FacilityBlog from Today's Facility Manager: The First Facility Management Blog

FacilityBlog: Back to Original Address as of 8/5/08

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:07:00 +0000

As of Tuesday, August 5, 2008, all new articles for FacilityBlog will be posted at this new link.

All 2,230 items and posts ranging back from May 2005 have been brought together once again on this site, making it easier for visitors to gather the most relevant and viable information regarding facility management.

See you there!

Guide to Assist Employers With Trip Fall Prevention

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:38:00 +0000

To help employers reduce and ultimately eliminate slips, trips and falls that continue to occur in workplaces, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), recently announced the availability of a compendium including slip, trip, and fall prevention standards and a technical report from their catalogs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), floors, walkways and ground surfaces were the source of injury and illness for 18% of all days away from work cases in 2006. Also, in 2006, 770 workers died due to falls, a 5% increase since 2005. Slip, trip, and loss of balance injuries without falls accounted for 35,440 non-fatal injuries and falls on the same level accounted for 151,750 non-fatal injuries in 2006.

The compendium includes: “Safety Requirements for Workplace Walking/Working Surfaces and Their Access,” (ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-2007); “Standard for the Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces,” (ANSI/ASSE A1264.2-2006); “Technical Report for Using Variable Angle Tribometers (VAT) for Measurement of the Slip Resistance of Walkway Surfaces,” (ANSI/ASSE TR-A1264.3-2007); “Safety Requirements for Temporary Roof and Floor Holes, Wall Openings, Stairways and Other Unprotected Edges in Construction and Demolition Operations,” (ANSI/ASSE A10.18-2007); “Standard Practices for Safe Walking Surfaces,” (ASTM F1637-07); “Standard Guide for Composing Walkway Surface Evaluation and Incident Report Forms for Slips, Stumbles, Trips and Falls,” (ASTM F1694-96, R2004); “Standard Guide for Ranking Footwear Bottom Materials on Contaminated Walkway Surfaces According to Slip Resistance Test Results,” (ASTM F1240-01); “Standard Guide for Selection of Certain Walkway Surfaces When Considering Footwear Traction,” (ASTM F802-83, R2003); as well as ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-1955 (R2002), ANSI/ASSE A1264.2-2001 and ANSI A10.18-1996 standards as historic documents.

ASSE and ASTM note that the standards included in the compendium are effective as standalone documents, their intent is to provide employers with a comprehensive package addressing the issue of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

For more information on the compendium visit this link.

Susquehanna Bancshares Discovers Promising Savings Program On The Roof

noreply@blogger.com (ChadTFM) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:25:00 +0000

For any company providing financial advice and investment services, it’s important to demonstrate financial smarts whenever possible to both customers and shareholders. So when Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. of Lititz, PA found that a Republic Powdered Metals roof coating system could save them hundreds of thousands of dollars on a weathered EPDM roof and extend its life for another 12 years, the company was impressed.

After 18 years, the roof of the renovated 19th century mill, now the headquarters for regional financial services company Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc., had been repaired several times within 24 months.

“The owners were looking for options,” said Steve Ballentine, who had recently joined the sales/technical staff of Gooding, Simpson & Mackes, Inc. (GSM) of Ephrata, PA, the roofing contractor chosen to work on numerous Susquehanna roofing projects in the south central Pennsylvania area.

Ballentine met with Nathaniel Baum, facility help desk supervisor at Susquehanna Bancshares’ headquarters, to discuss those options after walking the roof—not your typical commercial flat EPDM surface. A portion of the building’s roof is flat, but most of its 60,000 square foot roof is made up of a series of steeply sloped sections that abut vertical window walls in a saw tooth design. Each section is approximately 20' deep by 80' long, with a 30 degree to 45 degree slope.

“The roof had leaked, and the repairs had to do with open seams and open flashing joints,” Ballentine said. “We evaluated the roof and determined that the main roof needed maintenance, but we didn’t think it needed replacement because the overall condition of the roof was in good shape.”

“We walked the roof and talked about every option we had,” Baum said. “We talked about life expectancy versus extended life and the cost of coating versus a complete tear off.”

Ballentine recommended a coating system. “We felt that a roof coating was a good fit and the best solution.” He provided costs for roof restoration with Republic’s Geogard system, a monolithic, highly reflective white urethane coating, as well as ballpark costs for replacement.
“We chose Geogard because it’s a urethane based system,” Ballentine said. “It’s good for areas where minimal ponding may occur and where slopes connect with flat areas. And we know Republic is an established company with a good reputation. I’ve dealt with Republic for seven years; I introduced GSM to Republic systems when I joined the company.”

After weighing the options, Baum said, Susquehanna decided to go with a Republic roof restoration system—the company’s first use of roof coatings. “One thing our management team liked about roof restoration was the huge difference in the cost,” Baum said. “It was approximately one third the cost of a complete roof replacement. We’re talking significant savings.”

After an infrared roof scan to detect any areas of wet roof insulation that would need to be replaced, GSM submitted a list of remedial repairs to complete before the roof coating system was applied–items pulled directly from Republic’s thorough pre-installation process specifications. Employees would be working inside throughout the project, so GSM reviewed the potential for routine noise and odor issues ahead of time.

The project was implemented in two phases and completed in the spring of 2007. “Now the roof is perpetually maintainable,” Ballentine said.

“The project went pretty smoothly,” Baum said. “Because it’s a coating and not a tear off, noise was not much of a problem. It’s a lot less invasive.” As for odor, Ballentine and Baum said they received few comments. On warmer days of the project the crews would routinely shut down the rooftop ac/ventilation units near where they were working.

However, both Baum and Ballentine said many occupants did notice that the highly reflective white Geogard surface was affecting the interior space, providing an unexpected and welcome benefit. “Because of the sawtooth design of the roof,” Ballentine said, “the white membrane reflected so much light into the interior that it really brightened up the inside of the building.”

Baum explains how Susquehanna is using that outcome to make the building even more energy efficient. “We’re getting more sunlight inside, so we don’t need to have as many lights on, and we’re having a complete lighting upgrade done with automatic light level sensors. So, as we get ample natural light inside, the automatic system will detect the light coming in and shut off lights accordingly.”

Baum also is confident that the white reflective membrane will have an impact on heating/cooling costs, even though changes in the number and configuration of employees inside make it impossible to calculate at this point. On a hot day during the installation, crews took thermal readings using an infrared thermometer. The reading for the white, coated surface was 105 degrees. The black, uncoated surface registered 145 degrees–a 40 degree difference.

