Author: MaintenX

With the summer comes the rainy season, and if you have a facility under your management you need to adjust your landscaping to reflect the changes in the weather. Take a look at these top tips for making sure your exterior stays in pristine condition:

1. Turn Off Sprinklers

The last thing you need is for your landscaping to become waterlogged. Extreme rainfall is characteristic of this season, so let the weather be in charge and turn off the sprinkler systems. The environment (and your expense account) will thank you.

2. Have a Plan in Place for Soil Erosion

With a large amount of heavy rain, your soil can take a beating. Reduce the opportunity for soil erosion by installing sandbags in problem areas.

3. Keep Drains Clear

With extreme weather in full swing, keep an eye on your drainage system, as it can often become overwhelmed with debris. Make a conscious effort to check and clean the drains. Keeping a log can help ensure drains are reviewed regularly. If certain drains are more susceptible to clogging, make a note to check them more often.

4. Be Vigilant with the Trees and Hedges

Trees can often be damaged by storms, so keep on top of any low hanging branches that may have been impacted by heavy rainfall. After a particularly bad storm, review the trees and hedges, and trim where needed. Prune your shrubs to encourage healthy growth, and plant any new plants that thrive in this weather.

5. Use Mulch

There are a number of benefits to mulch. Mulch helps keeps plants healthy and hydrated during the hot, sunny summer months. It can also help reduce soil erosion. Mulch can provide soil with additional nutrients, help control weeds, and there are many varieties to choose from.

6. Prepare for Storms

If there is a big storm on the way, take care to prepare. Trim branches (especially those close to the exterior of the building and near power lines) and bring in any items like plant pots that might be a safety issue in high winds. Stake young trees to keep them in their place.

Florida is one of the wettest states in the US, so it’s important to ensure your facility is ship shape and watertight. The rainfall can be quite intense, so it’s essential you keep on top of maintenance to ensure no long-term damage occurs. Look at these top tips for facility maintenance in Florida’s rain:

1. Preparation

To fail to plan is to plan to fail as the famous saying goes, so take action during the drier winter months. This means repairing roofing, clearing gutters, trimming back trees, and making all windows and doors are secure. You should have a checklist in place, with any hazards identified and information about how you have addressed them.

2. Be Proactive

After preparing as much as possible, continue to be very proactive. If there are weaker areas in the building you identified in your preparation, keep an extra eye on these and continue to maintain them if needed. You should be vigilant, as a small leak is much easier to fix than a large one. Check windows and doors and remember to always keep safety at the forefront off your mind. If water seems to be collecting in certain outdoor areas, address this immediately by redirecting the water to prevent any damage.

3. Keep an Eye Out for Unwanted Visitors

Heavy rains can encourage critters of all kinds to seek shelter in your building, so look out for warning signs of unwanted visitors. If you find any, take action immediately.

4. Take Extra Care After Heavy Rainfall

If your building experiences heavy rainfall, you need to extra attentive the following day. Roofing can go through a lot, especially during the height of the rainy season, from being poured on to experiencing extreme heat and winds. Scan the roof carefully to check for weather damage.

5. Think about Appearance and Safety Issues Inside  

During a rainstorm, have sufficient mats in place for the occupants to wipe their feet in doorways and have plenty of wet floor signs available. Consider having places for wet umbrellas to be kept. By having these items, you can avoid water and mud from being trailed throughout the building, as well as reduce accidents due to floors being slippery. It is also wise to regularly check and mop the floors, even on days when the sun is shining.

Making a building healthier has many positive impacts. A healthy building is kinder to the environment and improves the well-being of the people who use it. This helps increase employee productivity and lower absenteeism – which can have a positive effect on your business’s visitors and reputation.

There are numerous ways in which buildings can be made healthier. Consider the following tips:

1. Air Quality

Having good air quality in a building is an easy way to improve the health of your building. Look at how air is filtered, the condition of the HVAC system, and if there is any dirt, mold, or odor. Regularly maintain these systems and replace when necessary.

2. Water

Having a well-run water system is another important aspect to making a building healthier. Schedule a water audit to determine where water is being used or wasted and if it’s acceptable for drinking. Install efficient toilets, which will be kinder to the environment and cost less in utilities.

3. Perfect Plants

Maintaining well-kept grounds around a building make the whole area healthier and happier. Opt for plants that are natural to the area, as you’ll spend less time spent on maintenance and see more successful growth. You should also have plants indoors – this helps to lift the mood and add character. Looking at plants has also been shown to improve attention control and productivity, a plus for any business setting.  

4. Encourage Everyone to be Active Through a Strong Community

If there is a large sense of community, your occupants can inspire each other to make healthier choices. Consider starting programs that encourage cycling to work, car sharing, and exercise. Make the stairwells more attractive and actively promote using them to save using energy to run the elevators. Educate the people in your building on the importance of a strong recycling policy, paper saving, and the reusing of items.

5. Sustainability

Having a sustainable building is a powerful way of keeping it (and the people inside) as healthy as possible. Try to conserve energy and water while still considering the comfort of the occupants. If you opt for green products, green energy sources and sustainable waste management, your building can be healthier than ever before.

