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PCB POLLUTION IN CONSTRUCTION

PCBs are found at high levels in buildings  built or remodeled between 1950 and 1978;  in caulk  used in general construction and window frames, as well as gasket materials in some hvac equipment.  PCB levels in excess of 50 ppm are considered by EPA as being unacceptable.

Because PCBs can migrate from the caulk into air, dust, surrounding building materials, and soil, EPA is concerned about potential PCB exposure to building occupants.  They issued updated alerts in August, 2010 to confirm their continuing concern.

Health impacts of PC [Read More]

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COPPER SILVER TREATMENT

Legionella is a continuing plague for maintenance management  in domestic water and central heating/cooling piping for hospitals, motels, hotels, apartment complexes and dormitories.

Copper-silver ionization treatment systems have demonstrated that they are effective in reducing the presence of active Legionella bacteria in all these water systems.

The C-S system does NOT eliminate the use of chlorine, as the C-S  system does not eliminate organic materials such as skin, hair, or urine from pool or cooling tower recycling systems.  However, the quantity of chlorine required is reduced.

A number of facility managers report satisfactory results from C-S systems in their facilities. [Read More]

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PLUMBING SERVICE NOTES

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PEX  piping is regaining approvals from building officials. The latest to announce acceptance is the State of California, after extensive technical and legal battles. Following are the terms under which California accepted the materials.  Plumbing contractors and maintenance techs in other states need to be aware that the California approval is NOT a “blanket” approval [...]

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CONSTRUCTION COORDINATION REWARDS

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Construction document coordination rewards in several ways, depending on one’s interests.  The contractor can find “oversights” and “document conflicts” that justify claims for extra cost and extra time; A designer, owner or manager can identify and correct the majority of such issues through a cross-trade coordination review of all documents – not a traditional “Peer [...]

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BUILDING RENOVATION CHECKLIST

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(THIS CHECKLIST SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED BEFORE SELECTION OF DESIGNERS OR CONTRACTORS. THE INFORMATION RECORDED AND THE QUESTIONS IDENTIFIED WILL PERMIT MORE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF A SATISFACTORY PROJECT.)

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ELEVATOR RESCUE

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Elevators occasionally stall with occupants.  Building Management and Maintenance Personnel should have instructions on how to respond. It is recommended that any evacuation of passengers from stalled elevator cars be performed by elevator service or emergency personnel, as their experience and expertise assume the resourcefulness necessary to cope with the various complex hazards which may arise. [...]

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BUILDING RENOVATION

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4 STEPS TO RENOVATION PROJECT QUALITY AND ECONOMY: 1.     OWNER / MANAGER MAINTAINS CONTROL OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT Do NOT surrender control of the project to a design team or construction manager. Owners and Business Managers are capable of learning the language and processes of construction to a level that will permit knowledgeable [...]

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ELDERLY HOUSING

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Does your facility or home need to be modified to permit handicapped or aged persons to access and safely use the spaces ? Here are some constructive suggestions and links: WHAT ARE RESIDENCE MODIFICATIONS? Residence modifications are changes made to adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so that they [...]

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BED BUG CONTROL

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Pest treatment specialists and health personnel across the US and Europe have noted a dramatic increase in the presence of bed bugs in all type of facilities: homes, hotels, hospitals, clothing store dressing rooms, and offices.  It appears that no building is off limits for these creatures.  Building Owners and Maintenance Management personnel need to [...]

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OSHA COMPLIANCE

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IF AN OSHA INSPECTOR SHOWS UP AT YOUR DOOR OR SITE: » Don’t deny entry ! They’ll get a warrant for admission and might be very annoyed. » Ask to see a photo ID with the DOL or OSHA logo. A business card is not an ID. You can deny entry without a real OSHA ID. [...]

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