“The white surface reflects the heat back into the atmosphere instead of absorbing the heat into the building where we have to cool it,” Baum said. “Considering that we now have a lot more people drawing power, we know this white roof coating is helping to keep our energy costs lower than they would have been without it.”

Ballentine and Baum also agreed that roof restoration’s intrinsically earth friendly nature is especially important for the company and the communities it serves. As Susquehanna works toward developing greener buildings and processes, he said, the company is embracing the earth friendly benefits of roof restoration for numerous facilities, a decision that will keep hundreds of thousands of tons of roofing material out of landfills for years to come.

All in all, Ballentine said, the project continues to be a win-win for Susquehanna Bancshares in every way. “Between the elimination of the leakage problem, the long term roofing needs contained, and the additional light in the building, they’re happy on all fronts.”

In light of this project’s very positive outcome–both in immediate savings and those projected long term with reduced maintenance and energy costs–Baum and his superiors are looking at coatings for other projects as they develop capital maintenance budgets for other facilities.

Chief Manufacturing Introduces Online Tool

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:16:00 +0000

The Virtual Classroom is designed to assist education decision makers in choosing products to furnish their facilities. Facility managers can browse around the "classroom" on the Chief site and discover the latest in AV mount technology through an interactive tour of Chief products that are specially designed for the classroom.

Products within the room include Chief's RPA™ Elite Projector Mount and Fusion™ Mobile Cart, Monitor Mount, and Swing Arm Wall Mount. The Virtual Classroom also includes links to CAD drawings, tech drawings, and installation manuals.

Another new tool on Chief Web site is MountBuilder™, a product configurator for building and specifying mounting solutions. The tool walks the user through a logical sequence of steps for building a mount configuration that visually appears on screen. Drop distance and weight capacity are automatically calculated as parts are added. A parts list is also generated, with the ability to edit parts and quantities.

Chief's Easy Bid Spec form is also available for download within the Virtual Classroom and MountBuilder applications. This interactive PDF form simplified the bid process by providing an easy to use format for acquiring project bids from Chief.

ASHRAE Announces Scholarship Recipients

noreply@blogger.com (ChadTFM) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:28:00 +0000

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has announced the recipients of 16 scholarships totaling $85,000 for the 2008-09 academic year. The students, all pursuing courses leading to a career within the HVAC industry, will receive the following undergraduate ASHRAE scholarships:

Reuben Trane Scholarships: $10,000 over two years, Jonathan Jenkins, University of Kansas, architectural engineering; Carrie Baughman, North Carolina State University, mechanical engineering; and Ashanti Hepburn, NC A State University, architectural engineering. The scholarship was established in 1991 when The Trane Co. established an endowment fund in memory of its founder.

Willis H. Carrier Scholarship: $10,000 for one year, Felipe Pinsheira, Southern Illinois University, mechanical engineering; James Newman, Kansas State University, architectural engineering. The scholarship was established by The Carrier Corp. in memory of its founder, a pioneer in the HVAC industry known for his contributions to establishing air conditioning as an industry.

Frank M. Coda Memorial Scholarship: $5,000 for one year, Martin Nolan, City College of the City University of New York, mechanical engineering. The scholarship is named in memory of ASHRAE’s former executive vice president.

The following one-year $3,000 scholarships will be awarded:

Henry Adams Scholarship: Alyssa Adams, Penn State University, architectural engineering. The scholarship was established by the consulting firm of Henry Adams Inc. in memory of its founder.

Duane Hanson Scholarship: Susan Nagel, Kansas State, architectural engineering. The scholarship’s namesake was president of Gayner Engineers in San Francisco, CA.

Alwin B. Newton Scholarship: James Gawthrop, Penn State, architectural engineering. The scholarship’s namesake was an industry pioneer who was granted 219 patents and strived to provide knowledge to younger people in the industry.

ASHRAE Region VIII Scholarship: Tanushree Thote, University of Arkansas, biological engineering.

ASHRAE Scholarships: Clinton Gechter, University of Kansas, architectural engineering; and Paul Schack, University of Wisconsin, electrical engineering.

Memorial Scholarship: Eric White, Southern Illinois, mechanical engineering.

Associate of Engineering Technology Scholarship: Jeffrey Normandy, Massasoit Community College, HVAC technology; Benjamin LaRose, State University of New York (Canton), air conditioning engineering technology.

Bachelor’s Engineering Technology Scholarship: Jeffrey Hansen, Alfred State University (SUNY), mechanical engineering technology.

ASHRAE has awarded 180 scholarships during the past 19 years totaling more than $925,000. The ASHRAE scholarship program encourages and assists HVAC education through scholarships and fellowships.

In addition, ASHRAE has launched a Web page for its scholarship program–www.ashrae.org/ scholarships. The page provides a summary of all ASHRAE scholarship opportunities for students seeking scholarship information, along with testimonials from former scholarship recipients.

FRIDAY FUNNY: Men (And Women) At Work--Yeah, Really!

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:16:00 +0000

As more and more employees gain Internet access from their desktops, surfing the Web on the job is becoming a serious issue for both workers and supervisors alike. To what extent should employees be allowed to surf the web on company time? It's a charged issue that's a little more complicated recently with the increasing popularity of Don's Boss Page, a Web site that's devoted to helping employees fool their bosses into thinking they're hard at work -- when they're actually cruising the Web.

At first glance, Don's Boss Page appears to be nothing more than a spreadsheet, complete with number columns and bar graphs. In fact, it's a model of the infamous TPS Report, as seen in the film "Office Space." The interactive form, designed in flash by Nate Craddock, allows you to click on any of the buttons at the top of the spreadsheet to bring up realistic looking windows.

Scroll down the page, however, and a wealth of features are revealed -- from tips and tricks for at work "stealth surfing" to downloadable panic buttons that users can place on their own Web sites. There's also pre-recorded typing sound effects to help workers sound busy while sleeping in their cubicles, and a directory of worker friendly sites. In addition, a floating "Personal Protector" window allows users to surf the far corners of the Web while keeping Don's Boss Page, and job security, a short click away.

Don believes that while excessive surfing certainly impedes workplace productivity, companies should consider adopting the attitude that web surfing is like coffee breaks and water cooler conversations. These necessary diversions, in moderation, allow workers to relax, regroup, and ultimately become more productive. "Besides," he says "an employee who surfs the Web is an Internet-literate employee, and as the world's commerce begins to move online, this is a set of skills that companies should nurture rather than discourage in their workforces."

