High-performance flooring
Kentucky school district wins honors without losing sight of the bottom line
Forbo. The two newest schools in the Kenton County (Ky.) School District are rated among America’s best in terms of sustainability. This accomplishment is topped by an impressive distinction: both were built for the same price as an average school building in Kentucky.
Bright-colored Marmoleum floor coverings from Forbo enhance the natural light that floods classroom spaces, helping to minimize lighting costs. The floors also lighten the work load of the district’s maintenance staff, which had been spending countless hours on floor maintenance and now have more time to fine-tune the schools’ energy systems for maximum savings.
“When I started at Kenton County, we were slaves to the floors,” says Rob Haney, the district’s executive director of support operations. “Our staff was stripping and reapplying seven coats of wax, year in and year out. We were getting practically nothing else done all summer. We even ended up working on the floors during the winter break.” Unlike the VCT (vinyl composition tile) floors that typically occupied Kenton County hallways, the new schools’ flooring was ready for high-traffic use the day after it was installed.
VCT floors also were taxing tight operating budgets with the cost of strippers and floor finishes, which aren’t necessary with Marmoleum. “We were bringing in stripping agents and floor finish by the semi-truck load,”he says. “It was a tremendous cost in material as well as labor.”
The schools’ use of the product in classrooms and hallways initially was prompted by the architect.
“In education, striving for the healthiest possible environment is a given,” says Andrew Piaskowy, AIA, of PCA Architects, which designed both schools. In addition to Marmoleum’s status as a 100 percent BioBased, completely recyclable material, the architect preferred the flooring for its natural antimicrobial properties.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 156on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Impactful lighting
New high-performance skylight brightens school facility
CPI Daylighting. After only a decade, the translucent insulated fiberglass skylight at Quabbin Regional High School, Barre, Mass., had deteriorated beyond repair. Thermal and wind movements, repeated leaks and yellowing compromised the skylight’s ability to perform to the point that it was not compliant with energy and state building codes. In fact, an investigation by the Massachusetts School Building Authority called the skylight “structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children where no alternative [to replacement] exists.”
“The product they had up there was outdated, and it wasn’t worthwhile to put back,” says Elvin Phillips of Boston Bay Architects. “In our research, we found the CPI daylight system, and we used it because we liked the detailing and that it didn’t rely on sealants. The energy value was much better, and it looked better.”
The architectural team specified a 5,000-square-foot Quadwall barrel-vault skylight with additional high-performance insulation and two, single-slope, 147-foot-long by 14-foot-wide skylights running the length of the barrel vault on either side. All three were specified in clear over clear matte to provide the maximum daylight without any glare.
“The added insulation is just so much higher than the other products to consider with a thinner envelope,” says Phillips. “This is a huge skylight, so the amount of energy mathematically that you save made a compelling argument. The school will probably make its money back on that within five to 10 years, that’s for sure.”
The Quadwall system is an assembly of two independent translucent insulated panels, resulting in one integrated, high-performance daylighting system. It provides building envelope protection with its removable exterior glazing feature. Scalable, the Quadwall system can be configured with additional insulation, Class A fire-rated roof assembly, sound reduction, dynamic shading, additional structural performance or even military forced-entry resistance. Joined by a mechanically interlocking connection, the dry-glazed Quadwall system eliminates the need for vulnerable adhesives, adding durability.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 157 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Doorway security assessment app
ASSA ABLOY. A new site assessment iPad app is available for free download on iTunes. The School Security Solutions assessment tool guides users through a detailed site survey that catalogs every door opening and captures specific school security requirements and campus details. The app conducts a detailed analysis based on the functionality of each opening type, including classrooms, main entrances, offices, assembly areas and more.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 150 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Cleaning product revamp
Tork. SCA, the maker of the Tork brand, has changed the product names and packaging for its North American wiper line to enable customers and users to more easily select the right product for the intended use. A task-based approach will identify wipers by name across four key usage categories: wiping, cleaning, polishing and sanitizing.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 151 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Modular sign
SignScape, a division of InPro Corporation. The Contego Modular Sign System is the solution for maintenance teams that must keep interior signage up-todate in changing buildings. The key to easy changeability is its Quick Pins, which can be unlocked with a flathead screwdriver for easy reconfiguration of the sign within minutes. The Quick Pins are placed out of sight on the aluminum frame to deter vandals as well as maintain a clean, uninterrupted appearance. Contego is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple door numbers to large, two-column directory signs.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 152 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Electrolized water technology
Air Cycle Corporation/Viking Pure, LLC. The companies have joined forces to provide equipment to produce non-toxic “electrolyzed” water to clean and sanitize. The system transforms the ions in the water into two safe solutions. Within the unit, chloride ions are converted into Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl), a sanitizer with a kill time of just seconds, and sodium ions are transformed into Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), an alkaline solution used as a grease cutter and cleaner. Both are non-toxic to humans and the environment, containing no harsh chemicals and releasing no fumes during use.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 153 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Pedestrian access towers
Chase Security. The new Designer Series towers answer the need for any pedestrian access control by pairing integrity with aesthetic appeal. Designer towers can be outfitted to include devices such as intercoms, cameras, keypads, card readers and more. Lighted accents to improve visibility are available options. All towers can be custom-designed and built to work with the unique device specifications of a project.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 154 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
Eco-friendly cabinet lock
FJM Security Products. The Combi-Cam E-Series has been added to the Combi-Cam lock line, which gives schools an environmentally friendly application with up to 10-year battery life, reducing the hazard of battery waste. With manager/master code functionality, the E-Series cabinet lock offers both surface and semi-flush mounting, perfect for cabinet doors or lockers. Instead of a square-hole cutout, the E-Series can retrofit a standard cam lock with a 5/8- to ¾-inch diameter.
Select the September 2013 issue RSN number 155 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.
