We are not."

Immediately following his speech, Friedman lead an engaging panel discussion with Robert K. Watson, founder of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® Green Building Rating System, and David B. Goldstein, co-director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's energy program. Electric Power Research Institute president Steven Specker spoke separately about his organization's focus on research and development on technology, and Brenna Walraven, president of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, discussed the impact of energy legislation on facility owners and operators.

The Forum agenda also paid close attention to youth awareness of energy efficiency, beginning with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's debut of its "Horton Hears a Who" public service announcements aimed at children. Student and teacher winners from the Igniting Creative Energy competition were recognized, along with a group of college students from Carnegie Mellon University who won a national climate change writing competition.

Additionally, the Forum's Energy Leaderships Awards were presented to:
* Andy Karsner, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, for his efforts to advance programs that reduce energy in buildings and vehicles.

* Greg Nickels, Seattle mayor, for his efforts to reduce energy in his own city in addition to his formation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action. It has been signed by more than 850 mayors across the country.

* Alan Edwards, national energy manager for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons, for his efforts in implementing energy efficiency projects at 96 federal prisons to renew aging prison infrastructure and introduce renewable technologies, resulting in approximately 166 billion Btu in energy savings.

The Forum's mission is to be the premier event that promotes an energy efficiency ethic through the presentation of national and worldwide views on energy efficiency and the resulting impact on the environment, national security and economic growth.

More about the Forum events can be read at www.eeforum.net.

About United States Energy Association
The United States Energy Association is the U.S. Member Committee of the World Energy Council. USEA is an association of public and private energy-related organizations, corporations, and government agencies. It represents the broad interests of the U.S. energy sector by increasing the understanding of energy issues, both domestically and internationally. In conjunction with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Energy, USEA sponsors our nation's Energy Partnership Program. Membership in USEA is open to all organizations having an interest in the energy sector of the United States.

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers.

Outstanding Achievements Recognized at ASHRAE’s Annual Meeting

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recognized 86 members for contributions to ASHRAE and the HVAC&R industry at the Society’s 2008 Annual Meeting.

The Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award honors an ASHRAE Fellow for continuous preeminence in engineering or research work. The recipient is Presidential Member James E. Hill, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, Moneta, VA.

The Andrew T. Boggs Service Award recognizes a past Distinguished Service Award recipient for continuing, unselfish, dedicated, and distinguished service. The recipient is Presidential Member Presidential Donald G. Rich, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, retired from Carrier-UTC, Fayetteville, NY

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes Distinguished Award recipients who have continued to serve the Society faithfully and with exemplary effort. Ten recipients were recognized:

• William P. Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, a professor of architectural engineering and director of the Indoor Environment Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA.
• Michael F. Beda, P.E., president, Process Equipment Co., Tulsa, OK.
• Darryl K. Boyce, P.Eng., assistant vice president (Facility Management and Planning), Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
• Presidential Member H.E. “Barney” Burroughs, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, CEO and president, Building Wellness Consultancy, Alpharetta, GA.
• Kenneth W. Cooper, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, director, special projects, PoolPak International, York, PA.
• Presidential Member Harley W. “Bill” Goodman Jr., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, president, Goodman Engineers, Little Rock, AR.
• Maureen Grasso, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, dean, the Graduate School, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
• Birol I. Kilkis, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, Scientific Committee member, European Union HEGEL Poly-Generation Project, Ankara, Turkey, and Torino, Italy.
• Stanley L. Leitsch, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, Audubon, PA
• Michael Woodford assistant vice president, Standards, Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, Arlington, VA.

The Distinguished Service Award salutes members of any grade for giving freely of their time and talent to the Society. The following 31 members were selected:

