Facilities Management


Fiberglass manufacturer cleans air with specialized ventilation system

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Jeff Elliott | Aug 25, 2010

In the fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP) industry, selecting the right ventilation technology means finding a system that delivers the right amount of air, in the right location, in the right quantity for the right amount of time. All manufacturers must comply with regulations regarding the emission of styrene, which is ...

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On All Floors: Choosing the right surface preparation tools

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Dennis Von Ruden | Aug 12, 2010

Floor care takes up a considerable amount of time in most facilities. However, the less common task of floor repair and restoration often leaves building managers questioning where to start. First of all, a manager should focus on three things: the type of coating to be removed; an economic way to ...

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Buying In: Creating sense of equipment ownership key to green success

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Terry Wireman | Jul 19, 2010

In our personal lives, most individuals are conscious of their energy consumption and any pollution or contamination we generate. Consider for a moment the energy-saving devices we have in our homes: there are energy-efficient appliances for the kitchen, such as refrigerators, ovens and microwaves, as well as efficient hot-water heaters, ...

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Track and Save: Sub-metering pinpoints when and where energy is used

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Domenic Capobianco | Jul 12, 2010

Reducing electricity costs will boost your bottom line. But unless you have the data, you cannot manage your energy costs effectively. In a recent survey conducted on best-in-class companies, it was noted that they were able to reduce their energy consumption by 15 percent year over year and have overall ...

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Get a Hold on Power: 6 tips to manage your plant's energy footprint

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Ivan Romanow | Jul 12, 2010

Sustainability and energy management are more than green initiatives driven by social responsibilities — they have become economic imperatives. After one of manufacturing’s deepest downturns in recent history, companies are in survival mode and struggling to control expenses. One common challenge among industrial plants is the level of awareness among employees ...

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Fiber-optic maker lowers gas consumption 25% with new boilers

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PEM Staff | May 31, 2010

In 2007, after nearly 10 years in service, countless repairs, deteriorating efficiency and four consecutive increases in annual natural gas consumption, OFS Fitel LLC needed to replace its five, one-million-BTU-per-hour copper-fin boilers or face the possibility of a total system failure. The installation of two AERCO Benchmark 2.0 Low NOx (BMK2.0LN) ...

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Happy Birthday: The modern CFL light bulb turns 25

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PEM Staff | May 25, 2010

Osram Sylvania is marking the 25th birthday of the modern compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulb. Born on April 17, 1985, in Hannover, Germany, the CFL arrived a full eight inches tall, consuming 20 watts of energy. The stick-shaped CFL was the first screw-in, energy-saving replacement for a standard incandescent light ...

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Canada's CRS Electronics provides LED lighting to pharmaceutical giant

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PEM Staff | May 25, 2010

CRS Electronics has refitted the Mississauga office of GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK), one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical, vaccine and healthcare companies, with light-emitting diodes (LED). LED lights use significantly less energy than incandescent, halogen or fluorescent tube lighting. They also provide increased brightness and require less maintenance. The average ...

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New boilers improve energy efficiencies at Duke University

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PEM Staff | May 10, 2010

Duke University's commitment to sustainability continues with a $25 million renovation of its East Campus Steam Plant and conversion to natural gas boilers. For about 50 years, the plant's coal-fired boilers supplied steam through underground pipes and tunnels to heat campus buildings until the plant closed in 1978. The new plant, ...

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Retractable odour-control covers improve access to wastewater tanks

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Jim McMahon | Apr 21, 2010

The Vallejo Sanitation & Flood Control District, in the San Francisco Bay area, has been engaged in a program to scrub off-gas odors from all aspects of its wastewater treatment plant. After biofiltration, the wastewater is pumped into two aeration basins. The aeration tanks condition the solids particles discharged from the ...

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Maintenance Software: Get more for less from your CMMS systems

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David Berger | Mar 19, 2010

There are only two ways you can get more for less from purchasing a computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) package. The first step is to find a software package that has features and functions that best match your user requirements, and make maximum use out of this functionality. The second ...

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Green maintenance: 7 steps to achieve energy savings

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Tony Buffington and Terry Wireman | Mar 1, 2010

Where does a company begin to create an energy efficiency strategy? It should start with a program that includes objectives of reducing energy consumption while increasing energy efficiency. As part of the strategy, there needs to be a straightforward method to measure both components to the strategy. It's a well ...