Originally hosted on Don's college Web pages, the site became so popular with at work surfers worldwide that when Don graduated it became obvious that he needed to move the site to a dedicated server. "I get e-mail from workers on every continent who thank me over and over for providing such a service. It's obvious that there really is a crisis going on in our workplaces over on-the-job surfing, and the ever growing popularity of Don's Boss Page illustrates this quite clearly." explains Don.

And that's this week's Friday Funny. Don't forget this cover sheet for your T.P.S. Report. Make sure you use the right one.

USGBC Announces Certification Bodies For LEED

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:16:00 +0000

As the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) continues the development of the next version of its LEED rating system, the group announced this week the certification bodies for LEED. These entities are:
* ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc.
* BSI Management Systems America, Inc.
* Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
* DNV Certification
* Intertek
* KEMA-Registered Quality, Inc.
* Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Inc.
* NSF-International Strategic Registrations
* SRI Quality System Registrar, Inc.
* Underwriters Laboratories-DQS Inc.

The USGBC notes that these entities are well known and respected for their roles in certifying organizations, processes, and products to ISO and other standards.

This evolution in the certification process is being undertaken as an integrated part of a major update to the technical rating system which will debut next January as LEED 2009. The update will also include a comprehensive technology upgrade to LEED Online aimed at improving the user experience and expanding its portfolio management capabilities.

Currently, all LEED project submissions are reviewed by USGBC with the support of independently contracted reviewers. In alignment with its vision of market transformation, beginning in January 2009, the USGBC will move administration of the LEED certification process to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), a non-profit organization established in 2007 with the support of USGBC. Working together with the selected certification bodies, GBCI will deliver an improved, ISO compliant certification process that will be able to grow with the green building movement.

“During the past year, the dramatic growth in the number of LEED project certifications challenged us to apply our mission of market transformation to ourselves,” commented USGBC president, CEO, and founding chairman Rick Fedrizzi. “By learning from ISO, engaging with world class certification bodies, and focusing on our mission, we’ve been able to create a solution that will expand our capacity to serve the community while letting USGBC continue to focus on improving the LEED rating system and delivering exceptional green building education.”

“Third-party certification is the hallmark of the LEED program,” added Alice Soulek, VP of LEED Development. “Moving the administration of LEED certification under GBCI will continue to support market transformation by delivering auditable third-party certification. Importantly, it also allows UGSBC to stick to the knitting of advancing the technical and scientific basis of LEED.”

GBCI currently administers the LEED Accredited Professional program, in alignment with ANSI requirements for professional certifications.

AT&T Joins Green Grid to Promote Data Center Energy Efficiency

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:40:00 +0000

AT&T Inc. announced its affiliate, AT&T Services Inc., has joined The Green Grid, the global consortium dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems. AT&T also announced it will supply data center performance information to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in developing a new ENERGY STAR rating for data center infrastructure.

Membership in The Green Grid and participation in the ENERGY STAR data center initiative underscore AT&T's commitment to minimize the environmental impact of its operations and to work collaboratively with industry organizations and suppliers to identify optimal solutions and best practices.

The Green Grid works to provide industry wide recommendations and best practices on metrics and technologies that will improve energy efficiency in data centers around the world. As a Contributor Member of The Green Grid, AT&T is taking an important role in cooperating with other leading companies to reduce energy consumption and related data center costs.

"The Green Grid is proud to welcome AT&T as a Contributor Member of the consortium," said Mark Monroe, a director of The Green Grid. "AT&T brings a breadth of knowledge and experience in the field of communications. The Green Grid is looking forward to collaborating with AT&T and leveraging its expertise to help further the organization's mission."

In an effort to improve energy efficiency in the data center industry, the EPA is developing an ENERGY STAR Data Center Infrastructure Rating. This new rating will help data center operators assess the energy performance of their buildings' infrastructure and identify buildings with the greatest opportunity for improvement, allowing them to capture the financial and environmental benefits of improved energy efficiency in their facilities. The initiative will ultimately enable data center facilities to earn ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy efficiency. To assist in the development of this rating, AT&T has committed to monitoring select company data centers and submit energy data to the EPA during the next 12 months.

"EPA is very pleased to have AT&T's support for the development of the ENERGY STAR rating for data center infrastructure," said Mike Zatz, manager of EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings Program. "It is only with the active involvement of industry leaders like AT&T that EPA will be able to provide the data center industry with the information it needs to most effectively improve the energy efficiency of these critical facilities."

"Data center electricity use has been growing rapidly in recent years, roughly doubling from 2000 to 2005," said Jonathan Koomey, Ph.D., staff scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories and consulting professor, Stanford University. "There's significant potential for improving energy efficiency in those facilities, and many large companies are starting to make the institutional and technological changes needed to capture that efficiency. In this case, businesses can save money and reduce pollution at the same time."

Honeywell Scientist Garners Industry Honor

noreply@blogger.com (ChadTFM) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:16:00 +0000

Honeywell announced today that Dr. Ian Shankland, director of technology for Honeywell’s fluorine products business, has been awarded the 2008 Perkin Medal by the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

The Perkin Medal is one of the most prestigious honors given in the chemical industry and is awarded to a scientist who has provided innovation in applied chemistry, resulting in outstanding commercial development. Shankland won the award for his successful work to develop alternatives to ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which had been commonly used in refrigerants, aerosols, blowing agents, solvents, and sterilant gases.

“This is well deserved recognition for Ian’s enormous contributions to the science of fluorocarbons, and their important role in helping to solve one of the greatest global challenges of our time,” said Ray Stark, vice president of technology for Honeywell specialty materials. Fluorine products is part of the specialty materials strategic business group.

“Ian’s strength as a technologist is further enhanced by his ability to convert science to useful commercial applications, which is a key criteria for Perkin Medal recipients and also a great source of value for Honeywell customers,” added Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager of fluorine products.

The Perkin Medal was established in 1906 to commemorate the discovery of the first synthetic aniline dye by Sir William Henry Perkin. Perkin was a founding member of SCI and was also the first recipient of the award. Shankland will receive the award at the Annual Perkin Medal dinner in Philadelphia on September 18.

Since joining Honeywell more than 25 years ago, Shankland has led teams that have screened and tested many compounds in search of economically and commercially viable environmentally preferable substitutes aligned with the timely phase out of CFCs and HCFCs, including HFC-245fa, a zero ozone depleting blowing agent for polyurethane foam applications; and R-410A and R-507 refrigerants for air conditioning and stationary refrigeration applications.