• Gaylen V. Atkinson, president, Atkinson Electronics, Salt Lake City, UT.
• Michael R. Brambley, Ph.D., a staff scientist, Energy and Efficiency Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.
• Arden V. Davis, retired, Idaho Power Co., Boise, ID.
• Douglas W. Dunford, Gresham, OR.
• Mark W. Fly, P.E., director of engineering, AAON, Tulsa, OK
• Kenneth L. Fulk, P.E., principal and chief mechanical engineer, Reed, Wells, Benson and Co., Dallas, TX.
• Arthur L. Giesler, director of sales, PermAlert, a subsidiary of Perma-Pipe, Hurst, TX.
• Leon R. Glicksman, Ph.D., professor of building technology and mechanical engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
• Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E., design engineer, AC Corp., Greensboro, NC.
• John L. Harrod, P.E., senior mechanical engineer, The Benham Companies, Oklahoma City, OK.
• Adam W. Hinge, P.E., managing director, Sustainable Energy Partnerships, Tarrytown, NY.
• Pamela M. Immekus, president, Sunbelt Engineering Group, Kennesaw, GA.
• L. Lane Jackins, owner and president, Applied Mechanical Equipment, Jacksonville, FL.
• Gerald J. Kettler, P.E., president/owner, Air Engineering and Testing, Dallas.
• Birol I. Kilkis, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, Scientific Committee member, European Union HEGEL Poly-Generation Project, Ankara, Turkey, and Torino, Italy.
• Ben A. Leppard Jr., P.E., principal, Leppard, Johnson and Associates, Tucker, GA.
• Dennis A. Littwin, P.E., vice president of engineering, Fujikoki America, Dallas.
• William M. Malphus, branch manager, G.L. Spies Co., Cape Coral, FL.
• Florentino J. Mendez, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, director, energy engineering, The Benham Companies, Oklahoma City, OK.
• Ramon Pons, Ph.D., P.E., partner and business consultant, CMTR, S.A.-International Services, Barcelona, Spain.
• T. Agami Reddy, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, professor, Drexel University, Philadelphia.
• Michael CA Schwedler, P.E., manager, applications engineering, Trane, La Crosse, WI.
• Frank Spevak, marketing and sales manager, Energy Conservatory, Minneapolis.
• William E. “Ed” Tinsley, P.E., managing principal, TME, Little Rock, AK.
• Samir R. Traboulsi, Ph.D., P.Eng., general manager, Thermotrade Sal-Heating and Air Conditioning, and senior lecturer, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
• Iain S. Walker, Ph.D., scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA.
• William F. Walter, manager, Industry Relations, Carrier Corp., Syracuse, NY.
• James K. Willson, P.E., solution development leader, Honeywell International, Indianapolis.
• Gary L. Wingfield, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, group lead mechanical engineer, Haskell Co., Jacksonville, FL.
• Xudong Yang, Ph.D., Chang-Jiang professor, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
• Jianshun S. Zhang, Ph.D., a professor and director of Energy and Indoor Environmental Systems, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, NY.

The Distinguished 50 Year Member Award is given to persons who have been a member of the Society for 50 years and have performed outstanding service to the Society. The following 15
members received this award:

• Peter J. Basso, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, chairman, Peter Basso Associates, Troy, MI
• Richard E. Batherman, Life Member, president, Vico, New York.
• Warren E. Blazier Jr., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, a consultant on building acoustics, structural dynamics, mechanical noise and vibration control, San Francisco.
• Robert H. Braun, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, principal, Robert H. Braun and Associates, San Mateo, CA.
• Francis A. Govan, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, Cary, NC.
• Hem C. Gupta, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, Chicago.
• Guy W. Gupton Jr., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, Livingston, MT.
• Donald C. Hardin, Life Member, retired from Enviromatic Systems, Grand Prairie, TX.
• Eoin Kenny, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, Dublin, Ireland.
• Milton Meckler, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, president/CEO, Design Build Systems, St. Petersburg, FL.
• Frank J. Powell, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, Jacksonville, FL.
• Walter R. Ratai, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, a consulting engineer in Sarasota, FL.
• Ernest W. Schumacher, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, retired vice president, Fujikoki American, Yantis, TX.
• Michael F. Sisti, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, formerly of East Brunswick, NJ, was honored posthumously.
• Harold B. Swygert Jr., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member,West Columbia, SC.

The Journal Paper Award honors the best paper or article published in ASHRAE Journal. Frederick H. Rohles Jr., Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, is the recipient for his article, "Temperature & Temperament: A Psychologist Looks at Comfort." He resides in Manhattan, KS.

The Crosby Field Award honors the best paper presented at an ASHRAE meeting. Francis Farrell, Thomas Fitch, and Michael Morgan receive the award for Development and Performance of a Retrofittable, High-Efficiency Grease Filter System for Kitchen Hoods, which also receives an ASHRAE Poster Presentation Award. Farrell is with Phillips Plastics Corp., Prescott, WI. Fitch is a research engineer, Phillips Plastics Corp., Prescott, WI. Morgan is sales development manager, Captive Aire Systems, Allentown, PA.