Having a strong system in place for fire safety is integral to any building. It is important to make plans and ensure if a fire should occur, occupants are as safe as possible. Here are some steps you can take to help:

1. Identify Fire Hazards

It’s integral that sources of heat are kept away from anything that could catch fire. Think about sources of ignition – not only naked flames but also electrical equipment that produces heat as a byproduct. Other more obvious ignition sources include matches, cigarettes, and heaters. Also, identify items that have the potential to be fuel (gas, packaging, trash, furniture, paint, wood, paper, plastic foam, etc.)

2. Find out Information about the People in the Building

If a fire happens, everyone is at risk. There may be people who are in more danger than others, such as those who work near dangerous areas, night staff, visitors, and clients who are not familiar with the layout of the building – as well as children, the elderly, and the disabled.  

3. Make a Plan Based on the Above

After evaluating any potential hazards and finding out who frequents the building, you can make a plan. Move sources of heat and ignition to safe spaces, and remove any unnecessary fuel. Make a full escape plan based on the perceived dangers, ensuring to take into account if there are vulnerable people in the area. Delegate tasks such as calling the fire department, keeping a record of people in the building, warning people of the fire, and using fire safety equipment.

4. Remember to Record, Plan, and Train

Keep a record of all the information you have compiled, as well as what actions have been taken, and what needs to be done moving forward. You should share your plan with everyone in the building, so you can act quickly to ensure everyone’s safety. Make sure staff are trained in the overall escape plan as well as for their individual roles. Have a dry run to practice and record any issues that arise. You should also have a clear record of any fire safety equipment in the building, detailing when it’s maintained and if it has an expiration date.

5. Review

Finally, your fire safety system should constantly be under review. This means scheduling fire drills for the future, checking the building, and repeating steps #1-4 on a regular basis.

The most common recall on electrical items in the states is due to the risk of receiving electric shocks, so it pays to be vigilant when checking if your products are malfunctioning or need to be recalled. This is especially true if you’re installing electronic items in large numbers. In terms of recalls on electronics, they’re overall not very successful, meaning a number of products out there could potentially be unsafe. This is why it’s important to check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website on a regular basis.

Philips Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps

In May of this year, Philips Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps were recalled.  The reason for this recall is that the outer bulbs were found to be at risk of shattering creating a fire and laceration hazard, due to the heated internal pieces of glass falling. This is an expanded recall, and applies to any model CDM330 manufactured or sold from May 2011 to 2014.

These lamps were created as an energy efficient alternative to the 400W quartz metal halide lamps, which are mounted in magnetic ballasts. The lamps tend to be used in industrial and commercial settings, and are installed in high ceilings. They were available in both clear and coated varieties. The date code can be found at the base of the lamp, with a number and letter denoting the year and month. There were 256,000 sold, which does not include the previous recall in May 2016 of 87,000. There have been twelve incidents of this product shattering, one of which created a fire. There have been no reported injuries.

If you have installed the recalled lamp, you should stop using it and contact Philips immediately. You will be provided a free replacement. You can report your recalled lamps by emailing ceramicmh@philips.com, visiting their website (click on the professionals option and then on recalls) or calling 866-253-5503. The recall number is 17-100.

Data centers are at the forefront of many fields, but can they also be a model on how other businesses can become more energy efficient? Recent evidence suggests so.

Data centers require a great deal of power; after all their industry is built around the storage and exchange of electronic information. One would naturally assume that growth in this market would directly impact and correlate with a rise in the energy market, however that isn’t the case – in fact, consumption of energy has slowed.

Sustainable, environmentally friendly business models are popular among Fortune 500 companies, many of which are tech companies. In fact, 60 percent of Fortune 500 tech companies expressed their concern about climate change, with Hewlett Packard leading the way in 2008. Since then, other companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Intel, and Google have all followed suit. Their concerns were directed to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and outlined how climate change may lead to natural disasters which could damage data centers.  The tech companies then led by example, becoming more sustainable in their facilities and practices.

One of the ways they did this is by streamlining servers, making them more efficient. Their servers hold huge capacity, and don’t need to run fully at all times (in fact, it is rare they ever do). Data consolidation was put into practice so servers turn off when they’re not needed, saving a great amount of energy overall.

Many technology companies also readily invest in renewable energy and are committed to running fully on clean energy in the future. One of the reasons for this is their targeted workforce are perceived as being greatly concerned with the environment, and are therefore more likely to want to work for an organization which reflects the same values.

In late 2016, 365 companies signed a letter that urged the current administration to rethink its attitude on climate change and stick to the Paris agreement, detailing their commitment to greener practices irrespective of the government. To date, over one thousand companies and investors have signed the statement in support of low-carbon business. This stand shows the measures and importance businesses are now placing on environmentally-sound systems; something hopefully all companies will adopt for themselves.

A recall happens when a product has been deemed unsafe, does not comply with federal safety standards, or has a safety-related defect. The manufacturing company then puts out a recall to ensure no harm comes to the consumer, and so the product can be repaired or replaced. They do this by contacting buyers, providing them with a description of the defects and risks, information about how they will fix it, and detail the duration of time this will take. You do not have to pay for the repair.