Most recently, Shankland has led Honeywell’s research effort at the Buffalo, NY facility to discover and commercialize low global warming refrigerants and blowing agents. As a result of this effort, Honeywell recently announced a new material to replace HFC-134, a refrigerant for mobile air conditioning in Europe, and a solution for certain foam applications in Europe.

Shankland earned his doctorate in physical chemistry from the Adelaide University, Australia, and was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University, where he worked for three years prior to Honeywell. He is an inventor on 49 U.S. patents and has published numerous technical and scientific papers.

Prior Perkin Medalists include: Edwin Land of Polaroid; Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel; and Robert Gore, inventor of Gore-Tex. Among past winners are also Edith M. Flanigen and Vladimir Haensel, both of UOP, a Honeywell company.

The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) is a unique international forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. Anyone can join, and the Society offers a chance to share information between sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and safety. Originally established in 1881, SCI is a registered charity with individual members in over 70 countries. Its international headquarters are in London, and it has offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, India, and mainland Europe. Ever since its foundation, SCI's principal objective has been to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit.

Herman Miller Employees Donate Time

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:14:00 +0000

More than 100 of the company's employees traveled to Alexandria, VA to help six non-profit organizations in the city. As part of a Herman Miller conference, Alexandria benefitted from a staff volunteer day. Rebuilding Together Alexandria (RTA) orchestrated various volunteer projects at non-profits, from playing games with seniors and painting to landscaping and interacting with children.

“To be a part of the community means you roll up your sleeves and work with neighboring organizations to help make the lives of those they serve better,” said Katharine Medina, executive director of RTA. “Through these efforts, [the] Herman Miller volunteers were able to positively impact thousands of Alexandria residents.”

Herman Miller volunteers completed projects for ALIVE, the Art League, Community Lodgings, the Boys & Girls Club, the Seaport Foundation, and the St. Martin de Porres Senior Center. Whether they were gardening and mulching or playing Bingo with the seniors, the volunteers expressed their enjoyment of participating in the activities.

“We had a lot of fun working with the non-profits and hopefully made a dent in the work that each of these agencies need. We like to give back in communities where we’re hosting a conference and it was wonderful to be able to work at so many facilities in Alexandria that needed our help,” said Sally Gruppen of Herman Miller. In addition, many of the individual volunteers, as well as Herman Miller, made donations to the non-profit at which they volunteered.

RTA and its volunteers assisted 91 homeowners and non-profit agencies this year. Whether it is plumbing, electrical work, or general handyman jobs, nearly 800 volunteers annually make a difference in their neighborhoods.

About Herman Miller, Inc.
The designs and services of Herman Miller enhance the performance of human habitats worldwide. The company's award-winning products, complemented by furniture management and strategic consulting services, generated more than $2 billion in revenue during fiscal 2008.

About Rebuilding Together Alexandria (RTA)
Over the past 21 years, RTA has partnered with hundreds of volunteers to repair more than 1,000 homes in the City of Alexandria. Rebuilding Together Alexandria works year-round to repair and revitalize homes for homeowners in need, including elderly, disabled and families with children. RTA also takes groups of volunteers to the Gulf to rebuild homes destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Again, ANSI Thwarts Efforts to Block Safety Standard for Construction Industry

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Last week (7/17/08), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Appeals Board Panel dismissed the latest appeal brought by the Construction Industry Employer Coalition, a coalition of five trade associations of U.S. construction interests, to withdraw the adoption of the approved voluntary consensus standard “reduction of Musculoskeletal Problems in Construction” (ANSI/ASSE A10.40-2007), which aims to reduce musculoskeletal problems/disorders (MSDs) in the construction industry. This was the last appeal allowable under the ANSI appeals process.

In late 2006, the ANSI/ASSE A10 Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) on Construction and Demolition Operations approved the standard. Following the approval of the standard by the Committee, the Coalition filed an appeal challenging the standard’s adoption, and a hearing was held on May 1, 2007 to hear the formal complaints.

On May 25, 2007, the appeals panel found unanimously that the appeal complaints were without merit and that the Secretariat, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), complied with the ANSI due process requirements in developing the standard. ANSI’s Board of Standards Review (BSR) approved the standard on July 23, 2007 after extensive review of the procedures and the record.

During Fall 2007, the Coalition filed a request with ANSI to retract the approval of the standard temporarily, but the BSR decided not to rescind the approval of A10.40 as a consensus standard while an appeal was pending on October 16, 2007. The Coalition appealed the BSR decision on November 9, 2007. The ANSI BSR held the hearing for the appeal on February 7, 2008. The BSR determined after the appeal hearing on March 14, 2008 that its original action to approve the A10.40 as an American National Standard stands. The Coalition appealed again on May 5, 2008, their last appeal under ANSI procedures.

According to the ANSI Appeals Board Panel, the appeals statement and record filed by the Coalition did not establish a prima facie case against the BSR’s earlier decision to uphold the approval of the standard. Therefore, another appeals hearing will not be held.

The ANSI BSR denied the previous appeal on the grounds that insufficient evidence was provided by the Coalition in support of its appeal to demonstrate that the ASC 10 Committee failed to obtain a consensus of materially affected interests with respect to the A10.40 Standard, that the Committee was unbalanced or dominated by one interest group, that the Committee failed adequately to respond to comments or that any procedural requirements were violated or overlooked.

"National consensus standards, such as A10.40, reflect the insights of the final users and the opinions of professionals who work at all levels of public and private sectors in technology development, safety and health, manufacturing, training, financial analysis, personnel and academia," said A10 Committee Chair Richard King, CSP, CRSP. "This balanced perspective enables standards to be crafted in a manner that benefits and protects standard users."

Some of the potential solutions in the standard aimed at reducing incidence of MSDs include risk elimination, substitution, use of engineering controls, administrative changes, training, use of protective equipment and assessment of individuals’ physical capabilities.

The standard also notes that construction workers and supervisors should be trained to recognize risk factors and ways to reduce the risk of MSDs through proper work techniques. Employee participation and injury management program are also discussed in the standard. A10.40 also includes a risk assessment guide, a construction MSD problem checklist, a return-to-work checklist, a list of resources, key terms and definitions and a list of non-occupational risk factors associated with work-related MSDs such as age, strength and gender.

For more information on how to reduce the risk of MSDs in construction visit the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health for its booklet titled Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. Click this link for ASSE’s position statement on ergonomics.