The following papers were selected to receive ASHRAE Transactions Paper Awards, which recognize the authors of the best papers presented at Society meetings:

• James Braun, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, for "Impact of Control on Operating Costs for Cool Storage Systems with Dynamic Electric Rates." He is a professor, Purdue University, Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, West Lafayette, IN.
• Vladimir Vukovic and Jelena Srebric, Ph.D., for "Application of Neural Networks Trained with Multizone Models for Fast Detection of Contaminant Source Position in Buildings." Vukovic is a doctoral candidate and Srebric is an associate professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA.
• William Tschudi, P.E., and Stephen Fok, P.E. for Best Practices for "Energy-Efficient Data Centers Identified through Case Studies and Demonstration Projects." Tschudi is program manager, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA; Fok is senior program engineer, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Francisco.

The ASHRAE Poster Presentation Award is given to peer reviewed technical papers with the best visual and technical information presented at Society meetings. The recipients are Sherwood Talbert, P.E., Stephen Ricci, Ph.D., Matthew Goshe, Laura Aume and Rodney Osborne, Ph.D., P.E., for "Reentrainment of Building Exhaust Air by Packaged HVAC Economizers." Talbert and Ricci are senior research engineers; Goshe and Aume are research scientists, and Osborne is associate manager of energy systems, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH.

The Willis H. Carrier Award is given to an ASHRAE member 32 years of age or younger for presenting an outstanding paper at a Society meeting. Joseph Firrantello, mechanical engineer, James Posey Associates, Baltimore, MD, is the recipient for "Use of Factorial Sensitivity Analysis in Multizone Airflow Model Tuning," which also received an ASHRAE Transactions Paper Award. Co-authors also receiving the Transactions Paper Award are William Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, professor of architectural engineering and director of the Indoor Environment Center, Penn State University; Amy Musser, Ph.D., P.E., principal, Vandemusser Design, Asheville, NC; James Freihaut, Ph.D., associate professor, Penn State Universit.; and Jae-Weon Jeong, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea.

The Lincoln Bouillon Award recognizes a member who performs the most outstanding work in increasing the membership of the Society during the course of the year. The recipient is Alan Neely, regional manager, Pittsburgh Corning-Foamglass Insulation, The Woodlands, TX.

The Dan Mills Technical Award recognizes a Chapter Technology Transfer Committee (CTTC) chair who excels in meeting CTTC goals in technical, energy and government activities. The recipient is Thomas Kroeschell, P.E., Northbrook, IL.

The Chapter Program Star Award recognizes excellence in chapter program endeavors. The recipient is Don Hay, general director, TECSIR Sa De CV, Monterrey, Mexico.

The William J. Collins Jr. Research Promotion Award is given to the chapter research promotion chair who raises the most money for ASHRAE research. The recipient is John K. Sealy, a mechanical engineer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

The Lou Flagg Historical Award recognizes a chapter Gold Ribbon award winner for compiling information on outstanding historical projects or persons related to HVAC&R. The recipient is Oswaldo Bueno, owner, Oswaldo Bueno Engenharia E Represetacoes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Environmental Health Award recognizes excellence in volunteer service focused on environmental health issues. The recipient is Hal Levin, Fellow ASHRAE, president of and a research architect, Building Ecology Research Group, Santa Cruz, CA.

The Standards Achievement Award recognizes significant and exceptional service in the area of standards leadership and technical contribution. The recipient is Byron W. Jones, Ph.D., associate dean for research and director of the Engineering Experiment Station, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.

The Ralph G. Nevins Physiology and Human Environment Award is given to a researcher under the age of 40 for significant accomplishment in the study of bioenvironmental engineering and its effect on human comfort and health. The recipient is Henry Willem, Ph.D., post-doctoral research fellow, National University of Singapore.

The ASHRAE Student Activities Achievement Award recognizes a Chapter Student Activities chair for service related to the goals and growth of student activities at all levels. The recipient is Manuel Belino, Ph.D., dean, School of Mechanical Engineering, Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines.

