Industry News

In March, the Biden Administration launched its Clean Air in Buildings Challenge—an integral piece of the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan released by the Administration earlier in March, to encourage building owners, schools, colleges and universities, building operators, and organizations to implement practices and strategies that improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and diminish the spread of COVID-19. ABM, a leading provider of integrated facility solutions, today announces its enthusiastic support of the new “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge” and continues its commitment to safeguard the places and spaces people occupy every day.

To prepare building owners and operators for the challenge of improving indoor air quality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other federal agencies, provided a guide that details the four components of recommendations that include: creating a clean indoor air action plan, optimizing fresh air ventilation, enhancing air filtration and cleaning, and engaging the building community.

Josh Feinberg, Chief Strategy Officer stated, “At ABM, we applaud this action dedicated toward advancing the adoption of crucial indoor air quality guidelines. As we continue to navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19, it’s imperative that effective strategies are implemented to better equip organizational leaders to reduce the spread of the virus, thereby creating healthier spaces for all.”

Since the beginning of the year, states have been steadily removing mask mandates, re-opening facilities at full capacity, and no longer requiring proof of vaccination. As these protective protocols deescalate, there is an opportunity to apply key learnings and improve the health of the air within facilities. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, along with efficient standards of enhanced cleaning practices, provide a roadmap for building owners and operators to support the slowing the spread of COVID-19 variants and providing a better overall indoor environment.

Aligning with this objective, ABM continues to execute multipronged integrated facility service solutions for business decision makers and building owners and operators to deploy a holistic approach to facility health.

“Keeping occupants safe through incorporating proper ventilation, mechanical and control systems, along with several new and advanced technologies for biohazard disinfection of the air is critically important. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust a spotlight on the essential responsibility of companies to address the wellbeing of people, and businesses across industries must prioritize improvements to their facilities to achieve proper risk assessment in real-time,” said Nancy M. McClellan, ABM Expert Advisory Council.

Congress, along with the Biden Administration, has allocated hundreds of billions of dollars towards infrastructure investment, including for schools, public buildings, and other facilities to improve indoor air quality by funding upgrades and enhancements to Heating, Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. ABM is an industry leader in providing EnhancedFacility™ services focused on improving IAQ to foster better occupant wellbeing through improved building health, safety, and efficiency that helps reduce viral transmission.

Please visit abm.com to learn more about ABM’s EnhancedFacility program and services.

Increase efficiency, lower emissions with a clean energy source made in the USA 

This Earth Day, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is reminding builders, architects, engineers, and contractors that propane-powered systems can help buildings reduce emissions and their overall carbon footprint.

“Achieving sustainability goals in new construction or renovation projects is a team effort, requiring input from the builders, architects, engineers, and contractors as well as from the owners, operators, and facility managers who run and occupy buildings,” said Bryan Cordill, director of residential and commercial business development at PERC. “As states and municipalities continue to adopt more demanding emissions standards, it’s important to consider the emissions profile of a building’s systems and appliances—and the energy source powering them.”

Commercial construction professionals and their customers frequently look for reliable, available power solutions with a low emissions profile. Ensuring a sustainable operation is more important than ever as commercial sites try to become better environmental stewards, making propane-powered systems like furnaces, boilers, backup generators, and water heaters an even more compelling choice.

For example, propane water heaters use less source energy and generate fewer greenhouse gas (GHG), nitrous oxides (NOx), and sulfur oxides (SOx), emissions than conventional electric resistance water heaters. When compared to electric heat pump water heaters, propane water heaters have comparable source energy and GHG emissions, with significant reductions in SOx, according to data from the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and PERC.

Propane-powered backup generators produce considerably fewer emissions than their diesel counterparts. Propane burns cleaner than diesel, reducing NOx and SOx emissions, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide. Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) shows diesel produces 16 percent more carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy than propane. Additionally, when propane is stored on site, either above or below ground, there’s no risk for land or groundwater contamination. Diesel, on the other hand, has the potential to contaminate soil if it spills or leaks.