Juno Lighting Group Launches New Energy Calculator

noreply@blogger.com (ChadTFM) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Because rising energy costs and environmental pressures are becoming a major concern for customers, Juno Lighting Group has created the new Energy Plus Calculator™ to help save energy and money on lighting. This new tool, a free download available at www. junolightinggroup.com, will help facility managers (fms) find solutions when making complex decisions about construction or remodeling projects.

“We've created this calculator to help the user make decisions based on pay back and returns on investment (ROI) with a report on how their lighting decision will impact the environment,“ said vice president of affiliate sales Scott Walters. “Juno has been considered a leader in lighting applications for years. This tool is one more resource that we know our customers will use in the decision-making process."

The Energy Plus Calculator delivers comprehensive reports on short and long term energy costs, helping users consider carbon footprints. It can also be used as a business tool, to help create more effective business proposals and get quick tax savings calculations. When the knowledge from the calculator is applied, it can help avoid costly code violations and reduce operating costs

Users of the calculator begin by entering specific building and project information. The base system information that is entered should include fixture specific data for any type of lighting fixture, ranging from project information to space or building setup. A few clicks of the mouse will produce a report that compares the base system with up to four different solutions. The options will include calculations of potential energy savings, tax benefits, and an analysis of environmental impact.

Reports will be customized, taking into account building information, fixture comparisons, lighting controls, energy comparisons, HVAC factors, maintenance time, maintenance costs, the Energy Policy Act (EPAct 2005), and other factors, such as rebates and financing.

Once downloaded, the calculator is available offline. It is completely portable and accessible without an Internet connection. The application can be accessed via the energy resources tab at www.junolightinggroup.com. The Energy Plus Calculator is a Microsoft Excel based application available for use in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

WEIRD WEDNESDAY: Solar Trees

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Designer Ross Lovegrove believes that "intelligent products reflect the value we place on our civilisation. They must use resources wisely and celebrate the full potential of our emerging scientific and technological age." Working in his studio in London, Lovegrove takes inspiration from nature to create everyday items, including his SUPERNATURAL chair that weighs 2.5 kilos (approximately 5.5 pounds).

While many of Lovegrove's products may not be seen in the mainstream market, one of his designs--A Solar Tree--can be seen on the streets of several European cities. Solar trees are solar-powered streetlamps that are designed to look like a part of nature more than an artificial light source. Each Solar Tree has 10 "branches," which are actually solar panels that collect sunlight during the day and then use that energy to provide light during the night. The tree's "trunk" is green to add to the connection with nature.

The lamps were first installed in Vienna in October 2007 in collaboration with the Museum of Applied Arts there. Since then, Lovegrove's trees have been placed on the Piazza della Scala in Milan and the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Lovegrove is working on a second generation of the Solar Tree, which will feature solar panels that follow the sun to increase energy capture.

Steelcase and Lab Crafters Announce Strategic Business Alliance

noreply@blogger.com (ChadTFM) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:40:00 +0000

Steelcase recently announced that it has negotiated a strategic business alliance agreement with Lab Crafters Inc., a 30 year old company located in Ronkonkoma, NY, that manufactures a portfolio of product solutions developed for laboratory environments. Lab Crafters designs and manufactures fume hoods, casegoods, and other integrated laboratory solutions. The alliance will provide Steelcase new capabilities to meet customers' needs for product solutions in a wide range of laboratory settings.

For a number of years, Steelcase has created laboratory solutions, including its lab bench product. The foundation of lab bench is a structural module that can be combined into benches of almost any length and configuration. Unlike more traditional casework products, the entire system is flexible. Since lab bench components are easily adjustable, they can adapt to the changing needs of different workers, changing projects, and changing equipment to help accelerate a facilities change process. Utilities like power, data, vacuum, and water are easily routed through this infrastructure, and two people can move, disconnect, and connect the benches to be configured in many combinations or directions, using minimal hand tools.

Lab bench was initially designed to serve the bioscience market, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and other health care markets. The product can also be applied to a variety of higher education scenarios as well as the food and electronics industries.

"Laboratory Solutions is a fast growing division of Steelcase, and Lab Crafters is a valued partner who can significantly enhance our capabilities," said Dean Witting, general manager of Steelcase Laboratory Solutions. "This alliance will advance our momentum in the marketplace by integrating Lab Crafters' fume hood technologies and extensive industry expertise with our marketing, distribution, and research based product development approach."

"This alliance blends innovation, marketing, and distribution expertise with similar corporate cultures and values. Like Steelcase, Lab Crafters is committed to producing leading edge products and solution based applications. And both companies share a dedication to problem solving through sustainability and environmental responsibility," said Bob DeLuca, senior president and CEO of Lab Crafters. "This alliance will allow both companies to provide a richer
offering of products intended to help laboratory workers be more effective."

Effective immediately, Steelcase and Lab Crafters will distribute a full range of products throughout North America, including Canada and Mexico.

Building Code Grant Legislation Passes U.S. House

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:25:00 +0000

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that will help communities across the country adopt and administer building codes to save lives and protect property. The Community Building Code Administration Grant (CBCAG) Act, sponsored by Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS), would provide awards to local governments to establish and enforce building safety and fire prevention codes.

CBCAG funds would be used to recruit, hire, train, and equip “First Preventers,” building and fire safety officials who prevent harm by ensuring compliance with safety codes before disasters occur. The bill now goes to the Senate.

“We are very excited that the House of Representatives passed the CBCAG Act,” said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “This legislation provides desperately needed resources to many vulnerable communities that do not have the trained personnel or tools to translate safety codes into proper compliance. With the bill moving through the Senate, we are inching closer to the major goal of supporting our First Preventers in the vital roles they play in protecting the public through implementation of building and fire safety.”

“Government at all levels is recognizing the central role in public safety performed by code adoption and code compliance,” said Code Council President Steve Shapiro, who is director of codes compliance for Hampton, VA. “The safety value of building and fire codes as well as the essential job done by code officials, America’s First Preventers, to prevent harm to people and property come into sharper focus when lawmakers consider how best to protect the public at home, at school, at work and at play.”

In the Senate, the measure is expected to be referred to the Banking Committee where the Senate’s version of the bill is being considered. The Banking Committee could act on the House or Senate version of the bill before it passes out of committee and goes to the full Senate for a vote.

AAMA Launches Evaluation Of Hurricane Resistance Specs

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:22:00 +0000

American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has begun a 12-month review to evaluate AAMA 520, Voluntary Specification for Rating the Severe Wind-Driven Rain Resistance of Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights. The final document is expected to be published next summer, in advance of the 2009 hurricane season.

