IAQ Products & Services Marketing - Recent Threads

Permanent Modular Construction Exceeds New Federal IAQ Standards

Keith Hobbs — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:02:14 GMT

Results from recently conducted tests on modular buildings provided by Warrior Group, one of the largest minority- and woman-owned construction services companies in the U.S., prove that the company’s product has exceeded some of the most stringent requirements for indoor air infiltration in existence – those of the United States government.

For all new Army construction projects in or after Fiscal Year 2010, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) design criteria and specifications require air tightness performance tests. The building envelopes of office buildings, office areas of mixed office and open space, dining, barracks and instructional/training facilities must be designed and built with a continuous air barrier to control air leakage into or out of the space.

At Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, the USACE developed the project scope for an Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing (UEPH) Complex. Warrior Group served as the primary subcontractor to deliver two-story buildings using a new, “hybrid” construction method: permanent modular construction combined with site-built components.

Through the air infiltration tests, Warrior demonstrated it is meeting newly strengthened air infiltration standards without compromising the benefits of permanent modular construction. These benefits include a shorter construction timeline, a reduction of onsite site labor resources and contribute to a LEED-certifiable building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Indoor environmental air quality is recognized as a vitally important factor in making buildings habitable. Poor air quality can affect health, morale and productivity and can also result in higher energy costs. Air flowing in or out of the building through unintentional openings such as cracks around window frames and wall-floor joints provides a path for moisture and outdoor pollutants to enter the building or to become trapped in the exterior wall, creating poor air quality inside the structure.

The Fort Bliss buildings also were designed to meet the strict requirements of the military “Uniform Facilities Code (UFC),” which is the guideline for all military base construction. The UFC demonstrates the joint services’ concern that airborne contaminants will not easily penetrate buildings before they are detected and the building’s occupants can be evacuated.

Both buildings were tested by Professional Investigative Engineers (PIE) using infrared thermograph testing, smoke generation and smoke trackers in accordance with ASTM E 1186. PIE used three, high-capacity fan systems each with three 8300-cfm fans, two DM-2 digital controllers, three variable speed drives, two exterior pressure monitoring stations and five interior pressure monitoring stations. Multiple digital readings were taken of pressure differential and airflow at ten-second intervals from two locations for an air tightness analysis.

No excess air leakage came from the modular units, and PIE test results prove that both buildings had an average air tightness level that is much lower than the new, specified USACE requirements that are all much more stringent than historical construction standards.

In addition to Fort Bliss, Warrior has also built substantial projects including troop residences and U.S. Army headquarters buildings at Fort Belvoir, Fort Carson and Fort Sam Houston as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). The company is also leading the adoption of hybrid and permanent modular construction for other applications, including school buildings, dormitories, laboratories, hospitals, administrative offices and clinics in more than 30 states.

To view the complete white paper surrounding the project at Fort Bliss and the results of the indoor air quality tests, please visit http://www.warrior-group.net/modular/white-papers/.

Warrior Group, based in DeSoto, Texas, is a multi-million dollar provider of premier construction services focusing on construction management for conventional and permanent modular construction. The 13-year old company is one of the largest minority- and woman-owned construction services companies in the U.S. with more than 1,000 successfully completed projects to its credit an impressive roster of private and public sector clients across the United States. Warrior is dedicated to building long-term customer relationships by continually surpassing expectations and providing superior customer service, effective construction management and turnkey solutions in the modular and general construction industry. Warrior has offices in DeSoto, and San Antonio, Texas. www.warrior-group.net.

Commercial Duct Cleaning Company Earns Safety Award

CleanDuctwork — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:32:49 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 3, 2009) – Hughes Environmental, a commercial duct cleaning company based in Louisville, Kentucky, was awarded the “Outstanding Safety Award” by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). This award is reserved for companies like Hughes Environmental who have had an outstanding safety record for more than three consecutive years.

The requirements for NADCA’s Safety Award are based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards. Companies who apply for the award must have completed OSHA #300A Log in accordance with requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and have met safety guidelines as stipulated by NADCA to receive the honor.

Chuck Cooper, Business Development Manager for Hughes Environmental said, “This award is quite an accomplishment and showcases the work we’ve put into our safety program.” Rebecca Yost, the company’s Operational Manager added that, “Safety is a top priority on our job sites. We take OSHA Standards very seriously and having earned this award for the fourth consecutive year proves that our employees are paying attention to details and keeping their workplace safe.”

In early 2005 Gail Walkiewicz and Craig Rutledge started Hughes Environmental, Inc. to service the commercial duct cleaning and rafter and ceiling cleaning needs of clients in the eastern half of the United States. Hughes Environmental has seen strong growth since its inception as a result of superior customer service and a staff comprised of multiple NADCA Certified “Air System Cleaning Specialist”, American Indoor Air Quality “Certified Mold Remediators”, and “Certified Indoor Environmentalist”. For more information visit: www.hughesenv.com

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Commercial Duct Cleaning Company Launches New Website

CleanDuctwork — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:26:07 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 3, 2009) – Hughes Environmental, a commercial duct cleaning company based in Louisville, Kentucky, launched their new website today. The new site features expanded content, updated photos and graphics to create an entirely new online presence.

