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Emergency notification keeps tenants safe and protects your property
Steven Dutro Facilities & GroundsIf your tenants can stay safe when danger is nearby, it's better for everyone. You avoid tragedies, your tenants' lives are less disrupted, your property is likely to be protected, and the rent is paid. Thankfully, there is an effective, authoritative, free service available in most communities. Emergency notification service (ENS) alerts from your local emergency response team contact citizens via phone call, text and email.
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Are you freezing at work? New studies may boost building comfort
Michael J. Berens Facilities & GroundsAnyone who has suffered in an overcooled or overheated meeting room for a day or two understands the need for improved thermal comfort. Complaints about poor thermal comfort abound in occupant satisfaction studies. Yet, to date, solutions have proven elusive or only partially satisfactory.
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Carbon dioxide refrigeration gathers pace, even in warmer climates
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe first transcritical carbon dioxide refrigeration systems in warmer climates are showing impressive energy savings, according to reports from the first trials in southern European supermarkets.
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Are you building for more than 25 years?
David E. Patnaude Construction & Building MaterialsI recently had the privilege to present a 75-minute breakout session at the NBOA Annual Conference in Boston where I spoke about the real meaning of "total cost of ownership." I truly enjoy these sessions because I learn a lot during the Q&A and then even more from the people who approach me after the presentation with feedback.
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Benefits of proactive approach highlighted at Corrosion 2015
Ross Lancaster EngineeringIn the field of corrosion engineering, solving or alleviating problems is unfortunately sometimes handled by a reactive approach — an issue is dealt with only after it appears. During the Plenary Lecture at NACE Corrosion 2015 on March 16 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, John R. Scully, a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Virginia, outlined how corrosion engineers can better take a proactive approach to solving the biggest issues.
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Success may be ‘only’ a word away for garden centers
Fred Berns Facilities & GroundsIndependent garden centers today face more competition than any other division of the green industry. There are now more than 16,000 garden centers in America, and home owners planting their spring gardens this year have more buying options than ever before. In addition to their local garden store, they can turn to supermarkets, convenience stores, big-box outlets, nurseries, online retailers and other resources for their plants, bulbs and other gardening needs.
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Performance demands will drive green construction growth
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsOf all the trends affecting the rise in sustainable construction, none is having a greater impact than the drive for higher building performance. As owners, engineers and builders strive for greater efficiencies, they are turning to green building practices for solutions.
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Strength in ‘Union’ for cooling and heating technologies
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe potential influence of the cooling and heating sectors on reducing energy use is well known, but this week's release by the European Commission of its strategy framework for an Energy Union is set to put energy-efficient cooling and heating center stage.
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Seeing the light: The role of illumination in crime prevention
Pamela Tresp Facilities & GroundsAs a former law enforcement officer and a current advisory member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Committee on Security on Lighting and Crime, I have been thinking about the topic of security and crime prevention quite a bit lately.
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Steps to selecting the right tenant
Matthew Schutz Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAs a landlord, you must pay attention to several phases in the landlord-tenant relationship. Tenant selection and lease preparation are key, and this article focuses on that aspect. Screening and lease drafting help avoid trouble down the road.
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