Kawasaki 2017 Mule Utility Vehicle

A recall has recently been put out by Kawasaki in reference to their Mule Utility Vehicles.  A total of 6,600 units have been affected. The Teryx and Teryx 4 and Brute Force 750 are also included in the recall. For Mule units, the vehicle identification number (VIN) is under the seat. The recalled range is JKBAFSL19HB500313 to JK1AFCR14HB531308.

The reason for this recall is that the fuel gauge retainer can collapse, causing the vehicle to leak fuel and create a fire hazard. No incidents or injuries have been reported as yet. These vehicles were sold between February and May 2017, at Kawasaki dealers.

What if I Have One?

If you are in possession of an affected vehicle, stop using the vehicle immediately. You can contact Kawasaki by visiting the recall page on their website or phone them at 866-802-9381. The company will then repair your vehicle free of charge.

If you want further information about product recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Alternative energy sources, like solar, wind, and biomass, are sustainable ways of producing the power businesses need. Alternative energy sources do not consume the planets natural resources (as traditional energy sources do) and do not cause harm to the environment. More and more businesses are opting for a greener route for their facilities. This is due to heightened availability of alternative energy sources, as well as the economic benefits they offer.

Although it’s not always possible to go completely green, there are many ways to integrate alternative energy sources into your business.

Solar and Wind

Solar and wind power options have grown a great deal over the past few years, making clean energy affordable for more and more businesses across the nation. In 2015, wind made up 35% of new energy, solar 29.5% – both of them surpassing new natural gas which gained only 25% of the market. The continued research and declining costs of these two power players make investing in this type of energy a sound economic and environmental decision.

Biomass

Biomass energy is a good choice for Floridians as Florida has more biomass resources than any other state. Biomass energy works by developing fuels from organic matter, such as scrap lumber, crops, manure and other waste. This is then used to create renewable energy. Biomass is a great alternative to traditional energy because it also gets rid of waste which would otherwise go into landfills, further polluting the planet.

If you’re interested in making your business greener, contact your power provider to see if they offer integration of alternative energy sources as an option.

 

Greenwashing is when a company makes misleading claims about how environmentally friendly their services, products or technology are. This is done with the aim of making the company seem to be more green. Companies greenwash to improve their reputation and make themselves stand out from their competitors.

With an increased demand for environmentally-sound services, greenwashing has become more prevalent recently. The unfortunate effect is that more companies are claiming to be greener than what they are, and consumers are becoming more skeptical of genuinely environmentally friendly products. This also means there is less pressure put on companies to find genuinely green alternatives.  

How Do I know if a Company is Greenwashing?

With few regulations currently in place, it can be difficult to know whether greenwashing is happening. One red flag is if a company spends a great deal on advertising how environmentally friendly they are, but does not also invest in implementing environmentally-friendly systems. A good example would be packaging; often it’s designed with natural images to infer the company is green-minded, but there may be no proof to back this up. Another instance to be aware of is the language used in marketing; for example, a company may claim to be researching ‘clean power’, when in actuality it is only a small part of their overall business.

Recently, the Federal Trade Commission has created new regulations to create more transparency from organizations, however consumers should still try to buy responsibly. If you want to make sure you’re fully informed, look at the company as a whole and do a little research to see if they actively promote sustainability. Google the company with the word ‘environment’ for further information, and try to look past marketing gimmicks.

Greenwashing hurts consumers, businesses, and the environment. Taking time to research companies and products can help you be an environmentally responsible consumer.

The indoor environment of a building is integral to occupant’s health and happiness. Many Americans spend a most of their day indoors, and without proper air quality, numerous health issues can arise. Bad air quality can also decrease productivity. Common health complaints include headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, an increase in allergies and a negative effect on respiratory conditions (such as asthma). Companies have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the people under their care work in a happy, healthy indoor environment.

Air Quality Matters – A Lot

Poor air quality not only relates to poor health, but also eats into productivity, overall happiness, and wellbeing. Adequate ventilation is a big factor, so it’s important to regularly maintain and update your circulation systems. This is even more integral if the air outside the building is heavily polluted. Clues that air quality may not be up to scratch are: dirt around cooling systems, constant headaches and feelings of fatigue, odors, mold, and a general feeling of ‘stuffiness’.

The Right Lighting

Lighting is another important aspect of the indoor environment. This refers to artificial and natural light – both of which can have a direct impact on productivity and health. Flickering lights can cause headaches and eye strain, so ensure to fix and maintain lights when needed. When it comes to choosing lighting for a building, it should be bright enough for documents to be read, but not too bright as to cause glare. Exposure to natural light has a resoundingly positive influence; people who work in artificial light are more likely to feel tired – especially at the end of the day.

Purchase Some Plants

Having plants indoors can help to make the environment a better place by increasing people’s happiness and productivity in one swoop. Plants have been found in some studies to increase attention, as well as productivity, and quality of life. This makes them a great investment for any building.

Taking the above into consideration and choosing to make positive changes to a building’s indoor environment can make help make your occupants happier, healthier, and more productive.