The new website provides visitors with easy-to-navigate access to Hughes Environmental’s services and access to two different studies on Indoor Air Quality. “We think it’s important to reiterate to our clients that we are experts in HVAC Systems Cleaning, Commercial Duct Cleaning, Ceiling and Rafter Cleaning and other Industrial Cleaning Services”, said Chuck Cooper, Business Development Manager for Hughes Environmental. “We’ve worked very hard to become the regional leader in these services and we wanted to make sure that our new website showcases that we’ve done our homework and are experts in the field. We want our new website to not only draw new business but also serve as a resource for our existing clients,” said Cooper.

Improvements to the website include:

New Look
Ease-of-Navigation
Improved Site Features
Case Studies
Blog

Hughes Environmental recruited another Kentucky based company to display their new website. The website design team at Blackstone Media, including designer Ty Goss, created a website that truly enhances the services that Hughes Environmental has to offer to the Commercial Facilities Industry. The design and layout of the new site was created to set the company apart from its competitors and to reinforce the company’s goal of being a regional leader in HVAC Systems Cleaning Services.

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Interested In Controlling Your Indoor Air Quality?

dbruck — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:47:30 GMT

Hello! I believe this forum is very exciting. I hope I can be a contributor. My name is Dan Bruck. I am the V.P. of Strategic Business Alliances for Ebtron. http://www.ebtron.com

Here is some background on our company:

Ebtron, Inc was founded to manufacture advanced digital measurement instruments. Ebtron has been making microprocessor based, Thermal Dispersion (TD) technology, which has combined airflow and temperature measurement in commercially competitive systems since 1984. For over 25 years Ebtron has pushed the envelope of airflow measurement technology and applications in commercial HVAC systems. As a result Ebtron has developed products that exceed normal performance criteria and meet the most demanding and restrictive placement requirements-outdoor air intakes for ventilating systems

The incidence of commercial buildings with poor indoor air quality (IAQ), and the frequency of litigation over the effects of poor IAQ is increasing. If so, these increases have ramifications for insurance carriers, which pay for many of the costs of health care and general commercial liability.
American adults spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat to health in the country.
Sick Building Syndrome, or SBS, is the name given to the condition in which individuals suffer from health problems or symptoms associated with the building in which they work or live.
If IAQ is not maintained up to federal standards, companies may face costly litigation from employees suffering from SBS and have to contend with diminished worker productivity.
In terms of productivity, the EPA estimates that poor indoor air costs the U.S. tens of billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical expenses.
The three main factors to managing IAQ are source control, air cleaning, and proper ventilation. Air cleaning — use of filters or air purifiers — and ventilation products can improve IAQ as well as reduce energy costs. Ventilation rates can be accelerated to increase air flow and thus improve the quality of air.
When poor IAQ is recognized in any building, increasing ventilation rates is one of the first steps that can be taken to reduce indoor air pollutants, say industry professionals. They also say that poses one of their largest challenges with IAQ in maintaining green buildings: increasing ventilation rates without escalating energy use.

Cost of Poor IAQ:

· Consultant services for IAQ problem investigation, diagnosis, and resolution

· Building remediation for IAQ

· Laboratory services pertaining to IAQ diagnostics or related aspects of building design

· Emission testing for certification/labeling

· Air duct cleaning

· Purchase and use of improved filtration

· IAQ litigation and insurance

· Radon mitigation and prevention

Advantage of Using Ebtron Thermal Dispersion Air Flow Measurement:

Minimize Mold Growth within exterior walls.

-Minimize or prevent building damage and health impacts by eliminating uncontrolled infiltration as well as condensation of humid air

· Reduce your IAQ Liability

-Improve indoor environmental quality

-Reduce medical insurance claims for self-insured owners

· Improve Productivity & Health

-Studies show improved air quality increases worker productivity as much as 3-20%

-Lowers absence rates and sick leave costs

· Decrease Energy Costs

-Reduce usage by controlling pressurization at the lowest fan energy levels and eliminating uncontrolled air infiltration

· Green- LEED-Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

-Developing high-performance, sustainable buildings

IAQ- Indoor Air Quality

If you have any questions or interest please feel free to contact me anytime.

Thank you

Dan Bruck

Vice President of Strategic Business Alliances

EBTRON, INC.

1663 Hwy 701 South

Loris, SC 29569

Email: danb@ebtron.com

Office: 614-559-4593

Toll Free: 800-232-8766

Cell: 614-557-2408

http://www.ebtron.com