The Homer Addams Award is presented to a graduate student involved in outstanding HVAC&R research. The recipient is Bereket Nigusse, Ph.D., a senior associate, ICF International, Fairfax, VA.

Fire-Lite Free Training

Fire-Lite Alarms, part of Honeywell’s Life Safety Group, plans to host more than 25 educational sessions throughout the U.S., free of charge. From fire alarm basics to detailed hands on training, course offerings are designed for every level of industry professional. Dates, locations and descriptions for Fire-Lite classes for the remainder of 2008 are as follows:

Location: Class Name, Dates
Baltimore, MD: MiniScan, July 8-10
Ft. Lauderdale, FL: MiniScan, July 8-10
San Francisco, CA: Super Academy, July 22-24
Little Rock, AR: SuperLite, August 12-13
Salt Lake City, UT: MiniScan, August 19-21
Portland, OR: MiniScan, August 26-28
Charlotte, NC: MiniScan, August 26-28
Columbus, OH: SuperLite, September 8-9
Denver, CO: MiniScan, September 9-11
Indianapolis, IN: SuperLite, September 11-12
Atlanta, GA: MiniScan, September 16-18
San Antonio, TX: SuperLite, September 23-24
Louisville, KY: MiniScan, September 23-25
Richmond, VA: MiniScan, Sep 30-Oct 2
Ft. Myers, FL: MiniScan, October 7-9
Houston, TX: SuperLite, October 7-8
Milwaukee, WI: SuperLite, October 13-14
Chicago, IL: SuperLite, October 16-17
Fresno, CA: SuperLite, October 22-23
Dallas, TX: SuperLite, October 28-29
Long Island, NY: Super Academy, November 5-7
San Diego, CA English: Mini Scan with optional Basic Fire, November 11-14
San Diego, CA Spanish Mini Scan with optional Basic Fire, November 11-14
Jacksonville, FL: MiniScan, November 18-20
Memphis, TN: MiniScan, November 18-20
Miami, FL: MiniScan, December 2-4
Oakland, CA: MiniScan, December 9-11.
Northford, CT: Super Academy, December 16-18

MiniScan Academy (3 Days)
A three day training on Fire-Lite's conventional and addressable fire alarm control panels and voice evacuation systems. Power supply fundamentals, product features, installation methods, programming, and troubleshooting are taught through practical hands on exercises. Installation and configuration of Fire-Lite’s IPDACT, a module that enables the transmission of alarms from a fire alarm control panel via any IP network line (i.e. ADSL, cable, Internet), is also covered.

SuperLite Academy (2 Days)
A two day course featuring instruction and hands-on exercises in the capabilities, installation, programming and troubleshooting of all Fire-Lite manufactured addressable control panels. The SuperLite Academy will wrap up with two hours of installation and configuration training on Fire-Lite’s IPDACT module that enables the transmission of alarms from a fire alarm control panel via any IP network line (i.e. ADSL, cable, Internet).

Super Academy (3 Days)

(Day 1) Training begins with a Basic Fire Alarm Technology course covering common fire system components, fundamentals of voice evacuation, and various NFPA and ADA codes. Although part of the Super Academy curriculum, individuals seeking basic fire alarm information can opt to attend this on day course.

(Day 2-3) A two day module covering Fire-Lite’s voice evacuation systems and full line of addressable fire alarm control panels. Attendees will receive instruction on features and capabilities of all addressable panels, plus perform hands on exercises in wiring, programming, and troubleshooting.

Guide For Businesses Available From EPA

Developed in consultation with Businesses for Social Responsibility (BSR), the publication focuses on partnership programs from the EPA. "A Business Guide to U.S. EPA Climate Partnership Programs" features profiles on 35 EPA climate-change related partnership programs, as well as a table designed to assist companies find the programs most appropriate for their industry and business objectives.

Each program profile defines the environmental value delivered by the program and the business case for participating, such as cost savings, operational efficiency, reduced business risk, new or expanded markets, enhanced reputation and brand protection.

The EPA's Climate Partnership Programs include the following areas of focus:
Agriculture, Air Quality, Energy Efficiency and Global Climate Change, Pollution Prevention, Product Labeling, Regulatory Innovation, Sector Programs, Technology, Transportation, Waste Management, Water, and Regional Partnership Programs.