According to John Lewis, AAMA’s technical director, once final revisions to the introduction for AAMA 520 are approved by the AAMA Southeast Region Technical Committee, a preliminary copy will be shared with AAMA-accredited testing laboratories and other members to ensure the specifications are clear and the test protocols yield repeatable results.

“The participants’ input will help validate testing equipment and procedures and evaluate a selection of current, hurricane impact-resistant windows,” says Lewis. “Without a doubt, once released, these specifications will represent the most stringent test standards of their kind in the industry today.”

Says AAMA’s president and CEO Rich Walker, “Following the 2004 hurricane season’s destructive power and the property damage of wind-driven rains, the Florida Building Commission sought out AAMA’s Southeast Region organization. At the FBC’s urging, we have assessed current test methods and developed a standard of performance for testing windows to enhance their ability to resist water penetration under hurricane conditions. The resulting document will serve as an elevated performance characterization but is not intended for building code adoption and enforcement.”

Lewis explains that the majority of door and window testing is based on AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440. “This standard relies on static pressure tests for evaluating structural performance and resistance to water penetration. The goal of AAMA 520 is to better replicate hurricane conditions using a rapid pulsating test with computer-controlled cycling of high and low pressures.”

Scott Warner, AAMA Southeast Region president and executive vice president of Architectural Testing, Inc. in York, PA, also notes that AAMA is simultaneously working with ASTM to modify the existing ASTM E 2268 Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights and Doors by Rapid Pulsed Air Pressure Difference, which is referenced in the AAMA 520 voluntary specification.

“AAMA’s ongoing and collaborative efforts are paving the way for products to be better able to withstand the onslaught of a hurricane -- something of interest to code officials, architects, builders, and insurance companies who serve the 53% of Americans (153 million in all) that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reports as living within coastal regions.” Walker concludes, “With so many people affected by this, it’s critical that we have full confidence in these guidelines.”

To learn more about AAMA 520, Voluntary Specification for Rating the Severe Wind-Driven Rain Resistance of Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights, visit www.aamanet.org.

AAMA is the source of performance standards, product certification, and educational programs for the fenestration industry.(SM)

Haworth Light Wins Gold

noreply@blogger.com (ChadTFM) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:24:00 +0000

Brazo, a LED task light introduced by Haworth, has been awarded a 2008 Gold Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA). The IDEA competition is a worldwide design competition and a celebration of innovative product and product concept designs of the year.

Designed by Pablo Pardo of Pablo Designs in San Francisco, Brazo has fully adjustable, calibrated light control and a precision quality machined recyclable aluminum body. “I was fascinated with this product's refined sophistication and precision technical detail. This design allows precise control and positioning of light through the clever and appropriate use of LED technology,” said Andrew Hartman, IDSA, creative director of new business at Philips (The Netherlands).

Winners of the 2008 IDEA competition exhibited a focus on sustainability, attention to detail and, in a slowing economy, many offered surprisingly affordable price points. Out of 1517 entries, 35 were awarded the gold award, while 76 received silver awards and 94 won bronze awards. For the first time this year, 389 finalists were named in addition to the winners.

“I’m thrilled to have the design and innovation of brazo recognized through this coveted award,” said Pablo Pardo of Pablo Designs in San Francisco. “This project has taught me a great deal about the lighting needs of the workplace and how far we are capable to explore its potential.”

“With its clean aesthetic, sustainable design, and high level of user control, brazo contributes to the design and performance of Haworth’s organic workplace solutions,” said Iain Thorp, Haworth’s head of design for North America.

Brazo is the first task light to offer focus control, allowing the user to both direct and choose any desired light spread. It features a slender, multi adjustable arm which conceals 18 high powered LED lights, 360˚ head rotation with 90˚ head adjustability, height adjustment, and tangle free wire rotation. The light uses luminous and energy efficient LEDs which are 85% more efficient than incandescent lamps, and have a life span of up to 50,000 hours. Brazo is 97% recyclable.

Federal OSHA Issues Third Largest Fine in History Following Sugar Refinery Explosion

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:18:00 +0000

Last Friday (7/25/08), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued citations proposing penalties totaling $8,777,500 against the Imperial Sugar Co. and its two affiliates alleging violations at their plants in Port Wentworth, GA and Gramercy, LA. OSHA initiated the inspections following an explosion and fire on Feb. 7, 2008, at the Port Wentworth refinery that claimed the lives of 13 employees and hospitalized 40 others. Three employees still remain hospitalized. The proposed penalties against Imperial Sugar represent the third largest fine in the history of OSHA.

OSHA's inspections of both facilities found that there were large accumulations of combustible sugar dust in workrooms, on electrical motors, and on other equipment. The investigation also determined that officials at the company were well aware of these conditions, but they took no action reasonably directed at reducing the obvious hazards.

"I am outraged that this company would show a complete disregard for its employees' safety by knowingly placing them in an extremely dangerous work environment," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. He added, "What is even worse is that a month after the devastating catastrophe in Port Wentworth that claimed the lives of 13 people, this company had done little to ensure abatement of the combustible dust hazards at its other plant. If OSHA investigators had not inspected and posted an imminent danger notice regarding areas at the second plant, the same thing could have happened again."

OSHA proposed $5,062,000 in penalties for safety violations at the Port Wentworth refinery and $3,715,500 for safety violations found at the Gramercy refinery. The citations include 108 instances of willful violations related to the combustible dust hazard, including the failure to clean up dust and not using appropriate equipment or safeguards where combustible dust is present. OSHA also has issued 10 citations for other willful violations, 100 citations for serious violations, and four citations for other than serious safety and health violations.

The company has 15 business days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's Savannah, GA, area office staff inspected the Port Wentworth site, while the agency's Baton Rouge, LA, area office staff inspected the Gramercy, LA, location.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

EPA Climate Leaders Program Reaches 200 Partners

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Launched in 2002, the program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a voluntary strategy that works with companies to measure greenhouse gas emissions and to set aggressive long-term emissions reduction goals. The partners represent a range of industries in all 50 states.

Last week, EPA welcomed 51 new partners as Climate Leaders to breaking the 200 partner mark. In addition, eight companies took the next step in the partnership by announcing new greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions goals. Together, EPA's Climate Leaders represent more than 10% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and have pledged to prevent estimated GHG emissions equivalent to nine million cars annually.