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Future ISO energy-management standard approved as draft

PEM Staff | Jul 14, 2010

The future ISO 50001 standard for energy management was recently approved as a Draft International Standard (DIS). ISO 50001 will establish a framework for industrial plants, commercial facilities or entire organizations to manage energy. Targeting broad applicability across national economic sectors, it is estimated that the standard could influence up to ...

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Energy-efficiency program launched for Ontario's industrial sector

PEM Staff | Jul 14, 2010

The Ontario Power Authority today officially launched a new energy-efficiency program to reduce electricity use and increase competitiveness for large industrial companies that are directly connected to the electricity transmission system. The Industrial Accelerator is a five-year program that provides attractive financial incentives to speed up investment in electricity-saving projects. Participating ...

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Praxair Canada to supply Essar Steel Algoma

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PEM Staff | May 20, 2010

Praxair Canada Inc. in Mississauga, Ont., has signed a long-term supply agreement to design and build a cryogenic air-separation plant to supply 900 tons per day of gaseous oxygen to Essar Steel Algoma Inc.’s steel mill located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The new plant is scheduled to start up ...

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Environment management software to track, curb greenhouse gas

PEM Staff | Apr 15, 2010

It’s a safe bet no one wants to witness the mass extinction of mankind. Neither does Intelex. That’s why the Toronto-based environment management software company is partnering with AMEE — or Avoiding Mass Extinctions Engine — to help companies around the globe track and curb their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a ...

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Manufacturers lack software to manage environmental footprint: study

PEM Staff | Mar 26, 2010

Almost half of manufacturers lacked the enterprise technology to manage their environmental footprint, and another 28 percent had only limited capabilities, according to a study released by IFS North America. The study asked manufacturers to what extent their enterprise-wide software allowed them to track their impact on the environment in the ...

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Pulse Energy-led project to further develop energy-efficiency software

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PEM Staff | Mar 15, 2010

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has awarded up to $2.5 million in funding to a project led by Vancouver-based Pulse Energy to develop and demonstrate an intelligent energy management platform. Working with its consortium partners Brookfield LePage Johnson Controls (BLJC), Cisco, University of British Columbia (UBC), Grouse Mountain Resorts and the ...

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Cincinnati Incorporated targets 30-50 percent capacity increase with plant investments

Newswire | Feb 22, 2010

Cincinnati Incorporated is turning the tables on the economic downturn and positioning itself for the recovery, much as it prompts its own customers to do. The company is investing 10 percent of 2009 sales – and another 10 percent in 2010 – to re-tool its plant and implement lean practices ...

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360 Energy President and St. Marys Cement representative added to ENEX schedule

Robert Colman | Feb 17, 2010

Two new speakers have been announced for this year’s ENEX Energy Excellence conference. One of the newest additions to the event is David Arkell, President and CEO of 360 Energy. Arkell appeared at the last ENEX event and was one of our highest-rated speakers. 360 Energy is a leading energy ...

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United Steelworkers partners in $1M Canadian climate change study

Newswire | Feb 16, 2010

TORONTO, ON — The United Steelworkers has been announced as a key participant in a six-year study of the challenges posed by climate change to Canadian workplaces and possible solutions to these issues. The research project is led by Carla Lipsig-Mummé, professor of work and labour studies in York University's Faculty ...

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PTDA members enter 2010 optimistic about future

Newswire | Feb 4, 2010

Chicago, IL — Despite a year of unprecedented economic challenges in 2009, members of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) are finding cause for optimism as 2010 begins. According to a survey conducted by Cleveland Research on behalf of PTDA in October 2009, 41 percent of PTDA members are forecasting ...

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Johnson Controls releases upgrade to Metasys Building Management System

Newswire | Jan 25, 2010

Milwaukee, WI — Johnson Controls, the industry leader in providing building efficiency and energy management solutions, today released Metasys version 5.0, the company's Building Management System (BMS). The latest update delivers greater visibility into building operations and energy usage through multiple system enhancements, including Web-enabled reports and summaries compatible with ...

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U.S. PT/MC manufacturers’ month-to-month sales decrease while Canadian sales remain flat: PTDA

Newswire | Jan 25, 2010

Chicago, IL — Following gains in October 2009, U.S. manufacturers’ sales decreased while Canadian manufacturers posted no change in November 2009, according to sales data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) in its Market Outlook Report.  U.S. manufacturers’ sales dropped 6.1 percent from October 2009 sales, following three ...