The new guide for businessses also describes some of the benefits an organization can gain by partnering with EPA, such as environmental performance benchmarking, public recognition, professional training and networking, and preparation for regulatory developments. There are currently more than 13,000 firms and other organizations participating in EPA climate related partnership programs. Through participation, members are investing in energy efficiency, clean energy supply, and other practices and technologies for mitigating climate risks.

EPA developed the guide in consultation with Businesses for Social Responsibility (BSR), a nonprofit business association. BSR, which provides practical resources for businesses seeking sustainable solutions, is promoting the guide to its 250 members and other Global 1000 enterprises.

The guide can be downloaded as a PDF file from www.epa.gov/partners.

AHRI Awarded Prestigious ANSI Accreditation

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) announced it has been awarded accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a standards developing organization.

"ANSI accreditation adds value to our standards development process by confirming that our procedures meet ANSI's essential requirements for openness, balance, consensus, and due process," said AHRI President Stephen Yurek. "In order to maintain accreditation, AHRI is required to consistently adhere to a rigorous set of requirements and procedures."

Many of AHRI's standards outline technical procedures for uniformly measuring the performance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and commercial refrigeration (HVACR) equipment. Through the use of these standards and voluntary participation in the industry's performance certification programs, consumers can be assured manufacturers' performance claims are verified and rated uniformly to enable fair comparisons.

"The rigor of ANSI accreditation makes it widely recognized as a valid measurement of a standards program's credibility and competency by federal and state governments and governments outside the United States," said Yurek. "It also enhances the integrity of AHRI's industry certification programs, and improves consumer confidence in the performance of heating, cooling and commercial refrigeration equipment and components both domestically and abroad."

FRIDAY FUNNY: Darwin Award Honorable Mentions

For anyone unfamiliar with the Darwin Awards, this honor has been bestowed upon those members of the human race who have done a great service to mankind by accidentally removing themselves from the gene pool. The awards have been around since the mid 1980s, but they really hit their stride when the Internet became the ideal circulation vehicle for all kinds of tall tales, urban legends, and sordid truths.

While genuine Darwin Award winners enjoy both the thrill of victory (achieving a remarkable feat under extreme circumstances) and the agony of defeat (typically in the form of their own demise), the following photographs should give you an idea of the general concept. They also illustrate a complete disregard for safety and lack of common sense in facilities maintenance settings.

From the "should it be necessary to apply for a safety license to use a ladder?" file:

During a heat wave, desperate times warrant desperate measures:













Lesson learned: don't park one of those trucks on the side of a hill and then get into the bucket at the top...













Nothing like this has ever happened in your parking lot, right?












When you're hating your job, think about switching places with this guy:


















And finally, from the "how the heck did that happen?" file:



Let this be a warning to you and the members of your facilities departments!

Thanks to TFM FM Frequency Columnist Jeff Crane for submitting this Friday Funny.

U.S. State Department Adds Sustainable Technology

Ambassador Paul E. Simons recently announced that the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile will commission two new sustainable technology additions to the embassy’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

In support of the Santiago embassy's “Sustainability Initiative for the Embassy” the U.S. Department of State Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has installed two new state of the art energy technology systems in the embassy. A third sustainable energy project for the Ambassador’s Residence has been funded and is being designed. It will be installed this summer.

The first of the innovative energy technology systems installed in the building is a dedicated heat recovery chiller. This progressive, environmentally friendly application converts “waste heat” created by the embassy’s lighting, computer and telephone electronic applications into useful energy for hot water needed throughout the building without using any fossil fuels.

The second project is the installation of a modular air cooled chiller for the air conditioning system. These modular chillers have the lowest refrigerant charge per kilowatt available on the world market, reducing potential losses to the atmosphere. The innovative U. S. energy technology chillers were engineered and manufactured by Multistack, LLC, of Sparta, WI.

The third project is engineering design and installation of a solar domestic water heater for the Ambassador’s Residence. This solar water heater will provide the majority of the residence’s domestic hot water needs without the use of gas or electricity for heating the water.

DuPont, Customers Help Rebuild Town

DuPont and four time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon recently announced that DuPont will partner with customers and make an initial donation of more than 30 innovative products and services worth nearly $750,000 to help rebuild homes and businesses in tornado-ravaged Greensburg, KS.