“Versatile propane systems can meet the demands of a wide variety of commercial spaces like restaurants, schools, warehouses, hospitals, office spaces, and retailers” said Cordill. “And because propane is an independent and highly portable energy source that works well with other clean energy sources, businesses can rely on it for clean power and energy resilience–not only on Earth Day, but all year long.”

To learn more about how propane can help construction professionals meet environmental and efficiency goals this Earth Day, visit Propane.com/Commercial-Buildings-and-Construction.

After a two-year hiatus, Fujitsu General America, Inc. held its fourth National Distributor Conference in San Antonio, TX.

The conference, which took place the week of April 11th, was held at the JW Marriot San Antonio.  Roughly 265 reps and wholesalers attended.

“Challenge of Change” was the theme of the event, and fitting, considering much of the conversation at the event covered the changes that Fujitsu is making to ensure quality, availability and support in a post-Covid market ripe with raw material, manpower and shipping challenges.

“Coming into this conference during what we hope is the tail end of a pandemic, we were a little concerned about attendance,” said Fujitsu President and COO, Matt Peterson.   “I could not be happier with the results of the meeting.  I really appreciate the positive vibe everyone brought to the event.”

“This event gives us time to spend with our valued partners,” said Fujitsu’s Dennis Stinson, VP of Sales. “It provides an opportunity to discuss our new programs and bring our partners up to date on where we are with supply chain logistics and what we’re doing about the challenges our industry faces right now, improving the flow of product through their distribution centers and ultimately to our contractors.”

Between breakout and general sessions, attendees golfed, enjoyed the extensive pool facilities or toured The Alamo and San Antonio’s Riverwalk.  Entertainment on the final evening was provided by the appearance of a Texas Longhorn, armadillo races and fire dancers.

Thanks to all that attended,” said Peterson.  “We can’t wait to see everyone again next year.”

For more information, please visit www.FujitsuGeneral.com

HoldRite produces industry-leading plumbing products for commercial and residential job sites including pipe supports, firestopping solutions and acoustic noise and vibration solutions 

HoldRite, an industry-leading brand of engineered plumbing and mechanical solutions within the Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) portfolio, is celebrating its 40^th anniversary of plumbing innovation this year. From its inception four decades ago, the brand has spent each day in the field engaging customers and solving common job-site challenges to create efficient, safe solutions for the construction industry, including pipe supports, in-slab stub-ups and supports, cast-in-place firestop sleeves, acoustic noise and vibration solutions, DWV testing systems and no-hub fitting restraints.

“For us, innovation starts at the job site,” said Chris Carrier, Senior Director of Product Management for RWC. “Our HoldRite solutions come directly from conversations with contractors and specifiers in the field, so we can incorporate our customers’ input into our products and help them overcome challenges they are facing on the job site.”

This approach has led HoldRite to improve job site safety and product efficiencies throughout its 40-year history, becoming one of RWC’s leading brands. Since the brand’s start, hundreds of millions of HoldRite products have been installed in a wide variety of construction projects, including single- and multi-family residential and commercial buildings, healthcare, hospitality and education.

“Through decades of successful installations, HoldRite has become integral in driving RWC’s business forward with its continued development of innovative plumbing solutions,” Carrier continued.

HoldRite’s first product was the catalyst for the brand’s commitment to solving job site challenges with efficient, safe products. In 1982, master plumber George Hubbard experienced a challenge in his daily work that needed to be solved. At his job sites, he had to cut blocks of wood to make supports for piping, a time-consuming and labor-intensive method. That’s when Hubbard created the first-ever HoldRite 101-18 bracket, the first step in reimagining pipe supports to better serve plumbing pros. By solving a daily challenge that he and his plumbers personally experienced, Hubbard set the foundation for HoldRite and its guiding mission: Innovation starts at the job site and results in solutions by plumbers, for plumbers.

To learn more about HoldRite’s 40 years of innovation, visit www.holdrite.com.