"EPA's Climate Leader partners are proving that businesses don't need to break the bank to do what's good for the environment," said EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "These leading companies are reducing their climate footprints in cost-effective ways."

The eight companies that are announcing aggressive new greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals are: Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL; Burt's Bees Inc., Durham, NC; Campbell Soup Co., Camden, NJ; Cherokee Investment Partners, Raleigh, NC; Cisco Systems Inc., San Jose, CA; Deere & Co., Moline, IL; Millipore Corp., Billerica, MA; and Petaluma Poultry, Petaluma, CA.

The 51 companies that are joining Climate Leaders as new partners are:
AGM USA, Tempe, AZ;
American Packaging Corp., Rochester, NY;
Ash Grove Cement Co., Overland Park, KS;
Berry Plastics Corp., Evansville, IN;
Bluebonnet Electric Co-op., Bastrop, TX;
Boise Paper, Boise, ID;
Capital One Financial Corp., Richmond, VA;
Clements Environmental, Los Angeles, CA;
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Atlanta, GA;
Evelyn Hill Inc., New York, NY;
Freescale Semiconductor Inc., Austin, TX;
FXFOWLE Architects, PC, New York, NY;
Grand Canyon North Rim, LLC, Page, AZ;
Greenstar North America, Houston, TX;
GXS, Gaithersburg, MD;
Harbec Plastics, Ontario, NY;
Harrah's Entertainment, Las Vegas, NV;
HydroPoint Data Systems Inc., Petaluma, CA;
LSI Corp., Milpitas, CA;
Monadnock Paper Mills Inc., Bennington, NH;
MOSAIC, Cheverly, MD;
MWH Global Inc., Broomfield, CO;
Nicholas Earth Printing, LLC, Houston, TX;
One Boston Place LLC, Boston, MA;
PHH Arval, Sparks, MD;
Pizza Fusion, Fort Lauderdale, FL;
Potomac-Hudson Engineering Inc., Readfield, ME;
PrintFast, LLC, Roselle Park, NJ;
Progressive Environmental & Safety, Overland Park, KS;
Prudential Services Limited, Lansing, MI;
Publix Super Markets Inc., Lakeland, FL;
Pure & Gentle Soap, Seguin, TX;
Puronics Inc., Livermore, CA;
Ram Offset, White City, OR;
Rizco Design, Manasquan, NJ;
Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, WI;
Schering-Plough Corp., Kenilworth, NJ;
Scout Real Estate Capital, LLC, Nantucket, MA;
Sid Richardson Carbon and Energy Co., Fort Worth, TX;
SKF USA Inc., Norristown, PA;
Smithfield Foods Inc., Smithfield, VA;
Teradata Corp., Miamisburg, OH;
The Boeing Co., Chicago, IL;
The Clorox Co., Oakland, CA;
The Mosaic Co., Mulberry, FL;
The Tidewater Group, York, ME;
True Manufacturing Co. Inc., O'Fallon, MO;
Wafertech L.L.C., Camas, WA;
Wells Fargo, San Francisco, CA;
Western States Envelope Co., Butler, WI;
Wilton Armetale, Mount Joy, PA

Cash Back For Green Buildings!

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:32:00 +0000

High energy costs, an unprecedented level of government mandates for green building, heightened demand for green construction, and improvements and better pricing for environmentally sustainable materials have prompted many building owners, architects, and facility managers to consider conservation driven updates to save cash. Sec. 179D of the IRS Code provides a significant deduction for the cost of energy efficient improvements to commercial property. This deduction could help mitigate the average 3% to 7% cost difference in building green.

If your company owns or leases commercial buildings and you have installed or retrofitted the property to be more energy efficient, you may be eligible for a deduction for part or all of the costs associated with the installation or retrofit. In other words, instead of capitalizing and recovering through depreciation over 27.5 years or 39 years this allows for potential immediate expensing of costs.

The maximum deduction is $1.80 per square foot of building floor area that qualifies under IRC Sec. 179D measured against the reference building. The deduction is allowed for prior tax years, including 2006 and 2007, and can include multiple taxpayers. Multiple taxpayers are limited to allocating the $1.80 among the taxpayers.

And if your building does not qualify for the full deduction, it could qualify for a partial deduction. If your building does not meet the 50% energy savings, it could still qualify for 60¢ per square foot deduction if certified to reduce energy costs by at least 16.66%.

If you have constructed a new commercial building or reconstructed an existing commercial building and placed the building into service after December 31, 2005 or will place it into service by January 1, 2009 you may be eligible for a deduction. If your building has been or is in the process of becoming LEED Gold or Platinum-certified, you’re nearly assured the deduction. And if you haven’t already taken advantage of the deduction, your return can be amended for up to three years.

To qualify for a full or partial deduction, the energy efficient commercial building property must meet the following criteria:

The building must be located in the United States.
Installation as part of interior lighting systems, HVAC, and hot water systems or the building envelope (insulation, exterior doors, exterior windows, roofing material).
Certified that installation will reduce total annual energy and power costs by 50% or more as compared to Std. 90.1-2001 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Reference Building.
Energy and power consumption calculation based on IRS-approved software programs that compare the subject facility to an ASHRAE Reference Building.
The property must be certified by an IRS-qualified professional engineer or contractor licensed in the same jurisdiction as the proposed building.

The person or organization that makes the expenditures for construction is generally the recipient of the allowed tax deductions. This is usually the facility owner, but for some HVAC or lighting efficiency projects, it could be the occupant. For government owned structures, the building or system designer may take the deduction.

If the property is a federal, state, or local government or a political subdivision, the owner of the property may allocate the section 179D deduction to the person primarily responsible for designing the property. For example, a designer may include the architect, engineer, contractor, environmental consultant or energy services provider.

Before a taxpayer can claim the section deduction, the taxpayer must obtain a certification (not to be confused with LEED certification) with respect to the property. The certification must be provided by a qualified individual and satisfy the requirements of section 179D(c)(1).

The qualified individual must be properly licensed as a professional engineer or contractor in the jurisdiction in which the building is located, not be "related" to the taxpayer taking the deduction (as defined by the IRS), and represent to the taxpayer in writing that he or she has the requisite qualifications to provide the certification.

The certifier must also use IRS-qualified computer software. Software must be on a list of products approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. SourceCorp can provide your Green Building Tax Deduction Certification/Analysis.