The town was leveled by one of the largest tornadoes in U.S. history in 2007. Very few structures remained in the aftermath of the deadly EF5 tornado and more than 1,500 people, who were displaced, are waiting to return to their homes. Greensburg residents are rebuilding their town using sustainable materials.

“DuPont employees and customers have come together to help the families in Greensburg. We cannot possibly imagine what this community has suffered but we can help. We care about protecting lives, we care about building homes, and we care about safeguarding communities,” said Tom Schuler, vice president and general manager, DuPont Building Innovations. “We are pleased to support the people of Greensburg with sustainable products that will help make a difference in the renewal of the town.”

The materials, which include key end use products from DuPont customers, will provide a number of benefits to homeowners in Greensburg for safety and energy efficiency, using sustainable materials for both inside and outside their homes.

“DuPont's involvement in Greensburg marks a great partnership for the city. I look forward to continued support from them as we rebuild our sustainable city,” said Steve Hewitt, Greensburg city administrator.

“DuPont's leadership in creating quality products and their generous contributions are making it possible for the Habitat organization to offer affordable home ownership as a hands-up solution in the Greensburg community. We are tremendously grateful to DuPont and their business partners for their leadership and support,” said Linda Stewart, executive director, Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

Key DuPont customer donations include carpet from Mohawk and air conditioning systems from Johnson Controls.

Inspired by Greensburg residents’ desire to rebuild “green,” Planet Green television network is chronicling the rebuilding of Greensburg. The epic docu-series is a mixture of human stories and building and engineering. "Greensburg" will air on Planet Green every Sunday for 12 weeks. The series will document the story of a community coming together and the enormous scope of rebuilding a small city.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Tips For Those Affected By Midwest Flooding

This Web Exclusive comes from Bill Begal, 2007 Phoenix Award winner for innovation in restoration and president of Begal Enterprises, Inc. This collection of "best practices" is based on Begal's experiences with past clients. So while it may seem like common sense, it could help businesses or individuals who have never faced such a massive loss.

Begal adds, "The purpose [of these tips] is to assist any friends, family members, or associates that may have flood damage and are not sure of what to do, where to turn, or even where to begin."

• Get a notebook and keep track of any and all dates, times, and persons that you talk to in regards to your claim.
• Get a copy of your insurance policy. This will define and determine your limits as well as your rights and responsibilities to and from your insurance company.
• Speak/sit down with your adjuster.
• Define who is taking responsibility for your loss.
• What are your responsibilities and duties to comply as well as make a smooth and seamless process?
• Ask what is the process for listing and valuating your T/L (total loss) personal property. Do not throw ANYTHING away; everything has value.
• Follow up EVERY meeting and conversation with an e-mail to memorialize and capture what was discussed and might have been agreed to. This will eliminate confusion and misunderstandings later on.
• Define and get an explanation of what is necessary to be reimbursed for any lost rent or interruption of business.
• Ask your adjuster for a sufficient advance for purchases that are necessary. Include enough money to assist with your first month and security deposit for a temporary dwelling.
• Save ALL receipts for any and all meals, hotels, purchases, toiletries, vitamins, cosmetics etc.
• Wear personal protective equipment if you are entering a disaster zone: gloves, hard hat, approved respirator, Tyvek suit, etc.
• Refer to the EPA Web site to answer questions on mold and how to clean or disinfect properly.
• NEVER EVER open a refrigerator or freezer that has been off for more than a week to 10 days. The smell will knock you over.
• DO NOT TAKE ANY FOOD, PRESCRIPTIONS, or COSMETICS FROM THE BUILDING that have gotten wet or been exposed to an unusual amount of moisture or heat.
• ALWAYS remember that it is your decision, NOT the adjusters, as to which service provider can assist you.
• NO ONE can demand or force you to use a particular company at any time for any reason.
• Check references for any and all companies that you retain to perform work on your behalf.

Begal, who is based in Rockville, MD, regularly assists those who are dealing with the aftermath of a disaster, and acknowledges, "The recovery process can be overwhelming when all you have appears to be damaged or ruined." His company is currently preparing to mobilize labor and equipment with in the next week, as national clients have requested assistance in different areas in Iowa and Missouri. He can be contacted directly toll-free at 888-BEGAL44.