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Whose Fault is it? Understanding Arc Faults

Most people realize that a building’s electrical system can cause a fire if misused or wired improperly. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that annually more than 10% of all household fires are related to electrical systems. Nationwide, this is over 40,000 fires a year. The CPSC estimates that of electrical system related fires, half are caused by “arcs” within a building’s wiring. As defined by General Electric, an arc is an unintentional electrical discharge, characterized by low and erratic current, that may ignite combustible materials. The heat and/or sparks that are associated with this discharge are often... Read More

Pools: Swimming in the Details

Natatoriums can be a source of great enjoyment for swimmers, but also a source of frustration and high levels of maintenance for Owners, if not designed and constructed properly. Many factors must be considered when designing a comfortable pool environment such as humidity control, air flow distribution, and material selection. Air with a high level of entrained moisture will negatively affect comfort and, in extreme circumstances, the health of the occupants. Additionally, the moisture in the air will condense on cooler surfaces such as walls, exterior doors, and windows when surface temperatures drop below the dew point. This condensation can... Read More

Softer, Whiter and Less Down the Drain

In recent years, long-term care facilities have started moving toward ozone use in laundering. Ozone has been recognized for over a century as an effective cleaner. It is an unstable form of oxygen gas that is generated when oxygen is exposed to electricity. Ozone’s unstable chemistry causes it to easily bond with elements common in dirt and debris to form oxides, which can then be washed away. Due to its instability, ozone must be generated at the laundry and is done so in two ways. One involves temporarily storing ozonized water in tanks and the second involves injecting ozone into... Read More

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