BONUS FRIDAY FUNNY: Monk-E-Mail

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:27:00 +0000

Many people don't feel particularly funny these days, which is one of the reasons the FacilityBlog Friday Funny tries so hard (sometimes too hard) to give its visitors a reason to keep coming back to work week after week (even if it's just to check out the Friday Funny on FacilityBlog).

Today's offering comes from our career development partner, CareerBuilder. Make sure to check out TFM Online the next time you're hunting for a new job or searching to fill a position.

Building on its chimp-themed TV ads, CareerBuilder has a free service, cleverly called Monk-e-mail. The e-mail marketing site MonkeyBrains explains, "you get to choose a chimp, dress him up, pick a voice, then make him say anything you want. Then, you can e-mail it to your friends."

The concept was launched a few years ago, just before CareerBuilder's Super Bowl campaign hit the airwaves. Since I'm not a big football fan, I'm just stumbling across it now. It's silly and it's viral, making it a perfect pick for our Friday Funny. Contact me at schwartz@groupc.com if you'd like me to send a Monk-e-mail sample!

FRIDAY FUNNY: Dance Club In London Powered By Patrons

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:16:00 +0000

On July 10, Club4 Climate, an environmental group founded by British real estate mogul Andrew Charalambous, opened what it touts as the world's first eco-club. The London party spot features a dance floor designed to harness the energy of dancers. This is based on a principle called piezoelectricity. This approach uses crystals or other materials that, when compressed, give off a small amount of voltage. So as people dance on the spring-lined floor, the crystals underneath acquire a charge and generate a current that can charge nearby batteries.

Charalambous claims that the dance floor energy will generate about 60% of the energy the club consumes. The remainder of energy consumption is being culled from solar panels and wind turbines. Other sustainable strategies include using rainwater to flush toilets.

Dubbed "Dr. Earth" Charalambous offers the Club4Climate mission statement:
It's our vision that you will club for the climate. The profits from the club go to Friends of the Earth.

Other locations that Club4Climate is looking to open eco-clubs are New York City, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro.

Demand For Fire Protection Engineers Exceeds Supply

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:23:00 +0000

Fire is a danger that can affect entire communities. For example, each year in the U.S., more than 3,000 people die as a result of fire. To combat its destructive force, fire protection engineers use their acquired skills and the latest technology.

Fire Protection Engineer Tony Caro studied industrial engineering at New Mexico State University before switching to an education in fire protection engineering. "I realized I wasn't as interested in industrial engineering as I was in the fire service. I also knew that I wanted to do more than just fight fires while still providing a service to society," he says. "Fire protection engineering was the right fit." Caro now works for the City of Denver's Fire Prevention Bureau and Investigation Division.

Using science and technology, fire protection engineers perform a wide range of roles that include:

Evaluating buildings to pinpoint the risks of fires and the means to prevent them;
Reviewing building design documents for fire departments, fire marshal offices, and/or code enforcement agencies to assure compliance with the applicable building and fire regulations;
Designing building systems that: detect fires, control the spread of fires, control the movement of smoke, alert people to danger, and provide a safe means for building occupants to exit a building;
Conducting fire safety research on consumer products and construction materials;
Investigating fires to discover how they spread, why protective measures failed, and how those measures could have been designed more effectively.

"Fire protection engineers are in high demand and short supply," said Chris Jelenewicz, a fire protection engineer with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). In a recent SFPE survey of the largest employers of fire protection engineers, an overwhelming majority currently has difficulty recruiting enough qualified engineers. "Those surveyed believe this imbalance in demand will continue at least five years into the future," said Jelenewicz.

These employers cover a wide range of industries, including private consulting firms, large corporations, fire departments, local building code officials, insurance firms, federal, state and local government agencies, and architectural and design firms. Frequently, fire protection engineers assist architects, builders, and fire departments in the design and construction of new facilities.

A fire protection engineer uses science and engineering principles to protect people, homes, workplaces, the economy, and the environment from the devastating effects of fires. Fire protection engineers analyze how buildings are used, how fires start and grow, and how fires affect people and property. They use the latest technologies to design systems to control fires, alert people to danger, and provide means for escape. Fire protection engineers also work closely with other professionals, including engineers of other disciplines, architects, state and local building officials, and local fire departments to build fire safe communities.

For more information about a career in fire protection engineering, click this link.

Johnson Controls Acquires Energy Services Firm

noreply@blogger.com (AnneTFM) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:27:00 +0000

The company has acquired PWI Energy, an independent global provider of energy and greenhouse gas management services, based in Philadelphia, PA. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The acquisition is part of Johnson Controls Inc.'s ongoing strategy to deepen and broaden the company's leadership in energy and greenhouse gas management solutions providing global organizations access to a comprehensive suite of energy and sustainability-related offerings. In North America, Johnson Controls can further expand the enterprise-wide energy management solutions provided to customers in vertical market segments, such as government, education, industrial manufacturing and many other industries.

PWI Energy currently serves global clients with an energy management program that integrates energy supply management, energy efficiency services, and energy information, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management. The company has developed an information technology platform which organizes all the information needed to create a comprehensive, global management system for energy and greenhouse gases.

PWI Energy will integrate into Johnson Controls' Global Workplace Solutions business, which is a recognized leader in managing the real estate portfolios of global organizations with multiple facilities.

"With the acquisition of PWI we are now even better positioned to help global organizations measure, manage and reduce their energy costs, as well as their overall Greenhouse Gas Footprint," said Iain Campbell, vice president and general manager, North American Service and Global WorkPlace Solutions, Johnson Controls. "In this era of rising energy prices and increasing concern over the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions, our enhanced solutions can positively impact climate change while decreasing organizations' vulnerability to a volatile market."

"Johnson Controls was quick to recognize PWI Energy's ability to bring state-of-the-art energy management technology and services to the table," said Joseph Turk, president and principal, PWI Energy. "We look forward to seeing our solutions integrated into the Johnson Controls family and to bring greater benefits to customers the world over."

PWI will retain offices in Philadelphia, and will take on the Johnson Controls name within a few months.

Nanotech: A Regulatory Blueprint For The Next Administration

schwartz@groupc.com (HeidiTFM) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:22:00 +0000

Nanotechnology will significantly change virtually every facet of the way we live. The next president has the opportunity to shape these changes and to ensure that nanotechnology's benefits will be maximized and its risks identified and controlled.

A new report by former EPA official J. Clarence (Terry) Davies lays out a clear roadmap for the next presidential administration and describes the immediate and longer term steps necessary to deal with the current shortcomings of nanotechnology oversight.

To read the full report, click this link:
pen13.pdf