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Power quality and utility analyzer

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PEM Staff | Jul 12, 2010

Carlo Gavazzi has added the WM30-96 Smart Modular Power Analyzer to its extensive energy management product lineup. This three-phase power analyzer offers an upgraded LCD display, capable of showing four electrical variables, an energy counter and a power demand indicator at the same time. The WM30-96 is recommended for utility ...

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HVLS fans

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PEM Staff | Jul 12, 2010

Dock Products Canada Inc. represents Serco’s new high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fan series, designed to provide facilities with a cost-effective and energy-efficient cooling and heating solution. The gentle, non-disruptive breeze breaks the moisture-saturated boundary layer on the skin, providing an eight to10-degree cooling sensation. This allows facilities to raise thermostats in ...

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Boiler heat recovery

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PEM Staff | May 31, 2010

Boiler heat recovery products have evolved in response to customer and market demand attributed to economic challenges and environmental regulatory mandates. One such technological advancement is Cannon Boiler Works’ Feed Water Heaters, which provide a more energy efficient and cost effective solution, compared to traditional economizers, for process and manufacturing ...

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Wall hung boiler

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PEM Staff | May 27, 2010

AERCO International introduces the AERCO Esteem 399 wall hung condensing boiler that brings high efficiency and superior reliability to a variety of commercial hot water applications, the company says. The AERCO Esteem 399 delivers 3.6:1 turndown and 95-percent efficiency, which helps improve system operation and reduce overall energy consumption in ...

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Deter pest birds

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Newswire | Feb 22, 2010

Bird-B-Gone, Inc., manufacturer of professional bird control products, introduces Avian Plus, a bird hazing system that uses natural scents to deter pest birds from enclosed and semi enclosed areas such as airline hangars, warehouses, storage facilities, loading docks, big box stores and more. Avian Plus is a small wall mounted ...

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Sioux all-electric E-Series pressure washers and steam cleaners

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Newswire | Jan 25, 2010

Beresford, SD — Sioux Corporation’s new line of 100 percent Electric E-Series pressure washers and steam cleaners now feature the CE Mark. This is a mandatory conformity mark on products in the European Economic Area. The CE Marking certifies that a product meets European Union consumer safety, health and environmental ...

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HeatBank Earth thermal heating cables and mats lower energy demands

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Newswire | Jan 11, 2010

ROSEMONT, IL — By converting "off-peak" electrical energy into  a reservoir of radiant heat stored within a building's foundation, EasyHeat's HeatBank mats and cables allow commercial and industrial businesses to significantly lower their energy bills. Once stored, this uniform, non-drying heat radiates throughout the building during "peak" energy periods as ...

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Versatile shop floor CMM

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PEM | Nov 20, 2009

North Kingstown, RI — Brown & Sharpe, a brand of Hexagon Metrology, Inc., announced recently the debut of the ONE Shop Floor CMM outfitted with the ScanShark 4Vix laser line scanning probe. The ONE from Brown & Sharpe is a versatile shop floor CMM that can be equipped with touch-trigger ...

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Safe, effective, sustainable aerosol cleaners

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| Oct 28, 2009

LONDON, ON — 3M Canada today introduced 3M Novec Contact Cleaner Plus to its complete line of non-flammable aerosol cleaners that offers more cleaning power for removing oil, grease and silicones in sensitive electronics. 3M Novec Contact Cleaner Plus is ideal for maintenance and repair (MRO) along with assembly operations for ...

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Air preparation products

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Newswire | Oct 20, 2009

Monee, IL — Bimba announced recently a new addition to their Filter, Regulator and Lubricator (FRL) line of products and accessories, the Medium 60 Series. The Medium 60 Series, which supports port sizes of 1/2 NPT and 3/4 NPT, expands Bimba's existing Air Preparation lines to further complete their comprehensive ...

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Fans for smaller industrial spaces

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PEM | Jun 16, 2009

Big Ass Fans introduces Isis, perfect for smaller industrial spaces for improved comfort and energy savings....

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New AirGo mobile vertical fan

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PEM | May 25, 2009

Lexington, KY - Big Ass Fans is on a "roll" with the all new AirGo, an innovative mobile vertical fan. This 8-ft. diameter, precision engineered Big Ass Fan is designed to maneuver with ease on its four 8-inch Performa rubber tread wheels and provide an immediate air movement solution w...

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Oil Analysis Basics

Editor Andre Voshart goes over best practices when starting or reviewing an oil analysis program at your facility.

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